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A fluorescent amino acid derivative (Fmoc-DBO) has been synthesized, which contains 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO) as a small, hydrophilic fluorophore with an extremely long fluorescence lifetime (325 ns in H2O and 505 ns in D2O under air). Polypeptides containing both the DBO residue and an efficient fluorescence quencher allow the measurement of rate constants for intramolecular end-to-end contact formation. Bimolecular quenching experiments indicated that Trp, Cys, Met, and Tyr are efficient quenchers of DBO (k(q) = 20, 5.1, 4.5, and 3.6 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) in D2O), while the other amino acids are inefficient. The quenching by Trp, which was selected as an intrinsic quencher, is presumed to involve exciplex-induced deactivation. Flexible, structureless polypeptides, Trp-(Gly-Ser)n-DBO-NH2, were prepared by standard solid-phase synthesis, and the rates of contact formation were measured through the intramolecular fluorescence quenching of DBO by Trp with time-correlated single-photon counting, laser flash photolysis, and steady-state fluorometry. Rate constants of 4.1, 6.8, 4.9, 3.1, 2.0, and 1.1 x 10(7) s(-1) for n = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 10 were obtained. Noteworthy was the relatively slow quenching for the shortest peptide (n = 0). The kinetic data are in agreement with recent transient absorption studies of triplet probes for related peptides, but the rate constants are significantly larger. In contrast to the flexible structureless Gly-Ser polypeptides, the polyproline Trp-Pro4-DBO-NH2 showed insignificant fluorescence quenching, suggesting that a high polypeptide flexibility and the possibility of probe-quencher contact is essential to induce quenching. Advantages of the new fluorescence-based method for measuring contact formation rates in biopolymers include high accuracy, fast time range (100 ps-1 micros), and the possibility to perform measurements in water under air.
Abietadiene synthase (AS) catalyzes two sequential, mechanistically distinct cyclizations in the conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate to a mixture of abietadiene double bond isomers as the initial step of resin acid biosynthesis in grand fir (Abies grandis). The first reaction converts geranylgeranyl diphosphate to the stable bicyclic intermediate (+)-copalyl diphosphate via protonation-initiated cyclization. In the second reaction, diphosphate ester ionization-initiated cyclization generates the tricyclic perhydrophenanthrene-type backbone, and is directly coupled to a 1,2-methyl migration that generates the C13 isopropyl group characteristic of the abietane family of diterpenes. Using the transition-state analogue inhibitor 14,15-dihydro-15-azageranylgeranyl diphosphate, it was demonstrated that each reaction of abietadiene synthase is carried out at a distinct active site. Mutations in two aspartate-rich motifs specifically delete one or the other activity and the location of these motifs suggests that the two active sites reside in separate domains. These mutants effectively complement each other, suggesting that the copalyl diphosphate intermediate diffuses between the two active sites in this monomeric enzyme. Free copalyl diphosphate was detected in steady-state kinetic reactions, thus conclusively demonstrating a free diffusion transfer mechanism. In addition, both mutant enzymes enhance the activity of wild-type abietadiene synthase with geranylgeranyl diphosphate as substrate. The implications of these results for the kinetic mechanism of abietadiene synthase are discussed.
A solution to the long-standing problem presented by the oxidative cyclization of a phenolic 3-arylpropionamide to a spirolactam has been developed in this laboratory via oxazoline chemistry. This research was motivated by our interest in some novel tricyclic azaspirane natural products formally derived from tyrosine, such as FR901483 and TAN1251C. In this paper, we disclose full details of the total synthesis of these substances.
The azadithiolate (SCH2NHCH2S) cofactor proposed to occur in the Fe-only hydrogenases forms efficiently by the condensation of Fe2(SH)2(CO)6 (1), formaldehyde, and ammonia (as (NH4)2CO3). The resulting Fe2[(SCH2)2NH](CO)6 reacts with Et4NCN to give (Et4N)2[Fe2[(SCH2)2NH](CO)4(CN)2], for which crystallographic characterization confirmed an axial N-H and an elongated C-S bond of 1.858(3) A. Primary amines RNH2 (R = Ph, t-Bu) also participate in the condensation reaction, and Fe3S2(CO)9 can be employed in place of 1. Mechanistically, the Fe2[(SCH2)2NH] moiety is shown to arise via two pathways: (i) via the intermediacy of Fe2[(SCH2OH)2](CO)6, which was detected and shown to react with amines, and (ii) via the reaction of 1 with cyclic imines (CH2)3(NR)3 (R = Ph, Me). The reaction of 1 with (CH2)6N4 (hexamethylenetetramine) gives Fe2[(SCH2)2NH](CO)6. Trace amounts of Fe2[(SCH2)2N-t-Bu](CO)6 arise via the reaction of aqueous FeSO4, formaldehyde, NaSH, and t-BuNH2 under an atmosphere of CO.
