A sequential reaction of picolinamide with benzaldehydes promoted by Pd(TFA)2: rapid access to 4,5-disubstituted 2-(pyridin-2-yl)oxazoles in n-octane.

We developed a synthetic method for obtaining 4,5-disubstituted 2-(pyridin-2-yl)oxazoles from picolinamide and aldehydes by employing Pd(TFA)2 as the catalyst in n-octane. This cascade reaction involves the condensation of picolinamide and two aldehyde molecules promoted by trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) generated in situ from Pd(TFA)2. This one-pot protocol provides rapid access to synthetically valuable triaryloxazoles from readily available starting materials under mild conditions. An 18O labeling study revealed that this tandem reaction proceeded via a different reaction mechanism compared to the Robinson-Gabriel oxazole synthesis.

Dehydrative amination of benzhydrols with electron-withdrawing group-substituted 2-aminopyridines utilizing Au(III)/TPPMS catalyst system in water.

We report a method for gold(III)/sodium diphenylphosphinobenzene-3-sulfonate (TPPMS)-catalyzed direct amination of benzhydrols using 2-aminopyridines with poor nucleophilic character in water. Various functional groups such as electron-withdrawing nitro, cyano and halogen groups were tolerated well to form the desired N-benzylated 2-aminopyridine compounds. On the basis of mechanistic studies including kinetic profiles, Hammett study and isotope effects, we propose a pathway in which a Lewis acidic gold cation species activates the sp3 C-O bond of the alcohol in the rate-determining step.

Discovery of remogliflozin etabonate: A potent and highly selective SGLT2 inhibitor.

We optimized the structure of an active metabolite (1) of WAY-123783, which was obtained from mouse urine after oral administration, to improve selectivity for SGLT2 and oral bioavailability. O-glucoside derivative 24 (remogliflozin etabonate) was subsequently identified as a potent, highly selective, and orally available SGLT2 inhibitor.

Synthesis and chiroptical properties of cylindrical macrocycles comprising two calix[3]aramide moieties.

Calix[3]aramide-based cylindrical macrocycles were synthesized by the one-step amide coupling reaction of a monomer containing two meta-alkylaminobenzoic acid units linked by para-phenylene bridges. The major products included a meso-form and an enantiomeric pair, with stereochemistry derived from the direction of the amide bonds and their fixed conformation. Mirror-image ECD, VCD, and CPL spectra were observed in the enantiomeric pair and the absolute structure was determined by comparing measured and calculated ECD and VCD spectra.

Gold(III)-Catalyzed Decarboxylative C3-Benzylation of Indole-3-carboxylic Acids with Benzylic Alcohols in Water.

A strategy for the gold(III)-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reaction of indole-3-carboxylic acids with benzylic alcohols has been developed. This cascade reaction is devised as a straightforward and efficient synthetic route for 3-benzylindoles in moderate to excellent yields (50-93%). A Hammett study of the protodecarboxylation gives a negative ρ value, suggesting that there is a buildup of positive charge on the indole ring in the transition state. Furthermore, comparison of initial rates in H2O and in D2O reveals an observed kinetic solvent isotope effect (KSIE = 2.7). This simple protocol, which affords the desired products with CO2 and water as the coproducts, can be achieved under mild conditions without the need for base or other additives in water.

A phenotypic drug discovery study on thienodiazepine derivatives as inhibitors of T cell proliferation induced by CD28 co-stimulation leads to the discovery of a first bromodomain inhibitor.

A phenotypic screening of thienodiazepines derived from a hit compound found through a binding assay targeting co-stimulatory molecules on T cells and antigen presenting cells successfully led to the discovery of a thienotriazolodiazepine compound (7f) possessing potent immunosuppressive activity. A chemical biology approach has succeeded in revealing that 7f is a first inhibitor of epigenetic bromodomain-containing proteins. 7f is expected to become an anti-cancer agent as well as an immunosuppressive agent.

Cationic palladium(ii)-catalyzed dehydrative nucleophilic substitutions of benzhydryl alcohols with electron-deficient benzenethiols in water.

