Synthesis of novel zwitterionic nido-carborane-containing derivatives of cysteine and methionine.

Alkylation of 9-methylthio-nido-carborane under the action of the corresponding iodo derivatives of alanine and homoalanine furnished new (nido-carboran-9-yl) derivatives of (R)-cysteine and (S)-methionine. The synthesized chiral nido-carborane derivatives contain asymmetric carbon and sulfur atoms, as well as a chiral plane. The developed approach to the synthesis of sulfur-containing B(9)-substituted nido-carborane derivatives can be used in the preparation of bioactive compounds, including potential boron delivery agents for boron neutron capture therapy of oncological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]