Diastereoselective solution and multipin-based combinatorial array synthesis of a novel class of potent phosphinic metalloprotease inhibitors

The solution-phase synthesis and resolution of new phosphinopeptidic building blocks containing a triple bond was realized in high yields and optical purities (units 3a-d). The absolute configuration of the target compounds was unambiguously established by NMR studies. A post-assembly diversification strategy of these blocks was developed through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a variety of in situ prepared nitrile oxides. This strategy led to the rapid and efficient diastereoselective preparation of a novel class of isoxa-zole-containing phosphinic peptides (peptides 5a-i). Solid-phase version of this strategy was efficiently achieved on multipin solid technology, by developing a new protocol for the coupling of P-unprotected dipeptidic blocks with solid supported amino acids in a quantitative and diastereciselective manner. Optimization of dipolar cycloadditions onto pin-embodied phosphinic peptides allowed the convenient preparation of this new class of pseudopeptides. The crude phosphinic peptides (9a-k) were obtained in high yields and purity as determined by RP-HPLC. Inhibition assays of some of these peptides revealed that they behave as very potent inhibitors of MMPs, outmatching previously reported phosphinic peptides, in terms of potency (K-i in the range of few nM).