Enantiospecific Synthesis of Optically Active 6-Methoxytryptophan Derivatives and Total Synthesis of Tryprostatin A1

Synthesis of tryptophan-containing 2,5-diketopiperazines via sequential C-H activation: total syntheses of tryprostatin A, maremycins A and B

Indole 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) are an important type of metabolic cyclic dipeptides containing a tryptophan (Trp) unit possessing a range of interesting biological activities. The intriguing structural features and divergent activities have stimulated tremendous efforts towards their efficient synthesis. Herein, we report the development of a unified strategy for the synthesis of three Trp-containing DKPs, namely tryprostatin A, and maremycins A and B, via a sequential C–H activation strategy. The key Trp skeletons were synthesized from the inexpensive, readily available alanine via a Pd(ii)-catalyzed β-methyl C(sp³)–H monoarylation. A subsequent C2-selective prenylation of the resulting 6-OMe-Trp by Pd/norbornene-promoted C–H activation led to the total synthesis of tryprostatin A in 12 linear steps from alanine with 25% overall yield. Meanwhile, total syntheses of maremycins A and B were successfully accomplished using a sequential Pd-catalyzed methylene C(sp³)–H methylation as the key step in 15 linear steps from alanine.

Indole 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) are an important type of metabolic cyclic dipeptides containing a tryptophan (Trp) unit possessing a range of interesting biological activities.

Synthesis of indole derivatives as prevalent moieties present in selected alkaloids

Indoles are a significant heterocyclic system in natural products and drugs. They are important types of molecules and natural products and play a main role in cell biology. The application of indole derivatives as biologically active compounds for the treatment of cancer cells, microbes, and different types of disorders in the human body has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Indoles, both natural and synthetic, show various biologically vital properties. Owing to the importance of this significant ring system, the investigation of novel methods of synthesis have attracted the attention of the chemical community. In this review, we aim to highlight the construction of indoles as a moiety in selected alkaloids.

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-[18F]fluoro-3-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-indole as potential PET tracer for targeting tryptophane 2, 3-dioxygenase (TDO)

INTRODUCTION

The increase in expression of tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenases (TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) have been reported as potential tumor biomarkers. TDO and IDO are enzymes that catalyze the first and rate-limiting step of the kynurenine pathway. Positron emitting tomography (PET) tracers investigating the kynurenine pathway may allow for the detection of different disease pathologies in vivo including cancer. However, current PET tracers being developed for TDO and IDO have suffered from either multi-step low yielding syntheses or de-fluorination of the tracer in vivo.

RESULTS

TDO inhibitors based on 6-fluoroindole with C3 substituents are a class of small molecules that have been shown to bind to TDO effectively, restore tryptophan concentration and decrease the production of immunosuppressive metabolites. The compound 6-fluoro-3-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-indole has been reported to have high in vitro affinity for TDO. Herein we report the fully automated radiosynthesis of 6-[¹⁸F]fluoro-3-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-indole [¹⁸F]4 using a copper-mediated nucleophilic ¹⁸F-fluorination resulting in a non-corrected yield of 5 to 6% of the tracer with a radiochemical purity of >99% after 4 h. Small animal dynamic PET/CT imaging of [¹⁸F]4 intravenously injected into normal C57BL/6 mice revealed rapid accumulation in heart and brain, reaching maximum occupancy in heart (10.9% ID/g) and brain (8.1% ID/g) at 1.75 min and 2.25 min, respectively. Furthermore, these in vivo studies revealed no de-fluorination of the tracer, as evidence by the absence of [¹⁸F]fluoride accumulation in bone.

CONCLUSION

In vitro studies demonstrate that 4 has good affinity for hTDO and the radiolabeled analogue [¹⁸F]4 can be synthesized with suitable radiochemical yields. [¹⁸F]4 demonstrates good uptake in the brain and the radiolabeled compound shows no de-fluorination in vivo in C57BL/6 mice.

Fischer indole synthesis applied to the total synthesis of natural products

In this review, we are trying to underscore the application of FIS in one of the crucial step of indole construction in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products.

Synthesis of Indole-2-carboxylate Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Amination of Aryl C-H Bonds

A direct oxidative C-H amination affording 1-acetyl indolecarboxylates starting from 2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates has been achieved. Indole-2-carboxylates can be targeted with a straightforward deacetylation of the initial reaction products. The C-H amination reaction is carried out using a catalytic Pd(II) source with oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The scope and application of this chemistry is demonstrated with good to high yields for numerous electron-rich and electron-poor substrates. Further reaction of selected products via Suzuki arylation and deacetylation provides access to highly functionalized indole structures.

