Identification of 9-fluoro substituted (-)-cytisine derivatives as ligands with high affinity for nicotinic receptors.

(-)-9-Fluorocytisine, (-)-9-methylcytisine and (-)-9-trifluoromethylcytisine were synthesized from the natural product (-)-cytisine. 9-Methyl and 9-trifluoromethyl cytisines display a remarkable affinity at the α(4)ß(2) nicotinic receptor subtype (0.2 nM) with a high selectivity versus the α(7) nAChR subtype. Comparison of the affinity values suggests that the size of the substituent at the 9 position of (-)-cytisine seems more important than electronic factors for efficient binding and selectivity at α(4)ß(2) nAChRs.

New trends in molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis.

Tumor development leading to cancer is a complex process involving several steps. Among them, angiogenesis, ie growth of new tumor induced blood vessels is one of the most important therapeutic targets in the search for anticancer agents. One point which remain to be addressed is the detection of tumor angiogenic areas, ie tumor angiogenesis imaging. After presenting the key points of tumor development which lead to neoangiogenesis, and providing an overview of the main therapeutic approaches in this field, this review focuses on the recent progress in angiogenesis imaging, namely the one dealing with matrix metalloproteases. These enzymes are indeed present to major phenomena of the tumor progression. The different imaging approaches are described, namely the ones using optical, radiochemical or magnetic resonance ones.

3-trifluoromethanesulfonamido-pyrrolidine: a general organocatalyst for anti-selective mannich reactions.

Mannich-type reactions of a glyoxylate imine with carbonyl compounds catalyzed by 3-trifluoromethanesulfonamidopyrrolidine proceed with high yields and anti-stereoselectivity. The catalyst is easily prepared and the transformation appears to be quite general accommodating aldehydes or ketones.

Origin of the detrimental effect of lithium halides on an enantioselective nucleophilic alkylation of aldehydes.

The effect of lithium halides on the enantioselectivity of the addition of methyllithium on o-tolualdehyde, in the presence of chiral lithium amides derived from chiral 3-aminopyrrolidines (3APLi), has been investigated. The enantiomeric excess of the resulting 1-o-tolylethanol was found to drop upon addition of significant amounts of LiCl, introduced before the aldehyde. The competitive affinity between the lithium amide, the methyllithium, and the lithium halides in THF was examined by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The results showed that the original mixed aggregate of the chiral lithium amide and methyllithium is rapidly, totally, and irreversibly replaced by a similar 1:1 complex involving one lithium chloride or bromide and one lithium amide. While the MeLi/LiX substitution occurs with some degree of epimerization at the nitrogen for the endo-MeLi:3APLi complex, it is mostly stereospecific for the exo-type arrangements of the aggregate. The thermodynamic preference for mixed aggregates between 3APLi and LiX was confirmed by static DFT calculations: the data show that the LiCl and LiBr aggregates are more stable than their MeLi counterparts by more than 10 kcal.mol(-1) provided THF is explicitly taken into account. These results suggest that a sequestration of the source of chirality by the lithium halides is at the origin of the detrimental effect of these additives on the ee of the model reaction.

Highly enantioselective decarboxylative protonation of alpha-aminomalonates mediated by thiourea cinchona alkaloid derivatives: access to both enantiomers of cyclic and acyclic alpha-aminoacids.

Thiourea derived cinchona alkaloids promote the asymmetric decarboxylative protonation of cyclic, acyclic, or bicyclic alpha-aminomalonate hemiesters under mild and metal-free conditions to afford enantioenriched aminoesters in high yields and enantioselectivities up to 93%. Both enantiomers of the aminoesters have been synthesized with the same selectivity when using organic base 3 and its pseudoenantiomer 6 derived from quinine.

Functionalization through lithiation of (S)-N-(1-phenylpropyl)-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide. Application to the labeling with carbon-11 of NK-3 receptor antagonist SB 222200.

Lithiation of (S)-N-(1-phenylpropyl)-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide with the complex n-BuLi/TMEDA (1/1 molar ratio) in THF at -60 degrees C for 5 h occurred selectively at the position 3 of the quinoline ring. This selectivity was shown by the absence of racemization of the stereogenic center and the formation of the corresponding functionalized quinolines in 59-74% yield by subsequent reaction with an electrophile at -60 degrees C for 1 h. The 3-trimethylstannyl derivative was subjected to a Stille reaction using methyl, phenyl, or thienyliodide to afford the alkyl or aryl quinolines in moderate to good yields. This methodology was successfully applied to the radiosynthesis of [11C]SB 222200 using methyl iodide labeled with carbon-11 (beta+ emitter, t1/2=20.4 min) for the in vivo study of NK-3 receptor by positron emission tomography (48-58% radiochemical yields from [11C]CH3I, decay corrected, 45 min total synthesis time).

