Atropisomerism Observed in Galactose-Based Monosaccharide Inhibitors of Galectin-3 Comprising 2-Methyl-4-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a carbohydrate binding protein that has been implicated in the development and progression of fibrotic diseases. Proof-of-principal animal models have demonstrated that inhibition of Gal-3 is a potentially viable pathway for the treatment of fibrosis─with small molecule Gal-3 inhibitors advanced into clinical trials. We hereby report the discovery of novel galactose-based monosaccharide Gal-3 inhibitors comprising 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (compound 20) and 4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole (compound 15). Notably, hindered rotation caused by steric interaction between the 3-thione and ortho-trifluoromethyl group of compounds 20, 21 induced formation of thermodynamically stable atropisomers. Distinct X-ray cocrystal structures of 20 and 21 were obtained, which clearly demonstrated that the configuration of 21 proscribes a key halogen bonding σ-hole interaction of 3-chloro with carbonyl oxygen of Gly182, thereby leading to significant loss in potency. Ultimately, 20 and 15 were evaluated in mouse pharmacokinetic studies, and both compounds exhibited oral exposures suitable for further in vivo assessment.

Identification of benzothiazole derived monosaccharides as potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitors of human and mouse galectin-3; a rare example of using a S···O binding interaction for drug design.

As a result of our continued efforts to pursue Gal-3 inhibitors that could be used to fully evaluate the potential of Gal-3 as a therapeutic target, two novel series of benzothiazole derived monosaccharides as potent (against both human and mouse Gal-3) and orally bioavailable Gal-3 inhibitors, represented by 4 and 5, respectively, were identified. These discoveries were made based on proposals that the benzothiazole sulfur atom could interact with the carbonyl oxygen of G182/G196 in h/mGal-3, and that the anomeric triazole moiety could be modified into an N-methyl carboxamide functionality. The interaction between the benzothiazole sulfur and the carbonyl oxygen of G196 in mGal-3 was confirmed by an X-ray co-crystal structure of early lead 9, providing a rare example of using a S···O binding interaction for drug design. It was found that for both the series, methylation of 3-OH in the monosaccharides caused no loss in h & mGal-3 potencies but significantly improved permeability of the molecules.

Identification of Monosaccharide Derivatives as Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Inhibitors of Human and Mouse Galectin-3.

Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a member of the ß-galactoside-binding protein family, is implicated in a wide variety of human diseases. Identification of Gal-3 inhibitors with the right combination of potency (against both human and mouse Gal-3) and pharmacokinetic properties to fully evaluate the potential of Gal-3 for therapeutic intervention has been a major challenge due to the characteristics of its binding pocket: high hydrophilicity and key structural differences between human Gal-3 and the mouse ortholog. We report the discovery of a novel series of monosaccharide-based, highly potent, and orally bioavailable inhibitors of human and mouse Gal-3. The novel monosaccharide derivatives proved to be selective for Gal-3, the only member of the chimeric type of galectins, over Gal-1 and Gal-9, representative of the prototype and tandem-repeat type of galectins, respectively. The proposed binding mode for the newly identified ligands was confirmed by an X-ray cocrystal structure of a representative analogue bound to Gal-3 protein.

Design, new synthesis, and calcilytic activity of substituted 3H-pyrimidin-4-ones.

Design, new synthesis, structure-activity relationship studies and calcium receptor antagonist (calcilytic) properties of novel 3H-pyrimidin-4-ones are described.

A general and efficient synthesis of sulfonylbenzotriazoles from N-chlorobenzotriazole and sulfinic acid salts.

One-pot reactions of sulfinic acid salts (produced from organometallic reagents with SO2) with N-chlorobenzotriazole gave the corresponding N-alkane-, N-arene-, and N-heteroenesulfonylbenzotriazoles 3a-j in 41-93% yields. Reagents 3a-j are efficient sulfonylating agents, reacting at 20-80 degrees C with various primary and secondary aliphatic amines to yield the corresponding sulfonamides in 64-100% yields.

1-(Alkyl/arylthiocarbamoyl)benzotriazoles as stable isothiocyanate equivalents: synthesis of Di- and trisubstituted thioureas.

1-(Alkyl/arylthiocarbamoyl)benzotriazoles 4a-i were synthesized in yields of 91-99% from bis(benzotriazolyl)methanethione (3). Reagents 4a-g were then used as isothiocyanate equivalents for the efficient synthesis of 10 secondary and 14 tertiary thioureas in high-yielding, convenient processes.

Efficient synthesis of enynecarbamates and their ring-closing metathesis/[4 + 2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition: synthesis of hexahydroisoquinolines.

Enynes 5a-g were prepared in moderate to good yields from 1-(triphenylphosphoranylideneaminoalkyl)benzotriazoles. Ring-closing metathesis of 5a-f afforded functionalized dienes 6a-f, respectively, which were used in a Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction in the synthesis of the corresponding hexahydroisoquinoline derivatives 7a-f.

Benzannulation of 3-substituted pyrroles to indoles.

In a new general indole synthesis, the anion derived from benzotriazolyl derivative 5b underwent regioselective 1,4-addition to various alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones; subsequent acid-catalyzed cyclization formed the corresponding indoles 1a-f.

One-pot synthesis of 2,4-benzodiazepin-1-ones using benzotriazole methodology.

2, 4-Benzodiazepin-1-ones were prepared in moderate to good yields by reaction of bis(benzotriazolylmethyl)amines with ortho-metalated N-substituted benzamides.

Easy access to N,N-bis(but-3-enyl)-, N-allyl-N-(but-3-enyl)-, and N-(but-3-ynyl)-N-(but-3-enyl)-amines.

N,N-Bis(but-3-enyl)amines 5a-i were prepared in overall 74% yield from 1-(triphenylphosphoroylideneaminoalkyl)benzotriazole using an aza-Wittig reaction with aldehydes followed by a double Grignard reaction with allylmagnesium bromide. Use of vinyl or 1-propynylmagnesium bromide and allylmagnesium bromide in a sequential fashion also formed the expected doubly unsaturated amines 9a,b and 12, respectively.