Next-generation spirobenzazepines: identification of RWJ-676070 as a balanced vasopressin V1a/V2 receptor antagonist for human clinical studies.

We have continued to explore spirobenzazepines as vasopressin receptor antagonists to follow up on RWJ-339489 (2), which had advanced into preclinical development. Further structural modifications were pursued to find a suitable backup compound for human clinical studies. Thus, we identified carboxylic acid derivative 3 (RWJ-676070; JNJ-17158063) as a potent, balanced vasopressin V(1a)/V(2) receptor antagonist with favorable properties for clinical development. Compound 3 is currently undergoing human clinical investigation.

Studies toward the asymmetric synthesis of the right part of the mycalamides.

Described herein is the asymmetric synthesis of a functionalized, trioxadecalin unit that comprises the right-hand part of the mycalamides and related natural products. The synthetic route involves a 16-step sequence that accomplishes the formation of two heterocyclic rings and the generation of five stereocenters. The synthesis commenced with a C2-symmetric starting material, diethyl D-tartrate, and took advantage of a relay of diastereoselective reactions to extend this four-carbon chain and introduce new chiral centers. Subsequent electrophile-mediated cyclization afforded the desired pyran ring, which was then transformed into the desired, functionalized trioxadecalin skeleton.

Bioactivation of 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) via cytochrome P450-mediated aromatic oxidation in human liver microsomes.

It has previously been proposed that 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) is metabolically activated by oxidation of the methyl group to form a reactive quinone methide. In the present study a new metabolism pathway is elucidated in human liver microsomes. Oxidation of the aromatic ring leads to formation of 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone, which is further oxidized to a reactive intermediate, 4-methyl-ortho-benzoquinone. This bioactivation pathway is fully supported by the following observations: 1) one major and two minor glutathione (GSH) adducts were detected in microsomal incubations of p-cresol in the presence of glutathione; 2) a major metabolite of p-cresol was identified as 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone in microsomal incubations; 3) the same GSH adducts were detected in microsomal incubations of 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone; and 4) the same GSH adducts were chemically synthesized by oxidizing 4-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone followed by the addition of GSH, and the major conjugate was identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and NMR as 3-(glutathione-S-yl)-5-methyl-ortho-hydroquinone. In addition, it was found that 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, a major metabolite derived from oxidation of the methyl group in liver microsomes, was further converted to 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. In vitro studies also revealed that bioactivation of p-cresol was mediated by multiple cytochromes P450, but CYP2D6, 2E1, and 1A2 are the most active enzymes for formation of quinone methide, 4-methyl-ortho-benzoquinone, and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, respectively. Implications of the newly identified reactive metabolite in p-cresol-induced toxicity remain to be investigated in the future.

Total synthesis of mycalamide A.

This communication describes a concise and efficient total synthesis of mycalamide A by the convergent coupling of pederic acid unit with the mycalamine unit. The left-half, (+)-7-benzoylpederic acid, was synthesized from (2R,3R)-3-methylpent-4-en-2-ol in seven steps and 34.6% overall yield through a route that features a one-step Pd(II)-catalyzed tandem Wacker/Heck cyclization reaction to prepare the tetrahydropyran ring system. The right-half, the mycalamine unit, was synthesized in 21 steps and 10.5% overall yield from diethyl d-tartrate. Effective, stereoselective methods were developed for the assembly of the two parts to yield either mycalamide A or C(10)-epi-mycalamide A.