First synthesis of α-(3-R-1-adamantyl)sulfoacetic acids and their derivatives

By sulfonation of 3-R-1-adamantylacetic acids 1 with H2SO4 in trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA), the previously unknown α-(3-R-adamantyl)sulfoacetic acids 2 were obtained. In the case of 1-adamantylacetic acid 1a, the use of ∼1 equiv of H2SO4 led to only 1-adamantylacetic acid 2a, while with an excess of the reactant the hydroxylation of the adamantane tertiary C–H bond also occurred. It is assumed that the bis(trifluoroacetyl)sulfate generated in situ from H2SO4 and TFAA is responsible both for sulfonation and oxidation steps. The adamantylated sulfoacetic acids were used for the preparation of a series of derivatives by modifications of carboxylic, sulfonic acid, and tertiary adamantane OH-groups. Due to the use of TFAA as a medium, a series of derivatives of sulfoacetic acids was obtained directly from acids 1 within one-pot procedures. Some of the synthesized compounds possess anti-HSV activity.