Diazocarbonyl derivatives of amino acids: unique chiral building blocks for the synthesis of biologically active compounds

This review deals with applications of chiral alpha-amino diazoketones, alpha-amino acid derivatives, in the synthesis of various biologically active compounds. General approaches to the synthesis of chiral alpha-amino diazoketones, including the Arndt - Eistert reaction, acylation of trimethylsilyldiazomethanes, etc., are discussed. Due to the presence of three functional groups, these building blocks can be used to produce a wide range of organic compounds with potential physiological activity, ranging from various heterocyclic compounds to peptidomimetics. Methods for the synthesis of beta-amino acid-containing peptides and depsipeptides, amino acid derivatives and heterocyclic compounds with three-to seven-membered rings are considered.