Molecular Complexity as a Driver for Chemical Process Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

A Perspective of our work in the development of innovative synthetic methods within the discipline of Process Research and Development is presented. Through an overview of some of the programs that we have worked on during the past decade, we have selected cases studies to illustrate the challenges faced in development of robust chemical processes for molecules on a multi-kilogram scale. The examples have been selected to demonstrate the innovative chemistry being developed within our laboratories with a focus on fragment design, asymmetric synthesis, new synthetic reagents, and the methods that have allowed us to deliver cost-effective syntheses under reduced timelines in an increasingly competitive environment. The technical challenges are presented in the context of molecule complexity that while increasing in the portfolio of small molecules being developed inspires us to deliver new solutions. Overall, our goal is to highlight the exciting work that can be done within our field to support the discovery and delivery of medicines to patients.

Highly Regioselective Halogenation of Pyridine N-Oxide: Practical Access to 2-Halo-Substituted Pyridines.

A highly efficient and regioselective halogenation reaction of unsymmetrical pyridine N-oxide under mild conditions is described. The methodology provides a practical access to various 2-halo-substituted pyridines, which are pharmaceutically important intermediates.

An efficient, regioselective amination of 3,5-disubstituted pyridine N-oxides using saccharin as an ammonium surrogate.

A process for the regioselective amination of unsymmetrical 3,5-substituted pyridine N-oxides has been developed utilizing cheap, readily available saccharin as an ammonium surrogate. High conversions of the corresponding saccharin adducts have been achieved under mild reaction conditions. In situ deprotection under acidic conditions allows for a one-pot process to substituted aminopyridines. High regioselectivities were obtained from a variety of 3,5-disubstituted pyridine N-oxides.

Highly selective rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition reactions of 4-oxobutenamides.

A variety of 4-oxobutenamides 1 were subjected to rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition with arylboronic acids providing high regio- and enantioselectivity (97:3 to >99:1, >96% ee) and moderate to excellent yields (54-99%). The key to high selectivity is the use of sterically demanding P-chiral diphosphines, such as Tangphos or Duanphos. The product oxobutanamides 2 may be converted to alternate targets by selective derivatization of either the amide or ketone functional group. A stereochemical model predicting the absolute sense of induction was developed based on single-crystal X-ray structures of product and precatalyst.

Lead optimization of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) inhibitors containing sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids.

A series of aryl sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids were identified as potent inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2). Small alkyl groups and 3-furyl were tolerated at the 5-position of anthranilic acid, while -OCH(3), CH(3), and Cl were found optimal for the 6-position. Placement of 2-aminoethoxy group at the 6-position enabled interaction with the second Mn(2+) but did not result in enhancement in potency. Introduction of a tertiary amino moiety at the ortho-position of the sulfonyl phenyl ring gave reduced protein binding and improved cellular activity, but led to lower oral bioavailability.

Reversal of diastereofacial selectivity in hydride reductions of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines.

A variety of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines were reduced with NaBH4 in THF containing 2% water to provide the corresponding secondary sulfinamides in high yield and diastereoselectivity. By using the same sulfinyl imine starting materials and changing the reductant to L-Selectride, the stereoselectivity could be efficiently reversed to afford the opposite product diastereomer in high yield and selectivity.

Discovery and optimization of anthranilic acid sulfonamides as inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2: a structural basis for the reduction of albumin binding.

Methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) is a novel target for cancer therapy. As part of an effort to discover orally active reversible inhibitors of MetAP2, a series of anthranilic acid sulfonamides with micromolar affinities for human MetAP2 were identified using affinity selection by mass spectrometry (ASMS) screening. These micromolar hits were rapidly improved to nanomolar leads on the basis of insights from protein crystallography; however, the compounds displayed extensive binding to human serum albumin and had limited activity in cellular assays. Modifications based on structural information on the binding of lead compounds to both MetAP2 and domain III of albumin allowed the identification of compounds with significant improvements in both parameters, which showed good cellular activity in both proliferation and methionine processing assays.

Development of sulfonamide compounds as potent methionine aminopeptidase type II inhibitors with antiproliferative properties.

We have screened molecules for inhibition of MetAP2 as a novel approach toward antiangiogenesis and anticancer therapy using affinity selection/mass spectrometry (ASMS) employing MetAP2 loaded with Mn(2+) as the active site metal. After a series of anthranilic acid sulfonamides with micromolar affinities was identified, chemistry efforts were initiated. The micromolar hits were quickly improved to potent nanomolar inhibitors by chemical modifications guided by insights from X-ray crystallography.

Application of chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands to enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation processes.

Chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands 1-3 have been shown to be effective in enantioselective Rh-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation reactions (eqs 1, 2). After assaying the influence of the substituents at sulfur, the substituents on the ligand backbone, the relative stereochemistry within the ligand backbone, and the substituents at phosphorus, ligands 2c (R = 3,5-dimethylphenyl) and 3 were found to be optimal in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of a variety of alpha-acylaminoacrylates in high enantioselectivity (89-97% ee). A similar optimization of the catalyst for the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones showed that ligand 3 afforded the highest enantioselectivities for a wide variety of aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones (up to 99% ee). A model for asymmetric induction in the hydrogenation reaction is discussed in the context of existing models, based on the absolute stereochemistry of the products and the X-ray crystal structures of catalyst precursors and intermediates.

Magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones.

[reaction: see text] Diastereoselective direct aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones occur in high yield with preference for the illustrated anti diastereomer. This reaction is catalyzed by 10% MgBr2.OEt2 in the presence of triethylamine and chlorotrimethylsilane. Yields range from 56 to 93% with diastereoselectivity up to 19:1 for a variety of N-acylthiazolidinethiones and unsaturated aldehydes.

Diastereoselective magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acyloxazolidinones.

A chiral auxilliary-based direct aldol reaction is reported. The reactions are catalytic in magnesium salts and are facilitated by silylation with chlorotrimethylsilane. The adducts isolated are in high diastereoselectivity (up to 32:1 dr) and favor the anti-aldol diastereomer B. Reactions are operationally simple and can be run under ambient atmosphere without rigorous exclusion of water. Many of the adducts are highly crystalline and a single diastereomer can be isolated without chromatography.

Enantioselective Syntheses of 2-Deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone and 2-Deoxyribono-1,4-lactone from 1,3-Dioxan-5-yl Diazoacetates.

1,3-Dioxan-5-yl diazoacetates are valuable substrates for highly diastereoselective and enantioselective carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions. trans-2-(tert-Butyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate is a direct precursor to 2-deoxyribono-1,4-lactone in up to 81% ee, whereas cis-2-(tert-butyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate yields only the protected 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone in up to 96% ee. However, trans-2-aryl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate (aryl = phenyl or 2-naphthyl) forms the precursor to 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone in up to 95% ee but with the mirror image configuration of that produced from the trans-2-(tert-butyl) analogue. The catalysts that are most suitable for these carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions are chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates. 1,3-Dialkoxy-2-propyl diazoacetates give mainly 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone derivatives (>90:10) with generally high enantiocontrol, but replacement of hydrogen at the 2-position of these 2-propyl diazoacetates led to a mixture of products.