Synthesis and evaluation of clioquinol-rolipram/roflumilast hybrids as multitarget-directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Considering the importance of PDE4D inhibition and the modulation of biometals in Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics, we have designed, synthesized and evaluated a series of new clioquinol-rolipram/roflumilast hybrids as multitarget-directed ligands for the treatment of AD. In vitro studies demonstrated that some of the molecules processed remarkable inhibitory activity against phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D), strong intracellular antioxidant capacity, potent inhibition of metal-induced aggregation of Aß, and potential blood-brain barrier permeability. Compound 7a demonstrated significant improvement in cognitive and spatial memory in an Aß25-35-induce mouse model in Morris water-maze test (MWM). These results indicate that compound 7a is a promising multifunctional candidate that is worthy of further study.

Multistep continuous-flow synthesis of (R)- and (S)-rolipram using heterogeneous catalysts.

Chemical manufacturing is conducted using either batch systems or continuous-flow systems. Flow systems have several advantages over batch systems, particularly in terms of productivity, heat and mixing efficiency, safety, and reproducibility. However, for over half a century, pharmaceutical manufacturing has used batch systems because the synthesis of complex molecules such as drugs has been difficult to achieve with continuous-flow systems. Here we describe the continuous-flow synthesis of drugs using only columns packed with heterogeneous catalysts. Commercially available starting materials were successively passed through four columns containing achiral and chiral heterogeneous catalysts to produce (R)-rolipram, an anti-inflammatory drug and one of the family of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives. In addition, simply by replacing a column packed with a chiral heterogeneous catalyst with another column packed with the opposing enantiomer, we obtained antipole (S)-rolipram. Similarly, we also synthesized (R)-phenibut, another drug belonging to the GABA family. These flow systems are simple and stable with no leaching of metal catalysts. Our results demonstrate that multistep (eight steps in this case) chemical transformations for drug synthesis can proceed smoothly under flow conditions using only heterogeneous catalysts, without the isolation of any intermediates and without the separation of any catalysts, co-products, by-products, and excess reagents. We anticipate that such syntheses will be useful in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Synthesis of PDE IV inhibitors. First asymmetric synthesis of two of GlaxoSmithKline's highly potent Rolipram analogues.

Asymmetric syntheses of two of GlaxoSmithKline's highly potent phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors CMPI 1 and CMPO 2 have been accomplished from nitroethane and simple precursors in 8 and 7 steps, respectively. The suggested synthetic strategy involves as a key stage the silylation of enantiopure six-membered cyclic nitronates. In vitro studies of PDE IVB1 inhibition revealed a significant difference in the activity of CMPI 1 and CMPO 2 enantiomers.

Regio- and enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation of nitromethane with monosubstituted allyl substrates: synthesis of (R)-rolipram and (R)-baclofen.

The Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) reaction of nitromethane with monosubstituted allyl substrates was realized for the first time to provide corresponding products in high yields with excellent regio- and enantioselectivities. The protocol was applied to the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram.

Asymmetric synthesis of ß-substituted γ-lactams via rhodium/diene-catalyzed 1,4-additions: application to the synthesis of (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram.

An efficient rhodium/diene-catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to α,ß-unsaturated γ-lactams has been developed. The power of this methodology is further demonstrated by the concise synthesis of (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram.

Kinetic analysis in human brain of [11C](R)-rolipram, a positron emission tomographic radioligand to image phosphodiesterase 4: a retest study and use of an image-derived input function.

UNLABELLED: [(11)C](R)-rolipram provides a measure of the density of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) in brain, an enzyme that metabolizes cAMP. The aims of this study were to perform kinetic modeling of [(11)C](R)-rolipram in healthy humans using an arterial input function and to replace this arterial input in humans with an image-derived input function. METHODS: Twelve humans had two injections of [(11)C](R)-rolipram. An image-derived input function was obtained from the carotid arteries and four blood samples. The samples were used for partial volume correction and for estimating the parent concentration using HPLC analysis. RESULTS: An unconstrained two-compartment model and Logan analysis measured distribution volume V(T), with good identifiability but with moderately high retest variability (15%). Similar results were obtained using the image input (ratio image/arterial V(T)=1.00±0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Binding of [(11)C](R)-rolipram to PDE4 can be quantified in human brain using kinetic modeling and an arterial input function. Image input function from carotid arteries provides an equally accurate and reproducible method to quantify PDE4.

New selective phosphodiesterase 4D inhibitors differently acting on long, short, and supershort isoforms.

The lack of selective inhibitors toward the long, short, or supershort phosphodiesterases (PDE4s) prevented researchers from carefully defining the connection between different enzyme isoforms, their brain localization, and their role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the search for new therapeutic agents for treating memory and learning disorders, we synthesized new rolipram related PDE4 inhibitors, which had some selectivity toward the long form PDE4D3. The first series was synthesized as racemate and then resolved by semipreparative HPLC on chiral supports. Herein we report the synthetic pathways to obtain compounds 1a-c, 2a-c, 3a-c, 4a-f, 5a,b, 6a,b, 7a,b, the chiral analytical study to resolve compounds 1a-c, 2a-c, 3a-c, the molecular docking study for compound 1c, and the biological results and some SAR considerations that provide some insights and hints for the structural requirements for PDE4D subtype selectivity and enzyme inhibition.

