Across-the-World Automated Optimization and Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Agents Operating Through a Cloud-Based Server.

The power of the Cloud has been harnessed for pharmaceutical compound production with remote servers based in Tokyo, Japan being left to autonomously find optimal synthesis conditions for three active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in laboratories in Cambridge, UK. A researcher located in Los Angeles, USA controlled the entire process via an internet connection. The constituent synthetic steps for Tramadol, Lidocaine, and Bupropion were thus optimized with minimal intervention from operators within hours, yielding conditions satisfying customizable evaluation functions for all examples.

Pharmaceutical-Oriented Selective Synthesis of Mononitriles and Dinitriles Directly from Methyl(hetero)arenes: Access to Chiral Nitriles and Citalopram.

A pharmaceutical-oriented, transition-metal-free, cyanide-free one-step direct transformation of methylarenes to aryl nitriles is described. For the dimethylarenes, the selectivity can be well-controlled to form mononitriles or dinitriles. Enantioenriched nitriles can also be synthesized by this method. As a pharmaceutically practical method, the antidepressant drug citalopram was synthesized from cheap and commercially abundant m-xylene on a gram scale in high yield, avoiding transition-metal residues and toxic cyanides.

Synthesis and activity of newly designed aroxyalkyl or aroxyethoxyethyl derivatives of piperazine on the cardiovascular and the central nervous systems.

In the search for new hypotensive agents some new aroxyalkyl or aroxyethoxyethyl derivatives of piperazine have been synthesized and evaluated for their pharmacological properties. Pharmacological tests included receptor binding assays toward adrenergic receptors α1, α2 and ß1, additionally 5-HT1A, functional bioassay and in vivo evaluation of hypotensive activity as well as antidepressant-like potential. All the tested compounds exhibited α1-antagonistic properties, three of them possessed also hypotensive activity in rats. The most promising compound 3 1-[4-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)butyl]-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine hydrochloride was a selective α1 receptor antagonist (Ki=23.5±1.3, α1/α2=15.77, pKB=8.538±0.109). It was active in all tested doses in vivo (1, 0.5, and 0.1mg/kg) and it reduced blood pressure by 10-13% at the dose of 1mg/kg (rats, i.v.). Compound 5 1-[2-(2,3-dimethylphenoxy)ethoxyethyl]-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine dihydrochloride exhibited the lowest dose for antidepressant-like activity 5mg/kgb.w. (mice, i.p.) without influence on spontaneous activity (mice, i.p.).

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled hydroxybupropion.

This paper describes the synthesis of deuterium-labeled hydroxybupropion. Mass spectrometry analysis of the compound revealed over 98% deuterium enrichment.

Enantioselective synthesis of beta-amino esters and its application to the synthesis of the enantiomers of the antidepressant Venlafaxine.

Beta-amino esters are readily formed from the rhodium(II) prolinate-catalyzed intermolecular C-H insertion between methyl aryldiazoacetates and a bis-silyl protected methylamine.

Duloxetine Eli Lilly & Co.

Lilly is developing duloxetine, a 5-HT and norepinephrine uptake inhibitor as a potential treatment for depression and urinary incontinence. In Japan, it is being jointly developed with Shionogi [187401]. Phase III trials for depression and phase II trials for urinary incontinence are underway in Japan [296442,328887]. Lilly expects to file for depression in 2002 and phase III trials for urinary incontinence are planned to start enrollment by the end of 2000 [358429,370526,373870]. Duloxetine has a half-life of 10 to 15 h in humans, and parameters reach a steady-state after 3 days of daily administration. In a 6-week, open-label study duloxetine was safe and well tolerated in 79 clinically depressed patients. Clinical response occurred in 78% of patients, and remission occurred in 60%. Insomnia and nausea occurred with an incidence of 20% [300881]. Duloxetine may offer advantages over existing antidepressants, such as Lilly's fluoxetine, because of faster recovery and fewer side effects [190226]. In June 2000, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter predicted duloxetine would reach the market in 2002 with annual sales in this year of US $50 million, rising to $200 million in 2005 [373870]. In February 1999, Deutsche Bank predicted Lilly's sales at US $200 million in 2002 rising to $400 million in 2003 [316821]. In May 2000, Deutsche Bank had made further predictions, stating that filing for duloxetine is expected in the fourth quarter of 2001, and peak sales are expected to exceed US $500 million. Also in February 1999, Lehman Brothers predicted the first major launch date (US and ex-US) to be 2002, with the year of peak sales to be 2008 [319225]. In August 1999, this prediction changed, and the expected launch date became 2001, with an 80% probability of reaching the market and sales peaking at US $150 million in 2012 [349228].

