Synthesis and Chemoinformatic Analysis of Fluorinated Piperidines as 3D Fragments for Fragment-Based Drug Discovery.

The concise synthesis of a small library of fluorinated piperidines from readily available dihydropyridinone derivatives has been described. The effect of the fluorination on different positions has then been evaluated by chemoinformatic tools. In particular, the compounds' pKa's have been calculated, revealing that the fluorine atoms notably lowered their basicity, which is correlated to the affinity for hERG channels resulting in cardiac toxicity. The "lead-likeness" and three-dimensionality have also been evaluated to assess their ability as useful fragments for drug design. A random screening on a panel of representative proteolytic enzymes was then carried out and revealed that one scaffold is recognized by the catalytic pocket of 3CLPro (main protease of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus).

Accessing spiropiperidines from dihydropyridones through tandem triflation-allylation and ring-closing metathesis (RCM).

A novel approach to build 2-spiropiperidine moieties starting from dihydropyridones was developed. The triflic anhydride-promoted conjugate addition of allyltributylstannane onto dihydropyridones allowed for the formation of gem bis-alkenyl intermediates that were converted to the corresponding spirocarbocycles with excellent yields via ring closing metathesis. The vinyl triflate group generated on these 2-spiro-dihydropyridine intermediates could be successfully used as a chemical expansion vector for further transformations namely Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Circularly polarized luminescence in the one-dimensional assembly of binaphtyl-based Yb(iii) single-molecule magnets.

Lanthanide ions have attracted great interest owing to their optical and magnetic properties. Single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior has been a fascinating science for thirty years. Moreover, chiral lanthanide complexes allow the observation of remarkable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). However, the combination of both SMM and CPL behaviors in a single molecular system is very rare and deserves attention in the design of multifunctional materials. Four chiral one-dimensional coordination compounds involving 1,1'-Bi-2-naphtol (BINOL)-derived bisphosphate ligands and the Yb(iii) centre were synthesized and characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the Yb(iii)-based polymers displayed field-induced SMM behavior with magnetic relaxation occurring by applying Raman processes and near infrared CPL in the solid state.

Catalytic Enantioselective Allylboration and Related Reactions of Isatins Promoted by Chiral BINOLs: Scope and Mechanistic Studies.

An improvement in the catalytic enantioselective allylboration of isatins with 2-allyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane in the presence of chiral BINOL derivatives is reported, offering an efficient one-step access to enantioenriched N-unprotected 3-allyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles. This catalytic process is also effective for the crotylboration reaction with enantiomeric ratios (er) up to 97:3, as well as for the asymmetric synthesis of homopropargylic alcohols via an allenyl addition to indoline-2,3-diones. Origins of the high enantioselectivity in chiral BINOL-catalyzed allylboration of isatins were examined by DFT calculations. A hypothetical scenario suggested a crucial internal hydrogen bonding between the amide group (C═O···H-O) and the ethylene hydroxyl of the transient chiral mixed boronate ester, generating a rigid and stabilized system that favors the addition of the allylboron species to the Re face of the ketone function. The key role of the alcohol additive (t-BuOH or t-AmOH) in the enantioselective allylboration reaction of isatins has also been shown on the basis of a kinetics study and computational calculations by favoring the transesterification of the 2-allyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane with BINOL via proton transfer processes.

Asymmetric Ruthenium Catalysis Enables Fluorophores with Point Chirality Displaying CPL Properties.

A novel enantiopure π-allylruthenium(IV) precatalyst allowed the enantioselective and stereospecific allylations of indoles and gave access to indolin-3-ones, containing vicinal stereogenic centers. Facile separation of diastereoisomers exhibiting opposite circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activities in diverse solvents, including water, demonstrated the potential of these sustainable transformations and of the newly prepared molecules.

Circularly polarized luminescence of Eu(III) complexes with chiral 1,1'-bi-2-naphtol-derived bisphosphate ligands.

The interest for lanthanide circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has been quickly growing for 10 years. However, very few of these studies have involved correlation between the dissymmetry factor (glum ) and the chemical modifications in a series of chiral ligands. Four polymeric compounds of Eu(III) were prepared by using a series of binaphtyl derivatives for which the size of the π system as well as the number of stereogenic elements (i.e., the binaphtyl moiety) are modulated. The resulting {[Eu(hfac)3 ((S)/(R)-Lx )]}n (x = 1 and 3) and {[Eu(hfac)3 ((S,S,S)/(R,R,R)-Lx )]}n (x = 2 and 4) have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction by comparison with the X-ray structures on single crystal of the Dy(III) analogs. In solution, the structure of the complexes is deeply modified and becomes monomeric. The nature of the ligand induces change in the shape of the CPL spectra in CH2 Cl2 solution. Furthermore, a large |glum | = 0.12 of the magnetic-dipole transition for the [Eu(hfac)3 ((S,S,S)/(R,R,R)-L2 )] complex involving the ligand with three stereogenic elements and an extended 𝜋 system has been measured. This report also shows CPL measurements in solid state for the series of {[Eu(hfac)3 ((S)/(R)-Lx )]}n (x = 1 and 3) and {[Eu(hfac)3 ((S,S,S)/(R,R,R)-Lx )]}n (x = 2 and 4) polymers.

