Atroposelective Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Photocyclization to Access Chiral N-Aryl Quinolones with Low Rotational Barriers.

Herein, a novel route to atropisomeric N-aryl quinolones with low rotational barriers is demonstrated, leveraging a dual photochemical/organocatalytic approach to the required ring closure in up to 94% yield and up to >99% ee. The use of a continuous flow system allows for impurity suppression and enables rapid scale-up to a decagram scale.

Molecular Complexity as a Driver for Chemical Process Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

A Perspective of our work in the development of innovative synthetic methods within the discipline of Process Research and Development is presented. Through an overview of some of the programs that we have worked on during the past decade, we have selected cases studies to illustrate the challenges faced in development of robust chemical processes for molecules on a multi-kilogram scale. The examples have been selected to demonstrate the innovative chemistry being developed within our laboratories with a focus on fragment design, asymmetric synthesis, new synthetic reagents, and the methods that have allowed us to deliver cost-effective syntheses under reduced timelines in an increasingly competitive environment. The technical challenges are presented in the context of molecule complexity that while increasing in the portfolio of small molecules being developed inspires us to deliver new solutions. Overall, our goal is to highlight the exciting work that can be done within our field to support the discovery and delivery of medicines to patients.

Separation and quantitation of eight isomers in a molecule with three stereogenic centers by normal phase liquid chromatography.

A normal phase liquid chromatography method was developed for the separation and detection of eight stereoisomers of the key intermediate, CORE + OMe, having three chiral centers. The stereochemistry of this intermediate dictates the stereochemistry of the active pharmaceutical ingredient generated by an additional six synthetic steps. Multiple columns and mobile phases were screened during the development based on a platform approach. The use of dichloromethane as mobile phase additive and adjustment of flow rate and column temperature contributed in achieving resolution of these eight stereoisomers. The separation and detection of these stereoisomers was achieved using a Chiralcel OD-H, 4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm dp column with heptane: ethanol: dichloromethane in a ratio of 95:3:2 (v:v:v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. UV detection was carried out at 245 nm and the column temperature was maintained at 15 °C. The analytical method was phase appropriately validated. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.035 and 0.07 µg, respectively. The newly developed method has been implemented for routine utilization to monitor the chiral control during process development and used as the quality control method for chiral purity of the desired compound.

Isolation and structure elucidation of unexpected in-process impurities during tetrazole ring formation of an investigational drug substance.

During the formation of a tetrazole ring on an investigational drug, two in-process impurities were detected and analyzed by LC-MS, which suggested that both impurities were drug-related with the same mass-to-charge ratio. To understand and control their formation, both impurities were isolated from the mother liquor of the reaction using a multi-step isolation procedure to obtain a sufficient amount for high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and NMR structural analysis. HRMS suggested a protonated mass of 577.32 Da for both impurities; however, MS fragmentation patterns provided limited information on their structures. NMR analysis indicated the presence on an additional NH functional group in both isolates with similar spatial and bond correlations to one of the dimethylcarbamoyl moieties and the corresponding aromatic ring. A phenyldimethylcarbamoylamino moiety was supported by the NMR and HRMS data and could be explained based on the 'Schmidt-like' reaction mechanism, which was an unexpected reaction pathway. Because the reaction conditions were fixed because of safety concerns, the crystallization protocol was redesigned to reduce the levels of these impurities significantly. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Oxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines as Covalent L858R/T790M Mutant Selective Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitors.

In nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the threonine(790)-methionine(790) (T790M) point mutation of EGFR kinase is one of the leading causes of acquired resistance to the first generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib. Herein, we describe the optimization of a series of 7-oxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinyl-derived irreversible inhibitors of EGFR kinase. This led to the discovery of compound 24 which potently inhibits gefitinib-resistant EGFR(L858R,T790M) with 100-fold selectivity over wild-type EGFR. Compound 24 displays strong antiproliferative activity against the H1975 nonsmall cell lung cancer cell line, the first line mutant HCC827 cell line, and promising antitumor activity in an EGFR(L858R,T790M) driven H1975 xenograft model sparing the side effects associated with the inhibition of wild-type EGFR.

