Preclinical development of kinetin as a safe error-prone SARS-CoV-2 antiviral able to attenuate virus-induced inflammation.

Orally available antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are necessary because of the continuous circulation of new variants that challenge immunized individuals. Because severe COVID-19 is a virus-triggered immune and inflammatory dysfunction, molecules endowed with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity are highly desirable. We identified here that kinetin (MB-905) inhibits the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 in human hepatic and pulmonary cell lines. On infected monocytes, MB-905 reduced virus replication, IL-6 and TNFα levels. MB-905 is converted into its triphosphate nucleotide to inhibit viral RNA synthesis and induce error-prone virus replication. Coinhibition of SARS-CoV-2 exonuclease, a proofreading enzyme that corrects erroneously incorporated nucleotides during viral RNA replication, potentiated the inhibitory effect of MB-905. MB-905 shows good oral absorption, its metabolites are stable, achieving long-lasting plasma and lung concentrations, and this drug is not mutagenic nor cardiotoxic in acute and chronic treatments. SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE-mice and hamsters treated with MB-905 show decreased viral replication, lung necrosis, hemorrhage and inflammation. Because kinetin is clinically investigated for a rare genetic disease at regimens beyond the predicted concentrations of antiviral/anti-inflammatory inhibition, our investigation suggests the opportunity for the rapid clinical development of a new antiviral substance for the treatment of COVID-19.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Sulfa-Michael Additions to α,ß-Unsaturated Diazoketones.

Enantioselective sulfa-Michael additions to α,ß unsaturated diazocarbonyl compounds have been developed. Quinine-derived squaramide was found to be the best catalyst to promote C-S bond formation in a highly stereoselective fashion for alkyl and aryl thiols. The easy-to-follow protocol allowed the preparation of 22 examples in enantiomeric ratios up to 97:3 and reaction yields up to 94%. The mechanism and origins of enantioselectivity were determined through density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Enantioselective S-H Insertion Reactions of α-Carbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides.

The first example of enantioselective S-H insertion reactions of sulfoxonium ylides is reported. Under the influence of thiourea catalysis, excellent levels of enantiocontrol (up to 95 % ee) and yields (up to 97 %) are achieved for 31 examples in S-H insertion reactions of aryl thiols and α-carbonyl sulfoxonium ylides.

Catalytic Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Electron Rich Aromatic Derivatives with α-Aryl Diazoacetates Mediated by Brønsted Acids.

The catalytic protonation of aryl diazoacetates by strong Brønsted acids, followed by a Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction with electron rich aromatic compounds, is reported. The reaction provided in a direct fashion 24 geminal diarylacetates in yields of ≤92%.

Metal-Free Insertion Reactions of Diazo Carbonyls to Azlactones.

Insertion reactions of diazo carbonyls to azlactones in basic conditions have been performed. The developed method allows the preparation of a wide range of oxazole derivatives in yields ranging from 74 to 98%. Different substituents on both azlactone rings and diazo carbonyls do not compromise the methodology, even those containing stereogenic centers. Isotopic labeling experiments revealed the mechanism may proceed through a rare diazo carbonyl activation by an ammonium salt derivative.

Traditional and New methods for the Preparation of Diazocarbonyl Compounds.

For many years diazocarbonyl compounds have been studied due to their versatility and usability in many chemical transformations. In this review, we summarize the traditional methods to prepare these compounds as well as the new methods and recent improvements in experimental procedures. Moreover, emergence of continuous flow techniques has allowed safer and environmentally friendly procedures for the handling of diazomethane and diazo compounds and will also be a topic in this review.

Traditional and New methods for the Preparation of Diazocarbonyl Compounds

ABSTRACT For many years diazocarbonyl compounds have been studied due to their versatility and usability in many chemical transformations. In this review, we summarize the traditional methods to prepare these compounds as well as the new methods and recent improvements in experimental procedures. Moreover, emergence of continuous flow techniques has allowed safer and environmentally friendly procedures for the handling of diazomethane and diazo compounds and will also be a topic in this review.