Solid-State Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Chiral YbIII -Single-Molecule Magnet.

A field-induced chiral YbIII Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) displayed an unprecedented near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence (NIR-CPL) in the solid-state. The bridging bis(1,10-phenantro[5,6b])tetrathiafulvalene triad (L) allowed an efficient sensitization of the NIR 2 F5/2 →2 F7/2 emission while the NIR-CPL is associated to the f-f transitions of the YbIII ion bearing chiral ß-diketonate derived-camphorate ancillary ligands.

Inhibitory Effects of Secondary Metabolites from the Lichen Stereocaulon evolutum on Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B plays a significant role in type 2 diabetes mellitus and other diseases and is therefore considered a new drug target. Within this study, an acetone extract from the lichen Stereocaulon evolutum was identified to possess strong protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition in a cell-free assay (IC50 of 11.8 µg/mL). Fractionation of this bioactive extract led to the isolation of seven known molecules belonging to the depsidones and the related diphenylethers and one new natural product, i.e., 3-butyl-3,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-1(3H)-isobenzofurane. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. Two depsidones, lobaric acid and norlobaric acid, and the diphenylether anhydrosakisacaulon A potently inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B with IC50 values of 12.9, 15.1, and 16.1 µM, respectively, which is in the range of the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory activity of the positive control ursolic acid (IC50 of 14.4 µM). Molecular simulations performed on the eight compounds showed that i) a contact between the molecule and the four main regions of the protein is required for inhibitory activity, ii) the relative rigidity of the depsidones lobaric acid and norlobaric acid and the reactivity related to hydrogen bond donors or acceptors, which interact with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B key amino acids, are involved in the bioactivity on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, iii) the cycle opening observed for diphenylethers decreased the inhibition, except for anhydrosakisacaulon A where its double bond on C-8 offsets this loss of activity, iv) the function present at C-8 is a determinant for the inhibitory effect on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, and v) the more hydrogen bonds with Arg221 there are, the more anchorage is favored.

BINOL derivatives-catalysed enantioselective allylboration of isatins: application to the synthesis of (R)-chimonamidine.

The asymmetric synthesis of the 3-allyl-3-hydroxyoxindole skeleton was accomplished in yields up to 99% via a metal-free and enantioselective allylation of isatins (90-96% ee) using BINOL derivatives as catalysts and an optimized allylboronate. This methodology was applied at a gram-scale to the synthesis of the natural product (R)-chimonamidine.

Enantioselective Brønsted Acid Catalysis as a Tool for the Synthesis of Natural Products and Pharmaceuticals.

Synthesis of biologically active molecules (whether at laboratory or industrial scale) remains a highly appealing area of modern organic chemistry. Nowadays, the need to access original bioactive scaffolds goes together with the desire to improve synthetic efficiency, while reducing the environmental footprint of chemical activities. Long neglected in the field of total synthesis, enantioselective organocatalysis has recently emerged as an environmentally friendly and indispensable tool for the construction of relevant bioactive molecules. Notably, enantioselective Brønsted acid catalysis has offered new opportunities in terms of both retrosynthetic disconnections and controlling stereoselectivity. The present report attempts to provide an overview of enantioselective total or formal syntheses designed around Brønsted acid-catalyzed transformations. To demonstrate the versatility of the reactions promoted and the diversity of the accessible motifs, this Minireview draws a systematic parallel between methods and retrosynthetic analysis. The manuscript is organized according to the main reaction types and the nature of newly-formed bonds.

Synergistic Effect of the TiCl4/p-TsOH Promoter System on the Aza-Prins Cyclization.

A novel aza-Prins cyclization promoted by a synergistic combination between a Lewis acid and a Brønsted acid to efficiently afford piperidines is described. Contrary to what has been previously reported in the literature, the generality of the reaction employing N-alkyl, N-aryl, and nonprotected homoallylamines has been demonstrated. The reaction is highly diastereoselective depending on the homoallylic amine used, N-PMP homoallyl amine leading preferentially to the trans diastereomer, and free homoallylamine affording the deprotected piperidine as single cis diastereomer.

Depsides: lichen metabolites active against hepatitis C virus.

A thorough phytochemical study of Stereocaulon evolutum was conducted, for the isolation of structurally related atranorin derivatives. Indeed, pilot experiments suggested that atranorin (1), the main metabolite of this lichen, would interfere with the lifecycle of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Eight compounds, including one reported for the first time (2), were isolated and characterized. Two analogs (5, 6) were also synthesized, to enlarge the panel of atranorin-related structures. Most of these compounds were active against HCV, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of about 10 to 70 µM, with depsides more potent than monoaromatic phenols. The most effective inhibitors (1, 5 and 6) were then added at different steps of the HCV lifecycle. Interestingly, atranorin (1), bearing an aldehyde function at C-3, inhibited only viral entry, whereas the synthetic compounds 5 and 6, bearing a hydroxymethyl and a methyl function, respectively, at C-3 interfered with viral replication.

