Spiropiperidines have gained in popularity in drug discovery programmes as medicinal chemists explore new areas of three-dimensional chemical space. This review focuses on the methodology used for the construction of 2-, 3- and 4-spiropiperidines, covering the literature from the last 10 years. It classifies the synthesis of each of the types of spiropiperidine by synthetic strategy: the formation of the spiro-ring on a preformed piperidine ring, and the formation of the piperidine ring on a preformed carbo- or heterocyclic ring. While 3- and 4-spiropiperidines are predominantly synthesised for drug discovery projects, 2-spiropiperidines are synthesised en route to natural products. The lack of 2-spiropiperidines in drug discovery is presumably due to limited general procedures for their synthesis.
A general two-step synthesis of 2-spiropiperidines has been developed. δ-Amino-β-ketoesters can be reacted with cyclic ketones to generate 2-spiropiperidines in good to excellent yields. The 2-spiropiperidines formed occupy an under-explored region of 3D-chemical space and are novel scaffolds for use in drug discovery programs. These 2-spiropiperidines can be further functionalised to generate small highly sp -rich structures, which exhibit an excellent likeness to lead-molecules in drug discovery.
2-Spiropiperidines are a highly desirable, yet under represented structure in drug discovery. 2-Spiropiperidines were synthesised in either a two-pot or one-pot reaction. In the two-pot reaction, the addition of a Weiler dianion to N-Boc imines, followed by deprotection and in situ condensation with a cyclic ketone generated functionalised 2-spiropiperidines in good to excellent yields. In the one-pot reaction, the addition of Chan's diene to N-Boc imines under Maitland-Japp conditions, followed by the addition of sodium bicarbonate and a cyclic ketone formed functionalised 2-spiropiperidines in moderate to good yields.
The regioselective synthesis of 3-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines via triflic anhydride mediated amide activation and intramolecular cyclisation is reported. The nature of the added pyridine base allows access to both regioisomers from a simple common precursor. The method tolerates a range of functional groups and provides access to novel heterocyclic scaffolds.
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