Chiral Β-amino Acid Research Articles

Enantioselective Access to β-Amino Carbonyls via Ni-Catalyzed Formal Olefin Hydroamidation.

We herein describe a Ni-catalyzed formal hydroamidation of readily available α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to afford valuable chiral β-amino acid derivatives (up to >99:1 e.r.) using dioxazolones as a robust amino source. A wide range of alkyl-substituted olefins conjugated to esters, amides, thioesters, and ketones were successfully amidated at the β-position with excellent enantioselectivity for the first time. Combined experimental and computational mechanistic studies supported our working hypothesis that this unconventional β-amidation of unsaturated carbonyl substrates can be attributed to the polar-matched migratory olefin insertion of an (amido)(Cl)NiII intermediate, in situ generated from the dioxazolone precursor.

Lewis-Base-Catalyzed N-Allylation of Silyl Carbamate Latent Pronucleophiles with Allylic Fluorides.

Silyl carbamates, latent pronucleophile surrogates of carbamates, undergo allylation using allylic fluorides in the presence of common Lewis base catalysts. The reactions are rendered enantioselective in the presence of chiral Lewis base catalysts and produce suitably protected derivatives of enantioenriched chiral β-amino acids. The design of the latent pronucleophile featuring both a silyl group and an electron-deficient carbamate is instrumental in lowering the nucleophilicity of nitrogen and enabling enantioselective allylation in the presence of chiral cinchona alkaloid-based catalysts.

Chiral 1,3-aminosquaramides derived from cis-2-benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid as organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael addition reactions

Herein, chiral 1,3-aminosquaramides derived from cis-2-benzamidocyclohexanecarboxylic acid, which is a chiral β-amino acid derivative, were synthesized and applied as bifunctional organocatalysts for asymmetric Michael addition reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to β-nitrostyrenes. The catalyst structure and reaction conditions, such as solvent and temperature, were examined, and then, the optimized organocatalyst was successfully applied to the reaction of 1,3-diketones and 1,3-ketoesters with an enantioselectivity of up to 96%. Plausible transition state was proposed based on the results reported in previous reports and DFT calculations.

Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydroamination: A Unified Strategy for the Synthesis of Chiral β-Amino Acid and Its Derivatives

Catalytic asymmetric aza-Michael represents one of the most convenient and atom-economical approaches for the rapid construction of biologically active chiral β-amino acid frameworks. However, the ...

Coexistence of Left- and Right-Handed 12/10-Mixed Helices in Cyclically Constrained β-Peptides and Directed Formation of Single-Handed Helices upon Site-Specific Methylation.

The inherent conformational preferences of the neutral β-peptide foldamer series, Ac-(ACHC)n-NHBn, n = 2-4, are studied in the gas phase using conformation-specific IR-UV double resonance methods. The cyclically constrained chiral β-amino acid cis-2-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (ACHC) is designed to bring both right- and left-handed helices into close energetic proximity. Comparison of the infrared spectra in the NH stretch and amide I/II regions with the predictions of DFT calculations lead to the unambiguous assignment of four out of the six observed conformations of the molecules in this series, while corroborating computational and spectral evidence, affords tentative assignments of the remaining two conformers for which IR data were not recorded. The observed structures fall into one of two conformational families: a right-handed 12/10-mixed helix or its "cap-disrupted" left-handed helical analogue, which coexist with significant populations. Site-specific and stereospecific methylation on the cyclohexane backbone at the dipeptide (n = 2) level is also tested as a means to sterically lock in a predetermined cyclohexane chair conformation. These substitutions are proven to be a means of selectively driving formation of one helical screw sense or the other. Calculated relative energies and free energies of all possible structures for the molecules provide strong supporting evidence that the rigid nature of the ACHC residue confers unusual stability to the 12/10-mixed helix conformation, regardless of local environment, temperature, or C-terminal capping unit. The simultaneous presence of both handed helices offers unique opportunities for future studies of their interconversion.

