Highly Diastereoselective Enolate Addition of O-Protected α-Hydroxyacetate to (SR)-tert-Butanesulfinylimines: Synthesis of Taxol Side Chain

General Approach to Enantiopure 1-Aminopyrrolizidines: Application to the Asymmetric Synthesis of the Loline Alkaloids

The synthesis of a range of loline alkaloids is reported. The C(7) and C(7a) stereogenic centers for the targets were formed by the established conjugate addition of lithium (S)-N-benzyl-N-(α-methylbenzyl)amide to tert-butyl 5-benzyloxypent-2-enoate, ensuing enolate oxidation to give an α-hydroxy-β-amino ester, and then formal exchange of the resultant amino and hydroxyl functionalities (via the intermediacy of the corresponding aziridinium ion) to give an α-amino-β-hydroxy ester. Subsequent transformation gave a 3-hydroxyprolinal derivative which was converted to the corresponding N-tert-butylsulfinylimine. Mannich-type reaction with the enolate derived from O-Boc protected methyl glycolate then formed the remaining C(1) and C(2) stereogenic centers for the targets. The 2,7-ether bridge was formed by a displacement reaction, completing construction of the loline alkaloid core. Facile manipulations then gave a range of loline alkaloids, including loline itself.

Optimized M24B Aminopeptidase Inhibitors for CARD8 Inflammasome Activation

Inflammasomes are innate immune signaling platforms that trigger pyroptotic cell death. NLRP1 and CARD8 are related human inflammasomes that detect similar danger signals, but NLRP1 has a higher activation threshold and triggers a more inflammatory form of pyroptosis. Both sense the accumulation of intracellular peptides with Xaa-Pro N-termini, but Xaa-Pro peptides on their own without a second danger signal only activate the CARD8 inflammasome. We recently reported that a dual inhibitor of the Xaa-Pro-cleaving M24B aminopeptidases PEPD and XPNPEP1 called CQ31 selectively activates the CARD8 inflammasome by inducing the build-up of Xaa-Pro peptides. Here, we performed structure-activity relationship studies on CQ31 to develop the optimized dual PEPD/XPNPEP1 inhibitor CQ80 that more effectively induces CARD8 inflammasome activation. We anticipate that CQ80 will become a valuable tool to study the basic biology and therapeutic potential of selective CARD8 inflammasome activation.

Mannich-Type Reaction of α-Sulfanyl N-tert-Butanesulfinylimidates: Diastereoselective Access to α-Mercapto-β-amino Acid Derivatives

A series of α-mercapto-β-amino acid derivatives were synthesized diastereoselectively in good yields through the aza-enolization of α-sulfanyl N-tert-butanesulfinylimidates, followed by their nucleophilic addition to N-tosyl imines via a Mannich-type reaction. The resulting derivatives bearing a β-sulfonylamino sulfide moiety participated in further inter- and intramolecular transformations involving episulfonium ion intermediates generated through neighboring-group participation.

Reversal of Diastereoselectivity in a Masked Acyl Cyanide (MAC) Reaction: Synthesis of Protected erythro-β-Hydroxyaspartate Derivatives

Using Garner's aldehyde as a substrate, one-pot MAC hydroxyhomologation reactions proceeded in good yields and with anti selectivity for the first time (dr up to 9:1). The products were used to prepare a panel of protected derivatives of erythro-β-hydroxyaspartic acid and erythro-β-hydroxyasparagine as single enantiomers in a few steps.

One-pot diastereo- and enantioselective hydrosilylation–transacylation of α-acyloxy β-enamino esters

Asymmetric hydrosilylation–transacylation of α-acyloxy β-enamino esters provided various α-hydroxyl-β-acylamido esters in good yields with good diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities.

