ChemInform Abstract: Novel Strategy for the Synthesis of Fluorinated β-Amino Acid Derivatives from Δ2-Oxazolines.

Abstract Racemic and chiral non-racemic β-fluoroalkyl-β-amino acid derivatives have been prepared in two steps starting from 2-alkyl-Δ2-oxazolines and fluorinated imidoyl chlorides. Subsequent chemoselective reduction of the C-masked β-enamino acid derivatives initially formed provided the target β-amino acids. The process takes place with total chemoselectivity, high yields and satisfactory diastereoselectivity.

Enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated alpha-amino acids and derivatives in combination with ring-closing metathesis: intramolecular pi-stacking interactions as a source of stereocontrol.

[reaction: see text]. Hydride reduction of C=N bonds stereocontrolled by intramolecular pi-stacking interactions of 1-naphthylsulfinyl and N-aryl groups, nonoxidative Pummerer rearrangement, and ring-closing metathesis are efficiently combined in a highly stereoselective entry to enantiomerically pure cyclic and acyclic fluorinated beta-amino alcohols and alpha-amino acid derivatives, respectively.

The mechanism of formamide hydrolysis in water from ab initio calculations and simulations.

The neutral hydrolysis of formamide in water is a suitable reference to quantify the efficiency of proteolytic enzymes. However, experimental data for this reaction has only very recently been obtained and the kinetic constant determined experimentally is significantly higher than that predicted by previous theoretical estimations. In this work, we have investigated in detail the possible mechanisms of this reaction. Several solvent models have been considered that represent a considerable improvement on those used in previous studies. Density functional and ab initio calculations have been carried out on a system which explicitly includes the first solvation shell of the formamide molecule…

Novel strategy for the synthesis of fluorinated β-amino acid derivatives from Δ2-oxazolines

Abstract Racemic and chiral non-racemic β-fluoroalkyl-β-amino acid derivatives have been prepared in two steps starting from 2-alkyl-Δ2-oxazolines and fluorinated imidoyl chlorides. Subsequent chemoselective reduction of the C-masked β-enamino acid derivatives initially formed provided the target β-amino acids. The process takes place with total chemoselectivity, high yields and satisfactory diastereoselectivity.

Comparison of some dispersion-corrected and traditional functionals as applied to peptides and conformations of cyclohexane derivatives.

We compare the energetic and structural properties of fully optimized α-helical and antiparallel β-sheet polyalanines and the energetic differences between axial and equatorial conformations of three cyclohexane derivatives (methyl, fluoro, and chloro) as calculated using several functionals designed to treat dispersion (B97-D, ωB97x-D, M06, M06L, and M06-2X) with other traditional functionals not specifically parametrized to treat dispersion (B3LYP, X3LYP, and PBE1PBE) and with experimental results. Those functionals developed to treat dispersion significantly overestimate interaction enthalpies of folding for the α-helix and predict unreasonable structures that contain Ramachandran φ and …

An Efficient and Simple Entry to N-Substituted beta-Enamino Acid Derivatives from 2-Alkyl-2-oxazolines and 2-Alkyl-2-thiazolines.

Reaction of azaenolates of 2-alkyl-oxa(thia)zolines 6 with imidoyl chlorides 7 as electrophiles to furnish masked N-substituted beta-enamino acid derivatives 1-2 in 70-90% yield is described. Alternative routes are discussed. Compounds 1-2 generally appear in one tautomeric form, imino or enamino, depending on the nature of the imidoyl chloride. The configuration of the enamino moiety (Z) and the conformation (s-cis) of compounds 1-2 obtained were established by an NMR study and unequivocally set by nuclear Overhauser effect difference experiments. An X-ray structure of compound 1e is also reported, showing a strong intramolecular NH.N hydrogen bond. Ab initio calculations (HF/3-21G and HF/…

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…

ChemInform Abstract: Cross-Metathesis Reactions as an Efficient Tool in the Synthesis of Fluorinated Cyclic β-Amino Acids.

