Chemoselective Synthesis of N‐Substituted α‐Amino‐α′‐chloro Ketones via Chloromethylation of Glycine‐Derived Weinreb Amides

Functionalized α‐arylamino‐α′‐chloro ketones are obtained in high yield via a straightforward homologation reaction of Weinreb amides derived from N‐arylglycines using in situ generated chloromethyllithium. The use of the Weinreb amides is essential and allows the chemoselective homologation of N‐aryl‐N‐substituted glycine analogues, a transformation which is not possible using similar glycine esters. The procedure is promising for the large‐scale preparation of α‐amino‐α′‐chloropropanones, which are valuable precursors for a variety of bioactive compounds.     

Characterization of a Galactosynthase Derived from Bacillus circulans β‐Galactosidase: Facile Synthesis of D‐Lacto‐ and D‐Galacto‐N‐bioside

Glycosynthases—retaining glycosidases mutated at their catalytic nucleophile—catalyze the formation of glycosidic bonds from glycosyl fluorides as donor sugars and various glycosides as acceptor sugars. Here the first glycosynthase derived from a family 35 β‐galactosidase is described. The Glu→Gly mutant of BgaC from Bacillus circulans (BgaC‐E233G) catalyzed regioselective galactosylation at the 3‐position of the sugar acceptors with α‐galactosyl fluoride as the donor. Transfer to 4‐nitophenyl α‐D ‐N‐acetyl‐glucosaminide and α‐D ‐N‐acetylgalactosaminide yielded 4‐nitophenyl α‐lacto‐N‐biose and α‐galacto‐N‐biose, respectively, in high yields (up to 98 %). Kinetic analysis revealed that the high affinity of the acceptors contributed mostly to the BgaC‐E233G‐catalyzed transglycosylation. BgaC‐E233G showed no activity with β‐(1,3)‐linked disaccharides as acceptors, thus suggesting that this enzyme can be used in “one‐pot synthesis” of LNB‐ or GNB‐containing glycans.     

Synthesis and Structure of Highly Enantio‐ and Diastereoenriched 1‐Aza‐4‐oxa‐7‐thiabicyclo[3.3.0]octan‐8‐ones Derived from Acyl‐Substituted S‐Benzyl Thiocarbamates

A convenient method for the synthesis of the title compounds 4a,b, 3a,b via an intramolecular condensation of thiourethanes, derived from the acylation of enantioenriched α‐thio benzyllithium compounds, is reported. The structure of one of the major diastereomers was elucidated by a singlecrystal X‐ray analysis and compared to semiempirical calculations.     

Dietary trans α‐linolenic acid does not inhibit Δ5‐ and Δ6‐desaturation of linoleic acid in man

Dietary trans monoenes have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease in some studies and this has caused much concern. Trans polyenes are also present in the diet, for example, trans α‐linolenic acid is formed during the deodorisation of α‐linolenic acid‐rich oils such as rapeseed oil. One would expect the intake of trans α‐linolenic acid to be on the increase since the consumption of rapeseed oil in the western diet is increasing. There are no data on trans α‐linolenic acid consumption and its effects. We therefore carried out a comprehensive study to examine whether trans isomers of this polyunsaturated fatty acid increased the risk of coronary heart disease. Since inhibition of Δ6‐desaturase had also been linked to heart disease, the effect of trans α‐linolenic acid on the conversion of [U‐¹³C]‐labelled linoleic acid to dihomo‐γ‐linolenic and arachidonic acid was studied in 7 healthy men recruited from the staff and students of the University of Edinburgh. Thirty percent of the habitual fat was replaced using a trans ‘free’‐ or ‘high’ trans α‐linolenic acid fat. After at least 6 weeks on the experimental diets, the men received 3‐oleyl, 1,2‐[U‐¹³C]‐linoleyl glycerol (15 mg twice daily for ten days). The fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and the incorporation of ¹³C‐label into n‐6 fatty acids were determined at day 8, 9 and 10 and after a 6‐week washout period by gas chromatography‐combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Trans α‐linolenic acid of plasma phospholipids increased from 0.04 ? 0.01 to 0.17 ? 0.02 and cis ? ‐linolenic acid decreased from 0.42 ? 0.07 to 0.29 ? 0.08 g/100 g of fatty acids on the high trans diet. The composition of the other plasma phospholipid fatty acids did not change. The enrichment of phosphatidyl ¹³C‐linoleic acid reached a plateau at day 10 and the average of the last 3 days did not differ between the low and high trans period. Both dihomo‐γ‐linolenic and arachidonic acid in phospholipids were enriched in ¹³C, both in absolute and relative terms (with respect to ¹³C‐linoleic acid). The enrichment was slightly and significantly higher during the high trans period (P<0.05). Our data suggest that a diet rich in trans α‐linolenic acid (0.6% of energy) does not inhibit the conversion of linoleic acid to dihomo‐γ‐linolenic and arachidonic acid in healthy middle‐aged men consuming a diet rich in linoleic acid.     

