Stability and reactivity of alkylidene dihydropyridines.

Alkylidene dihydropyridines (ADHPs) are electron-rich nucleophilic intermediates that can be readily prepared by dearomatization of 4-alkylpyridines using chloroformate reagents and mild base. Their stability and reactivity can be tuned with the chloroformate reagent used as evidenced by NMR chemical shifts and oxidation potentials. ADHPs prepared with ethyl, allyl and trichloroethyl chloroformate undergo decomposition under an oxygen atmosphere at different rates (ethyl > allyl > trichloroethyl), predominantly to the corresponding 4-acylpyridine. The ADHPs derived from benzyl chloroformate are stable towards oxidation, and those derived from phenyl chloroformate hydrolyze readily.

Efficient Industrial Synthesis of the MDM2 Antagonist Idasanutlin via a Cu(I)-catalyzed [3+2] Asymmetric Cycloaddition.

A concise asymmetric synthesis has been developed to prepare idasanutlin, a small molecule MDM2 antagonist. Idasanutlin is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. The highly congested pyrrolidine core, containing four contiguous stereocenters, was constructed via a Cu(I)/(R)-BINAP catalyzed [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction. This optimized copper(I)-catalyzed process has been used to produce more than 1500 kg of idasanutlin. The manufacturing process will be described, highlighting the exceptionally selective and consistent cycloaddition/isomerization/hydrolysis sequence. The excellent yields, short cycle times and reduction in waste streams result in a sustainable production process with low environmental impact.

Expanding the Imine Reductase Toolbox by Exploring the Bacterial Protein-Sequence Space.

Recent investigations on imine reductases (IREDs) have enriched the toolbox of potential catalysts for accessing chiral amines, which are important building blocks for the pharmaceutical industry. Herein, we describe the characterization of 20 new IREDs. A C-terminal domain clustering of the bacterial protein-sequence space was performed to identify the novel IRED candidates. Each of the identified enzymes was characterized against a set of nine cyclic imine model substrates. A refined clustering towards putative active-site residues was performed and was consistent both with our screening and previously reported results. Finally, preparative scale experiments on a 100 mg scale with two purified IREDs, IR_20 from Streptomyces tsukubaensis and IR_23 from Streptomyces vidiochromogenes, were carried out to provide (R)-2-methylpiperidine in 98% ee (71% yield) and (R)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in >98% ee (82% yield).

Mild Installation of Piperidines on 4-Alkylpyridines.

We report a mild method for the synthesis of scaffolds bearing 4-pyridine and 4-piperidine moieties joined by a substituted methylene group. The method exploits the latent nucleophilicity of 4-alkylpyridines and the inherent electrophilicity of pyridines. 4-Alkylpyridines are transformed into nucleophilic alkylidene dihydropyridines (ADHPs) through a soft enolization approach using triethyl amine and chloroformate reagents. HCl is used to promote the addition of ADHPs to pyridine, yielding an adduct bearing pyridine and protected dihydropyridine fragments. Transfer hydrogenation delivers the desired compounds in good yields.

Soft Fluorination of 4-Alkylpyridines.

We report the mild and selective mono- and difluorination of 4-alkylpyridines. The process involves soft-dearomatization of pyridines to the corresponding alkylidene dihydropyridines and treatment with Selectfluor. The reaction tolerates a broad range of functional groups, including those bearing acidic and weak C-H bonds. In addition, selective fluorination of 4-alkylpyridines attached to 2-alkylpyridines and 2-alkylpyrimidines can be achieved in good yields, but a 4-alkylpyridine tethered to a 4-alkylpyrimidine is fluorinated at both heterobenzylic positions.

Alkylidene Dihydropyridines Are Surrogates for Pyridylic Anions in the Conjugate Addition to α,ß-Unsaturated Ketones.

We show that alkylidene dihydropyridines, readily prepared from 4-alkylpyridines, behave as soft nucleophiles toward a range of α,ß-unsaturated ketones under the influence of silyl Lewis acids to give the products of conjugate addition. In contrast to existing methods, which use strongly basic pyridylic anions, this reaction tolerates a wide array of functional groups, providing access to useful heterocyclic scaffolds.

Pyridylic anions are soft nucleophiles in the palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)-H allylation of 4-alkylpyridines.

We report a mild palladium-catalyzed method for the selective allylation of 4-alkylpyridines in which highly basic pyridylic anions behave as soft nucleophiles. This method exploits alkylidene dihydropyridines, which are semi-stable intermediates readily formed using a 'soft-enolization' approach, in a new mechanistic manifold for decarboxylative allylation. Notably, the catalytic generation of pyridylic anions results in a substantially broader functional group tolerance compared to other pyridine allylation methods. Experimental and theoretical mechanistic studies strongly suggest that pyridylic anions are indeed the active nucleophiles in these reactions, and that they participate in an outer-sphere reductive elimination step. This finding establishes a new pK a boundary of 35 for soft nucleophiles in transition metal-catalyzed allylations.

