Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation and double directing group strategy for the regioselective synthesis of naphthyridinones.

A general Rh(III)-catalyzed synthesis of naphthyridinone derivatives is described. It relies on a double-activation and directing approach leveraging nicotinamide N-oxides as substrates. In general, high yields and selectivities can be achieved using low catalyst loadings and mild conditions (room temperature) in the couplings with alkynes, while alkenes require slightly more elevated temperatures.

2-(S)-phenethylaminothiazolones as potent, orally efficacious inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteriod dehydrogenase type 1.

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) is the enzyme that converts cortisone to cortisol. A growing body of evidence suggests that selective inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 could potentially treat metabolic syndrome as well as type 2 diabetes. Through modification of our initial lead 1, we have discovered trifluoromethyl thiazolone 17. This compound had a Ki of 22 nM, possessed low in vivo clearance, and showed a 91% inhibition of adipose 11beta-HSD1 enzymatic activity in a mouse ex vivo pharmacodynamic model.

Selective substituent transfer from mixed zinc reagents in Ni-catalyzed anhydride alkylation.

The use of mixed zinc reagents in Ni-catalyzed anhydride alkylation results in preferential transfer of substituents (Ph > Me > Et >> iPr approximately TMSCH2) for the ligands bipy, dppe, and iPrPHOX. Utilization of such mixed species allows the use of 0.55 equiv of the diorganozinc reagent, effectively transferring both desired substituents when used in conjunction with a suitable second zinc reagent.

Complementary diastereoselective reduction of cyclic gamma-keto acids: efficient access to trisubsituted gamma-lactones.

Complementary reduction conditions have been identified that provide ready access to each respective diastereomer of bi- and tricyclic, trisustituted gamma-lactones starting from the corresponding cyclic gamma-keto acids. Subjection of cyclic gamma-keto acids to silane reagents in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid provides all syn-gamma-lactones, while reduction with trialkylborohydrides furnishes the syn,anti-gamma-lactones. The conditions are mild and provide the product lactones in good yields and modest to excellent selectivity.

New methods for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazolones.

Two new methods for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazolones from 2-(4-methoxybenzylthio)acetic acids are described. A single reagent and simple experimental conditions are used in the key tandem deprotection-cyclization process. In the first approach 2-aminothiazolones are directly accessed via cyclization of the corresponding N-acylisothioureas. The second complementary approach provides access to a variety of 2-thiomethylthiazolones via cyclization of N-acyldithioimidates. The product 2-thiomethylthiazolones are then efficiently converted to 2-aminothiazolones via amine displacement.

Diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed alpha-arylation of 4-substituted cyclohexyl esters.

A diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed arylation of 4-substituted cyclohexyl esters has been developed. The reaction proceeds at room temperature in the presence of [(t-Bu3P)PdBr]2 providing products in up to 37:1 dr.

Further studies with the 2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one class of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitors: reducing pregnane X receptor activity and exploring activity in a monkey pharmacodynamic model.

A series of compounds containing the 2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one core were found to be potent inhibitors of the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1). One of our lead compounds from this series activated the human nuclear xenobiotic receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR). To try and mitigate the PXR activity, we prepared analogues of our lead series that contained polar groups on the right-hand side of the thiazolone. Several analogues containing amides or alcohols appended to the C-5 position of the thiazolone showed a significant reduction in PXR activity. Through these structure-activity efforts, a compound containing a tert-alcohol group off the C-5 position, analogue (S)-33a, was found to have an 11beta-HSD1 Ki = 35 nM and negligible PXR activity. Compound (S)-33a was advanced into a pharmacodynamic model in cynomolgus monkeys, where it inhibited adipose 11beta-HSD1 activity after being orally administered.

Ligand-dependent catalytic cycle and role of styrene in nickel-catalyzed anhydride cross-coupling: evidence for turnover-limiting reductive elimination.

Results from a mechanistic study on the Ni(COD)2-bipy-catalyzed alkylation of anhydrides are consistent with turnover-limiting reductive elimination at high Et2Zn concentrations. While the presence of styrene does not affect the initial rate of alkylation, it appears to inhibit catalyst decomposition and provides higher product yield at long reaction times. In contrast, Ni(COD)2-iPrPHOX-catalyzed anhydride alkylation proceeds through two competing catalytic cycles differentiated by the presence of styrene. The presence of styrene in this system appears to accelerate rate-limiting oxidative addition and promotes the cycle which proceeds 4 times more rapidly and with much higher enantioselectivity than its styrene-lacking counterpart.

Highly efficient nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of succinic and glutaric anhydrides with organozinc reagents.

A nickel-catalyzed alkylation of succinic and glutaric anhydrides with alkyl- and arylzinc reagents has been developed. A dramatic olefin effect has been investigated resulting in the identification of several styrene-based promoters which show pronounced enhancements in reaction rate. The substrate scope with respect to electrophilic and nucleophilic coupling partners has been examined and found to be remarkably broad, allowing for rapid introduction of molecular complexity through the use of functionalized coupling partners. Regioselective alkylation of an unsymmetrical succinic anhydride and a profound effect of pendent coordinating olefins on reaction rate suggest a mechanism involving discrete oxidative addition of the nickel complex into the cyclic anhydride followed by a transmetalation event.

A mild and efficient catalytic alkylative monofunctionalization of cyclic anhydrides.

Substituted succinic and glutaric anhydrides undergo a nickel-catalyzed monofunctionalization with organozinc reagents as nucleophiles. The reaction proceeds readily with a variety of substrates, employs commercially available or readily attainable reagents, tolerates sensitive functionality on both partners, and affords the product ketoacids in moderate to high yields. The use of a chiral phosphinooxazoline results in a desymmetrization of a meso anhydride to provide the ketoacid in 85% yield and 79% ee.

A palladium-catalyzed enantioselective alkylative desymmetrization of meso-succinic anhydrides.

Monoalkylation of cyclic anhydrides provides an opportunity to couple a carbon-carbon bond-forming event with the control of backbone stereochemistry. We have developed a palladium-JOSIPHOS catalyst system that desymmetrizes meso-succinic anhydrides using organozinc reagents as nucleophiles, and have found that, in many cases, this reaction proceeds at ambient temperature.

Decarbonylative cross-coupling of cyclic anhydrides: introducing stereochemistry at an sp3 carbon in the cross-coupling event.

Treatment of cyclic anhydrides with stoichiometric amounts of nickel-neocuproine complex generates alkylcarboxylato-nickelalactones upon extrusion of CO. These metalacycles undergo cross-coupling with arylzinc reagents. The generated CO is sequestered in situ by a nickel-dppb complex. The overall sequence effects a secondary sp3(electrophile)-sp2(nucleophile) cross-coupling and allows for control of stereochemistry during the bond-forming event.