Palladium-mediated N-arylation of heterocyclic diamines: insights into the origin of an unusual chemoselectivity.

The chemoselectivity of the palladium-mediated reaction of bromobenzene with various heterocyclic diamines was studied. Whatever the ligand used, 3-aminopyrrolidine underwent arylation of the secondary amine function (>82%), whereas the more flexible 3-aminoazepinine was arylated on its primary function (>70%). The ratio "arylation of primary amine versus arylation of secondary amine" of 3-aminopiperidine with bromobenzene varied from 90:10 (BINAP, electron-enriched and hindered biphenyls L2 or L3) to 32:68 with the Josiphos-type ligand L10. The same trend was observed when 4-aminopiperidine was used (82:18 with L2 and 17:83 with L10). This selectivity can be tuned by the choice of aryl halide partners having different steric and electronic properties. A cooperative effect of both nitrogens of diamines during the reaction was deduced from competitive experiments. Finally, 13C and 31P NMR experiments, carried out with 3-aminopyrrolidine at room temperature, support a fast coordination of the primary amine to the metal. Indeed, a palladium complex resulting from the unusual displacement of one phosphane group of the intermediate ArPdX(BINAP) by the primary amino group was characterized.

Oxidation of aromatic lithium thiolates into sulfinate salts: an attractive entry to aryl sulfones labeled with carbon-11.

[reaction: see text] Aromatic 11C-sulfones were synthesized by S alkylation of lithium arenesulfinates, which are readily available from the corresponding thiols by an oxaziridine-mediated oxidation reaction with [11C]alkyl iodides in THF/H2O (4:1) at 150 degrees C. The radiosyntheses, including purification by HPLC, were completed in an average of 35 min from the end of the bombardment with 55-76% overall radiochemical yields (decay corrected). The described procedure extends the range of accessible labeling methods.

Rapid synthesis of quinoline-4-carboxylic acid derivatives from arylimines and 2-substituted acrylates or acrylamides under indium(III) chloride and microwave activations. Scope and limitations of the reaction.

Rapid synthesis of quinoline-4-carboxylic acid derivatives has been achieved by reaction of 2-methoxy acrylates or acrylamides with N-arylbenzaldimines in acetonitrile under InCl3 catalysis and microwave irradiation. Isolated yields up to 57% within 3 min have been obtained. The Lewis acid and the microwave activation appeared as crucial parameters for the reaction. The role of indium chloride and ytterbium triflate was specified using 13C NMR data and model theoretical studies.

Palladium-mediated arylation of 3-aminopiperidines and 3-aminopyrrolidines.

This paper describes the palladium-catalyzed arylation of 1-substituted 3-aminopyrrolidines or piperidines. Palladium(0) (1-2 mol %) in conjunction with "Buchwald's ligand" [2-(dimethylamino)-2'-(dicyclohexylphosphine)biphenyl] was shown to be the catalyst of choice for the coupling with aryl bromides or chlorides. When bromobenzene was used, a strong temperature effect was noticed. Whereas no reaction occurred at 100 degrees C, yields higher than 85% were obtained at 130 degrees C for each substrate. Such an effect was not observed when diphosphines were used. Whereas Xantphos and, to a lesser extent BINAP, were moderately efficient in the coupling of all diamines, the palladium-mediated arylation in the presence of monophosphines was strongly dependent on the substrate. The results suggest the participation of both nitrogens of the aminoheterocycle in the reactive intermediate. This participation could also account for the highly selective arylation of the endocyclic nitrogen of unsubstituted 3-aminopyrrolidine or piperidine. Optimal conditions were found for the arylation using 2- or 4-substituted electron-poor or enriched aryl halides.

Preparation of tertiary amides from carbamoyl chlorides and organocuprates.

[reaction: see text] Reaction of carbamoyl chlorides with cyano-Gilman cuprates affords tertiary amides in good to excellent yields. The reaction is general due to the possibility of using reagents made either from organolithium or from Grignard compounds. The characterization of the main side products allowed for the suggestion of a possible mechanism.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel fluoro and iodo quinoline carboxamides as potential ligands of NK-3 receptors for in vivo imaging studies.

