Racemic Precursors Research Articles

Prebiotic access to enantioenriched amino acids via peptide-mediated transamination reactions

The kinetic resolution of racemic amino acids mediated by dipeptides and pyridoxal provides a prebiotically plausible route to enantioenriched proteinogenic amino acids. The enzymatic transamination cycles that are key to modern biochemical formation of enantiopure amino acids may have evolved from this half of the reversible reaction couple. Kinetic resolution of racemic precursors emerges as a general route to enantioenrichment under prebiotic conditions.

Combinatorial Ligand Assisted Simultaneous Control of Axial and Central Chirality in Highly Stereoselective C−H Allylation

AbstractThe significance of stereoselective C−H bond functionalization thrives on its direct application potential to pharmaceuticals or complex chiral molecule synthesis. Complication arises when there are multiple stereogenic elements such as a center and an axis of chirality to control. Over the years cooperative assistance of multiple chiral ligands has been applied to control only chiral centers. In this work, we harness the essence of cooperative ligand approach to control two different stereogenic elements in the same molecule by atroposelective allylation to synthesize axially chiral biaryls from its racemic precursor. The crucial roles played by chiral phosphoric acid and chiral amino acid ligand in concert helped us to obtain one major stereoisomer out of four distinct possibilities.

Isotopic Radiolabeling of Crizotinib with Fluorine-18 for In Vivo Pet Imaging.

Crizotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, but it is inefficient on brain metastases. Crizotinib is a substrate of the P-glycoprotein, and non-invasive nuclear imaging can be used to assess the brain penetration of crizotinib. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using fluorine-18-labeled crizotinib would be a powerful tool for investigating new strategies to enhance the brain distribution of crizotinib. We have synthesized a spirocyclic hypervalent iodine precursor for the isotopic labeling of crizotinib in a 2.4% yield. Because crizotinib is an enantiomerically pure drug, a chiral separation was performed to afford the (R)-precursor. A two-step radiolabeling process was optimized and automated using the racemic precursor to afford [18F](R,S)-crizotinib in 15 ± 2 radiochemical yield and 103 ± 18 GBq/µmol molar activity. The same radiolabeling process was applied to the (R)-precursor to afford [18F](R)-crizotinib with comparable results. As a proof-of-concept, PET was realized in a single non-human primate to demonstrate the feasibility of [18F](R)-crizotinib in in vivo imaging. Whole-body PET highlighted the elimination routes of crizotinib with negligible penetration in the brain (SUVmean = 0.1). This proof-of-concept paves the way for further studies using [18F](R)-crizotinib to enhance its brain penetration depending on the P-glycoprotein function.

A Cyanide‐free Biocatalytic Process for Synthesis of Complementary Enantiomers of 4‐Chloro‐3‐hydroxybutanenitrile From Allyl Chloride

AbstractA biocatalyst used for selective ring scission of (±)‐5‐(chloromethyl)‐4, 5‐dihydroisoxazole to synthesize chiral (R)‐4‐chloro‐3‐hydroxybutanenitrile (90 % ee, 39 % isolated yield) and (S)‐5‐(chloromethyl)‐4, 5‐dihydroisoxazole (99 % ee, 39 % isolated yield) was developed by site‐saturated mutagenesis on aldoxime dehydratase derived from Pseudomonas chlororaphis B23 (OxdA). The positive mutant (OxdA‐L318I, E=68) improved the enantiomeric ratio E by 6‐fold as compared to the wild type enzyme (OxdA‐wild, E=11). The racemic precursor of (±)‐5‐(chloromethyl)‐4, 5‐dihydroisoxazole, used in the reaction, can be synthesized from readily available allyl chloride without utilizing highly toxic cyanide. The enantiopure (S)‐5‐(chloromethyl)‐4, 5‐dihydroisoxazole remaining in the kinetic resolution can be transformed into corresponding chiral (S)‐4‐chloro‐3‐hydroxybutanenitrile without loss of enantiomeric excess by treating it with triethylamine in acetonitrile (99 % ee, 72 % isolated yield) or catalysis of OxdA‐wild enzyme (99 % ee, 88 % isolated yield).

