Discovery and Optimization of Potent and CNS Penetrant M5-Preferring Positive Allosteric Modulators Derived from a Novel, Chiral N-(Indanyl)piperidine Amide Scaffold.

The pharmacology of the M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) is the least understood of the five mAChR subtypes due to a historic lack of selective small molecule tools. To address this shortcoming, we have continued the optimization effort around the prototypical M5 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) ML380 and have discovered and optimized a new series of M5 PAMs based on a chiral N-(indanyl)piperidine amide core with robust SAR, human and rat M5 PAM EC50 values <100 nM and rat brain/plasma Kp values of ∼0.40. Interestingly, unlike M1 and M4 PAMs with unprecedented mAChR subtype selectivity, this series of M5 PAMs displayed varying degrees of PAM activity at the other two natively Gq-coupled mAChRs, M1 and M3, yet were inactive at M2 and M4.

ML418: The First Selective, Sub-Micromolar Pore Blocker of Kir7.1 Potassium Channels.

The inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channel Kir7.1 (KCNJ13) has recently emerged as a key regulator of melanocortin signaling in the brain, electrolyte homeostasis in the eye, and uterine muscle contractility during pregnancy. The pharmacological tools available for exploring the physiology and therapeutic potential of Kir7.1 have been limited to relatively weak and nonselective small-molecule inhibitors. Here, we report the discovery in a fluorescence-based high-throughput screen of a novel Kir7.1 channel inhibitor, VU714. Site-directed mutagenesis of pore-lining amino acid residues identified glutamate 149 and alanine 150 as essential determinants of VU714 activity. Lead optimization with medicinal chemistry generated ML418, which exhibits sub-micromolar activity (IC50 = 310 nM) and superior selectivity over other Kir channels (at least 17-fold selective over Kir1.1, Kir2.1, Kir2.2, Kir2.3, Kir3.1/3.2, and Kir4.1) except for Kir6.2/SUR1 (equally potent). Evaluation in the EuroFins Lead Profiling panel of 64 GPCRs, ion-channels, and transporters for off-target activity of ML418 revealed a relatively clean ancillary pharmacology. While ML418 exhibited low CLHEP in human microsomes which could be modulated with lipophilicity adjustments, it showed high CLHEP in rat microsomes regardless of lipophilicity. A subsequent in vivo PK study of ML418 by intraperitoneal (IP) administration (30 mg/kg dosage) revealed a suitable PK profile (Cmax = 0.20 µM and Tmax = 3 h) and favorable CNS distribution (mouse brain/plasma Kp of 10.9 to support in vivo studies. ML418, which represents the current state-of-the-art in Kir7.1 inhibitors, should be useful for exploring the physiology of Kir7.1 in vitro and in vivo.

Stereoretentive Pd-catalyzed Kumada-Corriu couplings of alkenyl halides at room temperature.

Stereoselective palladium-catalyzed Kumada-Corriu reactions of functionalized alkenyl halides and a variety of Grignard reagents, including those bearing ß-hydrogen atoms and sensitive functional groups, can be carried out at room temperature using a new combination of reagents.

Ligand effects on the stereochemistry of Stille couplings, as manifested in reactions of Z-alkenyl halides.

Unexpected losses in stereochemistry from Stille reactions involving Z-alkenyl halides have been shown to be ligand dependent. A new set of reaction conditions has been developed that, in most cases, leads to highly stereoselective cross-couplings under mild conditions, along with improved yields.

Ligand effects on the stereochemical outcome of Suzuki-Miyaura couplings.

The ligands associated with various Pd catalysts play a crucial role in determining the stereochemistry of cross-couplings between boronic acids and Z-alkenyl halides. A ligand on palladium has been found that leads to the desired products under mild conditions and in high yields that, in most cases, retain their Z-olefin geometry.

Rate enhanced olefin cross-metathesis reactions: the copper iodide effect.

Copper iodide has been shown to be an effective cocatalyst for the olefin cross-metathesis reaction. In particular, it has both a catalyst stabilizing effect due to iodide ion, as well as copper(I)-based phosphine-scavenging properties that apply to use of the Grubbs-2 catalyst. A variety of Michael acceptors and olefinic partners can be cross-coupled under mild conditions in refluxing diethyl ether that avoid chlorinated solvents. This effect has also been applied to chemistry in water at room temperature using the new surfactant TPGS-750-M.

Miyaura Borylations of Aryl Bromides in Water at Room Temperature.

New technology for palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings between B2pin2 and aryl bromides leading to arylboronates is described. Micellar catalysis serves to enable borylations to take place in water as the only medium at ambient temperatures.

Olefin cross-metathesis reactions at room temperature using the nonionic amphiphile "PTS": just add water.

The first examples of unsymmetrical olefin cross-metathesis reactions in water, involving water-insoluble substrates, at room temperature and using commercially available catalysts are reported. The key to success is to include small percentages of the nonionic, vitamin E-based amphiphile "PTS". The nanometer micelles formed accommodate water-insoluble substrates, along with a readily available Ru-based metathesis catalyst. Reactions proceed at ambient temperatures with high efficiency and very high E-selectivity, and products are easily isolated.