An efficient entry to optically active anti- and syn-beta-amino-alpha-trifluoromethyl alcohols.

The reaction of chiral 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-ones with TMSCF3 in the presence of a suitable activator leads to trifluoromethyl lactols, which can be selectively reduced to anti-beta-amino-alpha-trifluoromethyl alcohols. The corresponding syn diastereoisomers are obtained when the starting imines are reduced and the nitrogen atom is conveniently protected. In addition, a novel rearrangement of the CF3 group in the lactol intermediates has been observed. This represents a formal CF3 addition to the imine function in the starting substrates.

Asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated cyclic beta-amino acid derivatives through cross metathesis.

The asymmetric synthesis of several fluorinated cis-2-aminocycloalkane carboxylic acids (cis-2-ACACs) with a cross metathesis (CM) reaction as the key step has been carried out, constituting the first time a metathesis protocol has been undertaken with fluorinated imidoyl chlorides. Subsequent chemoselective hydrogenation of the olefin moiety, Dieckmann condensation, and stereoselective reduction of the iminic double bond afforded the corresponding beta-amino esters with several ring sizes. The asymmetric version of the process was achieved by using (-)-8-phenylmenthol as a chiral auxiliary.

Fluorine in pharmaceutical industry: fluorine-containing drugs introduced to the market in the last decade (2001-2011).

Fluorous (Trimethylsilyl)ethanol:  A New Reagent for Carboxylic Acid Tagging and Protection in Peptide Synthesis

Starting with a fluorous analogue of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethanol, we have designed an easy method for preparing a new fluorous tag ((F)TMSE) for the protection of carboxylic acids. Because mild conditions are employed in the tag cleavage (TBAF in the presence of 4 A molecular sieves, which prevent racemization), this tag can be advantageously used in the synthesis of peptides and modified peptides, as we have demonstrated with several examples, including the fluorous synthesis of short alpha- and beta-peptides as well as of modified fluorinated retropeptides.

Straightforward Stereoselective Access to Cyclic Peptidomimetics

The preparation of cyclic dipeptide mimetics from chiral imino lactones derived from (R)-phenylglycinol is described. Key steps of the synthetic route included the fully stereoselective construction of a quaternary center, the formation of six-, seven-, or eight-membered lactams by means of an RCM cyclization, and the introduction of a new amino group within the lactam ring. The synthesis of a tripeptide mimetic is also reported.

Stereoselective Access to Fluorinated and Non-fluorinated Quaternary Piperidines: Synthesis of Pipecolic Acid and Iminosugar Derivatives

The preparation of optically pure quaternary piperidines, both fluorinated and non-fluorinated, has been achieved from a chiral imino lactone derived from (R)-phenylglycinol. In the case of the fluorinated derivatives, the addition of (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCF(3)) followed by iodoamination and migration of the CF(3) group allowed access to four derivatives of α-(trifluoromethyl)pipecolic acid. A theoretical study of the CF(3)-group rearrangement has been carried out to help establish the reaction mechanism of this uncommon transformation. Moreover, a route to trifluoromethyl-substituted iminosugars was also developed through the diastereoselective dihydroxylation of suitable s…