Asymmetric synthesis of amines using tert-butanesulfinamide

Nat Protoc. 2013 Nov;8(11):2271-80. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2013.134. Epub 2013 Oct 24.

Abstract

Chiral amines are prevalent in many bioactive molecules, including amino acids and pharmaceutical agents. tert-Butanesulfinamide (tBS) is a chiral amine reagent that has enabled the reliable asymmetric synthesis of a very broad range of different amine structures from simple, readily available starting materials. Three steps are commonly applied to the asymmetric synthesis of amines: (i) condensation of tBS with a carbonyl compound, (ii) nucleophile addition and (iii) tert-butanesulfinyl group cleavage. Here we demonstrate these steps with the preparation of a propargylic tertiary carbinamine, one of a class of amines that have been used for many different biological purposes, including click chemistry applications, diversity-oriented synthesis, the preparation of peptide isosteres and the development of protease inhibitors as drug candidates and imaging agents. The process described here can be performed in 3-4 d.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemical synthesis*
  • Butanes / chemistry*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Butanes
  • Sulfonamides
  • tert-butanesulfinamide