Improved methodologies are provided to synthesize (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid derivatives and their incorporation into beta-peptides of 2-8 residues bearing different N-protecting groups. The conformational analysis of these oligomers has been carried out by using experimental techniques along with theoretical calculations. This study shows that these oligomers adopt preferentially a strand-type conformation in solution induced by the formation of intra-residue six-membered hydrogen-bonded rings, affording cis-fused [4.2.0]octane structural units that confer high rigidity on these beta-peptides. Moreover, all of them are prone to self-assemble producing nano-sized fibres, as evidenced by TEM, AFM and SPFM, and, in some instances, they also form gels. These techniques and molecular modelling allowed us to suggest an aggregation model for the assembly structures in which a parallel molecular-arrangement is preferred and the conformation is similar to that observed in solution. According to this model, both hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions would account for formation of the assemblies.
[Chemical reaction: See text] Several derivatives of (+)- and (-)-2-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid, 1, have been prepared through enantiodivergent synthetic sequences. The stereoselective synthesis of free amino acid (+)-1 has been achieved, and this product has been fully characterized for the first time. Stereocontrolled alternative synthetic methodologies have been developed for the preparation of bis(cyclobutane) beta-dipeptides in high yields. Among them, enantio and diastereomers have been synthesized. beta,beta- and beta,delta-Dimers resulting from the coupling of a cyclobutane residue and a linear amino acid have also been prepared. The ability of the cyclobutane ring as a structure-promoting unit both in the monomers and in the dimers has been manifested. The NMR structural study and DFT theoretical calculations evidence the formation of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds giving rise to cis-fused [4.2.0]octane structural units that confer high rigidity on these molecules both in solution and in the gas phase. The contribution of a cis-trans conformational equilibrium derived from the rotation around the carbamate N-C(O) bond has also been observed, the trans form being the major conformer. In the solid state, this equilibrium does not exist, and moreover, intermolecular hydrogen bonds are present.
The efficient synthesis of tetrapeptide 5 containing, in alternation, cyclobutane and beta-alanine residues is described. NMR experiments both at low temperature in CDCl(3) and at 298 K in DMSO-d(6) solutions show the contribution of a strong hydrogen bond in the folded major conformation of 5. Temperature coefficients and diffusion times point out a hydrogen bond involving the NH proton from the cyclobutane residue 1 whereas NOEs manifest the high rigidity of the central fragment of the molecule and are compatible with a 14-membered macrocycle. Theoretical calculations predict a most stable folded conformation corresponding to a 14-helix stabilized by a hydrogen bond between NH(10) in the first residue and OC(25) in the third residue. This structure remains unaltered during the molecular dynamics simulation at 298 K in chloroform. All these results provide evidence for a 14-helical folding and reveal the ability of cis-2-aminocyclobutane carboxylic acid residues to promote folded conformations when incorporated into beta-peptides.
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