In order to develop radioligands of human NK-3 receptor (hNK-3r) for imaging studies by positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), a new series of fluoro- and iodo-quinoline carboxamides were synthesized and evaluated in a target receptor binding assay. Compared to the unsubstituted parent compound SB 223 412 (Ki=27 nM +/- 9), affinity was not altered for the analogues 1c and 2c bearing a fluorine in position 8 (Ki approximately 24-27 nM), and was only slightly reduced for compounds 1b, 2b, 1e and 2e fluorinated or iodinated at the position 7 (Ki approximately 49-67 nM). A drastic reduction in binding (Ki > 115 nM) was observed for all other halogenated compounds 1a, 2a, 1d, 2d, 1f and 2f.

Studies toward labeling cytisine with [11C]phosgene: rapid synthesis of a delta-lactam involving a new chemoselective lithiation-annulation method.

With the aim of the radiolabeling of cytisine, a potent agonist of nicotinic receptors, with [(11)C]phosgene, the rapid synthesis of a lactam model of our target has been studied. The key step of the delta-lactam formation is a new chemoselective lithiation-annulation method, under high dilution, of a suitable piperidinylcarbamoyl chloride. This precursor was obtained from (2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine in a linear synthetic sequence involving a Corey-Fuchs olefination of the corresponding aldehyde, followed by a selective reduction, using a diimide equivalent, of an iodoalkyne into a (Z)-iodopropene piperidine. This alkene served as main precursor to study the cyclization according to several procedures using phosgene as the required carbonylating reagent.

Lithiation of functionalized fluoroquinolines: synthesis of dihalo-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamides and in vitro evaluation as NK-3 receptor ligands for medical imaging studies.

Fluoroiodo-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamides, analogues of NK-3 antagonist SB 223412, were synthesized and evaluated as NK-3 ligands with the aim of developing radioligands suitable for both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) studies. The key step utilizes metalation directed by the fluorine atom for iodination of the quinoline ring.

Synthesis of a [2-pyridinyl-18F]-labelled fluoro derivative of (-)-cytisine as a candidate radioligand for brain nicotinic alpha4beta2 receptor imaging with PET.

In recent years, there has been considerable effort to design and synthesize radiotracers suitable for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype. A new fluoropyridinyl derivative of (-)-cytisine (1), namely (-)-9-(2-fluoropyridinyl)cytisine (3, K(i) values of 24 and 3462 nM for the alpha4beta2 and alpha7 nAChRs subtypes, respectively) has been synthesized in four chemical steps from (-)-cytisine and labelled with fluorine-18 (T(1/2): 119.8 min) using an efficient two-step radiochemical process [(a). nucleophilic heteroaromatic ortho-radiofluorination using the corresponding N-Boc-protected nitro-derivative, (b). TFA removal of the Boc protective group]. Typically, 20-45 mCi (0.74-1.67 GBq) of (-)-9-(2-[18F]fluoropyridinyl)cytisine ([18F]-3, 2-3 Ci/micromol or 74-111 GBq/micromol) were easily obtained in 70-75 min starting from a 100 mCi (3.7 GBq) aliquot of a cyclotron-produced [18F]fluoride production batch (20-45% non decay-corrected yield based on the starting [18F]fluoride). The in vivo pharmacological profile of (-)-9-(2-[18F]fluoropyridinyl)cytisine ([18F]-3) was evaluated in rats with biodistribution studies and brain radioactivity monitoring using intracerebral radiosensitive beta-microprobes. The observed in vivo distribution of the radiotracer in brain was rather uniform, and did not match with the known regional densities of nAChRs. It was also significantly different from that of the parent compound (-)-[3H]cytisine. Moreover, competition studies with (-)-nicotine (5 mg/kg, 5 min before the radiotracer injection) did not reduce brain uptake of the radiotracer. These experiments clearly indicate that (-)-9-(2-[18F]fluoropyridinyl)cytisine ([18F]-3) does not have the required properties for imaging nAChRs using PET.

Debenzylation of tertiary amines using phosgene or triphosgene: an efficient and rapid procedure for the preparation of carbamoyl chlorides and unsymmetrical ureas. Application in carbon-11 chemistry.

