0000000000312432
AUTHOR
Stefano Valdo Meille
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…
Donor-Acceptor Polythiophene Copolymers with Tunable Acceptor content for Photoelectric Conversion Devices
The synthesis and characterization of a new series of substituted polythiophenes containing an electron acceptor anthraquinone moiety in the side chain are reported. The acceptor molar content was varied by the co-polymerization of both alkylthiophene and thiophene bearing anthraquinone monomers in different ratios. NMR analysis shows a good correlation between the monomer feed composition at the beginning of the polymerization and the actual unit composition of the backbone. The conjugation length and the chemical composition of the copolymers as a function of the molecular weight have been studied by size exclusion chromatography. Small angle X-ray scattering and UV-Vis absorption spectra…
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…