Evaluation of Trials Comparing Single-Enantiomer Drugs to Their Racemic Precursors

Chiral switching, a strategy in which drug manufacturers develop a single-enantiomer formulation of a drug to be substituted for a racemic formulation, allows manufacturers to maintain market exclusivity for drugs losing patent protection, even without demonstrating superior efficacy or safety. To identify and characterize all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) directly comparing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved single-enantiomer drug against a previously approved racemic drug for 1 or more efficacy or safety end points. Drugs were identified using the Drugs@FDA database. Randomized clinical trials were identified using Ovid MEDLINE (1949 to October 22, 2019), Ovid Embase (1974 to October 22, 2019), Web of Science Core Collection (all years), ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Wiley, Issue 8 of 12, October 22, 2019). Trials were characterized as favoring the single-enantiomer or racemic drugs based on whether the primary efficacy, secondary efficacy, and safety end points achieved each study's defined significance level (eg, P < .05). Trials were characterized as favoring neither drug if no statistically significant differences were reported for any end point or if both drugs were found to be superior for 1 or more separate end points. Fifteen FDA-approved single-enantiomer drugs were identified with racemic precursors approved in the US or Europe. For 3 single-enantiomer racemic drug pairs, no RCTs directly comparing the drugs were identified. For the remaining 12 pairs, 185 RCTs comparing efficacy or safety of the drug pairs were identified, 124 (67.0%) of which studied 1 pair (levobupivacaine/bupivacaine). There were 179 RCTs directly comparing drug pairs using efficacy end points, of which 23 (12.8%) favored the single enantiomer based on primary efficacy end point results. There were 124 RCTs directly comparing drug pairs using safety end points, of which 17 (13.7%) favored the single-enantiomer drug. For 9 of the 15 single-enantiomer drugs (60.0%), no RCTs were identified providing evidence of improved efficacy, based on primary end point results, or safety as compared with their racemic precursors. The results of this systematic review suggest that most newly marketed FDA-approved single-enantiomer drugs are infrequently directly compared with their racemic precursors, and when compared, they are uncommonly found to provide improved efficacy or safety, despite their greater costs.

An Asymmetric Suzuki-Miyaura Approach to Prostaglandins: Synthesis of Tafluprost.

We report the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of Tafluprost (1), a prostaglandin analogue. This synthesis demonstrates a new approach to prostaglandins involving symmetrization and desymmetrization of a racemic precursor to control the absolute and relative stereochemistry of the cyclopentyl core. Key steps include a diastereo- and enantioselective Rh-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of a racemic bicyclic allyl chloride and an alkenyl boronic acid and a regio- and diastereoselective Pd-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost reaction with an enolate surrogate.

Acute hyperketonaemia alters T-cell-related cytokine gene expression within stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells following prolonged exercise.

We investigated the effect of the racemic β-hydroxybutyrate precursor, R,S-1,3-butanediol (BD), on T-cell-related cytokine gene expression within stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) following prolonged, strenuous exercise. A repeated-measures, randomised, crossover study was conducted in nine healthy, trained male cyclists (age, 26.7 ± 5.2years; VO2peak, 63.9 ± 2.5mLkg-1min-1). Participants ingested 0.35gkg-1 of BD or placebo 30min before and 60min during 85min of steady-state (SS) exercise, which preceded a ~ 30min time-trial (TT) (7kJkg-1). Blood samples were collected at pre-supplement, pre-exercise, post-SS, post-TT and 1-h post-TT. Whole blood cultures were stimulated with Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) for 24h to determine T-cell-related interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA expression within isolated PBMCs in vitro. Serum cortisol, total circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte, and T-cell subset concentrations were similar between trials during exercise and recovery (all p > 0.05). BD ingestion increased T-cell-related IFN-γ mRNA expression compared with placebo throughout exercise and recovery (p = 0.011); however, IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression and the IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA expression ratio were unaltered (all p > 0.05). Acute hyperketonaemia appears to transiently amplify the initiation ofthe pro-inflammatory T-cell-related IFN-γ response to an immune challenge in vitro during and following prolonged, strenuous exercise; suggesting enhanced type-1T-cell immunity at the gene level.