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure, cyclic, gamma,gamma-difluorinated beta-amino acids with various ring sizes has been carried out with a cross-metathesis (CM) reaction being one of the key steps, followed by a Dieckmann-type condensation to bring about the cyclization. Subsequent catalytic hydrogenation under microwave irradiation with (-)-8-phenylmenthol as a chiral auxiliary led to the successful chemo- and diastereoselective chemical reduction of the resulting cyclic beta-enamino esters. The efficiency and scope of the CM reaction with different types of fluorinated imidoyl chlorides and unsaturated esters has also been studied in order to determine the optimal reaction conditions …

Intramolecular Nitrone Cycloaddition of α-(Trifluoromethyl)styrenes. Role of the CF3 Group in the Regioselectivity

The intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of ortho-substituted 1,1,1-trifluoromethylstyrene-derived nitrones is described. Tricyclic fused isoxazolidines were obtained as major or exclusive products, in contrast to the case for nonfluorinated substrates, which rendered the bridged derivatives. This change in the regioselectivity was attributed to the electronic and, particularly, steric requirements of the trifluoromethyl group in comparison to the methyl group. It is worth mentioning that trifluoromethylstyrenes have been employed for the first time as dipolarophiles in a 1,3-dipolar intramolecular cycloaddition reaction, leading to the corresponding isoxazolidines bearing a quaternary …

ChemInform Abstract: An Approach to 2,4-Substituted Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines and Pyrazolo[1,5-a]azepines by Ring-Closing Metathesis.

Based on the title approach, the diastereoselective synthesis of potential peptidomimetics [(XI) and (XIV)] is described.

Cross-Metathesis Reactions as an Efficient Tool in the Synthesis of Fluorinated Cyclic β-Amino Acids

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure, cyclic, gamma,gamma-difluorinated beta-amino acids with various ring sizes has been carried out with a cross-metathesis (CM) reaction being one of the key steps, followed by a Dieckmann-type condensation to bring about the cyclization. Subsequent catalytic hydrogenation under microwave irradiation with (-)-8-phenylmenthol as a chiral auxiliary led to the successful chemo- and diastereoselective chemical reduction of the resulting cyclic beta-enamino esters. The efficiency and scope of the CM reaction with different types of fluorinated imidoyl chlorides and unsaturated esters has also been studied in order to determine the optimal reaction conditions …

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.

ChemInform Abstract: Intramolecular Michael Reaction of tert-Butylsulfinyl Ketimines: Asymmetric Synthesis of 3-Substituted Indanones.

The reaction proceeds in the presence of the Ruppert—Prakash reagent (Tms-CF3) with either TBAT or TBAF as a base.

ChemInform Abstract: A New Tandem Cross Metathesis-Intramolecular Aza-Michael Reaction for the Synthesis of α,α-Difluorinated Lactams.

Difluorinated amides are treated with methyl vinyl ketone or analogous esters to produce the desired γ- and δ-lactam units including optically active versions.

Triazolopyridines. 14. Substitution reactions of 7-amino[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines.

Abstract Reaction between 7-aminotriazolopyridines 1 or 2 and sulphuric acid gives hydroxyalkylpyridines 3 and 4 ; bromination gives brominated pyridine 5 or triazolopyridine 6. The anions from amines 1 or 2 are ambident, acylating on N but alkylating on N or on C6; in the latter case triazolylalkenylcyanides 16 – 20 or the 6,6-dialkylated derivative 19 are obtained. An X-ray diffraction study has confirmed structure 19.

An efficient synthesis of new fluorinated uracil derivatives.

A series of potentially biologically active fluorinated uracil derivatives has been prepared in three steps from oxazolines and fluorinated nitriles with good chemical yields. Fustero Lardies, Santos, Santos.Fustero@uv.es ; Sanz Cervera, Juan Francisco, Juan.F.Sanz@uv.es ; Asensio Martinez, Amparo, Amparo.Asensio@uv.es

An efficient synthesis of new fluorinated uracil derivativesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: general procedures for the preparation of compounds 3, 6 ,7, 8 and 9. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b3/b300796k/

A series of potentially biologically active fluorinated uracil derivatives has been prepared in three steps from oxazolines and fluorinated nitriles with good chemical yields.