Evidence is described here to support that a highly stereoselective 6pi-electron electrocyclic ring closure of 1-azatrienes is a key step in formal [3 + 3] cycloaddition or annulation reactions of chiral vinylogous amides with alpha,beta-unsaturated iminium salts. This would represent the first highly stereoselective 6pi-electron electrocyclic ring closure of 1-azatrienes. We have also unambiguously demonstrated that these specific ring closures are reversible, leading to the major diastereomer that is also thermodynamically more stable, and that a rotation preference likely also plays a role. A synthetic application is illustrated here to stereoselectively transform the resulting dihydropyridines to cis-1-azadecalins with unique anti relative stereochemistry at C2 and C2a, leading to synthesis of epi isomers of (-)-pumiliotoxin C.
The beta-turn is a well-studied motif in both proteins and peptides. Four residues, making almost a complete 180 degree-turn in the direction of the peptide chain, define the beta-turn. Several types of the beta-turn are defined according to Phi and Psi torsional angles of the backbone for residues i + 1 and i + 2. One special type of beta-turn, the type VI-turn, usually contains a proline with a cis-amide bond at residue i + 2. In an aza-amino acid, the alpha-carbon of the amino acid is changed to nitrogen. Peptides containing azaproline (azPro) have been shown to prefer the type VI beta-turn both in crystals and in organic solvents by NMR studies. MC/MD simulations using the GB/SA solvation model for water explored the conformational preferences of azPro-containing peptides in aqueous systems. An increase in the conformational preference for the cis-amide conformer of azPro was clearly seen, but the increased stability was relatively minor with respect to the trans-conformer as compared to previous suggestions. To test the validity of the calculations in view of the experimental data from crystal structures and NMR in organic solvents, [azPro(3)]-TRH and [Phe(2), azPro(3)]-TRH were synthesized, and their conformational preferences were determined by NMR in polar solvents as well as the impact of the azPro substitution on their biological activities.
A one-pot C2-amidoglycosylation reaction for the synthesis of 2-N-acyl-2-deoxy-beta-pyranosides from glycals is described. Glycal donors activated by the reagent combination of thianthrene-5-oxide (11) and Tf2O, followed by treatment with an amide nucleophile and a glycosyl acceptor, lead to the formation of various C2-amidoglycoconjugates. Both the C2-nitrogen transfer and the glycosidic bond formation proceed stereoselectively, allowing for the introduction of both natural and nonnatural amide functionalities at C2 with concomitant anomeric bond formation in a one-pot procedure. Tracking of the reaction by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy employing 15N- and 18O-isotope labels suggests a mechanism involving the formation of the C2-sulfonium glycosyl imidate 39 as well as oxazoline 37 as key intermediates in this novel oxidative glycosylation process.
A synthesis of 4,5-benzo-1-aza-tricyclo[4.3.1.1(3,8)]undecane (1), a benzo-1-aza-adamantane derivative, is described and features a previously unknown application of the Wolff-Kishner reduction of a nonresonance stabilized or "twisted" amide. An intermediate amino ester is converted to a severely "twisted amide", which, when exposed to hydrazine in alcohol, provides the corresponding "twisted" amino hydrazone. Wolff-Kishner conditions (KOH/ethylene glycol, 200 degrees C) provide the reduced target 1 without hydrolysis to amino acid derivatives. These operations are conveniently performed in a single flask in high yield.
Simple additions are the most atom economic way to effect alkylations. The ability to effect the hydrocarbonation of allenes asymmetrically then becomes a highly efficient alkylation protocol. The first example of such a protocol involves the ability of a palladium(0) catalyst derived from palladium trifluoroacetate dimer and the bis-2-diphenylphosphinobenzamide of trans-1,2-diamininocyclohexane to catalyze additions to benzyloxyalkene. Various substituted Meldrum's acids including hydroxy Meldrum's acid react well in the presence of 1 mol % trifluoroacetic acid to give one regioisomer with ee's ranging from 82 to 99%. Switching to azlactones to access unusual quarternary amino acids requires somewhat more basic conditions. Thus, use of 2 mol % potassium alpha-butoxide and 20 mol % hippuric acid leads to a smooth reaction to produce a simple regiosomer. This nucleophile raises the question of facial selectivity with respect to both the nucleophile and the electrophile. Excellent diastereoselectivity (dr 13-20:1) and enantioselectivity (85-94% ee) are obtained. Thus, a new approach for asymmetric allylic alkylations of carbon pronucleophiles by simple additions provides a very efficient, more atom economic strategy for asymmetric C-C bond formation.