Medicare Part D Spending on Single-Enantiomer Drugs Versus Their Racemic Precursors.

Medicare Part D Spending on Single-Enantiomer Drugs Versus Their Racemic Precursors.

Divergent Synthesis of Dihydropyranone Stereoisomers via N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis

AbstractWe recently developed a novel chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed dynamic kinetic enantioselective acylation (DKEA) and dynamic kinetic diastereoselective acylation (DKDA) of Achmatowicz rearrangement products to generate useful intermediates for the further synthesis of carbohydrates. In this update, we describe a divergent NHC catalytic strategy for the stereoselective preparation of all four isomers starting from a common racemic precursor. The present report provides easy access to diverse optically pure dihydropyranones.magnified image

Asymmetric Synthesis of Gonytolide A: Strategic Use of an Aryl Halide Blocking Group for Oxidative Coupling.

The first synthesis of the chromanone lactone dimer gonytolide A has been achieved employing vanadium(V)-mediated oxidative coupling of the monomer gonytolide C. An o-bromine blocking group strategy was employed to favor para- para coupling and to enable kinetic resolution of (±)-gonytolide C. Asymmetric conjugate reduction enabled practical kinetic resolution of a chiral, racemic precursor and the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-gonytolide A and its atropisomer.

Quaternary stereocentres via an enantioconvergent catalytic SN1 reaction.

The unimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN1) mechanism figures prominently in every introductory organic chemistry course. In principle, stepwise displacement of a leaving group by a nucleophile via a carbocationic intermediate allows for the construction of highly congested carbon centers. However, the intrinsic instability and high reactivity of the carbocationic intermediates render it very difficult to control product distributions and stereoselectivity in reactions proceeding via SN1 pathways. Here we report asymmetric catalysis of an SN1-type reaction mechanism resulting in the enantioselective construction of quaternary stereocenters from racemic precursors. The new transformation relies on the synergistic action of a chiral hydrogen bond donor (HBD) catalyst with a strong Lewis acid promoter to mediate the formation of tertiary carbocationic intermediates at low temperature and achieve high levels of control over reaction enantioselectivity and product distribution. The work presented here provides a foundation for the enantioconvergent synthesis of other fully-substituted carbon stereocenters.

A solution-processable dissymmetric porous organic cage

A dissymmetric, soluble, porous organic cage from a low-cost racemic precursor.

Lactols in an asymmetric aldol-desymmetrization sequence: access to tetrahydro-4H-furo[2,3-b]pyran-2-one and tetrahydro-4H-furo[2,3-b]furan-2-one derivatives.

An asymmetric aldol-desymmetrization sequence was developed which provided highly efficient access to important bicyclic oxygen-containing scaffolds with multiple chiral centers and one is a quaternary stereogenic center containing a free hydroxy group. Moreover, starting from racemic precursors, the final products were obtained as two separable diastereomers by flash chromatography. Several other heterocycles could also be easily generated with this strategy.

Enantioselective desymmetrization of cyclohexadienones via an intramolecular Rauhut–Currier reaction of allenoates

The Rauhut–Currier (RC) reaction represents an efficient method for the construction of carbon–carbon bond in organic synthesis. However, the RC reactions involving allenoate substrates are very rare, and in particular, asymmetric intramolecular RC reaction of allenoates is yet to be discovered. Here, we show that the intramolecular RC reaction proceeds smoothly in the presence of 1 mol% β-ICD, and bicyclic lactones are obtained in high yields and with excellent enantiomeric excesses. With the employment of γ-substituted allenoates as racemic precursors, a novel dynamic kinetic resolution of allenes via RC reaction is observed, which allows for facile synthesis of highly enantiomerically enriched allenes.

ChemInform Abstract: From Racemic Precursors to Fully Stereocontrolled Products: One‐Pot Synthesis of Chiral α‐Amino Lactones and Lactams.

