Stereochemical Control in the Still-Wittig Rearrangement Synthesis of Cyclohexyl (Z)-Alkene Inhibitors of Pin1

Three stereoisomeric inhibitors of Pin1: (2R,5S)-, (2S,5R)-and (2S,5S)-Ac-pSer-Psi[(Z) CH = C]-pipecolyl(Pip)-2-(2-naphthyl) ethylamine 1, that mimic L-pSer-D-Pro, D-pSer-L-Pro, and D-pSer-D-Pro amides respectively, were synthesized by a 13-step route. The newly formed stereogenic centers in the pipecolyl ring were introduced by Luche reduction, followed by stereospecific [2,3]-Still-Wittig rearrangement. The (Z)-to (E)-alkene ratio in the rearrangements were consistently 5.5 to 1. The stereochemistry at the original Ser a-carbon controlled the stereochemistry of the Luche reduction, but it did not affect the stereochemical outcome of the rearrangement, which consistently gave the (Z)-alkene. The epimerized by-product, (2S,5S)-10, resulting from the work-up after Na/NH3 debenzylation of (2S,5R)-9, was carried on to the (2S,5S)-1 isomer. Compound (2S, 5S)-10 was resynthesized from the Luche reduction by-product, (2R, 3R)-3, and the stereochemistry was confirmed by comparison of the optical rotations. The IC50 values for (2R,5S)-1, (2S,5R)-1 and (2S,5S)-1 Pin1 inhibition were: 52, 85, and 140 mu M, respectively.