Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Amino Acids and Analogues for Foldamers Study

Abstract

Synthetic amino acids have particular appeal for extending our understanding of protein structure and stabilization into the realm of folded, nonbiological polymers. Chemists are now beginning to design biomimetic amino acids that can form both secondary and tertiary structures. An overview of the synthesis of non-protein amino acids recently used in the design of conformationally welldefined foldamers is discussed.

Extraordinary metabolic stability of peptides containing α-aminoxy acids

“…A lot of efforts have been made to solve these problems (Giannis 1993;Haldar 2008). For example, b-peptides have been found to form rigid secondary structures (Seebach and Matthews 1997;Gellman 1998;Cheng et al 2001;Bautista et al 2007;Hill et al 2001), and they also exhibit outstanding stability toward proteolytic enzymes (Frackenpohl et al 2001;Seebach et al 1998;Hintermann and Seebach 1997;Heck et al 2006).…”

Access to β2-Amino Acids via Enantioselective 1,4-Arylation of β-Nitroacrylates Catalyzed by Chiral Rhodium Catalysts

“…The synthesis of chiral β-amino acids and derivatives thereof has attracted a great deal of interest since they are crucial segments in numerous naturally occurring compounds of biological interest . Amidst chiral β-amino acids, β 2 -amino acids (α-substituted β-amino acids) are common building blocks in natural products and bioactive molecules (Figure ).…”