Synthesis of (R)-3-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)butanoic Acid, a Key Intermediate, and the Formal Synthesis of Sitagliptin Phosphate.

An alternate formal synthesis of Sitagliptin phosphate is disclosed from 2,4,5-trifluorobenzadehyde in 8 linear steps with an overall yield of 31%. The chiral β-amino acid moiety present in sitaglitpin is installed via an asymmetric hydrogenation followed by a stereoselective Hofmann rearrangement as the key steps. The key chiral intermediate Boc-amino acid 1 prepared by this novel route was further converted to Sitagliptin phosphate following the known literature protocol.

Organocatalytic Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Heterocycles by Enantioselective aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman-Type Domino Reactions.

Organocatalytic enantioselective domino reactions are an extremely attractive methodology, as their use enables the construction of complex chiral skeletons from readily available starting materials in two or more steps by a single operation under mild reaction conditions. Thus, these reactions can save both the quantity of chemicals and length of time typically required for the isolation and/or purification of synthetic intermediates. Additionally, no metal contamination of the products occurs, given that organocatalysts include no expensive or toxic metals. The aza-Morita-Baylis-Hillman (aza-MBH) reaction is an atom-economical carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction between α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and imines mediated by Lewis base (LB) catalysts, such as nucleophilic phosphines and amines. aza-MBH products are functionalized chiral β-amino acid derivatives that are highly valuable as pharmaceutical raw materials. Although various enantioselective aza-MBH processes have been investigated, very few studies of aza-MBH-type domino reactions have been reported due to the complexity of the aza-MBH process, which involves a Michael/Mannich/H-transfer/β-elimination sequence. Accordingly, in this review article, our recent efforts in the development of enantioselective domino reactions initiated by MBH processes are described. In the domino reactions, chiral organocatalysts bearing Brønsted acid (BA) and/or LB units impart synergistic activation to substrates, leading to the easy synthesis of highly functionalized heterocycles (some of which have tetrasubstituted and/or quaternary carbon stereocenters) in high yield and enantioselectivity.

Asymmetric Counter-Anion-Directed Aminomethylation: Synthesis of Chiral β-Amino Acids via Trapping of an Enol Intermediate.

A novel enantioselective aminomethylation reaction of diazo compound, alcohol and α-aminomethyl ether enabled by asymmetric counteranion-directed catalysis is disclosed that offers an efficient and convenient access to furnish optically active α-hydroxyl-β-amino acids in high yield with high to excellent enantioselectivities. Control experiments and DFT calculations indicate that the transformation proceeds through trapping the in situ generated enol intermediate with methylene iminium ion, and the asymmetric induction was enabled by chiral pentacarboxycyclopentadiene anion via H-bonding and electrostatic interaction.

Solvent-Free Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Chiral Dialkyl 2-(Substituted-((4-(Pyridin-3-Yl)Pyrimidin-2-Yl)Amino)Methyl) Malonate

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-amino acid ester derivatives containing a 4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl amine moiety was developed. This catalytic asymmetric Mannich reaction gave target products in high yields (95%) and excellent enantioselectivities (>99% ee) using a cinchona-based squaramide catalyst under solvent-free, one-pot conditions. Antiviral bioassays indicated that some of the chiral products exhibited higher antiviral activities against tobacco mosaic virus than the commercial compound ribavirin.

Antiviral Bioactivity of Chiral β-Amino Acid Ester Derivatives Synthesized through a One-Pot, Solvent-Free Asymmetric Mannich Reaction

A series of both enantiomers of chiral β-amino acid ester derivatives containing a 4-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine moiety was prepared in high yield and excellent enantioselectivity excess (up to >99% enantiomeric excess) using a chiral cinchona alkaloid thiourea catalyst under one-pot solvent-free conditions. Antiviral bioassay experimental results showed that some of the chiral products exhibited higher antiviral activities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in vivo than the commercial antiviral agent ningnanmycin.

Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of β-(Acylamino)acrylates: Synthesis of Chiral β-Amino Acid Derivatives.

