Single-Step Ugi Multicomponent Reaction for the Synthesis of Phosphopeptidomimetics

Phosphonopeptides containing free phosphonic groups: recent advances

Phosphonopeptides are mimetics of peptides in which phosphonic acid or related (phosphinic, phosphonous etc.) group replaces either carboxylic acid group present at C-terminus, is located in the peptidyl side chain, or phosphonamidate or phosphinic acid mimics peptide bond. Acting as inhibitors of key enzymes related to variable pathological states they display interesting and useful physiologic activities with potential applications in medicine and agriculture. Since the synthesis and biological properties of peptides containing C-terminal diaryl phosphonates and those with phosphonic fragment replacing peptide bond were comprehensively reviewed, this review concentrate on peptides holding free, unsubstituted phosphonic acid moiety. There are two groups of such mimetics: (i) peptides in which aminophosphonic acid is located at C-terminus of the peptide chain with most of them (including antibiotics isolated from bacteria and fungi) exhibiting antimicrobial activity; (ii) non-hydrolysable analogues of phosphonoamino acids, which are useful tools to study physiologic effects of phosphorylations.

A study of the cis–trans isomerization preference of N-alkylated peptides containing phosphorus in the side chain and backbone

The current work provides a study on the cis–trans isomerization behaviour of N-alkylated peptides decorated with phosphonate ester groups.

With unprotected amino acids to tetrazolo peptidomimetics

Here we describe the direct usage of C,N-unprotected amino acids in Ugi-tetrazole reactions to produce a novel class of acid-tetrazole compounds. Surprisingly, only the tetrazole Ugi product is found and not traces of other possible Ugi type reactions. Based on this reaction pathway we have designed the synthesis of novel tetrazole-peptidomimetics. A high level of structural diversity can be achieved using this isocyanide based multicomponent reaction (IMCR), providing a platform for the production of functionalized building blocks for novel bioactive molecules and nontraditional scaffolds which previously were not accessible.

A sequential Ugi multicomponent/Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition approach for the continuous flow generation of cyclic peptoids

The development of a continuous flow multistep strategy for the synthesis of linear peptoids and their subsequent macrocyclization via Click chemistry is described. The central transformation of this process is an Ugi four-component reaction generating the peptidomimetic core structure. In order to avoid exposure to the often toxic and malodorous isocyanide building blocks, the continuous approach was telescoped by the dehydration of the corresponding formamide. In a concurrent operation, the highly energetic azide moiety required for the subsequent intramolecular copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (Click reaction) was installed by nucleophilic substitution from a bromide precursor. All steps yielding to the linear core structures can be conveniently coupled without the need for purification steps resulting in a single process generating the desired peptidomimetics in good to excellent yields within a 25 min reaction time. The following macrocyclization was realized in a coil reactor made of copper without any additional additive. A careful process intensification study demonstrated that this transformation occurs quantitatively within 25 min at 140 °C. Depending on the resulting ring strain, either a dimeric or a monomeric form of the cyclic product was obtained.

A universal isocyanide for diverse heterocycle syntheses

Novel scaffolds are of uttermost importance for the discovery of functional material. Three different heterocyclic scaffolds easily accessible from isocyanoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal 1 by multicomponent reaction (MCR) are described. They can be efficiently synthesized by a Ugi tetrazole multicomponent reaction of 1. We discuss the synthesis, 3D structures, and other physicochemical properties.