Synthetic studies on the indane SHIP1 agonist AQX-1125.

AQX-1125 is an indane based SHIP1 agonist that has been evaluated in the clinic for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis. To support our own studies on SHIP1 agonists as potential treatments for IBD and Crohn's disease, a new synthetic route to the SHIP1 agonist AQX-1125 has been developed. This sequence utilizes a hydroxy-acid intermediate which allows for ready differentiation of the C6 and C7 positions. The role of the C17 alkene in the biological activity of the system is also investigated, and this functional group is not required for SHIP1 agonist activity. While AQX-1125 shows SHIP1 agonist activity in enzyme assays, it does not show activity in cell based assays similar to other SHIP1 agonists, which limits the utility of this molecule.

Formation of DPM ethers using O-diphenylmethyl trichloroacetimidate under thermal conditions.

Alcohols are effectively converted to their corresponding diphenylmethyl (DPM) ethers by reaction with O-diphenylmethyl trichloroacetimidate in refluxing toluene without the requirement of a catalyst or other additives. A number of acid and base sensitive substrates were protected in excellent yield using this new method without disturbing the pre-existing functionality present in these molecules. This reaction is the first example of the formation of an ether from stoichiometric amounts of a trichloroacetimidate and an alcohol without the addition of a Brønsted or Lewis acid catalyst.