Concise synthesis of ω-borono-α-amino acids

Umpolung Ala B Reagents for the Synthesis of Non‐Proteogenic Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins**

Non-proteogenic amino acids and functionalized peptides are important motifs in modern drug discovery. Here we report that Ala^B can serve as universal building blocks in the synthesis of a diverse collection of modified amino acids, peptides, and proteins. First, we develop the synthesis of Ala^B from redox-active esters of aspartic acid resulting in a series of β-boronoalanine derivatives. Next, we show that Ala^B can be integrated into automated oligopeptide solid-phase synthesis. Ala^B is compatible with common transformations used in preparative peptide chemistry such as native chemical ligation and radical desulfurization as showcased by total synthesis of Ala^B -containing ubiquitin. Furthermore, Ala^B reagents participate in Pd-catalyzed reactions, including C-C cross-couplings and macrocyclizations. Taken together, Ala^B synthons are practical reagents to access modified peptides, proteins, and in the synthesis of cyclic/stapled peptides.

Organometallic AlaM Reagents for Umpolung Peptide Diversification

Selective modifications of peptides and proteins have emerged as a promising strategy to develop novel mechanistic probes and prepare compounds with translational potentials. Here, we report alanine carbastannatranes AlaSn as a universal synthon in various C-C and C-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. These reagents are compatible with peptide manipulation techniques and can undergo chemoselective conjugation in minutes when promoted by Pd(0). Despite their increased nucleophilicity and propensity to transfer the alkyl group, C(sp3)-C(sp2) coupling with AlaSn can be accomplished at room temperature under buffered conditions (pH 6.5-8.5). We also show that AlaSn can be easily transformed into several canonical L- and D-amino acids in arylation, acylation, and etherification reactions. Furthermore, AlaSn can partake in macrocyclizations exemplified by the synthesis of medium size cyclic peptides with various topologies. Taken together, metalated alanine AlaSn demonstrates unparalleled scope and represents a new type of umpolung reagents suitable for structure-activity relationship studies and peptide diversification.

Synthesis and evaluation of functionalized benzoboroxoles as potential anti-tuberculosis agents

Several derivatives of aminobenzoboroxole have been prepared starting from 2-boronobenzaldehyde. All of these derivatives have been evaluated for their anti-mycobacterial activity on Mycobacterium smegmatis and cytotoxicity on breast cancer cell line MCF7. Based on these studies, all the tested molecules have been found to be generally non-toxic and benzoboroxoles with unsubstituted (primary) amines have been found to exhibit good anti-mycobacterial activity. Some of the key compounds have been evaluated for their anti-tubercular activity on Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using 7H9 and GAST media. 7-Bromo-6-aminobenzoboroxole 4 has been identified as the lead candidate compound for further development.

Synthesis, reactivity and biological activity of N(4)-boronated derivatives of 2'-deoxycytidine

By seeking new stable boron-containing nucleoside derivatives, potential BNCT boron delivery agents, a novel synthetic approach was tested, aimed at a boron attachment via a single bond to an aliphatic carbon of sp(3) hybridization. The latter allowed successful modification of deoxycytidine in the reaction with 2-(iodomethyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane of the deoxynucleoside amino group. For new compounds, detailed NMR, LDI HRMS (Laser Desorption/Ionization High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry) analyses along with in vivo phosphorylation studies, toxicity assays and DFT modelling are presented.

The aromaticity of 5,6-dihydroborauracil, borauracil and benzoborauracil systems

The nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indices of aromaticity, calculated for four boron compounds, 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydroborauracil, 4-hydroxyborauracil, borazine and 4-hydroxybenzoborauracil, and parent uracil, were analyzed in parallel with the NMR properties, in order to learn more about the aromaticity of those heterocyclic systems. The existence of a unique solvent-dependent aromaticity of 4-hydroxyborauracil is indicated.

Synthesis and NMR properties of derivatives of 5,6-dihydroborauracil and 5,6-dihydroborathymine

Novel boron compounds, a series of 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydroborauracil and 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydroborathymine derivatives containing various substituents at 3-, 5- and 6-positions, is presented. The spectroscopic properties, along with analyses of NMR-controlled boron compound-alcohol and boron compound-amine interactions, proves the existence of sp(3)-hybridized, stable B,B-bis-methoxy-5,6-dihydroborauracils and pyridine-/n-butylamine-5,6-dihydroborauracils ate-complexes in solution.

Synthesis, characterization, and antifungal activity of boron-containing thiosemicarbazones

Addition of thiosemicarbazide, 4-allylthiosemicarbazide, and 4-phenylthiosemicarbazide to (formylphenyl)boronic acids affords a series of thiosemicarbazones containing boronic acids. Addition of 2-formylphenylboronic acid to the thiosemicarbazides gave the corresponding cyclic 2,3,1-benzodiazaborines. All new compounds have been investigated for potential antifungal activity.

Synthesis of (2S)-2-amino-7,8-epoxyoctanoic acid and structure of its metal-bridging complex with human arginase I

The synthesis of (2S)-2-amino-7,8-epoxyoctanoic acid is reported along with the X-ray crystal structure of its complex with human arginase I, revealing unique coordination interactions with two manganese ions in the enzyme active site.

Ugi products containing boronate esters

The Ugi reaction with formylphenylboronic acid derivatives as the carbonyl component proceeds to give the corresponding boron-containing dipeptide derivatives (Ugi products) in good yields.