Development of a Simple Adjustable Zinc Acid/Base Hybrid Catalyst for C-C and C-O Bond-Forming and C-C Bond-Cleavage Reactions

A newly designed zinc Lewis acid/base hybrid catalyst was developed. By adjusting the Lewis acidity of the zinc center, aldol-type additions of 2-picolylamine Schiff base to aldehydes proceeded smoothly to afford syn-aldol adduct equivalents, trans-N,O-acetal adducts, in high yields with high selectivities. NMR experiments, including microchanneled cell for synthesis monitoring (MICCS) NMR analysis, revealed that anti-aldol adducts were formed at the initial stage of the reactions under kinetic control, but the final products were the trans-(syn)-N,O-acetal adducts that were produced through a retro-aldol process under thermodynamic control. In the whole reaction process, the zinc catalyst played three important roles: i) promotion of the aldol process (C-C bond formation), ii) cyclization process to the N,O-acetal product (C-O bond formation), and iii) retro-aldol process from the anti-aldol adduct to the syn-aldol adduct (C-C bond cleavage and C-C bond formation).

Silyllithium-Initiated Coupling of α-Ketoamides with tert-Butanesulfinylimines for Stereoselective Synthesis of Enantioenriched α-(Silyloxy)-β-amino Amides

A silyllithium-initiated coupling of α-ketoamides with tert-butanesulfinylimines was developed for the efficient, stereoselective synthesis of enantioenriched α-(silyloxy)-β-amino amides. Nucleophilic addition of silyllithium to α-ketoamides, followed by 1,2-Brook rearrangement, generates nucleophilic enolates, which are then intercepted by chiral imines to provide three-component coupling products. Use of α-ketoamides is critical for achieving high yields and diastereoselectivities in the resulting α-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives.

Enantioselective oxidative functionalization of the Csp3–H bond adjacent to a nitrogen atom for rapid access to β-hydroxyl-α-amino acid derivatives

Highly chemoselective and enantioselective one-pot reactions involved in the oxidative functionalization of C_sp3–H bonds adjacent to nitrogen atoms were developed to rapidly construct highly functionalized β-hydroxyl-α-amino acid derivatives from simple starting materials under mild conditions.

Diastereoselective Addition of Metal α-Fluoroenolates of Carboxylate Esters to N-tert-Butylsulfinyl Imines: Synthesis of α-Fluoro-β-amino Acids

We report a diastereoselective addition reaction of fluoroacetate and α-alkylated fluoroacetate to N-tert-butylsulfinyl imines. This method provides a concise route to α-fluoro-β-amino acids containing fluorinated quaternary stereogenic carbon centers with very good yields and high diastereoselectivities. This protocol has the benefit of using abundant and readily accessible starting materials and is operationally simple. Additionally, the stereochemical outcome of the present reaction was different from that of the previously known addition of comparable nonfluorinated, brominated, and chlorinated enolates to N-sulfinyl imines, suggesting that an open transition state (rather than a closed one) is involved in the current fluoroalkylation reaction.

Asymmetric synthesis of chloroisothreonine derivatives via syn-stereoselective Mannich-type additions across N-sulfinyl-α-chloroimines

Mannich-type reactions across N-sulfinyl-α-chloroaldimines resulted in syn-stereoselective synthesis of chloroisothreonine derivatives as excellent building blocks.

Stereoselective synthesis of 4-substituted-cyclic sulfamidate-5-carboxylates by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation accompanied by dynamic kinetic resolution and applications to concise stereoselective syntheses of (−)-epi-cytoxazone and the taxotere side-chain

DKR driven, asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of cyclic sulfamidate imine-5-carboxylates were developed.

