Formation of Nα-terminal 2-dialkyl amino oxazoles from guanidinated derivatives under mild conditions

Org Biomol Chem. 2018 Aug 8;16(31):5661-5666. doi: 10.1039/c8ob01463a.

Abstract

Oxazole-containing peptides are an important class of molecules in medicinal chemistry programs. Here we describe a convenient solid-phase synthesis of Nα-terminal oxazole peptides. The strategy took advantage of an intramolecular rearrangement side reaction that occurred during the guanidination of the Nα-amino function of a peptide still anchored on the solid-support. The substitution map of the N,N-dialkylamino oxazole obtained using this strategy differed completely from the one achieved through the heterocyclization of the Ser or Thr side chain with the preceding carbonyl group, which is a common approach for the preparation of these compounds. This unexpected reaction was observed with N-terminal aromatic and aliphatic amino acids that have a Gly as the last before residue in both short as well as long peptides; however, it does not form the oxazole ring if Gly was substituted with other amino acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't