Probing persistent intramolecular C-H...X (X = O, S, Br, Cl, and F) bonding in solution using benzyl Meldrum's acid derivatives.

Persistent intramolecular interactions between acidic C-H hydrogens and a variety of acceptors (X) (X = O, S, Br, Cl, and F) in solution were probed by (1)H NMR experiments, using 5-benzyl Meldrum's acid derivatives. To bring about formation of intramolecular C-H...X bonding, ortho-substituted benzyl Meldrum's acids were designed, for which hydrogen bonding occurred through a six-membered ring. Introduction of substituents on the aromatic moiety and in the tether allowed variation of electronic and steric factors. The superior acidity of Meldrum's acids impacted the ability of the C-H hydrogen to engage in nonclassical C-H...X bonds and drove the conformational properties of benzyl Meldrum's acid, in combination with steric factors, namely A(1,3)-allylic strain. Further understanding of intramolecular C-H...X bonds was gained by characterization of benzyl Meldrum's acids in the solid state, by X-ray analysis, and by the conformation correlated to the observations made in solution.

Synthetic studies on Et-743. Assembly of the pentacyclic core and a formal total synthesis.

A formal total synthesis of the potent anticancer agent Et-743 is described. The tetrahydroisoquinoline core is stereoselectively constructed using a novel radical cyclization of a glyoxalimine. Further elaboration of this core rapidly accessed the pentacyclic core of Et-743, but a mixture of regiosisomers was obtained in the key Pictet-Spengler ring closure. A known advanced intermediate in the synthesis of Et-743 was intercepted, constituting a formal synthesis of the molecule.

Synthetic studies on Et-743. Asymmetric, stereocontrolled construction of the tetrahydroisoquinoline core via radical cyclization on a glyoxalimine.

[Structure: see text] The asymmetric synthesis of a highly functionalized tetrahydroisoquinoline relevant to the total synthesis of Et-743 is described. The key step involves a highly diastereoselective radical cyclization on a glyoxalimine derivative.

Convenient access to polysubstituted 1-indanones by Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzyl Meldrum's acid derivatives.

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzyl Meldrum's acids is catalyzed by Sc(OTf)(3) under mild reaction conditions. Several polysubstituted 1-indanones have been prepared.

Total synthesis of (+/-)-taiwaniaquinol B via a domino intramolecular friedel-crafts acylation/carbonyl alpha-tert-alkylation reaction.

The first synthesis of taiwaniaquinol B, a 6-nor-5(6-->7)abeoabietane-type diterpenoid exhibiting the uncommon fused 6-5-6 tricyclic carbon skeleton, was accomplished in 15 steps. A Lewis acid-promoted tandem intramolecular Friedel-Crafts/carbonyl alpha-tert-alkylation reaction was exploited as the core strategy for the synthesis of the sterically congested 1-indanone-containing tricyclic structure. This multiple carbon-carbon bond forming reaction exploits the unique reactivity of Meldrum's acid. The facile precursor synthesis makes this a useful methodology for the expedient modification and assembly of sterically congested 1-indanone-containing ring systems.

Meldrum's acids as acylating agents in the catalytic intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction.

[reaction: see text] The intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatics with Meldrum's acid derivatives catalyzed by metal trifluoromethanesulfonates is reported. Meldrum's acids are easily prepared, functionalized, handled, and purified. The synthesis of polysubstituted 1-indanones from benzyl Meldrum's acids was investigated thoroughly, and it was shown that a variety of catalysts were effective, while accommodating a diversity of functional groups under mild conditions. The scope, limitations, and functional group tolerance (terminal alkene and alkyne, ketal, dialkyl ether, dialkyl thioether, aryl methyl ether, aryl TIPS and TBDPS ethers, nitrile- and nitro-substituted aryls, alkyl and aryl halides) for a variety of 5-benzyl (enolizable Meldrum's acids) and 5-benzyl-5-substituted Meldrum's acids (quaternized Meldrum's acids), forming 1-indanones and 2-substituted-1-indanones, respectively, are delineated. This method was further applied to the synthesis of 1-tetralones, 1-benzosuberones, and the potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil. Rate of cyclization as a function of ring size was established for various benzocyclic ketones via competition experiments: 1-tetralones form faster than both 1-indanones and 1-benzosuberones, and 1-benzosuberones cyclize faster than 1-indanones.

Photocontrol of nitric oxide production in cell culture using a caged isoform selective inhibitor.