Synthesis and characterization of α‐butyl‐omega‐{3‐[2‐hydroxy‐3‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxy‐ ethylamino)propoxy]propyl}polydimethylsiloxane

A novel synthesis path for the monotelechelic polydimethylsiloxane with a diol‐end group, α‐butyl‐omega‐{3‐[2‐hydroxy‐3‐(N‐methyl‐N‐hydroxyethylamino)propoxy]propyl}polydimethylsiloxane, is described in this article. The preparation included three steps, which were anionic ring‐opening polymerization, hydrosilylation, and epoxy addition. The structure and polydispersity index of the products were analyzed and confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, H? H, and C? H. Correlated Spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The results demonstrated that each step was successfully carried out and the targeted products were accessed in all cases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Light‐triggered reversible solubility of α‐cyclodextrin and azobenzene moiety complexes in PDMAA‐co‐PAPA via molecular recognition

Photoresponsive polymer with azobenzene pendant group (PDMAA‐co‐PAPA) was synthesized by radical polymerization of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and N‐4‐phenylazophenyl acrylamide (PAPA), and the characterization of the inclusion complexes of the PDMAA‐co‐PAPA with α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) were performed by FTIR, GPC, ¹H NMR, 2D NOESY, and UV–vis spectroscopy. It was found that the solubility of PDMAA‐co‐PAPA and α‐CD inclusion complexes in aqueous solution showed tunable property, which could be triggered by alternating UV–vis light irradiation at a certain temperature due to the effect of molecular recognition of α‐CD with azobenzene moiety in the polymer. After UV irradiation, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the polymer aqueous solution increased slightly without α‐CD while the LCST decreased sharply at presence of α‐CD. Furthermore, UV spectroscopy showed that the photoisomerization of the polymer solution went on rapidly and reversibly, and 2D NOESY data suggested that the inclusion complexation of α‐CD with trans azobenzene moiety and the decomplexation with cis azobenzene resulted in reversible solubility behavior when objected to UV and Vis light irradiation alternately. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

α‐, γ‐ and δ‐ Tocopherols as inhibitors of isomerization and decomposition of cis,trans methyl linoleate hydroperoxides

