Probing in Vitro Release Kinetics of Long-Acting Injectable Nanosuspensions via Flow-NMR Spectroscopy.

Novel treatment routes are emerging for an array of diseases and afflictions. Complex dosage forms, based on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with previously undesirable physicochemical characteristics, are becoming mainstream and actively pursued in various pipeline initiatives. To fundamentally understand how constituents in these dosage forms interact on a molecular level, analytical methods need to be developed that encompass selectivity and sensitivity requirements previously reserved for a myriad of in vitro techniques. The knowledge of precise chemical interactions between drugs and excipients in a dosage form can streamline formulation development and process screening capabilities through the identification of properties that influence rates and mechanisms of drug release in a cost-effective manner, relative to long-term in vivo studies. Through this work, a noncompendial in vitro release (IVR) method was developed that distinguished the presence of individual components in a complex crystalline nanosuspension environment. Doravirine was formulated as a series of long-acting injectable nanosuspensions with assorted excipients, using low- and high-energy wet media milling methods. IVR behavior of all formulation components were monitored using a robust continuous flow-through (CFT) dissolution setup (USP-4 apparatus) with on-line 1H NMR end-analysis (flow-NMR). Results from this investigation led to a better understanding of formulation parameter influences on nanosuspension stability, surface chemistry, and dissolution behavior. Flow-NMR can be applied to a broad range of dosage forms in which specific molecular interactions from the solution microenvironment require further insight to enhance product development capabilities.

Palladium(II)-Mediated C-H Tritiation of Complex Pharmaceuticals.

Tritium-labeled molecules are critical tools for elucidating the binding and metabolic properties of bioactive compounds, particularly during pharmaceutical discovery. Direct tritiation of inert C-H bonds with T2 gas is an ideal approach for tritium labeling, but significant gaps remain for direct tritiation of structurally complex molecules with diverse functional groups. Here we report the first application of palladium(II) C-H activation chemistry for tritiation with T2 gas. This practical transformation exhibits novel substrate scope and greater functional group tolerance compared to previous state of the art tritiation methods, and has been applied to directly tritiate 9 complex pharmaceuticals and an unprotected dipeptide. The isolated tritium-labeled products exhibit >15 Ci mmol-1 specific activity, exceeding the typical requirements for application in studies of molecular interaction and metabolism.

Asymmetric Formal Synthesis of the Long-Acting DPP-4 Inhibitor Omarigliptin.

A highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of the key tetrahydropyranol intermediate of DPP-4 inhibitor omarigliptin (1) is described. The successful development of a protecting-group- and precious-metal-free synthesis was achieved via the discovery of a practical asymmetric Henry reaction and the application of a one-pot nitro-Michael-lactolization-dehydration through-process. Other features of the synthesis include a highly efficient MsCl-mediated dehydration and a crystallization-induced dynamic resolution for exceptional ee and dr upgrade. The synthesis of this complex intermediate utilizes simple starting materials and proceeds in four linear steps.

NMR-based approach to the analysis of radiopharmaceuticals: radiochemical purity, specific activity, and radioactive concentration values by proton and tritium NMR spectroscopy.

Compounds containing tritium are widely used across the drug discovery and development landscape. These materials are widely utilized because they can be efficiently synthesized and produced at high specific activity. Results from internally calibrated (3)H and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy suggests that at least in some cases, this calibrated approach could supplement or potentially replace radio-high-performance liquid chromatography for radiochemical purity, dilution and scintillation counting for the measurement of radioactivity per volume, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis for the determination of specific activity. In summary, the NMR-derived values agreed with those from the standard approaches to within 1% to 9% for solution count and specific activity. Additionally, the NMR-derived values for radiochemical purity deviated by less than 5%. A benefit of this method is that these values may be calculated at the same time that (3)H NMR analysis provides the location and distribution of tritium atoms within the molecule. Presented and discussed here is the application of this method, advantages and disadvantages of the approach, and a rationale for utilizing internally calibrated (1)H and (3)H NMR spectroscopy for specific activity, radioactive concentration, and radiochemical purity whenever acquiring (3)H NMR for tritium location.

A soluble copper(I) source and stable salts of volatile ligands for copper-catalyzed C-X couplings.

A stable adduct of CuI with Bu(4)NI, soluble in organic solvents, has been identified as an effective catalyst for copper-catalyzed C-N and C-O couplings. In addition, stable nonhygroscopic salts of some high performance ligands (diamine MsOH salts/CuX and copper(II) diketonates) were shown to be of similar and sometimes greater reactivity compared to the literature reagents for these couplings. Furthermore, these more robust conditions result in more reproducible results.