Efficient and rapid preparations of carbamoyl chlorides and unsymmetrical ureas from tertiary amines and phosgene or its safe equivalent triphosgene [bis(trichloromethyl)carbonate, BTC] are described. First, the reaction of stoichiometric amounts of phosgene with secondary amines was revisited, and it was shown that the formation of carbamoyl chlorides in high yields required careful adjustments of experimental conditions and the use of pyridine as an HCl scavenger. A phosgene-mediated dealkylation of triethylamine was observed when this base was used instead of pyridine. Taking advantage of this observation, a strategy of synthesis of carbamoyl chlorides from tertiary amines and phosgene has been developed. N-Alkyl-N-benzyl(substituted)tetrahydroisoquinolines, -piperazines, -piperidines, or -anilines were treated with stoichiometric amounts of phosgene (or BTC) in CH(2)Cl(2). Tertiary amines bearing electron-enriched benzyl group(s) afforded carbamoyl chlorides in excellent yields and without any contamination by symmetrical ureas. Subsequent additions of primary or secondary amines to these carbamoyl chlorides produced unsymmetrical ureas in single-pot and high-yielding operations. This methodology was applied in (11)C-chemistry. From [(11)C]phosgene, a common precursor used in the preparation of radiotracers for positron emission tomography, a rapid and efficient synthesis of (11)C-carbamoyl chlorides and (11)C-unsymmetrical ureas derived from tetrahydroisoquinoline and piperazine is described. The first example of (11)C-amide formation from the reaction of a (11)C-carbamoyl chloride and an organometallic (cyanocuprate or a Grignard reagent in the presence of a nickel catalyst) is also presented.

Microspheres based on inulin for the controlled release of serine protease inhibitors: preparation, characterization and in vitro release.

The pharmacological activity of serine protease inhibitors, potential drugs for the treatment of thrombosis, is often linked to the presence of amidine functions. With the aim of developing a suitable formulation for these compounds, inulin and inulin acetate associated or not with 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, were chosen to prepare microspheres. Using a coacervation method, these biocompatible polymers led to microspheres of about 0.5-5 microm. The encapsulation of a water-soluble model drug (E,E)-bis(amidinobenzylidene)cycloheptanone [(E,E)-BABCH] in these microspheres was studied. In this investigation, factorial designs were used to determine the joint influence of several variables (drug mass, speed and time of formulation stirring, centrifugation time) for an optimum encapsulation efficiency. Results revealed that encapsulation efficiency reached 65% whatever the nature of the biopolymer, by using a stirring time of 30 min, a high stirring speed and a centrifugation time of 15 min. (E,E)-BABCH release from microspheres was examined in an in vitro model. The profiles were characterized by three phases strongly dependent on the microspheres and the diacid association displayed a crucial role. With inulin and inulin acetate, the initial phase was a rapid 'drug burst'. Within the first 5 min, 58-62% of the drug were delivered. Microspheres of inulin acetate associated with 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, showed a slower release with only 32% of the drug delivered after 15 min. After a slow diffusion phase (33 h), an increasing rate until complete drug release was observed for 2.5 days.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of halogenated naphthyridone carboxamides as potential ligands for in vivo imaging studies of substance P receptors.

With the aim of developing new radioligands for in vivo studies of substance P receptors using positron emission tomography or single photon emission computed tomography, 2- and 3-halo naphthyridone-6-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized. Their affinities toward the target receptors were evaluated on CHO cells and compared to the unsubstituted analogue EP 00652218 (IC(50) = 100 nM +/- 20). The IC(50) value was not altered in the case of 2-chloro compound 1 (IC(50) = 100 nM +/- 15) and only slightly reduced for the 2-fluoro and -iodo analogues 6 and 8 (IC(50) = 500 nM +/- 80). A drastic reduction in binding (IC(50) > 1000 nM) was observed for the halogenated compounds 2-5, 7, and 9.

A NMR and theoretical study of the aggregates between alkyllithium and chiral lithium amides: control of the topology through a single asymmetric center.

The complexes between methyllithium and chiral 3-aminopyrrolidine (3-AP) lithium amides bearing a second asymmetric center on their lateral amino group were studied using multinuclear ((1)H, (6)Li, (13)C, (15)N) low-temperature NMR spectroscopies in tetrahydrofuran-d(8). The results indicate that lithium chelation forces the pyrrolidine ring of the 3-AP to adopt a norbornyl-like conformation and that robust 1:1 noncovalent complexes between methyllithium and 3-AP lithium amides form in the medium. A set of (1)H-(1)H and (1)H-(6)Li NMR cross-coupling correlations shows that the binding of methyllithium can take place along the "exo" or the "endo" face of this puckered structure, depending on the relative configuration of the lateral chiral group. This aggregation step renders the nitrogen of the 3-amino group chiral, the "exo" and "endo" topologies corresponding to the (S) and (R) configurations, respectively, of this atom. Density functional theory calculations show that the "exo" and "endo" arrangements are, for both diastereomers, almost isoenergetic even when solvent is taken into account. This result suggests that the formation of the mixed aggregates is under strict kinetic control. A relationship between the topology of these complexes and the sense of induction in the enantioselective alkylation of aromatic aldehydes by alkyllithiums is proposed.