The effects of α‐, γ‐ and δ‐tocopherols on the stability and decomposition reactions of lipid hydroperoxides were studied. Isomerization and decomposition of cis,trans methyl linoleate hydroperoxides (cis,trans ML‐OOH) in hexadecane at 40 °C were followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Due to its higher hydrogen donating ability, α‐tocopherol was more efficient than γ‐ and δ‐tocopherols in inhibiting the isomerization of cis,trans ML‐OOH to trans,trans ML‐OOH. α‐Tocopherol stabilized hydroperoxides into the cis,trans configuration, whereas γ‐ and δ‐tocopherols allowed hydroperoxides to convert into trans,trans isomers. Thus, the biological importance of α‐tocopherol as compared to other tocopherols may be partly due to its better efficacy in protecting the cis,trans configuration of hydroperoxides formed, for example, in the enzymatic oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The isomeric configuration of hydroperoxides has an impact on biological activities of further oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Paradoxically, the order of activity of tocopherols with regard to hydroperoxide decomposition was different from that obtained for hydroperoxide isomerization. γ‐ and δ‐tocopherols were more efficient inhibitors of ML‐OOH decomposition when compared to α‐tocopherol. A loss of antioxidant efficiency, observed as the tocopherol concentration increased from 2 to 20 mM, was highest for α‐tocopherol but was also evident for γ‐ and δ‐tocopherols. Thus, the differences in the relative effects of tocopherols at differing concentrations seem to result from a compromise between their radical scavenging efficiency and participation in side reactions of peroxidizing nature.     

Synthetic 1‐Deoxynojirimycin N‐Substituted Peptides Offer Prolonged Disruption to N‐Linked Glycan Processing

A panel of 1‐deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) N‐linked peptides were synthesized. Their IC₅₀ values were measured in vitro against α‐glucosidases I and II and were found to be in the micromolar range for both isozymes, and better than that of the iminosugar NB‐DNJ (miglustat, 3 ) against α‐glucosidase II. Cell‐based studies revealed that although the free iminosugar 3 is most effective at disrupting N‐linked glycan processing for short‐term incubations (one day), when the cell‐based studies were extended to three days, the DNJ N‐linked tetrapeptide KDEL, which is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐retaining sequence, performed far better than 3 . In low inhibitor washout studies, NB‐DNJ inhibition was decreased to zero after 24 h, but DNJ–KDEL retained 13 % activity. This method offers a general approach for targeting drugs to the ER and prolonging their activity. Moreover, it is modular, so as new iminosugars of increased potency are discovered, they can be added to this template for targeting.     

Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Functionalized α,α‐Disubstituted α‐Amino Acid Derivatives from Racemic Unprotected α‐Amino Acids via in‐situ Generated Azlactones

Masked and activated highly enantioenriched α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acids with an additional adjacent stereocenter were formed by a tandem reaction involving five steps using racemic unprotected amino acid substrates. Key step is the 1,4‐addition of in‐situ generated azlactones to a broad number of enones. The products of this step‐economic route can, e.g., be useful for a divergent and rapid access to biologically interesting unnatural glutamic acid derivatives.     

Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroamination of N‐Allylic N′‐Arylureas to form Imidazolidin‐2‐ones

Treatment of N‐allylic N′‐arylureas with a catalytic 1:1 mixture of di‐tert‐butyl‐o‐biphenylphoshphine gold(I) chloride and silver hexafluorophosphate (1 mol%) in chloroform at room temperature led to 5‐exo‐hydroamination to form the corresponding imidazolidin‐2‐ones in excellent yield. In the case of N‐allylic ureas that possessed an allylic alkyl, benzyloxymethyl, or acetoxymethyl substituent, gold(I)‐catalyzed 5‐exo‐hydroamination leads to formation of the corresponding trans‐3,4‐disubstituted imidazolidin‐2‐ones in excellent yield with ≥50:1 diastereoselectivity.     

The Synthesis of trans‐Perhydroindolic Acids and their Application in Asymmetric Domino Reactions of Aldehyde Esters with β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Keto Esters

(2S,3aR,7aS)‐Perhydroindolic acid, the key intermediate in the synthesis of trandolapril, and its trans‐isomers, were readily prepared. These proline‐like molecules are unique in that they contain a rigid bicyclic structure, with two hydrogen atoms trans to each other at the bridgehead carbon atoms. These molecules were used successfully as chiral organocatalysts in asymmetric domino Michael addition/cyclization reactions of aldehyde esters with β,γ‐unsaturated α‐keto esters. They proved to have excellent catalytic behavior, allowing for the synthesis of multi‐substituted, enantiomerically enriched hemiacetal esters. Under optimal conditions (using 10 mol% catalyst loading), a series of β,γ‐unsaturated α‐keto esters was examined with up to 99% de, ee and yield, respectively. Additionally, the enantiomerically enriched hemiacetal esters could be readily transformed into their corresponding bioactive pyrano[2,3‐b]pyrans (possessing a multi‐substituted bicyclic backbone).     

Highly Enantioselective Allylation of Aromatic α‐Keto Phosphonates Catalyzed by Chiral N,N′‐Dioxide‐Indium(III) Complexes

The ramipril derivative N,N′‐dioxide 3g ‐indium(III) complex was found to be an efficient catalyst for the allylation of the aromatic α‐keto phosphonates. The corresponding α‐hydroxy phosphonates were obtained with high yields (up to 98 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 91 % ee). A bifunctional catalyst system was described with an N‐oxide as Lewis base activating tetraallyltin and indium as Lewis acid activating aromatic α‐keto phosphonates. A possible catalytic cycle has been proposed to explain the mechanism of the reaction.     

Asymmetric Aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman‐Type Reactions: The Highly Enantioselective Reaction between Unmodified α,β‐ Unsaturated Aldehydes and N‐Acylimines by Organo‐co‐catalysis

The highly enantioselective organo‐co‐catalytic aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH)‐type reaction between N‐carbamate‐protected imines and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The organic co‐catalytic system of proline and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) enables the asymmetric synthesis of the corresponding N‐Boc‐ and N‐Cbz‐protected β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐aldehydes in good to high yields and up to 99% ee. In the case of aza‐MBH‐type addition of enals to phenylprop‐2‐ene‐1‐imines, the co‐catalytic reaction exhibits excellent 1,2‐selectivity. The organo‐co‐catalytic aza‐MBH‐type reaction can also be performed by the direct highly enantioselective addition of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes to bench‐stable N‐carbamate‐protected α‐amidosulfones to give the corresponding β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐aldehydes with up to 99% ee. The organo‐co‐catalytic aza‐MBH‐type reaction is also an expeditious entry to nearly enantiomerically pure β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐amino acids and β‐amino‐α‐alkylidene‐lactams (99% ee). The mechanism and stereochemistry of the chiral amine and DABCO co‐catalyzed aza‐MBH‐type reaction are also discussed.     

N,N′‐Dioxide‐Magnesium Ditriflate Complex‐Catalyzed Asymmetric α‐Hydroxylation of β‐Keto Esters and β‐Keto Amides

The highly catalytic asymmetric α‐hydroxylation of 1‐tetralone‐derived β‐keto esters and β‐keto amides using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant was realized by a chiral N,N′‐dioxide‐magnesium ditriflate [Mg(OTf)₂] complex. A series of corresponding chiral α‐hydroxy dicarbonyl compounds was obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). The products were easily transformed into useful building blocks and the precursor of daunomycin was achieved in an asymmetric catalytic way for the first time.     

Highly Efficient Synthesis of New α‐Arylamino‐α′‐chloropropan‐2‐ones via Oxidative Hydrolysis of Vinyl Chlorides Promoted by Calcium Hypochlorite

The oxidative hydrolysis of different trifluoroacetyl‐protected N‐(2‐chloroallyl)anilines, promoted by calcium hypochlorite, is able to yield several not previously described α‐arylamino‐α′‐chloropropan‐2‐ones, very valuable building blocks that are useful as precursors of several drugs, in excellent yields and short reaction times. The main requirement of the reaction for avoiding the undesired aromatic chlorination (N‐protection) is effectively solved by the use of the easily formed and removed N‐trifluoroacetyl group. Thus, it is possible to perform the oxidative hydrolysis‐deprotection step using a one‐pot strategy, obtaining quantitative yields in very short reaction times.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of cis‐4‐Formyl‐β‐lactams via Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution

An efficient synthesis of optically pure cis‐4‐formyl‐β‐lactams (up to 99% ee) by a chiral NHC‐catalyzed ring expansion reaction has been realized, featuring the ready availability of both the substrate and the catalyst, and the mild reaction conditions. The current method is also suitable for the synthesis of enantioenriched 4‐formyl‐β‐lactams and succinimides containing quaternary carbon centers.     

Highly Regio‐ and Diastereoselective Addition of Organolithium Reagents to Chiral Fluoroalkyl α,β‐Unsaturated N‐tert‐Butanesulfinyl Ketimines: A General and Efficient Access to α‐Tertiary Fluoroalkyl Allylic Amines and α‐Fluoroalkyl α‐Amino Acids

Highly regio‐ and diastereoselective 1,2‐addition of organolithium reagents to chiral fluoroalkyl α,β‐unsaturated N‐tert‐butanesulfinyl ketimines was developed, providing a general and efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of structurally diverse α‐tertiary fluoroalkyl allylic amines in high yields and with excellent diastereoselectivities (dr up to>99:1). The synthetic application of the method was demonstrated by the rapid and convenient preparation of challenging α‐fluoroalkyl α‐amino acids with α‐tetrasubstituted carbon.

     

Neuroprotective Effects of N‐Alkyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazolidine‐3,5‐diones and Their Corresponding Synthetic Intermediates N‐Alkylhydroxylamines and N‐1‐Alkyl‐3‐carbonyl‐1‐hydroxyureas against in vitro Cerebral Ischemia

Herein we report the synthesis and neuroprotective effects of new N‐alkyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazolidine‐3,5‐diones and their corresponding synthetic intermediates, N‐alkylhydroxylamines and N‐1‐alkyl‐3‐carbonyl‐1‐hydroxyureas, in an in vitro model of ischemia. We found five analogues that protect HT22 cells from death in the concentration range of 1–5 μM . Because members of the MAP kinase family are known to be key players in nerve cell survival and death, we characterized the role of these kinases in the neuroprotective mechanisms of the newly synthesized analogues. The results indicate that these compounds provide neuroprotection through distinct mechanisms of action.     

A Stereoselective Access to Cyclic cis‐1,2‐Amino Alcohols from trans‐1,2‐Azido Alcohol Precursors

A unique one‐pot synthesis of cyclic cis‐1,2‐amino alcohols from trans‐1,2‐azido alcohol precursors was developed. The key step is highlighted by the stereoselective reduction of the cyclic α‐alkoxy imines, which could be prepared from the corresponding azides by ruthenium catalysis under photolytic conditions. Remarkably, this unprecedented reaction pathway offers a stereodivergent access to structurally diverse cyclic 1,2‐amino alcohols.

     

tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide and Tetrabutylammonium Iodide‐Promoted Free Radical Cyclization of α‐Imino‐N‐arylamides and α‐Azido‐N‐arylamides

The oxidizing system of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) is capable of generating α‐(arylaminocarbonyl)iminyl radicals from ethyl 2‐(N‐arylcarbamoyl)‐2‐iminoacetates. These iminyl radicals preferably undergo intramolecular ipso attack on the benzene ring to give azaspirocyclohexadienyl radicals, which are readily captured by molecular oxygen under an oxygen atmosphere to yield azaspirocyclohexadienones. In the absence of oxygen, the reaction affords quinoxalin‐2‐one products. This oxidizing system is also effective to convert α‐aryl‐α‐azido‐N‐arylamides to the corresponding iminyl radicals under basic conditions (sodium tert‐butoxide, t‐BuONa), and the subsequent cyclization of these iminyl radicals results in the formation of azaspirocyclohexadienone products in high yields under an oxygen atmosphere. Plausible mechanisms are proposed to rationalize the experimental results, and factors influencing the reactions are discussed.