The synthesis of novel taxoids for oral administration

A group of novel taxoids, with modifications at C-7, C-10, C-3' and C-14 positions of paclitaxel, was synthesized in order to improve their biological profile by decreasing their affinity with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and increasing cellular permeability. Most of the new taxoids demonstrated the similar potent cytotoxic activities in MCF-7 human tumor cell line as paclitaxel in vitro. In the permeability assay with monolayers of Caco-2 cells, most of the compounds demonstrated an increased trans-cellular transport in A-to-B direction in comparison with paclitaxel. Among them the compounds T-13, T-15 and T-26 showed the highest permeability, and with efflux ratios better than that of ortataxel. The interaction of the compounds T-13 and T-26 with P-gp was evaluated using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-multidrug resistance-1(MDR1) and MDCK-wild-type (WT). The results indicated that T-13 and T-26 were poor substrates for P-gp and possessed inhibiting effects of P-gp mediated efflux. It was thus clear that simultaneous modifications at the C-7, C-10 and C-3' positions of paclitaxel significantly impaired its interactions with P-gp and interfered with P-gp mediated efflux.

Total synthesis and configurational assignment of chondramide A

The first total synthesis of the cyclodepsipeptide chondramide A (2 b) is described. This depsipeptide is composed of four subunits, namely L-alanine, N-Me-D-tryptophan, 3-amino-2-methoxy-propionic acid (beta-tyrosine derivative), and a 7-hydroxy-alkenoic acid. While the configuration of the stereogenic centers in the 7-hydroxy-alkenoic acid were known, the configuration of the tyrosine derivative required clarification and turned out to be (2S,3R) or (2L,3L), respectively. The synthesis of the 3-amino-2-methoxy-3-arylpropanoic ester 20 b relied on an asymmetric dihydroxylation yielding diol ent-15 a followed by a regioselective Mitsunobu substitution leading to 3-azido-2-hydroxypropanoate 18 b. We could also show that the ester bond in the seco compound 26 b can be fashioned by a Mitsunobu esterification by using hydroxy ester (7S)-7 and the tripeptide acid 25 b. This synthesis should allow for the preparation of various analogues.

Highly diastereoselective addition of alkynylmagnesium chlorides to N-tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines: a practical and general access to chiral alpha-branched amines

The addition of alkynylmagnesium chlorides to N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines proceeded with a remarkably high diastereoselectivity (dr > 13:1, mostly diastereopure), and with a general scope of both reaction partners. The high dr translated into simplified purification and higher optical purity for the synthesis of a wide array of chiral alpha-branched amines. The alkyne functionality also provides a multitude of opportunities for further synthetic transformations. The short asymmetric synthesis of (+)-angustureine 7 and (-)-cuspareine 10 was realized with use of this approach.

tert-Butanesulfinimines: structure, synthesis and synthetic applications

Since Ellman's seminal works, over the past ten years tert-butanesulfinimines have proved to be useful chiral amino intermediates for organic synthesis. Through highly stereoselective reactions, amongst which reductions, nucleophilic 1,2-additions and ylide condensations, a broad range of nitrogen-containing compounds has been synthesized. Although the stereoselectivity levels are high in most cases, the sense of the stereoinduction is generally not predictable. The object of this critical review is to present the models proposed to rationalize the stereochemical outcome of the reactions involving tert-butanesulfinimines and to point out an obvious lack of homogeneity amongst them (128 references).

An advance on exploring N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines in asymmetric synthesis of chiral amines

