Conformationally Constrained Purine Mimics. Incorporation of Adenine and Guanine into Spirocyclic Nucleosides

Chemo-enzymatic access to C-4′-hydroxyl-tetrahydrofurano-spironucleosides

The biocatalytic synthesis of C-4′-hydroxyl-tetrahydrofurano-spironucleosides where the tetrahydrofuranospirocyclic ring at C-4′ position locks the furanose ring of nucleosides in the NE-conformation (C4′-exo).

Preparation of 4'-Spirocyclobutyl Nucleoside Analogues as Novel and Versatile Adenosine Scaffolds

Despite the large variety of modified nucleosides that have been reported, the preparation of constrained 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues has received very little attention. We discovered that the [2+2]-cycloaddition of dichloroketene on readily available 4'-exo-methylene furanose sugars efficiently results in the diastereoselective formation of novel 4'-spirocyclobutanones. The reaction mechanism was investigated via density functional theory (DFT) and found to proceed either via a non-synchronous or stepwise reaction sequence, controlled by the stereochemistry at the 3'-position of the sugar substrate. The obtained dichlorocyclobutanones were converted into nucleoside analogues, providing access to a novel class of chiral 4'-spirocyclobutyl adenosine mimetics in eight steps from commercially available sugars. Assessment of the biological activity of designed 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues identified potent inhibitors for protein methyltransferase target PRMT5.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel spirocyclic nucleosides

A diverse range of spirocyclic nucleosides have been prepared from a common precursor and tested for their antiviral activity.

Synthesis of aza- and thia-spiroheterocycles and attempted synthesis of spiro sulfonium compounds related to salacinol

The synthesis of aza- and thia-spiroheterocycles and the attempted synthesis of spiro sulfonium compounds related to salacinol are described. The binding of the nanomolar inhibitor swainsonine to Drosophila Golgi alpha-mannosidase II (dGMII) involves a large contribution of interactions between the six-membered ring of the inhibitor and the hydrophobic pocket within the enzyme active site. Salacinol, a naturally occurring sulfonium ion, is one of the active principles in the aqueous extracts of Salacia reticulata that are traditionally used in Sri Lanka and India for the treatment of diabetes. Spiro aza- and thia-heterocycles and a spiro analogue of salacinol were designed with the expectation that the hydrocarbon portions would make hydrophobic contributions to binding. The former sets of compounds were synthesized successfully but the salacinol analogue proved to be elusive. The stereochemistry of the final compounds was determined by means of 1D-NOESY experiments. The aza- and thia-heterocycles were not effective inhibitors of Golgi alpha-mannosidase II or human maltase glucoamylase.

Sequential Ring-Closing Metathesis and Nitrone Cycloaddition on Glucose-Derived Substrates: A Divergent Approach to Analogues of Spiroannulated Carbanucleosides and Conformationally Locked Nucleosides

The carbohydrate-derived substrate 3-C-allyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-allofuranose was judiciously manipulated for preparing suitable synthons, which could be converted to a variety of isoxazolidino-spirocycles and -tricycles through the application of ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition (INC) reactions. Cleavage of the isoxazolidine rings of some of these derivatives by transfer hydrogenolysis followed by coupling of the generated amino functionalities with 5-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine furnished the corresponding chloropyrimidine nucleosides, which were elaborated to spiroannulated carbanucleosides and conformationally locked bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane/oxa-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane nucleosides. However, use of higher temperature for the cyclization of one of the chloropyrimidines led to the dimethylaminopurine analogue as a sole product, formed via nucleophilic displacement of the chloro group by dimethylamine generated from DMF.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Conformationally Constrained 2‘-Deoxy-4‘-thia β-Anomeric Spirocyclic Nucleosides Featuring Either Hydroxyl Configuration at C5‘

An enantioselective approach to 2'-deoxy-4'-thia spirocyclic nucleosides featuring an alpha- or beta-hydroxyl substituent at C-5' of the carbocyclic ring is detailed. The starting point is the mandelate acetal 8. The overall strategy involves the stereocontrolled dihydroxylation of this dihydrothiophene, subsequent generation of the keto acetonide 12 followed by its Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction and beta-elimination, protection of the resulting dihydroxy thiaglycal, electrophilic glycosidation according to the Haraguchi protocol, reductive removal of the phenylseleno group, and end-game global deprotection. Acquisition of the alpha- and beta-5'-isomers is equally facile. Various 1D and 2D NMR techniques are used for assigning configuration.

Practical Synthesis of Enantiopure Spiro[4.4]nonane C-(2‘-Deoxy)ribonucleosides

The levorotatory diol 7 has been sequentially monosilylated, dehydrated, and oxidized at the allylic methylene group to provide (+)-12. The enantiomeric dextrorotatory diol 7 has been directed down a different sequence of steps involving monosilylation, dehydration, hydroboration, Swern oxidation, and regioselective introduction of a conjugated double bond to generate (-)-33. The novel feature of these transformations is that two key deoxycarbospironucleoside intermediates of the proper absolute configuration have been made available from enantiomerically related precursors. Also reported is a highly practical and reliable means for the formation of novel 2'-deoxyribonucleosides of novel structural type from these spirocyclic cyclopentenones.