Over the past decade, multiphoton microscopy has progressed from a photonic novelty to a technique whose application is currently experiencing exponential growth in the biological sciences. A novel application of this technology with significant therapeutic potential is the control of drug activity by multiphoton photolysis of caged therapeutics. As an initial case study, the potent isoform selective inhibitor N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl) acetamidine (1400W) of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been conjugated to a caging molecule 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-4-hydroxyquinoline-2-ylmethyl acetyl ester (Bhc). Here we present the first report of a bulk therapeutic effect, inhibition of nitric oxide production, in mammalian cell culture by multiphoton photolysis of a caged drug, Bhc-1400W. Mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells induced with bacterial lipopolysaccharides to express iNOS were used to assess the therapeutic value of the conjugated inhibitor. Both 1400W and Bhc-1400W are stable in metabolically active cells and an optimal time interval for the photorelease of the inhibitor was determined. The ratios of the IC(50) values of Bhc-1400W over 1400W calculated in the presence of iNOS enzyme and in RAW 264.7 cell culture are 19 and 100, respectively, indicating that a broad therapeutic range exists in cell culture. Multiphoton uncaging protocols and therapeutic doses of inhibitors were not cytotoxic. Photocontrol of LPS induced nitric oxide production was achieved in mammalian cell culture using a single laser focal volume. This technology has the potential to control active drug concentrations in vivo, a lack of which is one of the main problems currently associated with systemic drug administration.

Synthesis of syn and anti isomers of trans-cyclopropyl arginine.

There is currently considerable interest in arginine and its structural analogues in the context of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) substrates and inhibitors. Of particular interest are conformationally constrained arginine analogues used to probe the active sites of the three NOS isoforms. A simple procedure is described for the preparation of syn- and anti-trans-cyclopropyl arginine starting from the alpha-OBO-protected Cbz-dehydroglutamate. Cyclopropanation is effected by diazomethane addition followed by irradiation of the resulting pyrazoline and gives a 3:1 mixture of syn:anti isomers that can be separated by crystallization. Reduction of the ester to the alcohol followed by guanylation gives the fully protected cyclopropyl arginine analogues. The CBZ protecting groups are removed by hydrogenolysis and the OBO by mild acid treatment followed by base hydrolysis.

Synthesis and evaluation of trans 3,4-cyclopropyl L-arginine analogues as isoform selective inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase.

Four optically pure conformationally restricted L-arginine analogues syn- 1 and anti- 2 trans-3,4-cyclopropyl L-arginine, and syn- 3 and anti-trans-3,4-cyclopropyl N-(1-iminoethyl) L-ornithine 4 were synthesized. These compounds were tested as potential inhibitors against the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Compound 1 was determined to be a poor substrate of NOS, while compound 2 was determined to be a poor mixed type inhibitor and did not exhibit any isoform selectivity. Syn- 3 and anti-trans-3,4-cyclopropyl N-(1-iminoethyl) L-ornithine 4 were found to be competitive inhibitors of NOS. These compounds were time dependent inhibitors of inducible NOS (iNOS), but not of neuronal NOS (nNOS) or endothelial NOS (eNOS). Compound 3 was 10- to 100-fold more potent an inhibitor than 4, exhibited a 5-fold increase in nNOS/iNOS and eNOS/iNOS selectivity over 4, and displayed tight binding characteristics against iNOS. These results indicate that the relative configuration of the cyclopropyl ring in the L-arginine analogues significantly affects their inhibitory potential and NOS isoform selectivity.

Photo-control of nitric oxide synthase activity using a caged isoform specific inhibitor.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in a number of physiological processes and is produced in mammalian cells by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isozymes. Because of the diverse functions of NO, pharmaceutical interventions which seek to abrogate adverse effects of excess NOS activity must not interfere with the normal regulation of NO levels in the body. A method has been developed for the control of NOS enzyme activity using the localized photochemical release of a caged isoform-specific NOS inhibitor. The caged form of an iNOS inhibitor has been synthesized and tested for photosensitivity and potency. UV and multiphoton uncaging were verified using a hemoglobin-based assay. IC(50) values were determined for the inhibitor (70+/-11 nM), the caged inhibitor (1098+/-172 nM), the UV uncaged inhibitor (67+/-26 nM) and the multiphoton uncaged inhibitor (73+/-11 nM). UV irradiation of the caged inhibitor resulted in a 86% reduction in iNOS activity after 5 min. Multiphoton uncaging had an apparent first order time constant of 0.007+/-0.001 min(-1). A therapeutic range exists, with molar excess of inhibitor to enzyme from 3- to 7-fold, over which the full dynamic range of the inhibition can be exploited.