The Antitussive Benzonatate Is Not Tumorigenic in Rodent Carcinogenicity Studies.

Benzonatate is a peripheral oral antitussive that dampens the activity of cough stretch receptors. Rodent carcinogenicity studies were performed in Tg.rasH2 mice and Wistar Han rats. Mice were orally gavaged benzonatate at 10, 30, 75, and 100 mg/kg/day for males and 5, 15, and 50 mg/kg/day for females. Rats were gavaged at 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg/day for males and 5, 15, and 50 mg/kg/day for females. Higher doses in males were due to differences in maximum tolerated doses in dose-ranging studies. In both species, benzonatate was not detected in plasma because of rapid ester hydrolysis producing 4-(butylamino) benzoic acid (BBA) and methylated polyethylene glycol polymer. This metabolism was similar in human plasma; therefore, plasma BBA was used to show systemic exposure. Both species had no evidence of a benzonatate-related increase in any neoplasm. A slight increase in nasal cavity exudative inflammation was present in benzonatate-dosed male mice. Retinal atrophy was observed in male rats at ≥30 mg/kg/day, but the incidence was within historical control data range and not related to benzonatate. In conclusion, benzonatate and its 2 major metabolites were not carcinogenic in rodent carcinogenicity studies at BBA exposures of ≥32 and 70 times a 200 mg human benzonatate dose, respectively.

High-Throughput Screening, Discovery, and Optimization To Develop a Benzofuran Class of Hepatitis C Virus Inhibitors.

Using a high-throughput, cell-based HCV luciferase reporter assay to screen a diverse small-molecule compound collection (∼ 300,000 compounds), we identified a benzofuran compound class of HCV inhibitors. The optimization of the benzofuran scaffold led to the identification of several exemplars with potent inhibition (EC50 < 100 nM) of HCV, low cytotoxicity (CC50 > 25 µM), and excellent selectivity (selective index = CC50/EC50, > 371-fold). The structure-activity studies culminated in the design and synthesis of a 45-compound library to comprehensively explore the anti-HCV activity. The identification, design, synthesis, and biological characterization for this benzofuran series is discussed.

Chronic Toxicity and Carcinogenicity Studies of the Long-Acting GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Dulaglutide in Rodents.

The tumorigenic potential of dulaglutide was evaluated in rats and transgenic mice. Rats were injected sc twice weekly for 93 weeks with dulaglutide 0, 0.05, 0.5, 1.5, or 5 mg/kg corresponding to 0, 0.5, 7, 20, and 58 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose based on plasma area under the curve. Transgenic mice were dosed sc twice weekly with dulaglutide 0, 0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg for 26 weeks. Dulaglutide effects were limited to the thyroid C-cells. In rats, diffuse C-cell hyperplasia and adenomas were statistically increased at 0.5 mg/kg or greater (P ≤ .01 at 5 mg/kg), and C-cell carcinomas were numerically increased at 5 mg/kg. Focal C-cell hyperplasia was higher compared with controls in females given 0.5, 1.5, and 5 mg/kg. In transgenic mice, no dulaglutide-related C-cell hyperplasia or neoplasia was observed at any dose; however, minimal cytoplasmic hypertrophy of C cells was observed in all dulaglutide groups. Systemic exposures decreased over time in mice, possibly due to an antidrug antibody response. In a 52-week study designed to quantitate C-cell mass and plasma calcitonin responses, rats received twice-weekly sc injections of dulaglutide 0 or 5 mg/kg. Dulaglutide increased focal C-cell hyperplasia; however, quantitative increases in C-cell mass did not occur. Consistent with the lack of morphometric changes in C-cell mass, dulaglutide did not affect the incidence of diffuse C-cell hyperplasia or basal or calcium-stimulated plasma calcitonin, suggesting that diffuse increases in C-cell mass did not occur during the initial 52 weeks of the rat carcinogenicity study.

Discovery of desketoraloxifene analogues as inhibitors of mammalian, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and NAPE phospholipase D enzymes.

Phospholipase D (PLD) hydrolyses cellular lipids to produce the important lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid. A PLD enzyme expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PldA) has been shown to be important in bacterial infection, and NAPE-PLD has emerged as being key in the synthesis of endocannabinoids. In order to better understand the biology and therapeutic potential of these less explored PLD enzymes, small molecule tools are required. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been previously shown to inhibit mammalian PLD (PLD1 and PLD2). By targeted screening of a library of SERM analogues, additional parallel synthesis, and evaluation in multiple PLD assays, we discovered a novel desketoraloxifene-based scaffold that inhibited not only the two mammalian PLDs but also structurally divergent PldA and NAPE-PLD. This finding represents an important first step toward the development of small molecules possessing universal inhibition of divergent PLD enzymes to advance the field.

