Synthesis of Novel Chiral Thioether Ligands Containing Imidazole Rings Based on Natural Amino Acids

Using commercially available natural amino acids (L-Val, L-Leu, L-Phe) as chiral precursors, a series of N-substituted imidazole derivatives containing chiral groups was synthesized from the condensation reaction of amino acids, formaldehyde, glyoxal, and ammonia. Through esterification, reduction, chlorination, and subsequent substitution by thiols, chiral thioethers containing imidazole rings were synthesized, and the synthetic conditions were optimized. All the intermediates and the final products were characterized by NMR, ESI MS, HR MS, and IR.