Efficient enantioselective synthesis of sertraline, a potent antidepressant, via a novel intramolecular nucleophilic addition to imine.

[formula: see text] An efficient enantioselective synthesis of sertraline, an antidepressant, utilizing anionic imine ring closure is described.

A new alternative synthesis of 5-cyanophthalide, a versatile intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug citalopram.

An alternative versatile synthesis of 5-cyanophthalide, a key synthetic intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug Citalopram, is presented. The synthesis reported here allows the preparation of this important intermediate in three steps, avoiding the manipulation of environmentally detrimental cyanides.

Analysis of venlafaxine by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Capillary electrophoresis has been used for the separation of venlafaxine and two of its impurities deriving from the synthesis process. The electrophoretic experiments were performed using background electrolytes at different pHs in the 2.5-9.2 range in order to study the effective mobilities and resolution of the three examined compounds. The optimum experimental conditions for the baseline resolution of the three analytes was found at pH 6.5. Very good repeatability for both migration time and corrected peak areas was achieved. The calibration curve was studied for venlafaxine (concentration range 26-224 micrograms/mL), and the plot of the peak area ratio (sample/internal standard [IS]) versus venlafaxine concentration was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991. The effect of different cyclodextrins (CDs), namely, gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD), hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (HP-beta-CD), and alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD), on effective mobility and enantiomeric resolution (R) of venlafaxine (Wy45030) and its impurities (imp1 and imp2) was studied at different pHs, and the best results were obtained at pH 9.2. Venlafaxine was baseline resolved in its enantiomers using gamma-CD or HP-beta-CD, while imp1 (Wy45494) was baseline resolved using alpha-CD.

Synthesis of new derivatives of 1,2,3,4,7-pentamethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene-5,6-dicarboximide with an expected anxiolytic activity.

The preparation of a number of derivatives of 1,2,3,4,7-pentamethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene-5,6-dicarboximide with potential anxiolytic activity has been described. The aim of our study was to obtain new analogues of tandospirone, that is derivatives of cyclic imides [1].

New 3-[4-(3-substituted phenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-(benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)propanol derivatives with dual action at 5-HT1A serotonin receptors and serotonin transporter as a new class of antidepressants.

In this paper a series of new 3-[4-(3-substituted phenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-(benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)propanol derivatives is presented as a new class of antidepressant drugs with dual activity at 5-HT1A serotonin receptors and serotonin transporter. The 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HT transporter binding affinities of hydroxylic compounds 4 a-e have been determined. The new compounds present nanomolar affinity for both activities, and 1-(benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-3-[4-(3-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]propan-1-ol (4d) shows values (nM) of Ki = 86 for 5-HT1A receptors and Ki = 76 for the serotonin transporter, respectively.

New 3-[4-(2,3-dihydro-14-benzodioxin-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]-1-(5-substituted benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)propanol derivatives with dual action at 5-HT(1A) serotonin receptors and serotonin transporter as a new class of antidepressants.

Compounds derived from 2,3-dihydro-(1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)piperazine and benzo[b]thiophene with different substituents in 5 position (H, F, NO2, NH2, CH3 and OH) have been synthesized in order to obtain new dual antidepressant drugs. The final compounds were evaluated for in vitro 5-HT(1A) receptor affinity and serotonin reuptake inhibition by radioligand assays. Compounds 1-(5-nitrobenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-3-[4-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]propan-1-ol (4c) (Ki = 6.8 for 5-HT(1A) receptor and Ki = 14 for 5-HT transporter) and 1-(5-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-3-[4-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl] propan-1-ol (4f) (Ki = 6.2 for 5-HT(1A) receptor and Ki = 18.2 for 5-HT transporter) showed the best results for both activities.

[An improved novel method of venlafaxine synthesis].