Synthesis of indoles and tryptophan derivatives via photoinduced nitrene C–H insertion

Functionalized indoles and tryptophans can be obtained from stannylated alkenes and o-iodoanilines via Stille coupling.

Total Synthesis of Verruculogen and Fumitremorgin A Enabled by Ligand-Controlled C-H Borylation

Verruculogen and fumitremorgin A are bioactive alkaloids that contain a unique eight-membered endoperoxide. Although related natural products such as fumitremorgins B and C have been previously synthesized, we report the first synthesis of the more complex, endoperoxide-containing members of this family. A concise route to verruculogen and fumitremorgin A relied not only on a hydroperoxide/indole hemiaminal cyclization, but also on the ability to access the seemingly simple starting material, 6-methoxytryptophan. An iridium-catalyzed C-H borylation/Chan-Lam procedure guided by an N-TIPS group enabled the conversion of a tryptophan derivative into a 6-methoxytryptophan derivative, proving to be a general way to functionalize the C6 position of an N,C3-disubstituted indole for the synthesis of indole-containing natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Combining Zn Ion Catalysis with Homogeneous Gold Catalysis: An Efficient Annulation Approach to N-Protected Indoles

The Fischer indole synthesis is perhaps the most powerful method for indole preparation, but it often suffers from low regioselectivities with unsymmetric aliphatic ketone substrates and strong acidic conditions and is not suitable for α,β-unsaturated ketones. In this article, we disclose an efficient synthesis of N-protected indoles from N-arylhydroxamic acids/N-aryl-N-hydroxycarbamates and a variety of alkynes via a cooperative gold and zinc catalysis. The zinc catalysis is similar to the related zinc ion catalysis in metalloenzymes such as human carbonic anhydrase II and substantially enhances the O-nucleophilicity of N-acylated hydroxamines by forming the corresponding Zn chelates. The Zn chelates can attack gold-activated alkynes to form O-alkenyl-N-arylhydroxamates, which can undergo facile 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangements and subsequent cyclodehydrations to yield N-protected indole products. This new chemistry offers several important improvements over the Fischer indole synthesis: a) the reaction conditions are mildly acidic and can tolerate sensitive groups such as Boc; b) broader substrate scopes including substrates with pendant carbonyl groups (reactive in the Fischer chemistry) and alkyl chlorides (e.g., 3f); c) better regioselectivities for the formation of 2-substituted indoles under much milder conditions; d) 2-alkenylindoles can be prepared readily in good to excellent yields, but the Fischer chemistry could not; e) with internal alkynes both steric and electronic controls are available for achieving good regioselectivities, while the Fischer chemistry is in general problematic.

Au-catalyzed synthesis of 2-alkylindoles from N-arylhydroxylamines and terminal alkynes

The first gold-catalyzed addition of N-arylhydroxylamines to aliphatic terminal alkynes is developed to access O-alkenyl-N-arylhydroxylamines, which undergo facile in situ sequential 3,3-rearrangements and cyclodehydrations to afford 2-alkylindoles with regiospecificity and under exceptionally mild reaction conditions.

Diketopiperazines from marine organisms

Diketopiperazines (DKPs), which are cyclic dipeptides, have been detected in a variety of natural resources. Recently, the interest in these compounds increased significantly because of their remarkable bioactivity. This review deals with the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and biological activities of DKPs from marine microorganisms, sponges, sea stars, tunicates (ascidians), and red algae. The literature has been covered up to December 2008, and a total 124 DKPs from 104 publications have been discussed and reviewed. Some of these compounds have been found to possess various bioactivities including cytotoxicity, and antibacterial, antifungal, antifouling, plant-growth regulatory, and other activities.

General Approach to the Total Synthesis of Macroline-Related Sarpagine and Ajmaline Alkaloids1

Described in this review is a general and efficient strategy for the synthesis of macroline-related sarpagine and ajmaline alkaloids. The tetracyclic ketone in the parent system, as well as the alkoxy substituted series served as templates for the synthesis of these complex molecules. The palladium-mediated enolate cross coupling process, regiospecific hydroboration, and Tollens reaction are some of the key transformations that have been employed for further functionalization of these templates. Synthetic routes that have been improved, in order to obtain gram quantities of these alkaloids form a part of this review.