The nickel-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of β-(acylamino)acrylates has been developed, affording chiral β-amino acid derivatives with excellent yields (95-99% yield) and enantioselectivities (97-99% ee). With the Ni-Binapine system, high enantioselectivities (98-99% ee) have also been obtained in the hydrogenation of Z/E isomeric mixtures of β-alkyl and β-aryl β-(acylamino)acrylates. The synthesis of chiral β-amino acid derivatives on a gram scale has also been achieved with 0.2 mol % catalyst loading.

Tertiary Amine-Derived Ionic Liquid-Supported Squaramide as a Recyclable Organocatalyst for Noncovalent “On Water” Catalysis

Chiral tertiary amine-derived ionic liquid-supported squaramide was synthesized from available precursors and applied as an efficient organocatalyst for asymmetric Michael additions of β-dicarbonyl compounds to α-nitroolefins in the presence of water. Corresponding Michael adducts were generated under proposed conditions in nearly quantitative yield with high enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee). Useful precursors to pharmaceutically important chiral β-amino acids and anticonvulsant Pregabalin were conveniently prepared using the developed “on water” protocol. The catalyst is readily recoverable and reusable over 30 times without a significant decrease of catalytic reaction activity and selectivity.

Stereodivergent Mannich reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl)ketene acetals with N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines by Lewis acid or Lewis base activation, a one-pot protocol to obtain chiral β-amino acids.

We report a one-pot synthesis of chiral β2,2,3-amino acids by the Mannich addition of bistrimethylsilyl ketene acetals to N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines followed by the removal of the chiral auxiliary. The synthesis and isolation of pure β-amino acid hydrochlorides were conducted under mild conditions, without strong bases and this method is operationally simple. The stereoselective reaction was promoted by two different activation methods that lead to different stereoisomers: (1) Lewis Acid (LA) catalysis with boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and (2) Lewis Base (LB) catalysis with tetrabutylammonium difluorotriphenylsilicate. The reaction presented good diastereoselectivity with LB activation and moderate to good dr with LA catalysis. The exceptions in both protocols were imines with electron donating groups in the aromatic ring.

A highly stereoselective and efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure sitagliptin

A highly stereoselective and efficient synthesis of sitagliptin 1 consisting of a chiral β-amino acid unit has been achieved through 6 steps from commercially available 2,4,5-trifluorobenzaldehyde 4. The chiral antidiabetic drug was obtained with almost perfect enantiomeric purity (>99.9% ee) in 40.9% overall yield. The key feature of the synthesis is the addition of a malonate enolate to a chiral sulfinylimine in more than 99:1 dr. Our synthetic procedure proved to be highly efficient, economical, and sustainable.

Development of β-Amino Acid Dehydrogenase for the Synthesis of β-Amino Acids via Reductive Amination of β-Keto Acids

An l-erythro-3,5-diaminohexanoate dehydrogenase from Candidatus Cloacamonas acidaminovorans (3,5-DAHDHcca) was engineered to β-amino acid dehydrogenase (β-AADH) by screening a domain scanning mutagenesis library. The best β-AADH mutant displayed about 200-fold activity toward (R)-β-homomethionine compared with the wild-type enzyme. (R)-β-Homomethionine, (R)-β-phenylalanine, and (S)-β-aminobutyric acid were obtained via β-AADH-catalyzed reductive amination of the corresponding β-keto acids, which were generated from β-keto-nitriles or β-keto-esters with nitrilase or lipase. This is the first example of the direct reductive amination of β-keto acids catalyzed by β-AADH to give β-amino acids, opening a new venue for the synthesis of chiral β-amino acids.

Completely Stereocontrolled Aldol Reaction of Chiral β-Amino Acids

A general protocol to independently access stereoisomerically pure β'-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives that is based on dibutylboron triflate-mediated aldol reaction of suitably protected β-amino acids bearing chiral oxazolidinone auxiliary is reported. The method smoothly afforded syn-aldol (α,β'-syn) products in pure form and excellent isolated yield. Both α,β-syn and α,β-anti isomers are readily accessible solely through the choice of the oxazolidinone chirality. This method allows for the preparation of stereoisomeric β'-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives that were previously unreported.

