An insight from computational approach to explore novel, high-affinity phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors for neurological disorders.

The enzyme Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) plays a regulatory role in the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway by means of hydrolyzing cAMP and cGMP. PDE10A emerges as a relevant pharmacological drug target for neurological conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, and other memory-related disorders. In the current study, we subjected a set of 1,2,3-triazoles to be explored as PDE10A inhibitors using diverse computational approaches, including molecular docking, classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) calculations, steered MD, and umbrella sampling simulations. Molecular docking of cocrystallized ligands papaverine and PFJ, along with a set of in-house synthesized molecules, suggested that molecule 3i haded the highest binding affinity, followed by 3h and 3j. Furthermore, the structural stability studies using MD and MM-PBSA indicated that the 3h and 3j formed stable complexes with PDE10A. The binding free energy of -240.642 kJ/mol and -201.406 kJ/mol was observed for 3h and 3j, respectively. However, the cocrystallized ligands papaverine and PFJ exhibited comparitively higher binding free energy values of -202.030 kJ/mol and -138.764 kJ/mol, respectively. Additionally, steered MD and umbrella sampling simulations provided conclusive evidence that the molecules 3h and 3j could be exploited as promising candidates to target PDE10A.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Mechanochemical Approach towards Multi-Functionalized 1,2,3-Triazoles and Anti-Seizure Drug Rufinamide Analogs Using Copper Beads.

Highly regiospecific, copper-salt-free and neat conditions have been demonstrated for the 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) reactions under mechanochemical conditions. A group of structurally challenging alkynes and heterocyclic derivatives was efficiently implemented to achieve highly functionalized 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles in good to excellent yield by using the Cu beads without generation of unwanted byproducts. Furthermore, the high-speed ball milling (HSBM) strategy has also been extended to the synthesis of the commercially available pharmaceutical agent, Rufinamide, an antiepileptic drug (AED) and its analogues. The same strategy was also applied for the synthesis of the Cl-derivative of Rufinamide. Analysis of the single crystal XRD data of the triazole was also performed for the final structural confirmation. The Cu beads are easily recoverable from the reaction mixture and used for the further reactions without any special treatment.

Benchmarking the ability of novel compounds to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 main protease using steered molecular dynamics simulations.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is an attractive target in the COVID-19 drug development process. It catalyzes the polyprotein's translation from viral RNA and specifies a particular cleavage site. Due to the absence of identical cleavage specificity in human cell proteases, targeting Mpro with chemical compounds can obstruct the replication of the virus. METHODS: To explore the potential binding mechanisms of 1,2,3-triazole scaffolds in comparison to co-crystallized inhibitors 11a and 11b towards Mpro, we herein utilized molecular dynamics and enhanced sampling simulation studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All the 1,2,3-triazole scaffolds interacted with catalytic residues (Cys145 and His41) and binding pocket residues of Mpro involving Met165, Glu166, Ser144, Gln189, His163, and Met49. Furthermore, the adequate binding free energy and potential mean force of the topmost compound 3h was comparable to the experimental inhibitors 11a and 11b of Mpro. Overall, the current analysis could be beneficial in developing the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro potential inhibitors.

Iodine(iii) promoted ring-rearrangement reaction of 1-arylamino-2-oxocyclopentane-1-carbonitriles to synthesize N-aryl-δ-valerolactams.

The first example of N-aryl-δ-valerolactam synthesis via an intramolecular ring rearrangement reaction of 1-arylamino-2-oxocyclopentane-1-carbonitrile promoted by phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) was reported. We show that this unprecedented regio-selective ring-rearrangement reaction driven by hypervalent iodine (PIFA) involves C5-H elimination, C1-C2 bond opening, and C1-N bond rearrangement steps and restraining the leaving tendency of the CN group. The structure of the lactam was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The present protocol showed a diverse array of functional group tolerance under the reaction conditions and offered good to excellent yields of lactams.

Hypervalent Iodine(III)-Mediated Counteranion Controlled Intramolecular Annulation of Exocyclic ß-Enaminone to Carbazolone and Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine Synthesis.

A highly efficient and flexible protocol for intramolecular annulation of exocyclic ß-enaminones has been disclosed for the synthesis of carbazolones and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines through a counter-anion-controlled free-radical mechanism promoted by hypervalent iodine(III). The cooperative behavior of HTIB and AgSbF6 plays a crucial role in the intramolecular annulation process through C-C and C-N bond formation to give the desired products. The mechanistic insights suggest that the two competitive reactions involved in the system are guided by the nature of the counteranion, which determines the formation of the final products. A wide variety of carbazolones and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine molecules have been prepared and isolated in good to excellent yields.

Oxalic/malonic acids as carbon building blocks for benzazole, quinazoline and quinazolinone synthesis.

An oxidant, base and metal free methodology has been developed for the synthesis of various 2-substituted and non-substituted benzazoles, quinazolines and quinazolinones using oxalic/malonic acids as an in situ carbon source. This methodology is applicable for a wide range of substituted o-phenylenediamine, o-aminothiophenol, o-aminophenol and o-aminobenzamide containing various functional groups and provides good to excellent yields of the corresponding product. Furthermore an easy workup procedure, high yield and easy isolation of products are key features of this methodology. The developed protocol is also applicable for the gram scale synthesis of benzimidazoles.