Enantiocontrolled synthesis of alpha-methyl amino acids via Bn2N-alpha-methylserine-beta-lactone

Total Synthesis of (±)-Oxacyclododecindione

Racemic total synthesis of the natural product oxacyclododecindione, isolated in 2008 as the first member of the oxacyclododecindione family, is reported. Studies toward this molecule commenced with a biomimetic late-stage C-H oxidation starting from 14-deoxyoxacyclododecindione as a known precursor. This provided insights into the reactivity of the macrolactone class but did not permit the synthesis of the target natural product. Based on these results, a synthetic strategy through intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation combined with Barton decarboxylation to introduce the tertiary alcohol, a major challenge in previous synthetic efforts, was envisioned. This resulted in an 11-step racemic total synthesis of (±)-oxacyclododecindione, renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities.

Lactonization as a general route to β-C(sp3)-H functionalization

Functionalization of the β-C–H of aliphatic acids is emerging as a valuable synthetic disconnection that complements a wide range of conjugate addition reactions^1–5. Despite efforts on β-C–H functionalizations for carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-heteroatom (C-Y) bond-forming reactions, these bear numerous decisive limitations, especially for industrial-scale applications, including the lack of mono-selectivity, use of expensive oxidants, and limited scope^6–13. Notably, the majority of these reactions are incompatible with free aliphatic acids without exogenous directing groups. Considering the challenge of developing C–H activation reactions, it is not surprising that achieving different transformations requires independent catalyst design and directing group optimizations in each case. Here, we report a Pd-catalyzed β-C(sp³)–H lactonization of aliphatic acids enabled by a mono-N-protected β-amino acid ligand. The highly strained and reactive β-lactone products are versatile linchpins for the mono-selective installation of diverse alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkynyl, fluoro, hydroxyl, and amino groups at the β position of the parent acid, thus providing a route to myriad carboxylic acids. The use of inexpensive tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the oxidant to promote the desired selective reductive elimination from the Pd(IV) center, as well as the ease of product purification without column chromatography renders this reaction amenable to ton-scale manufacturing.

Quaternized α,α'-Amino Acids via Curtius Rearrangement of Substituted Malonate-Imidazolidinones

An efficient synthesis protocol is presented for accessing quaternized α-amino acids in chiral, nonracemic form via diastereoselective malonate alkylation followed by C- to N-transposition. The key stereodifferentiating step involves a diastereoselective alkylation of an α-monosubstituted malonate-imidazolidinone, which is followed first by a chemoselective malonate PMB ester removal and then a Curtius rearrangement to provide the transposition. The method demonstrates a high product ee (89-99% for eight cases) for quaternizing a range of proteinogenic α-amino acids. The stereogenicity in targets 5a-i supports previous conclusions that the diastereoselective alkylation step proceeds via an α-substituted malonate-imidazolidinone enolate in its Z-configuration, with the auxiliary in an s-trans_C-N conformation.

Dissecting mechanism of coupled folding and binding of an intrinsically disordered protein by chemical synthesis of conformationally constrained analogues

Non-canonical α-methyl amino acids were incorporated at various sites in the sequence of intrinsically disordered activation domain from the p160 transcriptional co-activator (ACTR) to facilitate the formation of α-helical structures.

Synthesis of quaternary α-methyl α-amino acids by asymmetric alkylation of pseudoephenamine alaninamide pivaldimine

The utility of pseudoephenamine as a chiral auxiliary for the alkylative construction of quaternary α-methyl α-amino acids is demonstrated. The method is notable for the high diastereoselectivities of the alkylation reactions, for its versatility with respect to electrophilic substrate partners, and for its mild hydrolysis conditions, which provide α-amino acids without salt contaminants. Alternatively, α-amino esters can be obtained by direct alcoholysis.

Synthesis of pdCpAs and transfer RNAs activated with thiothreonine and derivatives

N,S-diprotected L-thiothreonine and L-allo-thiothreonine derivatives were synthesized using a novel chemical strategy, and used for esterification of the dinucleotide pdCpA. The aminoacylated dinucleotides were then employed for the preparation of activated suppressor tRNA(CUA) transcripts. Thiothreonine and allo-thiothreonine were incorporated into a predetermined position of a catalytically competent dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) analogue lacking cysteine, and the elaborated proteins were derivatized site-specifically at the thiothreonine residue with a fluorophore.

Enantioselective synthesis of β-fluoroamines from β-amino alcohols: application to the synthesis of LY503430

N,N-Dialkyl-β-amino alcohols were enantiospecifically and regioselectively rearranged by using N,N-diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) to give optically active β-fluoroamines in excellent yields and enantiomeric excesses. This rearrangement was applied to the enantioselective synthesis of LY503430, a potential therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease.

Theoretical Evidence for Pyramidalized Bicyclic Serine Enolates in Highly Diastereoselective Alkylations

A new chiral serine equivalent and its enantiomer have been synthesized from (S)- and (R)-N-Boc-serine methyl esters (Boc: tert-butyloxycarbonyl). The use of these compounds as chiral building blocks has been demonstrated in the synthesis of alpha-alkyl alpha-amino acids by diastereoselective potassium enolate alkylation reactions and subsequent acid hydrolyses. Theoretical studies were performed to elucidate the stereochemical outcome of both the formation of five-membered cyclic N,O-acetals and the subsequent alkylation process, which occurs with total retention of configuration. This feature could be explained in terms of the high degree of pyramidalization of enolate intermediates.

Alkyl C−O Ring Cleavage of Bicyclic β-Lactones with Normant Reagents: Synthesis of a Merck IND Intermediate

Highly diastereoselective Cu(I)-mediated, bicyclic beta-lactone ring cleavage reactions with either alkyl or aryl cuprates proceeded with inversion of stereochemistry to give optically active trans-substituted cyclopentanes and cyclohexanes. Optimization of typically problematic aryl cuprate additions was made possible by minimization of a competing bromide-induced ring cleavage process. The utility of this process was demonstrated by an efficient synthesis of a Merck investigational new drug (IND) intermediate for an anti-HIV CCR5 antagonist.