Synthesis of Chiral TFA-Protected α-Amino Aryl-Ketone Derivatives with Friedel–Crafts Acylation of α-Amino Acid N-Hydroxysuccinimide Ester

Chiral N-protected α-amino aryl-ketones are one of the useful precursors used in the synthesis of various biologically active compounds and can be constructed via Friedel–Crafts acylation of N-protected α-amino acids. One of the drawbacks of this reaction is the utilization of toxic, corrosive and moisture-sensitive acylating reagents. In peptide construction via amide bond formation, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (OSu), which has high storage stability, can react rapidly with amino components and produces fewer side reactions, including racemization. This study reports the first synthesis and utilization of N-trifluoroacetyl (TFA)-protected α-amino acid-OSu as a potential acyl donor for Friedel–Crafts acylation into various arenes. The TFA-protected isoleucine derivative and its diastereomer TFA-protected allo-isoleucine derivative were investigated to check the retention of α-proton chirality in the Friedel–Crafts reaction. Further utilization of OSu in other branched-chain and unbranched-chain amino acids results in an adequate yield of TFA-protected α-amino aryl-ketone without loss of optical purity.