AbstractAn asymmetric α‐amination of racemic lactols or cyclic hemiaminals with azodicarboxylates followed by oxidation yields chiral α‐amino lactones or lactams with excellent enantioselectivities.

Thiophene-Based Double Helices: Syntheses, X-ray Structures, and Chiroptical Properties.

We demonstrate facile and efficient construction of conjugated double helical ladder oligomers from the saddle-shaped cyclooctatetrathiophene (COTh) building blocks. The key step involves deprotonation of tetra[3,4]thienylene (β,β-COTh) with n-BuLi which displays remarkably high ipsilateral selectivity. Three racemic double helical ladder oligomers, rac-DH-1, rac-DH-2, and rac-DH-3, containing two, three, and five COTh annelated moieties are efficiently synthesized by diastereoselective coupling of the racemic precursors. The X-ray crystallographic studies of rac-DH-1, rac-DH-2 and rac-DH-3 unambiguously revealed that each double helical scaffold has two single helices intertwined with each other via the C-C single bonds. Following removal of TMS groups, double helical ladder oligomer rac-DH-1-D had sufficient solubility to be resolved via chiral HPLC, thus enabling determination of its chirooptical properties such as CD spectra and optical rotation. (+)-DH-1-D has a large barrier for racemization, with lower limit of ΔG(‡) > 48 kcal mol(-1), which may be compared to DFT-computed barrier of 51 kcal mol(-1). The enantiomers of DH-1-D show 1 order of magnitude stronger chirooptical properties than the carbon-sulfur [7]helicene, as determined by the anisotropy factor g = Δε/ε = -0.039, based on Δεmax = -11 and ε = 2.8 × 10(2) L mol(-1) cm(-1) in cyclohexane at 327 nm.

The Attractive Application of Lactol Chemistry: From Racemic Lactol to Natural Product Skeleton

A versatile methodology involving the use of substituted racemic lactols as nucleophiles in the enamine-based asymmetric reactions leading to functionalized lactones with multiple stereogenic centers as one single diastereoisomer is reported. Importantly, the desired products could be easily transformed into asymmetric 2,4,5-trisubstituted piperidine derivatives, which are present in numerous alkaloid products but difficult to prepare optically enriched. Moreover, although starting from racemic precursors, the stereoisomeric products were discretely provided by simple column chromatography, which could meet the requirements of atom economy and efficiency.

From racemic precursors to fully stereocontrolled products: one-pot synthesis of chiral α-amino lactones and lactams.

Substituted racemic lactols or cyclic hemiaminals were directly used as nucleophiles in enamine-based asymmetric amination reactions to access enantioenriched α-amino lactones or lactams via a one-pot sequence. The desired products, which are very important building blocks in organic synthesis but difficult to be prepared in the optically enriched form, could be afforded with two stereogenic centers in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, starting from the racemic precursors and catalyzed by the enantiomeric pair of the catalyst, all possible stereoisomeric products were discretely provided only after simple column chromatography. Additionally, this protocol provides facile access to several novel bicyclic carbamates, and such drug-like heterocyclic compounds should be potentially useful in medicinal chemistry.

A Concise Access to C2-Symmetric Chiral 4-Pyrrolidinopyridine Catalysts with Dual Functional Side Chains.

A practical method was developed for the preparation of a diastereomeric library of C2-symmetric chiral 4-pyrrolidinopyridine catalysts with dual amide side chains. Use of a racemic precursor is the key to the concise production of catalysts with diverse stereochemisty.

Design, synthesis, and application of a chiral sulfinamide phosphine catalyst for the enantioselective intramolecular Rauhut-Currier reaction.

A novel class of chiral sulfinamide phosphine catalysts (Xiao-Phos) are reported, which can be easily prepared from inexpensive commercially available starting materials. The Xiao-Phos catalysts showed good performance in enantioselective intramolecular Rauhut-Currier reactions, generating α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones in high yields with up to 99% ee under mild conditions. Moreover, kinetic resolution and parallel kinetic resolution were also observed with the use of two different substituted racemic precursors.