An efficient direct nucleophilic substitution of benzhydryl alcohols with electron-deficient benzenethiols using cationic Pd(ii) catalysts as Lewis acids in water is reported. Atom economical and environmentally benign protocols afford S-benzylated products in moderate to excellent yields. Commercially available Pd(MeCN)4(OTf)2, PdCl2(MeCN)2, and Na2PdCl4 are highly efficient catalysts. Notably, this simple protocol can be achieved without any other additives such as acids, bases, or external ligands. A Hammett study on the rate constants of S-benzylation by using various substituted benzhydryl alcohols yielded negative ρ values, suggesting that there is a build-up of positive charge in the transition state.

Direct substitution of benzylic alcohols with electron-deficient benzenethiols viaπ-benzylpalladium(ii) in water.

An efficient and environmentally benign method for the direct nucleophilic substitution of benzylic alcohols with electron-deficient benzenethiols in water is developed. π-Benzylpalladium(ii) cation complexes show high catalytic activity for S-benzylation, which provides a mechanistic alternative to the borrowing hydrogen methodology. Hammett studies on the rate constants of S-benzylation by various substituted alcohols show good correlation between log(kX/kH) and the σ value of the respective substituents. From the slope, negative ρ values are obtained, suggesting that there is a build-up of positive charge in the transition state. Water plays an important role in the catalytic system for sp(3) C-O bond activation and stabilization of the activated Pd(ii) cation species.

Mercaptobenzoic acid-palladium(0) complexes as active catalysts for S-benzylation with benzylic alcohols via (η(3)-benzyl)palladium(II) cations in water.

Mercaptobenzoic acid-palladium(0) complexes show high catalytic activity for S-benzylation with benzylic alcohols via the (η(3)-benzyl)palladium(II) cation in water. Notably, these palladium(0) complexes could play an important role in formation of active (η(3)-benzyl)palladium(II) cation complexes followed by S-benzylation. Hammett studies on the rate constants of S-benzylation by various substituted alcohols show good correlation between log(kX/kH) and the σ(+) value of the respective substituents. From the slope, negative ρ values are obtained, suggesting that there is a build-up of positive charge in the transition state. Water plays an important role in the catalytic system for sp(3) C-O bond activation and stabilization of the activated Pd(II) cation species. The catalytic system can be performed using only 2.5 mol% Pd2(dba)3 without the phosphine ligand or other additives.

Enantioselective desymmetrization of FTY720.

A method for enantioselective desymmetrization of N-Ac and N-Boc-FTY720 by nonenzymatic asymmetric acylation was developed. Effective enantioselective monobenzoylation using benzoyl chloride in the presence of the tetraphenylbisoxazoline (L2)-CuCl2 complex gave the desired products 3a and 3b in 52-62% yield with 64% ee.

Spectroscopic investigation for the interaction of mycophenolate mofetil with ferrous ions.

The interaction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with ferrous ions (Fe(2+)) in the solid state, in water, and in polar organic solvents was investigated using (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible (Vis) spectroscopies. A red-purple colored substance was formed after grinding solid MMF and FeSO4·7H2O in a mortar. The IR spectrum of taken as a KBr tablet of the colored substance showed a new absorption band at 1651 cm(-1). Although the color disappeared when the sample was dissolved in water, it persisted in organic solvents such as MeOH or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The UV-Vis spectrum of a 0.25 mM MeOH solution of MMF showed a new absorption maximum at 507 nm in the presence of Fe(2+) ions, while an aqueous solution of the same mixture showed no significant change from the MMF solution. All the signals in the (13)C-NMR spectrum in DMSO-d6 solution were unambiguously assigned. Upon the addition of 0.5 eq. of Fe(2+) ions, all the carbon signals except those of the 2-morpholinoethyl group almost disappeared, which clearly indicated that the Fe(2+) ions were located far away from the 2-morpholinoethyl groups in the MMF molecules. On the basis of these results, we have concluded that the MMF-Fe(2+) complex is actually formed in the solid state as well as in polar organic solvents such as MeOH or DMSO.

Au(III)/TPPMS-catalyzed benzylation of indoles with benzylic alcohols in water.

A novel and efficient method for the Au(III)/TPPMS-catalyzed direct substitution reaction of benzhydryl and benzylic alcohols with indoles in water is developed. Au(III)/TPPMS is an effective catalyst for the benzylation of the strong π nucleophile 1-methylindole, while common Brønsted or Lewis acids are ineffective.

