Antibody drug conjugates of cleavable amino-benzoyl-maytansinoids.

ADCs based on the natural product maytansine have been successfully employed clinically. In a previous report, ADCs based on hydrophilic non-cell permeable maytansinoids was presented. The authors in this report further explore the maytansine scaffold to develop tubulin inhibitors capable of cell permeation. The research resulted in amino-benzoyl-maytansinoid payloads that were further elaborated with linkers for conjugating to antibodies. This approach was applied to MUC16 tumor targeting antibodies for ovarian cancers. A positive control ADC was evaluated alongside the amino-benzoyl-maytansinoid ADC and the efficacy observed was equivalent while the isotype control ADCs had no effect.

Syntheses and studies of new forms of N-sulfonyloxy ß-lactams as potential antibacterial agents and ß-lactamase inhibitors.

The synthesis of a small library of N-sulfonyloxy-2-azetidinones is reported and the preliminary results of the investigation of the biological activity of these molecules are discussed. These new multi-electrophilic ß-lactams ('electrophilic bombs') display unexpected selectivity in their antibacterial activity and ß-lactamase inhibitory activity.

Nitroso Diels-Alder (NDA) reaction as an efficient tool for the functionalization of diene-containing natural products.

This review describes the use of nitroso Diels-Alder reactions for the functionalization of complex diene-containing natural products in order to generate libraries of compounds with potential biological activity. The application of this methodology to the structural modification of a series of natural products (thebaine, steroidal dienes, rapamycin, leucomycin, colchicine, isocolchicine and piperine) is discussed using relevant examples from the literature from 1973 onwards. The biological activity of the resulting compounds is also discussed. Additional comments are provided that evaluate the methodology as a useful tool in organic, bioorganic and medicinal chemistry.

N,O-Nucleosides from ene reactions of nitrosocarbonyl intermediates with the 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol.

Nitrosocarbonyl intermediates undergo ene reactions with allylic alcohols, affording regioisomeric adducts in fair yields. Nitrosocarbonyl benzene reacts with 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol and follows a Markovnikov orientation and abstracts preferentially the twix hydrogens over the lone ones. With the more sterically demanding nitrosocarbonyl mesitylene and anthracene, the Markovnikov directing effect is relieved and lone abstraction is observed, affording the 5-hydroxy-isoxazolidines that serve as synthons for the preparation of N,O-nucleoside analogues according to the Vorbrüggen protocol.

Methodology for Monobactam Diversification: Syntheses and Studies of 4-Thiomethyl Substituted ß-Lactams with Activity against Gram-Negative Bacteria, Including Carbapenemase Producing Acinetobacter baumannii.

Bromine induced lactamization of vinyl acetohydroxamates facilitated syntheses of monocyclic ß-lactams suitable for incorporation of a thiomethyl and extended functionality at the C(4) position. Elaboration of the resulting substituted N-hydroxy-2-azetidinones allowed incorporation of functionalized α-amino substituents appropriate for enhancement of antibiotic activity. Evaluation of antibacterial activity against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria revealed structure-activity relationships (SAR) and identification of potent new monobactam antibiotics. The corresponding bis-catechol conjugate, 42, has excellent activity against Gram-negative bacteria including carbapenemase and carbacephalosporinase producing strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, which have been listed by the WHO as being of critical concern worldwide.

New and concise syntheses of the bicyclic oxamazin core using an intramolecular nitroso Diels-Alder reaction and ring-closing olefin metathesis.

Herein two new and concise synthetic approaches for making an unsaturated bicyclic oxamazin core are reported. The first involves the use of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to form both of the fused rings in one step. The second approach incorporates ring-closing olefin metathesis in the final step to form the second fused ring of the core. The scope of the second approach was also expanded further to afford larger ringed bicyclic systems.