New family of peptidomimetics based on the imidazole motif

Starting from amino acid esters, new peptidomimetics based on the imidazole scaffold were prepared. An efficient and rapid sequence consisting of two subsequent one-pot procedures was developed and applied to various aminoacids. As they provide more substitution patterns, these heterocyclic mimics are promising tools for structural and biological studies.

Alpha-aminoester-derived imidazoles by 1,5-electrocyclization of azavinyl azomethine ylides

An efficient and practical method for the preparation of alpha-imidazol-1-yl esters from 1,2-diaza-1,3-dienes (DDs), alpha-amino esters, and aldehydes is described. The overall sequence features a Michael-type conjugate addition between the alpha-amino ester and the DD, followed by iminium ion formation via condensation with the aldehyde and 1,5-electrocyclization of the resulting thermally generated azavinyl azomethine ylide to afford eventually alpha-imidazol-1-yl esters. Such a protocol allows access to enantiomerically pure imidazoles from optically pure alpha-amino esters.