Highly Regioselective Halogenation of Pyridine N-Oxide: Practical Access to 2-Halo-Substituted Pyridines.

A highly efficient and regioselective halogenation reaction of unsymmetrical pyridine N-oxide under mild conditions is described. The methodology provides a practical access to various 2-halo-substituted pyridines, which are pharmaceutically important intermediates.

Direct reductive amination of aldehyde bisulfite adducts induced by 2-picoline borane: application to the synthesis of a DPP-IV inhibitor.

Aldehyde-bisulfite adducts dervied from unstable parent aldehydes were reductively alkylated in a direct fashion with a variety of amines. This approach features the use of 2-picoline borane as the reducing agent and a protic solvent for the reaction media and has been successfully applied to the synthesis of a DPP-IV inhibitor and a variety of other amines.

An efficient, regioselective amination of 3,5-disubstituted pyridine N-oxides using saccharin as an ammonium surrogate.

A process for the regioselective amination of unsymmetrical 3,5-substituted pyridine N-oxides has been developed utilizing cheap, readily available saccharin as an ammonium surrogate. High conversions of the corresponding saccharin adducts have been achieved under mild reaction conditions. In situ deprotection under acidic conditions allows for a one-pot process to substituted aminopyridines. High regioselectivities were obtained from a variety of 3,5-disubstituted pyridine N-oxides.

Stereoselective synthesis of a MCHr1 antagonist.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is implicated in the feeding behavior in mammals affording a potential target to control overeating in people. Compound 1 (AMG 076) has been identified as a potent MCHr1 antagonist for the treatment of obesity. A synthesis suitable for the large-scale preparation of this lead candidate was developed to support preclinical studies. A Robinson annulation of benzylpiperidone and resolution of the desired enone from a mixture of the diastereomers afforded key intermediate 6 after a stereoselective hydrogenation. Subsequent Fischer indole synthesis with hydrazine 5 then provided the advanced intermediate, indole 2. Two complementary reductive amination strategies employing either aldehyde 3 or lactol 4 led to the synthesis of title compound 1.

Highly selective rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition reactions of 4-oxobutenamides.

A variety of 4-oxobutenamides 1 were subjected to rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition with arylboronic acids providing high regio- and enantioselectivity (97:3 to >99:1, >96% ee) and moderate to excellent yields (54-99%). The key to high selectivity is the use of sterically demanding P-chiral diphosphines, such as Tangphos or Duanphos. The product oxobutanamides 2 may be converted to alternate targets by selective derivatization of either the amide or ketone functional group. A stereochemical model predicting the absolute sense of induction was developed based on single-crystal X-ray structures of product and precatalyst.

Lead optimization of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) inhibitors containing sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids.

A series of aryl sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids were identified as potent inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2). Small alkyl groups and 3-furyl were tolerated at the 5-position of anthranilic acid, while -OCH(3), CH(3), and Cl were found optimal for the 6-position. Placement of 2-aminoethoxy group at the 6-position enabled interaction with the second Mn(2+) but did not result in enhancement in potency. Introduction of a tertiary amino moiety at the ortho-position of the sulfonyl phenyl ring gave reduced protein binding and improved cellular activity, but led to lower oral bioavailability.

Reversal of diastereofacial selectivity in hydride reductions of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines.

A variety of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines were reduced with NaBH4 in THF containing 2% water to provide the corresponding secondary sulfinamides in high yield and diastereoselectivity. By using the same sulfinyl imine starting materials and changing the reductant to L-Selectride, the stereoselectivity could be efficiently reversed to afford the opposite product diastereomer in high yield and selectivity.

Discovery and optimization of anthranilic acid sulfonamides as inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2: a structural basis for the reduction of albumin binding.

Methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) is a novel target for cancer therapy. As part of an effort to discover orally active reversible inhibitors of MetAP2, a series of anthranilic acid sulfonamides with micromolar affinities for human MetAP2 were identified using affinity selection by mass spectrometry (ASMS) screening. These micromolar hits were rapidly improved to nanomolar leads on the basis of insights from protein crystallography; however, the compounds displayed extensive binding to human serum albumin and had limited activity in cellular assays. Modifications based on structural information on the binding of lead compounds to both MetAP2 and domain III of albumin allowed the identification of compounds with significant improvements in both parameters, which showed good cellular activity in both proliferation and methionine processing assays.

Development of sulfonamide compounds as potent methionine aminopeptidase type II inhibitors with antiproliferative properties.

We have screened molecules for inhibition of MetAP2 as a novel approach toward antiangiogenesis and anticancer therapy using affinity selection/mass spectrometry (ASMS) employing MetAP2 loaded with Mn(2+) as the active site metal. After a series of anthranilic acid sulfonamides with micromolar affinities was identified, chemistry efforts were initiated. The micromolar hits were quickly improved to potent nanomolar inhibitors by chemical modifications guided by insights from X-ray crystallography.

Application of chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands to enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation processes.

Chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands 1-3 have been shown to be effective in enantioselective Rh-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation reactions (eqs 1, 2). After assaying the influence of the substituents at sulfur, the substituents on the ligand backbone, the relative stereochemistry within the ligand backbone, and the substituents at phosphorus, ligands 2c (R = 3,5-dimethylphenyl) and 3 were found to be optimal in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of a variety of alpha-acylaminoacrylates in high enantioselectivity (89-97% ee). A similar optimization of the catalyst for the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones showed that ligand 3 afforded the highest enantioselectivities for a wide variety of aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones (up to 99% ee). A model for asymmetric induction in the hydrogenation reaction is discussed in the context of existing models, based on the absolute stereochemistry of the products and the X-ray crystal structures of catalyst precursors and intermediates.

Magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones.

[reaction: see text] Diastereoselective direct aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones occur in high yield with preference for the illustrated anti diastereomer. This reaction is catalyzed by 10% MgBr2.OEt2 in the presence of triethylamine and chlorotrimethylsilane. Yields range from 56 to 93% with diastereoselectivity up to 19:1 for a variety of N-acylthiazolidinethiones and unsaturated aldehydes.

Diastereoselective magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acyloxazolidinones.

A chiral auxilliary-based direct aldol reaction is reported. The reactions are catalytic in magnesium salts and are facilitated by silylation with chlorotrimethylsilane. The adducts isolated are in high diastereoselectivity (up to 32:1 dr) and favor the anti-aldol diastereomer B. Reactions are operationally simple and can be run under ambient atmosphere without rigorous exclusion of water. Many of the adducts are highly crystalline and a single diastereomer can be isolated without chromatography.

Enantioselective Syntheses of 2-Deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone and 2-Deoxyribono-1,4-lactone from 1,3-Dioxan-5-yl Diazoacetates.

1,3-Dioxan-5-yl diazoacetates are valuable substrates for highly diastereoselective and enantioselective carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions. trans-2-(tert-Butyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate is a direct precursor to 2-deoxyribono-1,4-lactone in up to 81% ee, whereas cis-2-(tert-butyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate yields only the protected 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone in up to 96% ee. However, trans-2-aryl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate (aryl = phenyl or 2-naphthyl) forms the precursor to 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone in up to 95% ee but with the mirror image configuration of that produced from the trans-2-(tert-butyl) analogue. The catalysts that are most suitable for these carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions are chiral dirhodium(II) carboxamidates. 1,3-Dialkoxy-2-propyl diazoacetates give mainly 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone derivatives (>90:10) with generally high enantiocontrol, but replacement of hydrogen at the 2-position of these 2-propyl diazoacetates led to a mixture of products.