The 2-azaphenalenyl radical 2 has been synthesized and characterized by ESR spectroscopy. Variable-temperature ESR measurements were carried out on both the phenalenyl (1) and the 2-azaphenalenyl (2) radicals. The phenalenyl radical 1 has the known propensity to dimerize at temperatures below 20 degrees C, but unexpectedly less so than originally reported. The first experimental measurement of bond dissociation enthalpy for the dimerization of the phenalenyl radical 1 was obtained in CCl(4) (11.34 +/- 0.11 kcal/mol) and toluene (9.8 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol). The 2-azaphenalenyl radical 2 does not show a propensity to dimerize over the measurable temperature range (220-330 K), but does so in the presence of Cu(hfac)(2) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate). The latter complex was characterized by X-ray crystallography.
The first examples of the azacyclopentenyl carbinyl radical isomerization are described within a series of enantiomerically enriched 2-substituted indolines, a substructure found extensively in both heterocyclic and natural product chemistry. The isomerization was identified by the varying loss of enantiomeric enrichment (ee) of imines during aryl radical cyclizations to azomethine nitrogen. Independent modification of the steric and electronic nature of the ring substituents revealed the full spectrum of sensitivity to these variables and ultimately defined the use of these effects as gating elements. An example is also given in which a 1,4-amino group transfer is effected via the isomerization mechanism. Analogies are drawn between the title isomerization and the azacyclopropyl carbinyl radical isomerization that has been studied in both chemical and biological contexts.
The first enantiocontrolled total synthesis of the marine natural product oscillarin is described. The proposed structure and absolute configuration of oscillarin is thus confirmed, and a previously assigned structure of a subunit was shown to be incorrect. The X-ray structure of an oscillarin-thrombin complex was resolved at 2.0 A resolution, which validated its potent inhibitory activity against the enzyme with an IC(50) = 28 nM. Methodology was developed for the synthesis of enantiopure octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acids with usable functionality at C-6. The method consists of the halocarbocyclization of N-acyloxyiminium ions containing an olefinic tether in the presence of tin tetrachloride or tin tetrabromide. This N-acyloxyiminium ion aza-Prins carbocyclization proved to be general for the construction of octahydroindole and perhydroquinoline 2-carboxylic acids. Mechanistic rationales are based on an antiperiplanar attack of the terminal alkene on the iminium ion, leading to an incipient secondary carbocation which is trapped by halide via an equatorial attack. X-ray crystal structures of products corroborate the expected stereochemistry.
A heterofullerene isoelectronic to C60 is reported. The azafullerenium cation C59N+ can be isolated in good yield as a carborane salt via the two-electron oxidation of the C-C bond of (C59N)2 dimer. [C59N][Ag(CB11H6Cl6)2] has been characterized by electronic, IR, Raman, and 13C NMR spectroscopies, MALDI spectrometry, DFT calculations, and X-ray crystallography.
Iminoacetonitriles participate as reactive dienophiles in stereoselective intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reactions which afford substituted quinolizidines. The cycloadduct with exo-oriented cyano group is obtained as the major or exclusive product of the reaction as a consequence of the alpha-amino nitrile anomeric effect The alpha-amino nitrile moieties incorporated in the cycloadducts constitute latent iminium ions, which upon exposure to mild protic or Lewis acids are unmasked, setting the stage for further useful synthetic transformations. For example, reductive decyanation with NaBH3CN excises the cyano group, while Bruylants reaction with Grignard reagents and acetylides lead to alpha-substituted amines. The substrates for these [4 + 2] cycloadditions are prepared from readily available alcohols via a Mitsunobu coupling reaction with the previously unknown, easily prepared reagent HN(Tf)CH2CN followed by cesium carbonate promoted elimination of trifluoromethanesulfinate.
The first Mo-mediated [5+3] cycloadditions are reported. 3-Substituted pyranyl and pyridinyl molybdenum pi-complexes participate in enantiocontrolled [5+3] cycloadditions and provide a new and efficient synthetic approach to oxa- and aza[3.3.1]bicyclics of high enantiomeric purity. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields and with complete regio- and endo-selectivities; it diverts to a [2+3] cycloaddition pathway when 2-substituted heterocycle pi-complexes are used. This methodology, coupled with a variety of general demetalation protocols, holds much promise in synthetic applications.