Assessing city-wide pharmaceutical emissions to wastewater via modelling and passive sampling.

With increasing numbers of chemicals used in modern society, assessing human and environmental exposure to them is becoming increasingly difficult. Recent advances in wastewater-based epidemiology enable valuable insights into public exposure to data-poor compounds. However, measuring all >26,000 chemicals registered under REACH is not just technically unfeasible but would also be incredibly expensive. In this paper, we argue that estimating emissions of chemicals based on usage data could offer a more comprehensive, systematic and efficient approach than repeated monitoring. Emissions of 29 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to wastewater were estimated for a medium-sized city in the Netherlands. Usage data was collected both on national and local scale and included prescription data, usage in health-care institutions and over-the-counter sales. Different routes of administration were considered as well as the excretion and subsequent in-sewer back-transformation of conjugates into respective parent compounds. Results suggest model-based emission estimation on a city-level is feasible and in good agreement with wastewater measurements obtained via passive sampling. Results highlight the need to include excretion fractions in the conceptual framework of emission estimation but suggest that the choice of an appropriate excretion fraction has a substantial impact on the resulting model performance.

An Automated, Open-Source Workflow for the Generation of (3D) Fragment Libraries.

The recent success of fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is inextricably linked to adequate library design. To guide the design of our fragment libraries, we have constructed an automated workflow in the open-source KNIME software. The workflow considers chemical diversity and novelty of the fragments, and can also take into account the three-dimensional (3D) character. This design tool can be used to create large and diverse libraries but also to select a small number of representative compounds as a focused set of unique screening compounds to enrich existing fragment libraries. To illustrate the procedures, the design and synthesis of a 10-membered focused library is reported based on the cyclopropane scaffold, which is underrepresented in our existing fragment screening library. Analysis of the focused compound set indicates significant shape diversity and a favorable overall physicochemical profile. By virtue of its modular setup, the workflow can be readily adjusted to design libraries that focus on properties other than 3D shape.

Readily Accessible Strained Difunctionalized trans-Cyclooctenes with Fast Click and Release Capabilities.

The click reaction between a functionalized trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and a tetrazine (Tz) is a compelling method for bioorthogonal conjugation in combination with payload releasing capabilities. However, the synthesis of difunctionalized TCOs remains challenging. As a result, these compounds are poorly accessible, which impedes the development of novel applications. In this work, the scalable and accessible synthesis of a new bioorthogonal difunctionalized TCO is reported in only four single selective high yielding steps starting from commercially available compounds. The TCO-Tz click reaction was assessed and revealed excellent kinetic rates and subsequently payload release was shown with various functionalized derivatives. Tetrazine triggered release of carbonate and carbamate payloads was demonstrated up to 100 % release efficiency and local drug release was shown in a cellular toxicity study which revealed a >20-fold increase in cytotoxicity.

Cyclobutanes in Small-Molecule Drug Candidates.

Cyclobutanes are increasingly used in medicinal chemistry in the search for relevant biological properties. Important characteristics of the cyclobutane ring include its unique puckered structure, longer C-C bond lengths, increased C-C π-character and relative chemical inertness for a highly strained carbocycle. This review will focus on contributions of cyclobutane rings in drug candidates to arrive at favorable properties. Cyclobutanes have been employed for improving multiple factors such as preventing cis/trans-isomerization by replacing alkenes, replacing larger cyclic systems, increasing metabolic stability, directing key pharmacophore groups, inducing conformational restriction, reducing planarity, as aryl isostere and filling hydrophobic pockets.

Synthesis of Analogs of Strigolactones and Evaluation of Their Stability in Solution.

Strigolactones (SLs) are new plant hormones that play an important role in the control development of plants. They are germination stimulants for seed of parasitic weeds, are the branching factor of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and inhibitors for bud outgrowth and shoot branching. Natural SLs contain an annulated system of three rings (ABC scaffold) connected to a furanone (the D-ring) by an enol ether unit. The natural distribution of strigolactones is low, and their synthesis is long and difficult. Therefore, SL analogs are designed to have the same bioactiphore as natural SLs and an appreciable bioactivity. For the design a model is used based on the natural bioactiphore. Typical SL analogs are GR24, Nijmegen-1, and EM1 (derived from ethyl 2-phenylacetate). The synthesis of these SL analogs is reported together with their stability in aqueous solution.

Hybrid-type strigolactone analogues derived from auxins.