Chemoselective benzylation of unprotected anthranilic acids with benzhydryl alcohols by water-soluble Au(III)/TPPMS in water.

A novel and efficient method for the benzylation of unprotected anthranilic acids with benzhydryl alcohols using water-soluble Au(III)/TPPMS in water is developed. Water plays an important role in our catalytic system. This new protocol could be used for not only N-benzylation, but also chemoselective C-benzylation by the Friedel-Crafts reaction.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel tryptoline derivatives as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitors.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) plays a significant role in several disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, age-related cataracts and tumors. A series of novel tryptoline derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against IDO. Substituted tryptoline derivatives (11a, 11c, 11e, 12b and 12c) were demonstrated to be more potent than known inhibitor MTH-Trp. Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of 11a-d with phenylboronic acid proceeded in high yields. In most cases, C5 and C6 substitutions on the corresponding indole ring were well tolerated. The tryptoline derivative 11c is a promising chemical lead for the discovery of novel IDO inhibitors.

Synthesis of VIP-lipopeptide using a new linker to modify liposomes: towards the development of a drug delivery system for active targeting.

A new component for the solid phase peptide synthesis of lipopeptide, 2-[(4R,5R)-5-({[(9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy]carbonylaminomethyl}-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methoxy]acetic acid (2), was designed and synthesized from (-)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-threitol (3) in 4 steps. The key step was the selective alkylation of 3 with benzyl bromoacetate in the presence of Cs2CO3. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-lipopeptide (1) incorporating this linker was synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis.

Pd-catalyzed benzylic C-H amidation with benzyl alcohols in water: a strategy to construct quinazolinones.

A novel method for the synthesis of 4-phenylquinazolinones via a palladium-catalyzed domino reaction of o-aminobenzamides with benzyl alcohols is developed. This protocol involves N-benzylation, benzylic C-H amidation, and dehydrogenation in water, which may play an important role in the smooth generation of the (η(3)-benzyl)palladium species by activation of the hydroxyl group of the benzyl alcohol.

Palladium-catalyzed S-benzylation of unprotected mercaptobenzoic acid with benzyl alcohols in water.

Palladium-catalyzed S-benzylation of unprotected mercaptobenzoic acids with benzyl alcohols gave only S-benzylated mercaptobenzoic acids in good yields. Water may play an important role for the smooth generation of the (η(3)-benzyl)palladium species by activation of the hydroxyl group of the benzyl alcohol.

Synthesis of a key intermediate for the preparation of FTY720 analogs.

A concise synthesis of a useful intermediate 10 for the preparation of fingolimod (FTY-720) analogs was achieved by utilizing a chemoselective Sonogashira reaction of trihalobenzene 12 with alkyne 13. The reaction proceeded with high selectivity to give alkyne 11 containing the dihalobenzene moiety in good yield. Compound 11 was converted into intermediate 10 by hydrogenation without reduction of the halogen atoms.

Palladium-catalyzed mono-N-allylation of unprotected anthranilic acids with allylic alcohols in aqueous media.

Palladium-catalyzed N-allylation of anthranilic acids 1a-j with allyl alcohol 2a in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2), sodium diphenylphosphinobenzene-3-sulfonate (TPPMS) in THF-H(2)O at room temperature gave only mono-N-allylated anthranilic acids 3a-j in good yields (70-98%). The reactions of 4-bromoanthranilic acid 1i with 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol 2b showed complete chemoselectivity in N-allylation (neutral conditions) and C-vinylation (basic conditions). In our catalytic system, the keys to success are use of an unprotected anthranilic acid as a starting material and the presence of water in the reaction medium. The carboxyl group of anthranilic acid and water may play important roles for the smooth generation of the π-allyl palladium species by activation of the hydroxyl group of the allylic alcohol.

Palladium-catalyzed mono-N-allylation of unprotected amino acids with 1,1-dimethylallyl alcohol in water.

Palladium-catalyzed N-allylation of unprotected amino acids with 1,1-dimethylallyl alcohol were carried out. The reaction in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2) (5 mol%), sodium diphenylphosphinobenzene-3-sulfonate (TPPMS, 10 mol%), and AcONa (2 equiv) in water at 120 °C for 16 h in a sealed tube gave only mono-N-allylated amino acids in good yield.