Inversion of 1J(CC) correlations in 1,n-ADEQUATE spectra.

ADEQUATE experiments provide an alternative to the more commonly employed GHMBC experiment for the establishment of long-range heteronuclear connectivities. The 1,1-ADEQUATE experiment allows the unequivocal identification of both protonated and non-protonated carbon resonances adjacent to a protonated carbon. The 1,n-ADEQUATE experiment establishes correlations via an initial (1)J(CH) heteronuclear transfer followed by an (n)J(CC) out-and-back transfer, most typically, via three carbon-carbon bonds. Hence, the 1,n-ADEQUATE experiment allows the equivalent of (4)J(CH) heteronuclear correlations to be probed when they are not observed in a GHMBC spectrum. Aside from the lower sensitivity of the 1,n-ADEQUATE experiment relative to GHMBC experiments, the interpretation of the former is also complicated by the 'leakage' of (1)J(CC) correlations into the spectrum that must be identified. A method for the inversion of (1)J(CC) correlations to facilitate the interpretation of 1,n-ADEQUATE spectra is presented that allows a single experiment to be performed to access (1)J(CC) and (n)J(CC) correlation information.

Synthesis of vaniprevir (MK-7009): lactamization to prepare a 20-membered [corrected] macrocycle.

Development of a practical synthesis of MK-7009, a 20-membered [corrected] macrocycle, is described. A variety of ring-closing strategies were evaluated, including ring-closing metathesis, intermolecular palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings, and macrolactamization. Ring closure via macrolactamization was found to give the highest yields under relatively high reaction concentrations. Optimization of the ring formation step and the synthesis of key intermediates en route to MK-7009 are reported.

Catalyst-controlled regioselective Suzuki couplings at both positions of dihaloimidazoles, dihalooxazoles, and dihalothiazoles.

Various dihaloazoles can be monoarylated at a single C-X bond with high selectivity via Suzuki coupling. By changing the palladium catalyst employed, the selectivity can be switched for some dihaloazoles, allowing for Suzuki coupling at the other, traditionally less reactive C-X bond. These conditions are applicable to coupling of a wide variety of aryl-, heteroaryl-, cyclopropyl-, and vinylboronic acids with high selectivities and enable the rapid construction of diverse arrays of diarylazoles in a modular fashion.

A general method for the synthesis of 3,5-diarylcyclopentenones via friedel-crafts acylation of vinyl chlorides.

A general approach for the synthesis of 3,5-diarylcyclopentenones was developed. Key aspects of this approach are the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization of vinyl chlorides and subsequent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The requisite vinyl chloride-bearing arylacetic acid precursors are readily available by straightforward alkylation of arylacetic acid esters and undergo cyclization to yield 3-chloro-5-aryl-2-cyclopentenones when treated with AlCl(3). The vinylogous acid chloride functionality present in these immediate products allows for further elaboration via Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling chemistry, leading to a diverse array of products.

Efficient cross-coupling of secondary alkyltrifluoroborates with aryl chlorides--reaction discovery using parallel microscale experimentation.

Microscale parallel experimentation was used to discover three catalyst systems capable of coupling secondary organotrifluoroborates with sterically and electronically demanding aryl chlorides and bromides. The ensuing results represent the first comprehensive study of alkylboron coupling to aryl chlorides and, in particular, using secondary alkylboron partners. A ligand-dependent beta-hydride elimination/reinsertion mechanism was implicated in the cross-coupling of more hindered substrates, leading to isomeric mixtures of coupled products in some cases.

Diastereoselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with chiral alpha-phenyl benzylic cations. Asymmetric synthesis of anti-1,1,2-triarylalkanes.

The reactions of chiral benzyl carbocations bearing alpha-phenyl substituents with N-sulfonylated indoles afford 1,1,2-triarylalkanes with anti-selectivities. This outcome is a reversal of facial diastereoselectivity relative to Bach's alpha-alkyl-bearing benzyl cations. The reactions are promoted by either a Brønsted acid (TFA) or Lewis acid (BF3.OEt2), offering differential diastereoselectivities and reactivities. The electronic properties of both reacting partners strongly influence the reaction rates and the product diastereoselectivities and appear to operate under kinetic control. This chemistry provides an efficient access to sterically congested tetrasubstituted ethanes.

Enantioselective Pd-catalyzed alpha-arylation of N-Boc-pyrrolidine: the key to an efficient and practical synthesis of a glucokinase activator.