BACKGROUND: Strigolactones (SLs) have a vast number of ecological implications because of the broad spectrum of their biological activities. Unfortunately, the limited availability of SLs restricts their applicability for the benefit of humanity and renders synthesis the only option for their production. However, the structural complexity of SLs impedes their economical synthesis, which is unfeasible on a large scale. Synthesis of SL analogues and mimics with a simpler structure, but with retention of bioactivity, is the solution to this problem. RESULTS: Here, we present eight new hybrid-type SL analogues derived from auxin, synthesized via coupling of auxin ester [ethyl 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetate] and of ethyl 2-phenylacetate with four D-rings (mono-, two di- and trimethylated). The new hybrid-type SL analogues were bioassayed to assess the germination activity of seeds of the parasitic weeds Striga hermonthica, Orobanche minor and Phelipanche ramosa using the classical method of counting germinated seeds and a colorimetric method. The bioassays revealed that analogues with a natural monomethylated D-ring had appreciable to good activity towards the three species and were the most active derivatives. By contrast, derivatives with the trimethylated D-ring showed no activity. The dimethylated derivatives (2,4-dimethyl and 3,4-dimethyl) were slightly active, especially towards P. ramosa. CONCLUSIONS: New hybrid-type analogues derived from auxins have been prepared. These analogues may be attractive as potential suicidal germination agents for parasitic weed control because of their ease of preparation and relevant bioactivity. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

New hybrid type strigolactone mimics derived from plant growth regulator auxin.

Strigolactones (SLs) constitute a new class of plant hormones of increasing importance in plant science. The structure of natural SLs is too complex for ready access by synthesis. Therefore, much attention is being given to design of SL analogues and mimics with a simpler structure but with retention of bioactivity. Here new hybrid type SL mimics have been designed derived from auxins, the common plant growth regulators. Auxins were simply coupled with the butenolide D-ring using bromo (or chloro) butenolide. D-rings having an extra methyl group at the vicinal C-3' carbon atom, or at the C-2' carbon atom, or at both have also been studied. The new hybrid type SL mimics were bioassayed for germination activity of seeds of the parasitic weeds S. hermonthica, O. minor and P. ramosa using the classical method of counting germinated seeds and a colorimetric method. For comparison SL mimics derived from phenyl acetic acid were also investigated. The bioassays revealed that mimics with a normal D-ring had appreciable to good activity, those with an extra methyl group at C-2' were also appreciably active, whereas those with a methyl group in the vicinal C-3' position were inactive (S. hermonthica) or only slightly active. The new hybrid type mimics may be attractive as potential suicidal germination agents in agronomic applications.

Carbonylonium ions: the onium ions of the carbonyl group.

The nomenclature of cations R1C(=O+R3)R2 (R1, R2, R3 = H or organyl) has been examined and shown to be in a state of immeasurable confusion: a pragmatic recommendation is made that the generic term "carbonylonium ions" should be adopted for these intermediates, which comprises the terms "aldehydium" (R1 = H, R2, R3 = H or organyl) and "ketonium ions" (R1, R2 = organyl, R3 = H or organyl) for the corresponding aldehyde- and ketone-based intermediates, respectively.

Synthesis of 3-Amino-1-benzothiophene-1,1-diones by Alkyne Directed Hydroarylation and 1/N→3/C-Sulfonyl Migration.

A completely regioselective and highly stereoselective palladium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of arenesulfonyl ynamines to benzothiazoles was developed. The presence of an electron-withdrawing group on the triple bond of the sulfonyl ynamine was crucial for the success of the reaction and our mechanistic studies suggest an alkyne-directed 5-exo-dig cyclization pathway. The products easily underwent photoinduced rearrangement to 3-amino-1-benzothiophene-1,1-diones (up to 35 % yields after two steps).

Orthogonal, dual protein labelling by tandem cycloaddition of strained alkenes and alkynes to ortho-quinones and azides.

Reaction of cyclopropanated trans-cyclooctene (cpTCO) with in situ generated ortho-quinone is an efficient tool for bioorthogonal protein conjugation. The (4+2)-cycloaddition of cpTCO with ortho-quinone is significantly faster than its cyclooctyne counterpart (BCN). Orthogonal, tandem cpTCO-quinone and BCN-azide cycloadditions afforded a homogeneous, dual labelled antibody-drug conjugate.

Strigolactones: new plant hormones in the spotlight.

The development and growth of plants are regulated by interplay of a plethora of complex chemical reactions in which plant hormones play a pivotal role. In recent years, a group of new plant hormones, namely strigolactones (SLs), was discovered and identified. The first SL, strigol, was isolated in 1966, but it took almost 20 years before the details of its structure were fully elucidated. At present, two families of SLs are known, one having the stereochemistry of (+)-strigol and the other that of (-)-orobanchol, the most abundant naturally occurring SL. The most well-known bioproperty of SLs is the germination of seeds of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche. It is evident that SLs are going to play a prominent role in modern molecular botany. In this review, relevant molecular and bioproperties of SLs are discussed. Items of importance are the effect of stereochemistry, structure-activity relationships, design and synthesis of analogues with a simple structure, but with retention of bioactivity, introduction of fluorescent labels into SLs, biosynthetic origin of SLs, mode of action in plants, application in agriculture for the control of parasitic weeds, stimulation of the branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and the control of plant architecture. The future potential of SLs in molecular botany is highlighted.

