Mechanism and Origins of Site-Selectivity of Template-Directed C-H Insertion of Quinolines.

The template-directed C-H insertion of α,ß-unsaturated esters into quinoline was interrogated by using computational quantum chemistry. An energetically viable mechanism for this complex multistep transformation was elucidated, with attention paid throughout to conformational flexibility and alternative ligand binding modes. The selectivity was found to correlate with distortion from a tetrahedral geometry for the carbon atom involved in C-H insertion, a parameter that can be applied to future template design.

Cyclodextrin Reduces Intravenous Toxicity of a Model Compound.

Solubilization of new chemical entities for toxicity assessment must use excipients that do not negatively impact drug pharmacokinetics and toxicology. In this study, we investigated the tolerability of a model freebase compound, GDC-0152, solubilized by pH adjustment with succinic acid and complexation with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) to enable intravenous use. Solubility, critical micelle concentration, and association constant with HP-ß-CD were determined. Blood compatibility and potential for hemolysis were assessed in vitro. Local tolerability was assessed after intravenous and subcutaneous injections in rats. A pharmacokinetic study was conducted in rats after intravenous bolus administration. GDC-0152 exhibited pH-dependent solubility that was influenced by self-association. The presence of succinic acid increased solubility in a concentration-dependent manner. HP-ß-CD alone also increased solubility, but the extent of solubility enhancement was significantly lower than succinic acid alone. Inclusion of HP-ß-CD in the solution of GDC-0152 improved blood compatibility, reduced hemolytic potential by ∼20-fold in vitro, and increased the maximum tolerated dose to 80 mg/kg.

Tetrahydroxydiboron-Mediated Palladium-Catalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation and Deuteriation of Alkenes and Alkynes Using Water as the Stoichiometric H or D Atom Donor.

There are few examples of catalytic transfer hydrogenations of simple alkenes and alkynes that use water as a stoichiometric H or D atom donor. We have found that diboron reagents efficiently mediate the transfer of H or D atoms from water directly onto unsaturated C-C bonds using a palladium catalyst. This reaction is conducted on a broad variety of alkenes and alkynes at ambient temperature, and boric acid is the sole byproduct. Mechanistic experiments suggest that this reaction is made possible by a hydrogen atom transfer from water that generates a Pd-hydride intermediate. Importantly, complete deuterium incorporation from stoichiometric D2O has also been achieved.