Epi-cinchona based thiourea organocatalyst family as an efficient asymmetric Michael addition promoter: enantioselective conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones and alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles.

A small set of easily available epi-cinchona based thiourea organocatalysts have been synthesized and tested in enantioselective Michael addition of nitroalkanes to chalcones. These bifunctional catalyst systems promoted the conjugate additions with high enantioselectivities and chemical yields. The extension of this methodology was further explored to encompass alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles, as a chalcone mimic. Functionally, the N-acylpyrrole moiety in the adduct acts as an ester surrogate; therefore, it can easily be transformed to various valuable and biologically relevant compounds. This approach allowed the concise stereoselective synthesis of (R)-rolipram.

Organocatalytic asymmetric total synthesis of (R)-rolipram and formal synthesis of (3S,4R)-paroxetine.

An efficient enantioselective total synthesis of (R)-rolipram and an efficient enantioselective formal synthesis of (3S,4R)-paroxetine has been achieved using the highly enantioselective Michael addition of malonate nucleophiles as key steps in both cases.

Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of gamma-phthalimido-substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters: an efficient enantioselective synthesis of beta-aryl-gamma-amino acids.

A series of chiral beta-aryl-gamma-amino acid ester derivatives were synthesized in high enantioselectivities (93-97% ee) via the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of gamma-phthalimido-alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters using highly modular chiral BoPhoz-type phosphine-aminophosphine ligands. The method has been applied successfully to the synthesis of several chiral pharmaceuticals including (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram with high enantioselectivities.

Synthesis of 4-aryl-2-pyrrolidones and beta-aryl-gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) analogues by Heck arylation of 3-pyrrolines with arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates. Synthesis of (+/-)-rolipram on a multigram scale and chromatographic resolution by semipreparative chiral simulated moving bed chromatography.

We report herein a new, practical, and economic synthesis of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor Rolipram on a multigram scale as well as the synthesis of new 4-aryl pyrrolidones and beta-aryl-gamma-amino butyric acids (GABA derivatives) employing an efficient Heck-Matsuda arylation of 3-pyrroline with aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates. Racemic Rolipram was resolved into its enantiomers using chiral simulated moving bed chromatography having the low-cost microcrystalline cellulose triacetate as a chiral stationary phase.

Gamma-lactam synthesis via C-H insertion: elaboration of N-benzyl protecting groups for high regioselectivity toward the total synthesis of rolipram.

By intramolecular C-H insertion of alpha-diazo-alpha-(phenylsulfonyl)acetamides, gamma-lactams such as the antidepressant agent rolipram were efficiently synthesized in a highly regioselective manner. N-Benzyl moieties were elaborated as amide protecting groups to enhance regioselectivity in C-H activation as well as chemoselectivity over addition reactions. [reaction: see text]

Development of a catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes for the synthesis of endothelin-A antagonist ABT-546. Scope, mechanism, and further application to the synthesis of the antidepressant rolipram.

The enantioselective synthesis of endothelin-A antagonist ABT-546 has been accomplished via the discovery and development of a highly selective catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of ketoesters to nitroolefins. Employing just 4 mol % bis(oxazoline)-Mg(OTf)(2) complex with an amine cocatalyst, we obtained the product nitroketone with 88% selectivity at the aryl-bearing stereocenter and in good yield on scales ranging to 13 mol. The effects of ligand structure, metal salt, and solvent on the reaction are described. Particularly important to the reaction is the water content. While water is necessary during the generation of the catalyst, the water must be then removed to maximize stereoselectivity and reactivity. The reaction has been extended to other dicarbonyl substrates, and a variety of substitution patterns are tolerated on the nitroolefin partner. The reaction has also been employed in the synthesis of the antidepressant rolipram. Investigations relating to the mechanism of the reaction are also described.

First highly regio- and diastereoselective [3+2] cycloaddition of chiral nonracemic Fischer carbene complexes with azomethine ylides: an enantioselective synthesis of (+)-rolipram.

A new procedure for the synthesis of 1,3,4-trisubstituted and 1,4-disubstituted pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives in an enantioselective fashion is reported. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of (+/-)-menthol and (-)-8-phenylmenthol derived Fischer alkoxy alkenyl carbene complexes with in situ generated functionalized azomethine ylides gives the corresponding cycloadducts as chelated tetracarbonyl Fischer carbene complexes. Only one regioisomer is detected in all cases, and the diastereoselectivity of the reaction is very high when (-)-8-phenylmenthol derived carbenes are employed. Oxidation and further transformation of the cycloadducts provide an easy access to pyrrolidin-2-ones. The anti-inflammatory and antidepressant drug (+)-Rolipram is readily prepared in four steps in a 20% overall yield by taking advantage of this newly developed methodology.