Synthesis of nonracemic α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids from sulfinimines of trifluoropyruvate

We describe a novel and useful method for the synthesis of nonracemic α-trifluoromethyl α-amino acids (α-Tfm-AAs). Key building blocks are the sulfinimines (S)-1a and (S)-1b, prepared by Staudinger reaction from trifluoropyruvate esters and the chiral N-sulfinyl iminophosphorane (S)-8, which were treated with benzyl, allyl, and alkylmagnesium halides. The resulting diastereomeric N-sulfinyl α-Tfm α-amino esters, 12 and 13, were produced with moderate to good stereoselectivity and yields. When alkyl Grignard reagents were used, stereocontrol became progressively higher with increasing steric bulk, while reversed, though poor, stereocontrol was achieved with benzyl/allyl Grignard reagents. An…

The role of fluorine in the stereoselective tandem Aza-Michael addition to acrylamide acceptors: An experimental and theoretical mechanistic study

Aza-Michael additions of alpha-amino esters to fluorinated acceptors take place in a highly stereoselective manner, to give partially modified Psi-[NHCH2]retropeptides incorporating a hydrolytically stable trifluoroalanine mimic. The reaction mechanism has been investigated experimentally and theoretically, in order to explain the effect of the trifluoromethyl group on the reactivity and the origins of the experimentally observed stereocontrol. The reaction is a two-step process, involving a tandem aza-Michael addition followed by a stereoselective hydrogen transfer. Both steps are base-catalyzed. The high level of stereocontrol is the result of a combination of electrostatic interactions a…

Synthesis, Structure and Conformation of Partially-Modified Retro- and Retro-Inversoψ[NHCH(CF3)]Gly Peptides

Partially modified retro- (PMR) and retro-inverso (PMRI) psi[NHCH(CF(3))]Gly peptides, a conceptually new class of peptidomimetics, have been synthesized in wide structural diversity and variable length by aza-Michael reaction of enantiomerically pure alpha-amino esters and peptides with enantiomerically and geometrically pure N-4,4,4-trifluorocrotonoyl-oxazolidin-2-ones. The factors underlying the observed moderate to good diastereocontrol have been investigated. The conformations of model PMR-psi[NHCH(CF(3))]Gly tripeptides have been studied in solution by (1)H NMR spectroscopy supported by MD calculations, as well as in the solid-state by X-ray diffraction. Remarkable stability of turn-l…

Highly stereoselective tandem aza-Michael addition-enolate protonation to form partially modified retropeptide mimetics incorporating a trifluoroalanine surrogate.

Synthesis of 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Hydantoins by Regiospecific Domino Condensation/Aza-Michael/O→N Acyl Migration of Carbodiimides with Activated α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids.

[reaction: see text] Carbodiimides and suitably activated alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids react effectively to afford a vast array of 1,3,5-trisubstituted hydantoins by means of a regiospecific domino condensation/aza-Michael/N--O acyl migration. The reaction works well in very mild conditions (20 degrees C, dichloromethane) with fumaric acid derivatives bearing an electron-withdrawing group in the beta position. Good results have been obtained also with less activated substrates bearing only one electron-withdrawing group in the beta position, using more polar solvents (acetonitrile, DMF), and in the presence of a base (2,4,6-trimethylpyridine). Reactions with asymmetric carbodiimi…

New Fluorinated Peptidomimetics through Tandem Aza-Michael Addition to α-Trifluoromethyl Acrylamide Acceptors: Synthesis and Conformational Study in Solid State and Solution

A range of partially modified retro (PMR) psi[NHCH(2)] peptide mimetics containing a hydrolytically stable CH(2)CH(CF(3))CO unit have been synthesized. The first kind of peptidomimetics is obtained from the highly efficient aza-Michael addition of different amines to alpha-trifluoromethyl acrylamide acceptors. Subsequent deprotection of the amino group furnishes the key common intermediate for the synthesis of other families of peptidomimetics: dipeptides, tripeptides, peptidomimetics containing a urea moiety, and structures containing two units of alpha-trifluoromethyl-beta(2)-alanine. Finally, a conformational study of several of the newly synthesized peptidomimetics, performed with the a…

Stereocontrolled solid-phase synthesis of fluorinated partially-modified retropeptides via tandem aza-Michael/enolate-protonation

N-Acylation of Wang resin-bound l-α-amino acids with 2-trifluoromethyl-propenoyl chloride, followed by asymmetric tandem aza-Michael/enolate-protonation by a series of l-α-amino esters and final release from the resin, afforded a representative library of partially-modified retropeptides incorporating a stereodefined trifluoroalanine surrogate. The stereocontrol can be dramatically improved (up to 15:1) by using apolar solvents like carbon tetrachloride and DABCO as base.