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Virginia Tech

Enantioselective Synthesis of Drug-like Molecules via Axially-Chiral Intermediates

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The self-regeneration of stereocenters via stereolabile axially-chiral intermediates (SRSvSACI) is a synthetic strategy in which the configuration of a starting material, possessing only a single stereocenter, directs the formation of a chiral axis in an intermediate. The reaction proceeds stereospecifically, although the original stereocenter is destroyed through trigonalization. This is due to the stereochemical information encoded in the chiral axis, which is transformed into the configuration of a stereocenter in the product. In this research, we investigate the generation of axially chiral intermediates arising from both (S)-methyl lactate derivatives and 1,4-benzodiazepin-2,5-dione derivatives. For the deprotonation/alkylation of O-Bn and O-TBS substituted (S)-methyl lactate derivatives containing achiral oxazolidinones, we hypothesized that a twisted amide enolate featuring a chiral C(O-)-N axis could sufficiently impart stereochemical information and control the selectivity of the reaction. Previous work completed by Kobayashi showed in related compounds (E)- vs (Z)-enolate formation could be controlled through the identity of the 2'-oxygen substituent with –Bn affording the (E)-enolate and –TBS affording the (Z)-enolate. We investigated the utilization of achiral oxazolidinone moieties to selectively generate axial chiral intermediates that could then control the facial selectivity of sequential alkylations. Unfortunately, unforeseen synthetic difficulties prevented successful accomplishment of our project goals. We also utilized axially chiral intermediates in the generation of 3,3-disubstituted quinolone-2,4-diones. The target compounds serve as potentially useful drug scaffolds, yet synthetic access to them has remained limited due to the lack of commercial availability of the corresponding enantiopure quaternary substituted amino acids. Prior work in the Carlier group demonstrated the preferential (M)-conformer deprotonation demonstrated by 1,4-benzodiazepin-2,5-diones, and through the installation of an N4-tert-butyloxycarbonyl protecting group, we were able to take advantage of this preferential (M)-conformer deprotonation and generate 3,3-disubstituted quinolone-2,5-diones through an acyl-amino variant of the Chan rearrangement. In general, these reactions were highly enantioselective proceeding with little to no loss of enantiomeric excess. Finally, we collaborated with Professor Bloomquist to test the topical toxicity of selected ring-contracted products against adult Anopheles gambiae, the African vector of malaria.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Chemistry
Department dc:contributor.department
Chemistry
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2016

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Richoux, Gary Michael Jr.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Carlier, Paul R.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Etzkorn, Felicia A.
  • Kingston, David G. I.
  • Santos, Webster L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:8578
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/71675

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Richoux, Gary Michael Jr.. Enantioselective Synthesis of Drug-like Molecules via Axially-Chiral Intermediates. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71675