Stereoselective synthesis of perillaldehyde-based chiral β-amino acid derivatives through conjugate addition of lithium amides.

The Michael addition of dibenzylamine to (+)-tert-butyl perillate (3) and to (+)-tert-butyl phellandrate (6), derived from (S)-(−)-perillaldehyde (1), resulted in diastereomeric β-amino esters 7A–D in a moderately stereospecific reaction in a ratio of 76:17:6:1. After separation of the diastereoisomers, the major product, cis isomer 7A, was quantitatively isomerized to the minor component, trans-amino ester 7D. All four isomers were transformed to the corresponding β-amino acids 10A–D, which are promising building blocks for the synthesis of β-peptides and 1,3-heterocycles in three steps. The steric effects of the isopropyl group at position 4 and of the α-methyl substituent of (R)-N-benzyl-N-α-methylbenzylamine on the reactivity were also studied and, upon application of a chiral amine, excellent stereoselectivity of the conjugate addition was observed. Amino ester 11 was obtained as a single product and transformed to the corresponding amino acids 10A and 10D in good yields on the gram scale.

Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of N‐Protected β‐Amino Malonates Catalyzed by Magnetically Separable Heterogeneous Rosin‐Derived Amino Thiourea Catalysts: A Stereocontrolled Approach to β‐Amino Acids

A rosin by any other name: Magnetic-nanoparticle-supported bifunctional rosin-derived tertiary amino thiourea catalysts are developed for the stereocontrolled synthesis of chiral β-amino acids. Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl, Bn=benzyl. As a service to our authors and readers, this journal provides supporting information supplied by the authors. Such materials are peer reviewed and may be re-organized for online delivery, but are not copy-edited or typeset. Technical support issues arising from supporting information (other than missing files) should be addressed to the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

One-pot synthesis of novel chiral β-amino acid derivatives by enantioselective Mannich reactions catalyzed by squaramide cinchona alkaloids.

An efficient one-pot synthesis of novel β-amino acid derivatives containing a thiadiazole moiety was developed using a chiral squaramide cinchona alkaloid as organocatalyst. The reactions afforded chiral β-amino acid derivatives in moderate yields and with moderate to excellent enantioselectivities. The present study demonstrated for the first time the use of a Mannich reaction catalyzed by a chiral bifunctional organocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of novel β-amino acid derivatives bearing a 1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety on nitrogen.

Chirality and Template-Mediated Induction of Helical Preferences in Achiral β-Peptides

This study describes chirality- or template-mediated helical induction in achiral β-peptides for the first time. A strategy of end capping β-peptides derived from β-hGly (the smallest achiral β-amino acid) with a chiral β-amino acid that possesses a carbohydrate side chain (β-Caa; C-linked carbo β-amino acid) or a small, robust helical template derived from β-Caas, was adopted to investigate folding propensity. A single chiral (R)-β-Caa residue at the C- or N-terminus in these oligomers led to a preponderance of right-handed 12/10-helical folds, which was reiterated more strongly in peptides capped at both the C- and N-terminus. Likewise, the presence of a template (a 12/10-helical trimer) at both the C- and N-terminus resulted in a very robust helix. The propagation of the helical fold and its sustenance was found in a homo-oligomeric sequence with as many as seven β-hGly residues. In both cases, the induction of helicity was stronger from the N terminus, whereas an anchor at the C terminus resulted in reduced helical propensity. Although these oligomers have been theoretically predicted to favor a 12/10-mixed helix in apolar solvents, this study provides the first experimental evidence for their existence. Diastereotopicity was found in both the methylene groups of the β-hGly moieties due to chirality. Additionally, the β-hGly units have shown split behavior in the conformational space to accommodate the 12/10-helix. Thus, end capping to assist chiralty- or template-mediated helical induction and stabilization in achiral β-peptides is a very attractive strategy.