Access to N-α-deuterated amino acids and DNA conjugates via Ca(II)-HFIP-mediated reductive deutero-amination of α-oxo-carbonyl compounds

Haoran Li, Yuwei Liu, Silin Zhang, Lei Ma, Zhongyi Zeng, Zhi Zhou, Vincent Gandon, Hongtao Xu (), Wei Yi () and Shengdong Wang ()
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Haoran Li: Guangzhou Medical University
Yuwei Liu: Guangzhou Medical University
Silin Zhang: Guangzhou Medical University
Lei Ma: Guangzhou Medical University
Zhongyi Zeng: Guangzhou Medical University
Zhi Zhou: Guangzhou Medical University
Vincent Gandon: Université Paris-Saclay, Bâtiment Henri Moissan
Hongtao Xu: ShanghaiTech University
Wei Yi: Guangzhou Medical University
Shengdong Wang: Guangzhou Medical University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The development of practical and selective strategies for deuterium incorporation to construct deuterated molecules, particularly deuterium-labeled amino acids, has become as a growing focus of basic research, yet it remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we present a bioinspired calcium-HFIP-mediated site-selective reductive deutero-amination of α-oxo-carbonyl compounds with amines. Utilizing d2-Hantzsch ester as the deuterium source, this reaction attains remarkable deuteration efficiency (> 99% deuteration). It enables the synthesis of N-α-deuterated amino acid motifs with a wide range of functionality, as evidenced by over 130 examples. The method exhibits compatibility with diverse substrates, such as amino acids, peptides, drug molecules, and natural products bearing different substituents. Moreover, the application of this strategy in the synthesis of DNA-tagged N-α-deuterated amino acids/peptides has been demonstrated. This work offers an efficient and innovative solution for deuterated amino acid chemistry and holds substantial application potential in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and chemical biology.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57098-w

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