A recyclable and base-free method for the synthesis of 3-iodothiophenes by the iodoheterocyclisation of 1-mercapto-3-alkyn-2-ols in ionic liquids.

The first example of an iodocyclisation reaction made recyclable by the use of an ionic liquid as the reaction medium is reported. Readily available 1-mercapto-3-alkyn-2-ols were smoothly converted into the corresponding 3-iodothiophenes (50-81% yields, 10 examples) when allowed to react with iodine (1-2 equiv.) in a proper ionic liquid, such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate (EmimEtSO4), as the solvent under mild reaction conditions (25 °C) and in the absence of an external base. The reaction medium can be recycled several times without significantly affecting the reaction outcome. Theoretical calculations have also been performed to investigate the role of the ionic liquid anion in the reaction.

Solution-phase synthesis of a diverse library of benzisoxazoles utilizing the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of in situ-generated nitrile oxides and arynes.

A library of benzisoxazoles has been synthesized by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with arynes and further diversified by acylation/sulfonylation and palladium-catalyzed coupling processes. The eight key intermediate benzisoxazoles have been prepared by the reaction of o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates and chlorooximes in the presence of CsF in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. These building blocks have been used as the key components of a diverse set of 3,5,6-trisubstituted benzisoxazoles.

Efficient Microwave-assisted One-pot Three-component Synthesis of 2,3-Disubstituted Benzofurans under Sonogashira Conditions.

An efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]furans from commercially available 2-iodophenols, terminal acetylenes and aryl iodides has been developed utilizing Sonogashira reaction conditions. After an initial Sonogashira coupling of the 2-iodophenol with the terminal alkyne, cyclization involving the aryl iodide provides the 2,3-disubstituted benzo[b]furan in good to excellent yields. The use of microwave irradiation shortens the reaction times and minimizes the side products. This methodology is especially useful for the construction of libraries of highly substituted benzo[b]furans and their analogues.

Intermolecular C-O Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Arynes: Synthesis of o-Hydroxyaryl Ketones, Xanthones, 4-Chromanones, and Flavones.

An efficient and simple route to biologically and pharmaceutically important o-hydroxyaryl ketones, xanthones, 4-chromanones, and flavones has been developed utilizing readily available carboxylic acids and commercially available o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates.

Solution-phase parallel synthesis of a multisubstituted cyclic imidate library.

The solution-phase parallel synthesis of a diverse 71-member library of multisubstituted cyclic imidates is described. The key intermediates, 3-iodomethylene-containing cyclic imidates, are readily prepared in good to excellent yields by the palladium/copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of various o-iodobenzamides and terminal alkynes, followed by electrophilic cyclization with I2. These cyclic imidates were further functionalized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira, carbonylative amidation, and Heck chemistry using sublibraries of commercially available building blocks.

Use of benzynes for the synthesis of heterocycles.

About two decades after Kobayashi's discovery in 1983 of a very mild way of generating highly reactive aryne intermediates, the synthetic community embraced o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates as convenient and versatile aryne precursors for the synthesis of carbocycles and heterocycles, as well as natural products and pharmaceutically promising drug candidates. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the construction of heterocycles using Kobayashi's silylaryl triflate aryne precursors. It is organized according to the type of heterocycle generated.

Synthesis of o-(dimethylamino)aryl ketones, acridones, acridinium salts, and 1H-indazoles by the reaction of hydrazones and arynes.

A novel, efficient route to biologically and pharmaceutically important o-(dimethylamino)aryl ketones, acridones, acridinium salts, and 1H-indazoles has been developed starting from readily available hydrazones of aldehydes and o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates. The reaction proceeds through arynes under mild conditions, tolerates a wide range of functional groups, and provides the final products in good to excellent yields.

Synthesis of N-acylcarbazoles through palladium-catalyzed aryne annulation of 2-haloacetanilides.

N-Acylcarbazoles have been synthesized in moderate to good yields by the annulation of in situ generated arynes with 2-haloacetanilides in the presence of a palladium catalyst and CsF. Both C-C and C-N bonds are formed simultaneously, and a variety of functional groups are tolerated in this reaction.