Synthesis of chiral oxazolidin-2-ones from N-alkoxycarbonyl amino epoxides: a computational studyElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: structures of localized transition states. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/p1/b2/b203702e/

threo-N-Alkoxycarbonylamino epoxides 5a–d, containing the oxazolidine moiety, were converted into trans-4,5-disubstituted-2-oxazolidin-2-ones 2 with total regio- and stereoselection by means of nucleophilic intramolecular attack of the carbamate moiety to the protonated oxirane ring. Theoretical calculations confirmed both the regioselection and the preference of the cyclocarbamation reaction vs. the intermolecular attack by the solvent, arising from different behaviour in comparison with the analogous iodonium ions.

Density functional theory study of the Lewis acid-catalyzed Diels-Alder reaction of nitroalkenes with vinyl ethers using aluminum derivatives

The inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction of nitroalkenes with vinyl ethers catalyzed by Lewis acids based on aluminum metal, AlMe3, Al(OMe)3 and AlCl3 was studied using density functional theory methods. A continuum model was selected to represent the effects of dichloromethane used as solvent. For this cycloaddition reaction two reactive channels corresponding to the endo and exo approach modes of the vinyl ether to the Lewis acid-coordinated nitroalkene were studied. Coordination of the aluminum metal to an oxygen atom of the nitroalkene increases the electrophilicity of the heterodiene, decreasing the activation energy of the cycloaddition. The substitution effect on the aluminum…

A New Tandem Cross Metathesis-Intramolecular Aza-Michael Reaction for the Synthesis of α,α-Difluorinated Lactams

A new tandem cross metathesis–intramolecular aza-Michael­ reaction in which an α,α-difluorinated amide serves as a source of nucleophilic nitrogen is described. This process gives rise to a new family of fluorinated γ- and δ-lactams. The tandem protocol is catalyzed by the Hoveyda–Grubbs second-generation ruthenium catalyst with titanium(IV) tetraisopropoxide as a co-catalyst and it is highly efficient when conjugated ketones are used as the Michael acceptors. With conjugated esters, however, it is necessary to perform a step-by-step procedure in which the cyclization event is activated by the addition of a base. An asymmetric version of the process is also evaluated.

Chiral Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allyl(propargyl)boration Reaction of ortho-Alkynyl Benzaldehydes: Synthetic Applications and Factors Governing the Enantioselectivity

Chiral Bronsted acid-catalyzed allyl(propargyl)boration of ortho-alkynyl benzaldehydes gives rise to ω-alkynyl homoallylic(homopropargylic)alcohols that can be further transformed to complex molecular scaffolds via subsequent hydroalkoxylation, ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM), or intramolecular Pauson–Khand reaction (PKR). Optimizations of each two-step transformation is reported. A strong dependence between enantioselectivities and the nature of the substitution at the alkynyl moiety is observed, showcasing that the triple bond is not merely a spectator in this transformation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations (M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p)–IEFPCM//B3LYP/6-31G(d)) show that this dep…

A DFT Study of the Domino Inter [4 + 2]/Intra [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitroalkenes with Enol Ethers

The molecular mechanism of the domino inter [4 + 2]/intra [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitroalkenes with enol ethers to give nitroso acetal adducts has been characterized using density functional theory methods with the B3LYP functional and the 6-31G* basis set. The presence of Lewis acid catalyst and solvent effects has been taken into account to model the experimental environment. These domino processes comprise two consecutive cycloaddition reactions:  the first one is an intermolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of the enol ether to the nitroalkene to give a nitronate intermediate, which then affords the final nitroso acetal adduct through an intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reacti…

Triazolopyridines. Part 9. The synthesis of7-amino(1,2,3)triazolo(1,5-a)pyridines

Abstract Regiospecific lithiation of (1,2,3) triazolo(1,5-a)pyridines (1) and (4) with subsequent reaction with styryl azide gave small yields of the 7-aminotriazolopyridines (6) and (7). A longer larger scale synthesis of compounds (6) and (7) is described giving overall yields of 17 and 25%, starting from 2-amino-6-methyl (9) or 2-amino-6-ethyl pyridine (19).