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize venlafaxine with an improved novel method. METHODS: p-methoxypheny lethyl-acid was reacted with SOCl(2) to produce acyl chloride which was reacted with N,N-dimethylamine solution to get amide; then through Ivanov reaction and reduction by KBH(4)/BF(3).Et(2)O to yield venlafaxine. RESULT: Venlafaxine was successfully synthesized by using this method with an yield rate of 50.3%. CONCLUSION: The improved method is suitable for industrial production of venlafaxine.

Convenient synthesis of substituted piperidinones from alpha,beta-unsaturated amides: formal synthesis of deplancheine, tacamonine, and paroxetine.

[reaction: see text] An intermolecular aza-double Michael reaction leading to functionalized piperidin-2-ones from simple starting materials has been developed. The method allows alpha,beta-unsaturated amides to be used as a synthon of the piperidine nucleus. In addition, the utility of this methodology is demonstrated by its application to a formal synthesis of the indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidine alkaloids, (+/-)-deplancheine, (+/-)-tacamonine, and the antidepressant paroxetine.

Synthesis of enantiopure trans-3,4-disubstituted piperidines. An enantiodivergent synthesis of (+)- and (-)-paroxetine.

Reaction of (R)-phenylglycinol with methyl 5-oxopentanoate gave either bicyclic lactam cis-1 (the kinetic product) or its isomer trans-1 (under equilibrating conditions) as the major products, which were converted to the corresponding (cis or trans) unsaturated lactams 4 and 5. On treatment with lithium alkyl (or aryl) cyanocuprates, these chiral building blocks undergo conjugate addition to give enantiopure trans-3,4-substituted 2-piperidone derivatives in high yield and stereoselectivity. The synthetic potential of this transformation is illustrated by the synthesis of (+)-femoxetine and the two enantiomers of the known antidepressant paroxetine.

Advances toward new antidepressants beyond SSRIs: 1-aryloxy-3-piperidinylpropan-2-ols with dual 5-HT1A receptor antagonism/SSRI activities. Part 4.

A series of 1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(4-arylpiperidinyl)propan-2-ols possessing potent dual 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonism and serotonin reuptake inhibition was discovered. The fused aryl ring moiety contributed to the robust dual activities irrespective of the regiochemistry associated with its connectivity to the piperidine central ring.

alpha(1)-Adrenoceptor antagonists. Rational design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new trazodone-like compounds.

A rational design approach has been applied to synthesize a novel class of compounds with affinity for alpha(1) adrenergic receptors (AR). Molecular structures are characterized by a benzimidazolylpyridazinone or an imidazolylpyridazinone moiety, an original fragment in the field of the arylpiperazine compounds with alpha(1)-AR blocking properties. A 1.1 nM affinity toward alpha(1)-AR was found for compound 3, the most active of this series.

Advances toward new antidepressants beyond SSRIs: 1-aryloxy-3-piperidinylpropan-2-ols with dual 5-HT1A receptor antagonism/SSRI activities. Part 1.

A series of 1-aryloxy-3-piperidinylpropan-2-ols possessing potent dual 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonism and serotonin reuptake inhibition was discovered. 1-(1H-Indol-4-yloxy)-3-(4-benzo[b]thiophen-2-ylpiperidinyl)propan-2-ols exhibited selective and high affinity at the 5-HT(1A) receptor and serotonin reuptake inhibition at nanomolar concentrations for dual activities.

Studies toward the discovery of the next generation of antidepressants. Part 2: incorporating a 5-HT(1A) antagonist component into a class of serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

The design and synthesis of a novel series of indole derivatives (9) having dual 5-HT transporter reuptake and 5-HT(1A) antagonist activity are described.

Dual NK(1) antagonists--serotonin reuptake inhibitors as potential antidepressants. Part 2: SAR and activity of benzyloxyphenethyl piperazine derivatives.

The synthesis, structure-affinity relationship and activity of benzyloxyphenethyl piperazine derivatives combining NK(1) antagonism and serotonin reuptake inhibition is described. Compound 7u was shown to be active in animal models of 5-HT reuptake inhibition and central NK(1) receptor blockade, and was demonstrated to be orally active in an integrated model sensitive to both mechanisms. This class of compounds potentially represents a new generation of antidepressants.