A short and practical synthesis of glucokinase activator 1 was achieved utilizing a convergent strategy involving S(N)Ar coupling of activated aryl fluoride 11 with hydroxypyridine 9. The key to the success of the synthesis was the development of a novel method for enantioselective formation of alpha-arylpyrrolidines during the course of the project. In this method, (-)-sparteine-mediated enantioselective lithiation of N-Boc-pyrrolidine was followed by in situ transmetalation to zinc and Pd-catalyzed coupling with aryl bromide 3, proceeding in 92% ee. This transformation allowed the preparation of compound 1 in a 31% overall yield over six steps.

Development of a pharmaceutical cocrystal of a monophosphate salt with phosphoric acid.

We report the first case of a pharmaceutical cocrystal formed between an inorganic acid and an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), which enabled us to develop a stable crystalline and bioavailable solid dosage form for pharmaceutical development where otherwise only unstable amorphous free form or salts could have been used.

Detection and elimination of product inhibition from the asymmetric catalytic hydrogenation of enamines.

[reaction: see text] The catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of enamine amides and esters with catalyst Rh-1a, prepared from ferrocenyl based ligand 1a or 1b and [(COD)RhCl](2), has been shown through kinetic studies to suffer from product inhibition. Enamine ester substrates have also been shown to be incompatible with the amine products of the reaction in methanol. In situ protection of the amine products with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate eliminates functional group incompatibility of ester substrates and eliminates product inhibition in the reaction.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of N-sulfonylated-alpha-dehydroamino acids: toward the synthesis of an anthrax lethal factor inhibitor.

A novel and highly enantioselective Ru-catalyzed hydrogenation of N-sulfonylated-alpha-dehydroamino acids has been discovered and demonstrated in the synthesis of an anthrax lethal factor inhibitor (LFI). Herein, this methodology is used to prepare N-sulfonylated amino acids in up to 98% ee. This unprecedented hydrogenation uses a chiral Ru catalyst rather than Rh as typical for acylated dehydroamino acids and esters, and this work reports the first asymmetric hydrogenation of a tetrasubstituted dehydroamino acid derivative using a Ru catalyst. [reaction: see text]

An expedient synthesis of highly functionalized naphthyridones and quinolines from a common N-aryl pyridinone template.

[reaction: see text] We describe herein a new base-mediated process for the formation of N-arylpyridinones 2 and their use for the preparation of naphthyridones and quinolines. The cyclization of various hindered enamines with methyl propiolate proceeds efficiently in the presence of NaOH to afford the corresponding N-arylpyridinones. These substrates were then found to undergo subsequent cyclizations to afford highly functionalized naphthyridones and quinolines.

Efficient and general protocol for the copper-free sonogashira coupling of aryl bromides at room temperature.

[reaction: see text]. A mild and general protocol for the copper-free Sonogashira coupling of aryl bromides with acetylenes has been developed. The use of (AllylPdCl)2 and P(t-Bu)3 provides the active Pd(0) catalyst that allows subsequent coupling of various alkynes at room temperature with good to excellent yields.

Improved carbonylation of heterocyclic chlorides and electronically challenging aryl bromides.

[reaction: see text] Optimized conditions are described that effect the carbonylation of diverse heterocyclic chlorides to yield the desired alkyl esters. In addition, bromoanilines and bromoanisoles, which normally are poor substrates under standard carbonylation protocols, were efficiently converted to the desired products under these new conditions. The nature of the metal bidentate ligand complex was found to be critical. Specifically, a correlation between ligand bite angle and catalytic efficiency is documented.

Ullmann diaryl ether synthesis: rate acceleration by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione.

[reaction: see text]. In the copper salt catalyzed ether formation from aryl bromides or iodides and phenols, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione (TMHD) was found to greatly accelerate the ordinarily difficult reaction, making it occur under more moderate temperatures and reaction times. A series of aryl halides and phenols were shown to form ethers in NMP as the solvent, cesium carbonate as the base, and CuCl and TMHD as the catalysts. The reaction was shown to tolerate electron-rich aryl bromides and electron-neutral phenols.

Intramolecular aromatic 1,5-hydrogen transfer in free radical reactions III. Reactivity of diaryl ketones, ethers, thioethers, sulfoxydes, and sulfones. An experimental and theoretical study.

[reaction: see text] Experiments show that free radical hydrogen shift is significant in the Pschorr cyclization of diphenyl ethers (X = O) and thioethers (X = S) and does not take place with sufoxides (X = SO) and sulfones (X = SO(2)). DFT calculations of the product ratios, activation energies, rate constants for H-transfers, and ring-closings at the UB3PW91/6-31G(d,p) level are in excellent agreement with the experimental results reported here and elsewhere in the literature.