Trifluoromethyl Vinyl Sulfide: A Building Block for the Synthesis of CF3S-Containing Isoxazolidines.

Trifluoromethyl vinyl sulfide, a potential building block for pharmaceutically and agrochemically relevant products, is prepared and used for the first time in high-pressure-mediated 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions with nitrones to synthesize (trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl isoxazolidines.

Pd-Catalyzed Hydroamination of Alkoxyallenes with Azole Heterocycles: Examples and Mechanistic Proposal.

Palladium-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective addition of azole heterocycles to alkoxyallenes was developed (up to 92% yields and up to 94% ee). DFT calculations suggest a new Pd(0)-driven mechanistic pathway proceeding through protonation of the Pd-coordinated allene (4-PdL2), which develops a strongly nucleophilic character at the central C atom.

Oxidation of Secondary Methyl Ethers to Ketones.

We present a mild way of converting secondary methyl ethers into ketones using calcium hypochlorite in aqueous acetonitrile with acetic acid as activator. The reaction is compatible with various oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups and afforded the corresponding ketones in up to 98% yield. The use of this methodology could expand the application of the methyl group as a useful protecting group.

Privileged heterocycles: bioactivity and synthesis of 1,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-containing compounds.

This review discusses the biological activity and synthesis of 1,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecanes, including those ring-fused with arenes and heteroarenes and/or containing a carbonyl group at position 2. These compounds could be used for the treatment of obesity, pain, as well as various immune system, cell signaling, cardiovascular, and psychotic disorders.

Synthesis of dihydrouracils spiro-fused to pyrrolidines: druglike molecules based on the 2-arylethyl amine scaffold.

The synthesis of a small library of dihydrouracils spiro-fused to pyrrolidines is described. These compounds are synthesized from beta-aryl pyrrolidines, providing products with the 2-arylethyl amine moiety, a structural feature often encountered in compounds active in the central nervous system. The b-aryl pyrrolidines are synthesized through a three-step methodology that includes a Knoevenagel condensation reaction, a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, and a nitrile reduction.

Solution-phase parallel annulation of (thio)hydantoins to tetrahydroisoquinolines and tetrahydro-beta-carbolines containing the 2-arylethyl amine scaffold.

The one-step solution-phase parallel synthesis of two structurally diverse libraries of pharmacologically important compounds is described. The presented compounds combine three privileged structures: the 2-arylethyl amine moiety, a tetrahydro(hetero)areno[c]pyridine, and a (thio)hydantoin. These compounds are synthesized by annulation of a hydantoin or a 2-thiohydantoin ring to tri- or tetracyclic scaffolds, containing the 2-arylethyl amine moiety and a tetrahydroisoquinoline, a tetrahydro-beta-carboline, or a tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridine. The annulation leads to pharmacologically relevant structural motifs such as imidazopyrroloisoquinolines, dioxoloimidazopyrroloisoquinolines, furoimidazopyrrolopyridines, and imidazopyrrolopyridoindoles. Both libraries were obtained with quantitative yields. The 36-membered hydantoin library was obtained with purities from 57 to 100% (90% average) and the 32-membered thiohydantoin library with purities from 73 to 100% (94% average).

Synthesis of hydantoins and thiohydantoins spiro-fused to pyrrolidines: druglike molecules based on the 2-arylethyl amine scaffold.

The synthesis of a 144-compound library of hydantoins and thiohydantoins spiro-fused to pyrrolidines is described. These compounds are synthesized from beta-aryl pyrrolidines, providing products with the 2-arylethyl amine moiety, a structural feature often encountered in compounds active in the central nervous system. All possible stereoisomers of the two-stereocenter products are synthesized. The 80-membered hydantoin sublibrary was obtained with yields ranging from 58 to 100% (87% average) and purities from 51 to 100% (87% average) and the 64-membered thiohydantoin sublibrary was obtained with yields ranging from 65 to 100% (89% average) and purities from 67 to 100% (93% average).

Synthesis of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines and tetrahydroisoquinolines fused to pyrrolidines and solution-phase parallel acylation.

A structurally diverse library of potentially pharmacologically important compounds employing classical synthesis methods is described. These compounds are synthesized from beta-aryl pyrrolidines, providing products with the 2-arylethyl amine moiety, a structural feature often encountered in compounds active in the central nervous system. Tri- and tetracyclic scaffolds were obtained using the Pictet-Spengler reaction, resulting in hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines 1-3, an octahydropyrrolo[3',4':5,6]pyrido[3,4-b]indole 4, and a hexahydrofuro[2,3-d]pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridine 5. These scaffolds were further derivatized in parallel fashion to make a 32-membered amide library with yields from 62 to 100% (90% average) and purities from 63 to 100% (93% average).