The five bromotryptophans

The five regioisomeric bromotryptophans (BrTrps) play an important role in the life of sponges and lower marine invertebrates. These bromo-amino acids, which are formed by post-translational modifications, are not found in nature in their free state, but rather are involved in more complex structures. Any of the BrTrps can be part of a peptide, a cyclic peptide, an indole alkaloid, an ergot alkaloid, a macrocycle and others. The present review covers the synthesis, physical and spectroscopic properties of the five BrTrps. It also describes the many exiting pharmacological and biological activities played by the BrTrps and by various secondary metabolites containing brominated tryptophan moieties. Of special interest are cyclic peptides containing the 2-BrTrp unit, which were isolated from marine sponges e.g. konbamide, orbiculamide A, the various keramamides, jaspamide eusynstyelamide and more. Important families of non-cyclic peptides containing the 6-BrTrp, include the styelins, the conotoxins, the cathelicidins and several constrained macrocyclic peptides. Many marine secondary BrTrp-containing, non-peptidic metabolites also display a remarkable spectrum of bioactivities, which can be harnessed for therapeutic and other purposes. Examples are: barettin, bromotryptanthrin, tetraacetyl clionamide, cyclocinamide A, clavicipitic acid, various brominated beta-carbolines. In this review we have presented the various synthetic routes leading to the preparation of the five BrTrps and many of its derivatives. Also, we have introduced the reader to many synthetic routes leading to BrTrp-containing non-peptidic natural products. Although the functional role of the various compounds in the human body is only poorly understood, its effects were extensively studied. Almost all of these compounds exhibit important therapeutic properties e.g. antifungal, antimicrobial, antihelmintic, insecticidal ichthyotoxic and anticancer activity. In the present review attempts have been made to provide synopsis, synthesis and symbiosis of chemical and biological actions, which may provide future guidance and facilitate further research in this area.

Studies in sigmatropic rearrangements of N-prenylindole derivatives ? a formal enantiomerically pure synthesis of tryprostatin B

Rearrangement of N(a)-prenyl-N(b)-acetyltryptamine, induced by BF3.Et2O at low temperature, leads to a 2-prenyl derivative, and thence to the tricyclic tryptamine 7 and the indoline 8. Similarly, N(a)-prenyl-N(b)-phthaloyl-l-tryptophan methyl ester furnished the corresponding 2-prenyl derivative 16, a known advanced precursor of tryprostatin B. Density functional (B3LYP) calculations for the putative rearrangement transition state for N-prenylskatole show that prior coordination of BF3 to the indolic nitrogen changes the character of the subsequent sigmatropic pericyclic shifts from being entirely covalent to acquiring a significant degree of ionic character. The shifting prenyl group favours the endo over the exo mode of the transition state by 4.1 kcal mol(-1).

Synthesis of 2-(pyrimidin-4-yl)indoles

The synthesis of 2-substituted isomers of the meridianins, a familiy of bioactive indole alkaloids isolated from the tunicate Aplidium meridianum, was undertaken. The synthetic route comprises six steps, with a microwave promoted Fischer cyclization as the key reaction.

Synthesis of substituted-(l)-tryptophanols from an enantiomerically pure aziridine-2-methanol

Enantiomerically pure (l)-tryptophanol (5) was synthesized from 4(R)-iodomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (2) and indolylmagnesium bromide in three steps (52% overall yield). Using this procedure, we also prepared various tryptophanols with substituent(s) on the indole ring. Furthermore, optically active 4(R)-iodomethyl-2-oxazolidinone was readily prepared from an enantiomerically pure aziridine-2(S)-methanol in high yield. [reaction: see text]

Efficient asymmetric synthesis of biologically important tryptophan analogues via a palladium-mediated heteroannulation reaction

A novel and concise synthesis of optically active tryptophan derivatives was developed via a palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation reaction of substituted o-iodoanilines with an internal alkyne. The required internal alkyne 14a or 25 was prepared in greater than 96% de via alkylation of the Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary 19 employing diphenyl phosphate as the leaving group. The Schöllkopf chiral auxiliary was chosen here for the preparation of L-tryptophans would be available from D-valine while the D-isomers required for natural product total synthesis would originate from the inexpensive L-valine (300-g scale). Applications of the palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation reaction were extended to the first asymmetric synthesis of L-isotryptophan 38 and L-benz[f]tryptophan 39. More importantly, the optically pure 6-methoxy-D-tryptophan 62 was prepared by this protocol on a large scale (>300 g). This should permit entry into many ring-A oxygenated indole alkaloids when coupled with the asymmetric Pictet-Spengler reaction. In addition, an improved total synthesis of tryprostatin A (9a) was accomplished in 43% overall yield employing this palladium-mediated process.