The synthesis of enantiopure α-fluoro and α,α-difluoro- β ³-arginine derivatives

The synthesis of a set of monofluorinated, difluorinated, and non-fluorinated N-acetylated-β3-arginine esters, potential inhibitors of trypsin-like proteases, is described. Elaboration to the target compounds from previously reported enantiopure precursors derived from 3-hydroxypropanal involved 6-7 steps and was achieved in 48-65% overall yield. The α,α-difluoro-β3-arginine derivative was found to be particularly prone to hydrolysis. Three β3-arginine derivatives were tested for their ability to inhibit trypsin, the α,α-difluoro compound being assayed in the form of a carboxylate zwitterion.