Chiral calcium-BINOL phosphate catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of syn-1,2-disubstituted 1,2-diamines: scope and mechanistic studies.

A highly enantioselective, chiral, Lewis acid calcium-bis(phosphate) complex, Ca[3 a]n, which catalyzes the electrophilic amination of enamides with azodicarboxylate derivatives 2 to provide versatile chiral 1,2-hydrazinoimines 4 is disclosed. The reaction gives an easy entry to optically active syn-1,2-disubstituted 1,2-diamines 6 in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities, after a one-pot reduction of the intermediate 1,2-hydrazinoimines 4. The geometry and nature of the N-substituent of the enamide affect dramatically both the reactivity and the enantioselectivity. Although the calcium-bis(phosphate) complex was a uniquely effective catalyst, the exact nature of the active catalytic species remains unclear. NMR spectroscopy and MS analysis of the various calcium complexes Ca[3]n reveals that the catalysts exist in various oligomer forms. The present mechanistic study, which includes nonlinear effects and kinetic measurements, constitutes a first step in understanding these calcium-bis(phosphate) complex catalysts. DFT calculations were carried out to explore the mechanism and the origin of the enantioselectivity with the Ca[3]n catalysts.

Catalytic, highly enantioselective, direct amination of enecarbamates.

Amination of enecarbamates with dibenzylazodicarboxylate and oxygenated nucleophiles in the presence of a catalytic amount of chiral phosphoric acid afforded optically active stable precursors of α-hydrazinoimines, which were reduced or oxidized, respectively, to vicinal diamines or α-amino acid precursors with excellent yield and enantioselectivity.

Enantioselective Prins cyclization: BINOL-derived phosphoric acid and CuCl synergistic catalysis.

The first catalytic enantioselective Prins cyclization is disclosed. The reaction is catalyzed by the combination of a chiral BINOL-derived bis-phosphoric acid and CuCl. The process consists of a tandem Prins/Friedel-Crafts cyclization that affords the hexahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromenes products with three new contiguous stereogenic centers in high yields, and good enantio- and excellent diastereoselectivities.

Catalytic enantioselective [4 + 2]-cycloaddition: a strategy to access aza-hexacycles.

The aza-Diels Alder reaction has become one of the most widely used synthetic tools for the preparation of N-containing 6-membered heterocycles. Numerous important developments have been reported to render this reaction catalytic and enantioselective. This tutorial review highlights strategies and recent advances to achieve high efficiency and selectivity through the use of organocatalysts and transition metal complexes, allowing also the extension of this transformation substrate scope.

D-proline-based peptidomimetic inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor.

In this work we reported the generation of d-proline-derived hydroxamic acids as inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor (LF), taking advantage of a pyrrolidine ring as the central scaffold and a hydroxamate group as the Zn(2+) chelating agent. The introduction of two hydrophobic groups addressing the S1' subsite and a long substrate-binding groove was conceived by overlapping the bioactive conformations of two reported LF inhibitors. Micromolar affinity of compound 38 suggested cis-3-substituted-1-sulfonamido-d-proline hydroxamic acids as a promising class of peptidomimetic inhibitors for developing novel LF inhibitors.

Highly enantioselective electrophilic α-bromination of enecarbamates: chiral phosphoric acid and calcium phosphate salt catalysts.

Metal-free chiral phosphoric acids and chiral calcium phosphates both catalyze highly enantio- and diastereoselective electrophilic α-bromination of enecarbamates to provide an atom-economical synthesis of enantioenriched vicinal haloamines. Either enantiomer can be formed in good yield with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity simply by switching the catalyst from a phosphoric acid to its calcium salt.

One-pot sequential Ti-/Cu-catalysis for tandem amidation/Ullmann-type cyclization: synthesis of model benzodiazepine(di)ones promoted by microwave irradiation.

The application of sequential Ti-/Cu-catalysis in the model one-pot synthesis of benzodiazepine(di)ones promoted by microwave irradiation demonstrates the expediency of dual catalysis in coupling-cyclization methods useful for diversity-oriented synthesis.

Exploiting the divergent reactivity of α-isocyanoacetate: multicomponent synthesis of 5-alkoxyoxazoles and related heterocycles.

A novel multicomponent synthesis of 5-alkoxyoxazoles, based on a new reactivity profile of α-isocyanoacetates, is described. Thus, simply heating a solution of amine, aldehyde, and α-(EWG-phenyl)-α-isocyanoacetate or α-(4-pyridyl)-α-isocyanoacetate (EWG=electron-withdrawing group) in toluene provided 5-alkoxyoxazoles in good to excellent yields. Reaction of the 5-alkoxyoxazoles with various α,ß-unsaturated acyl chlorides led to the formation of epoxytetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones by a domino N-acylation/Diels-Alder cycloaddition sequence. Subsequent fragmentation under basic conditions provided 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones. A four-component synthesis of the pyridin-5-one compounds, without isolation of the 5-alkoxyoxazole, was subsequently developed.