Structural studies of the hemicellulose A from the cork of Quercus suber

Intramolecular Michael reaction of tert-butylsulfinyl ketimines: asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted indanones.

Aromatic tert-butylsulfinyl ketimines bearing a suitable Michael acceptor at the ortho position readily undergo an intramolecular conjugate addition achieving indanone derivatives in good yields and complete diastereoselectivity.

Capping Parallel β-Sheets of Acetyl(Ala)6NH2 with an Acetyl(Ala)5ProNH2 Can Arrest the Growth of the Sheet, Suggesting a Potential for Curtailing Amyloid Growth. An ONIOM and Density Functional Theory Study

We present ONIOM calculations using B3LYP/d95(d,p) as the high level and AM1 as the medium level on parallel β-sheets containing four strands of Ac-AAAAAA-NH2 capped with either Ac-AAPAAA-NH2 or Ac-AAAPAA-NH2. Because Pro can form H-bonds from only one side of the peptide linkage (that containing the C═O H-bond acceptor), only one of the two Pro-containing strands can favorably add to the sheet on each side. Surprisingly, when the sheet is capped with AAPAAA-NH2 at one edge, the interaction between the cap and sheet is slightly more stabilizing than that of another all Ala strand. Breaking down the interaction enthalpies into H-bonding and distortion energies shows the favorable interaction…

An Approach to 2,4-Substituted Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines and Pyrazolo[1,5-a]azepines by Ring-Closing Metathesis

The ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions of dienylpyrazoles have been employed in the synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine and pyrazolo[1,5-a]azepine derivatives. Based on this approach, the diastereoselective synthesis of potential peptidomimetics containing four amino acid residues with the second (i+1) and third (i+2) fragments having been substituted by bicyclic frameworks is described.

A density functional theory evaluation of hydrophobic solvation: Ne, Ar and Kr in a 50-water cluster – Implications for the hydrophobic effect

The physical explanation for the hydrophobic effect has been the subject of disagreement. Physical organic chemists tend to use a explanation related to pressure, while many biochemists prefer an explanation that involves decreased entropy of the aqueous solvent. We present DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and X3LYP/6-31G(d,p) levels on the solvation of three noble gases (Ne, Ar, and Kr) in clusters of 50 waters. Vibrational analyses show no substantial decreases in the vibrational entropies of the waters in any of the three clusters. The observed positive free energies of transfer from the gas phase or from nonpolar solvents to water appear to be due to the work needed to make a su…

CCDC 841484: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Santos Fustero, Raquel Román, Amparo Asensio, Miguel A. Maestro, José L. Aceña, Antonio Simón-Fuentes|2013|Eur.J.Org.Chem.|2013|7164|doi:10.1002/ejoc.201300901

CCDC 941485: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Santos Fustero, Raquel Román, Amparo Asensio, Miguel A. Maestro, José L. Aceña, Antonio Simón-Fuentes|2013|Eur.J.Org.Chem.|2013|7164|doi:10.1002/ejoc.201300901

CCDC 1434367: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Elsa Rodríguez, Matthew N. Grayson, Amparo Asensio, Pablo Barrio, K. N. Houk, and Santos Fustero|2016|ACS Catalysis|6|2506|doi:10.1021/acscatal.6b00209

CCDC 1434366: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Elsa Rodríguez, Matthew N. Grayson, Amparo Asensio, Pablo Barrio, K. N. Houk, and Santos Fustero|2016|ACS Catalysis|6|2506|doi:10.1021/acscatal.6b00209