SYNTHESIS OF AMINOBENZYLPHOSPHONOUS ACIDS VIA DIRECT AMIDOALKYLATION OF HYPOPHOSPHOROUS ACID

Selective and clean synthesis of aminoalkyl-H-phosphinic acids from hypophosphorous acid by phospha-Mannich reaction

Aminoalkyl-H-phosphinic acids, also called aminoalkylphosphonous acids, are investigated as biologically active analogues of carboxylic amino acids and/or as valuable intermediates for synthesis of other aminoalkylphosphorus acids. Their synthesis has been mostly accomplished by phospha-Mannich reaction of a P–H precursor, an aldehyde and an amine. The reaction is rarely clean and high-yielding. Here, reaction of H₃PO₂ with secondary amines and formaldehyde in wet AcOH led to aminomethyl-H-phosphinic acids in nearly quantitative yields and with almost no by-products. Surprisingly, the reaction outcome depended on the basicity of the amines. Amines with pK_a > 7–8 gave the desired products. For less basic amines, reductive N-methylation coupled with oxidation of H₃PO₂ to H₃PO₃ became a relevant side reaction. Primary amines reacted less clearly and amino-bis(methyl-H-phosphinic acids) were obtained only for very basic amines. Reaction yields with higher aldehydes were lower. Unique carboxylic–phosphinic–phosphonic acids as well as poly(H-phosphinic acids) derived from polyamines were obtained. Synthetic usefulness of the aminoalkyl-H-phosphinic was illustrated in P–H bond oxidation and its addition to double bonds, and in selective amine deprotection. Compounds with an ethylene-diamine fragment, e.g. most common polyazamacrocycles, are not suitable substrates. The X-ray solid-state structures of seventeen aminoalkyl-phosphinic acids were determined. In the reaction mechanism, N-hydroxyalkyl species R₂NCH₂OH and [R₂N(CH₂OH)₂]⁺, probably stabilized as acetate esters, are suggested as the reactive intermediates. This mechanism is an alternative one to the known phospha-Mannich reaction mechanisms. The conditions can be utilized in syntheses of various aminoalkylphosphorus compounds.

Acetic acid was used as a new solvent for phospha-Mannich reaction leading to clear reaction mixtures and high yields of the aminoalkylphosphonous acids (AHPA), and hydroxymethylated species were suggested as key intermediates in the reaction.

Inhibitors of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acids substituted in the benzene ring

Dextrorotatory 1-amino-3',4'-dichlorobenzylphosphonic acid was found to be a potent inhibitor of the plant enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase both in vitro and in vivo from among the ring-substituted 1-aminobenzylphosphonic acids and other analogues of phenylglycine. A structure activity relationship analysis of the results obtained permits predictions on the geometry of the pocket of the enzyme and is a basis in the strategy of better inhibitor synthesis.