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of cyclic imidates via electrophilic cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)benzamides. A correction.

The electrophilic cyclization of 2-(1-alkynyl)benzamides affords high yields of cyclic imidates, instead of the previously reported isoindolin-1-ones, where cyclization proceeds on the oxygen of the carbonyl group rather than the nitrogen of the amide functionality. X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques have been used to characterize the products. A correction is hereby provided in order to rectify the previous misassignment of structure.

Palladium-catalyzed annulation of arynes by o-halobenzamides: synthesis of phenanthridinones.

The palladium-catalyzed annulation of arynes by substituted o-halobenzamides produces N-substituted phenanthridinones in good yields. This methodology provides this important heterocyclic ring system in a single step by simultaneous C-C and C-N bond formation, under relatively mild reaction conditions, and tolerates a variety of functional groups.

Antibacterial soybean-oil-based cationic polyurethane coatings prepared from different amino polyols.

Antibacterial soybean-oil-based cationic polyurethane (PU) coatings have been successfully prepared from five different amino polyols. The structure and hydroxyl functionality of these amino polyols affects the particle morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and antibacterial properties of the resulting coatings. An increase in the hydroxyl functionality of the amino polyols increases the cross-link density, resulting in an increased glass transition temperature and improved mechanical properties. Both the cross-link density and the amount of ammonium cations incorporated into the PU backbone affect the thermal stability of PU films. PUs with the lowest ammonium cation content and highest cross-link density exhibit the best thermal stability. With some strain-specific exceptions, these PUs show good antibacterial properties toward a panel of bacterial pathogens comprised of Listeria monocytogenes NADC 2045, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311 and Salmonella minnesota (S. minnesota) R613. S. minnesota R613 is a "deep rough" mutant lacking a full outer membrane (OM) layer, an important barrier structure in gram-negative bacteria. With wild-type strains, the PU coatings exhibit better antibacterial properties toward the gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes than the gram-negative S. minnesota. However, the coatings have excellent activity against S. minnesota R613, suggesting a protective role for an intact OM against the action of these PUs.

An iodocyclization approach to substituted 3-iodothiophenes.

A novel approach to 3-iodothiophenes by direct iodocyclization of alkynylthiol derivatives is presented. A variety of 1-mercapto-3-yn-2-ols 5 (readily available from alkynylation of the corresponding alpha-mercapto ketones or alpha-mercapto esters) were smoothly converted into the corresponding 3-iodothiophene derivatives 6 in good yields by reaction with molecular iodine in the presence of NaHCO(3) at room temperature in MeCN as the solvent.

Synthesis of 3,7-diiodo-2,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difurans: functional building blocks for the design of new conjugated polymers.

3,7-Diiodo-2,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difurans are efficiently prepared by an iodine-promoted double cyclization. This new heterocyclic core is readily modified by the attachment of alkyl chains for improved solubility. The use of these compounds for the synthesis of new conjugated polymers is also reported.

Formation of acridones by ethylene extrusion in the reaction of arynes with ß-lactams and dihydroquinolinones.

N-Unsubstituted ß-lactams react with a molecule of aryne by insertion into the amide bond to form a 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4-one, which subsequently reacts with another molecule of aryne to form an acridone by extrusion of a molecule of ethylene. 2,3-Dihydroquinolin-4-ones react under the same reaction conditions to afford identical results. This is the first example of ethylene extrusion in aryne chemistry.

Solution-phase synthesis of a highly substituted furan library.

A library of furans has been synthesized by iodocyclization and further diversified by palladium-catalyzed coupling processes. The key intermediate 3-iodofurans have been prepared by the electrophilic iodocyclization of 2-iodo-2-alken-1-ones in the presence of various nucleophiles in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. These 3-iodofurans are the key components for library generation through subsequent elaboration by palladium-catalyzed processes, such as Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonagashira, Heck, aminocarbonylation, and carboalkoxylation chemistry to afford a diverse set of 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted furans.

Synthesis of 9-Substituted Xanthenes by the Condensation of Arynes with ortho-Hydroxychalcones.

The reaction of o-(trimethylsilyl)aryl triflates, CsF, and o-hydroxychalcones affords a general and efficient way to prepare biologically interesting 9-substituted xanthenes. This chemistry presumably proceeds by tandem intermolecular nucleophilic attack of the phenoxide of the chalcone on the aryne and subsequent intramolecular Michael addition. The introduction of an external base, Cs(2)CO(3), has proven beneficial in this reaction.