Novel tricyclics (e.g., GSK945237) as potent inhibitors of bacterial type IIA topoisomerases.

During the course of our research on the lead optimisation of the NBTI (Novel Bacterial Type II Topoisomerase Inhibitors) class of antibacterials, we discovered a series of tricyclic compounds that showed good Gram-positive and Gram-negative potency. Herein we will discuss the various subunits that were investigated in this series and report advanced studies on compound 1 (GSK945237) which demonstrates good PK and in vivo efficacy properties.

DABSO-based, three-component, one-pot sulfone synthesis.

The addition of Grignard reagents or organolithium reagents to the SO2-surrogate DABSO generates a diverse set of metal sulfinates, suitable for direct conversion to sulfone products. The metal sulfinates can be trapped in situ with a wide range of C-electrophiles, including alkyl, allyl, and benzyl halides, epoxides, and (hetero)aryliodoniums.

Novel hydroxyl tricyclics (e.g., GSK966587) as potent inhibitors of bacterial type IIA topoisomerases.

During the course of our research to find novel mode of action antibacterials, we discovered a series of hydroxyl tricyclic compounds that showed good potency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. These compounds inhibit bacterial type IIA topoisomerases. Herein we will discuss structure-activity relationships in this series and report advanced studies on compound 1 (GSK966587) which demonstrates good PK and in vivo efficacy properties. X-ray crystallographic studies were used to provide insight into the structural basis for the difference in antibacterial potency between enantiomers.

Gold-catalysed cascade rearrangements of ynamide propargyl esters.

The Au(I)-catalysed rearrangement of propargylic esters formed from an ynamide has been studied. The reaction is facile, and when conducted in the presence of a reactive indole nucleophile, leads to a cascade process whereby γ-indolyl α-acyloxyenamides are formed in good yield and excellent E-stereoselectivity.

Target-directed synthesis of antibacterial drug candidate GSK966587.

An efficient enantioselective total synthesis of the potent antibiotic GSK966587 was accomplished. Highlights of the synthesis include two innovative Heck reactions, a highly selective zincate base directed ortho-metalation, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, and a fully convergent final step fragment coupling.

Synthesis of diverse macrocyclic peptidomimetics utilizing ring-closing metathesis and solid-phase synthesis.

The synthesis of a range of highly functionalized peptidomimetic macrocycles has been accomplished using ring-closing metathesis and enyne tandem cross-metathesis-ring-closing metathesis reactions. This approach gives access to rigidified macrocycles modeled on the structures of cyclic peptides and designed to be biologically stable. The potential for peripheral functionalization of these templates has been demonstrated using Diels-Alder reactions, palladium(0) coupling reactions, and amide formation both in the solution phase and using polymer-supported syntheses.