Although catalytic asymmetric synthesis has undergone tremendous growth in the last 30 years, chiral auxiliary-aided asymmetric synthesis continues to attract considerable attention. Chiral N- tert-butanesulfinamide, as pioneered by Ellman and co-workers, is undoubtedly one of the most efficient auxiliaries developed to date; it allows the preparation, through simple conversion, of a diverse range of enantiopure amines, which are ubiquitous in natural products and biologically active molecules. Following on from our studies of the SmI(2)-mediated asymmetric syntheses of alpha,gamma-substituted gamma-butyrolactones, we found that simple homocoupling of chiral N- tert-butanesulfinyl imines in the presence of SmI(2) produced enantiopure vicinal C2-symmetric diamines in high yield. In addition, C2-unsymmetric chiral diamines are readily prepared through SmI(2)-mediated cross-couplings of N- tert-butanesulfinyl imines and nitrones; these transformations represented the first successful examples of asymmetric cross-coupling between two different imine species. Subsequently, we discovered another useful reaction induced by SmI(2), the efficient cross-coupling of N- tert-butanesulfinyl imines and aldehydes, which provides ready access to enantiopure anti-1,2-amino alcohols. The synthetic applicability of this reaction was demonstrated through its use in the facile total syntheses of (3R,4S)-statine, d- erythro-sphinganine, (+)-CP-99,994, and (+)-L-733,060. The Zn/In-mediated allylation of chiral N- tert-butanesulfinyl imines yields homoallylic amines. After pondering the reaction mechanism, we developed optimal reaction conditions for reversing the stereogenic outcome, thereby allowing the preparation of enantiopure homoallylic amines of either handedness from single enantiomers of the (R)- or (S)-sulfinyl imine. When a benzoyl-substituted allyl bromide is used for allylation, the reaction proceeds smoothly to give 2-vinyl-substituted anti-1,2-amino alcohols in high yields and diastereoselectivities, another simple method for preparing enantiopure amino alcohols. We employed these reactions in the syntheses of enantiopure allylglycine, 3-allyl-isoindolinones, and (-)-cytoxazone. Further studies led to the discovery that the allylations of N- tert-butanesulfinyl aldimines can be performed in water. The reactions described in this Account are among the simplest and most efficient synthetic methods available for preparing enantio-enriched diamines, amino alcohols, homoallylic amines, and other amine derivatives. These reactions are additionally attractive because of the ready availability of the starting materials, the simplicity of the reaction conditions, and the high degree of stereochemical control. Their applications in the total syntheses of several biologically interesting molecules illustrate the versatility of these transformations; we hope that they will stimulate the development of new synthetic methods.

Sulfinimine-derived 2,3-diamino esters in the asymmetric synthesis of piperidine (2S,3S)-(+)-CP-99,994

Sulfinimine-derived, differentially protected, 2,3-diamino esters are useful building blocks for the asymmetric synthesis of heterocycles and is illustrated by an efficient synthesis of amino piperidine (+)-CP-99,994.

An Easy Stereoselective Access to β,γ-Aziridino α-Amino Ester Derivatives via Mannich Reaction of Benzophenone Imines of Glycine Esters with N-Sulfonyl α-Chloroaldimines

Mannich-type addition of benzophenone imine glycinates across newly synthesized N-(p-toluenesulfonyl) alpha-chloroaldimines afforded gamma-chloro-alpha,beta-diamino ester derivatives with moderate diastereoselectivity as separable mixtures of anti and syn diastereomers. The gamma-chloro-alpha,beta-diamino esters were efficiently cyclized under basic conditions to the corresponding beta,gamma-aziridino alpha-amino ester derivatives, representing a new class of conformationally constrained heterocyclic alpha,beta-diamino acid derivatives. The relative configuration of the aziridines was determined via X-ray diffraction analysis. Mechanisms and intermediate transition states to explain the stereochemical outcome of the Mannich reaction with different substrates or under different conditions are proposed. The synthetic importance of the beta,gamma-aziridino alpha-amino ester derivatives is demonstrated by their conversion into the corresponding Boc-protected derivatives and ring opening reactions to alpha,beta-diamino esters and a gamma-amino alpha,beta-unsaturated amino ester.

Asymmetric synthesis of syn-alpha-substituted beta-amino ketones by using sulfinimines and prochiral Weinreb amide enolates

Syn-alpha-substituted beta-amino Weinreb amides are new chiral building blocks for asymmetric synthesis of syn-alpha-substituted beta-amino acids, aldehydes, and ketones and are prepared by addition of prochiral lithium enolates of Weinreb amides to sulfinimines (N-sulfinyl imines).

Syntheses of Novel Chiral Sulfinamido Ligands and Their Applications in Diethylzinc Additions to Aldehydes

A novel class of sulfinamido alcohol ligands 1-6 was synthesized from (S)-tert-butanesulfinamide. These ligands showed excellent catalytic activities and enantiomeric selectivities in asymmetric additions of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes.