Diversity-oriented synthesis of cyclopropyl peptides from Ugi-derived dehydroalanines

Abstract

A three-step synthesis of cyclopropyl peptides is reported. The protocol involves a consecutive Ugi-4CR/elimination reaction to prepare dehydroalanines followed by a Corey-Chaykovsky cyclopropanation reaction. Peptide-like molecules that resemble some pharmacologically active compounds with a variety of substituents in the cyclopropane ring were prepared. When (2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl) dimethyl sulfonium ylide was used the reaction exclusively gives the cis-diastereoisomer cyclopropanes in good yields from readily prepared starting materials. A collection of 26 highly substituted cyclopropyl peptides were obtained.