Evaluation of the cyclopentane-1,2-dione as a potential bio-isostere of the carboxylic acid functional group.

Cycloalkylpolyones hold promise in drug design as carboxylic acid bio-isosteres. To investigate cyclopentane-1,2-diones as potential surrogates of the carboxylic acid functional group, the acidity, tautomerism, and geometry of hydrogen bonding of representative compounds were evaluated. Prototypic derivatives of the known thromboxane A2 prostanoid (TP) receptor antagonist, 3-(3-(2-((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamido)-ethyl)phenyl)propanoic acid, in which the carboxylic acid moiety is replaced by the cyclopentane-1,2-dione unit, were synthesized and evaluated as TP receptor antagonists. Cyclopentane-1,2-dione derivative 9 was found to be a potent TP receptor antagonist with an IC50 value comparable to that of the parent carboxylic acid. These results indicate that the cyclopentane-1,2-dione may be a potentially useful carboxylic acid bio-isostere.

A direct stereoselective preparation of a fish pheromone and application of the zinc porphyrin tweezer chiroptical protocol in its stereochemical assignment.

A two-step stereoselective preparation of a goldfish pheromone, 17α,20ß-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, is reported from the readily available cortexolone in 64% overall yield. The (20S)-epimer was also synthesized in three steps from cortexolone with an overall yield of 47%. A microscale chiroptical technique based on a host/guest complexation mechanism between the substrate and a dimeric metalloporphyrin host (tweezer) was used to confirm the stereochemical assignment, while Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were employed to explain the high stereoselectivity induced by the 17α-hydroxyl and C18-methyl groups.

Origin of the E/Z Selectivity in the Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Olefins by Wittig Reaction of α-Fluorophosphonium Ylides: An Explanation for the Low Stereoselectivity Observed in Reactions of α-Alkoxy Aldehydes.

A series of tetrasubstituted fluoroalkenes were synthesized in good yield and high E/Z selectivity (up to 96/4) by Wittig reaction between α-heterosubstituted ketones and α-fluorophosphonium ylides. A detailed study of factors that control stereoselectivity in these reactions shows that stereoselectivity is the result of stabilizing CH···F and N···C═O interactions in the addition TS leading to the E isomer. This analysis provides a rationale for the observed decrease in selectivity for reactions of stabilized ylides with α-alkoxy aldehydes.

Evaluation of Oxetan-3-ol, Thietan-3-ol, and Derivatives Thereof as Bioisosteres of the Carboxylic Acid Functional Group.

The oxetane ring serves as an isostere of the carbonyl moiety, suggesting that oxetan-3-ol may be considered as a potential surrogate of the carboxylic acid functional group. To investigate this structural unit, as well as thietan-3-ol and the corresponding sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives, as potential carboxylic acid bioisosteres, a set of model compounds has been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for physicochemical properties. Similar derivatives of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, were also synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of eicosanoid biosynthesis in vitro. Collectively, the data suggest that oxetan-3-ol, thietan-3-ol, and related structures hold promise as isosteric replacements of the carboxylic acid moiety.

Potent, long-acting cyclopentane-1,3-Dione thromboxane (A2)-receptor antagonists.

A series of derivatives of the known thromboxane A2 prostanoid (TP) receptor antagonists, 3-(6-((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamido)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)propanoic acid and 3-(3-(2-((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonamido)ethyl)phenyl) propanoic acid, were synthesized in which the carboxylic acid functional group was replaced with substituted cyclopentane-1,3-dione (CPD) bioisosteres. Characterization of these molecules led to the discovery of remarkably potent new analogues, some of which were considerably more active than the corresponding parent carboxylic acid compounds. Depending on the choice of the C2 substituent of the CPD unit, these new derivatives can produce either a reversible or an apparent irreversible inhibition of the human TP receptor. Given the potency and the long-lasting inhibition of TP receptor signaling, these novel antagonists may comprise promising leads for the development of antithromboxane therapies.

Cyclopentane-1,3-dione: a novel isostere for the carboxylic acid functional group. Application to the design of potent thromboxane (A2) receptor antagonists.

Cyclopentane-1,3-diones are known to exhibit pK(a) values typically in the range of carboxylic acids. To explore the potential of the cyclopentane-1,3-dione unit as a carboxylic acid isostere, the physical-chemical properties of representative congeners were examined and compared with similar derivatives bearing carboxylic acid or tetrazole residues. These studies suggest that cyclopentane-1,3-diones may effectively substitute for the carboxylic acid functional group. To demonstrate the use of the cyclopentane-1,3-dione isostere in drug design, derivatives of a known thromboxane A(2) prostanoid (TP) receptor antagonist, 3-(3-(2-(4-chlorophenylsulfonamido)ethyl)phenyl)propanoic acid (12), were synthesized and evaluated in both functional and radioligand-binding assays. A series of mono- and disubstituted cyclopentane-1,3-dione derivatives (41-45) were identified that exhibit nanomolar IC(50) and K(d) values similar to 12. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the cyclopentane-1,3-dione moiety comprises a novel isostere of the carboxylic acid functional group. Given the combination of the relatively strong acidity, tunable lipophilicity, and versatility of the structure, the cyclopentane-1,3-dione moiety may constitute a valuable addition to the palette of carboxylic acid isosteres.

Aluminumoxyhydride: improved synthesis and application as a selective reducing agent.

Aluminumoxyhydride (HAlO) has been obtained by the reaction of aluminum hydride with the siloxane (Me2HSi)2O or the stannoxane (Bu3Sn)2O as an amorphous colorless insoluble powder. The highest-purity product resulted from the reaction of H3Al.NMe3 with (Me2HSi)2O. However, HAlO suspensions in tetrahydrofuran (THF) of sufficient quality for synthetic applications can be prepared from commercially available reagents with only minor precautions. A LiAlH4 solution in THF was treated successively with Me3SiCl and (Me2HSi)2O, followed by heating at 60 degrees C for 20 h. The resulting suspensions are 0.4-0.5 M in active hydride content and selectively reduce aldehydes and ketones to the respective alcohols in the presence of any other common nonprotic functional group.