Stereodivergent Synthesis of Biologically Active Spironucleoside Scaffolds via Catalytic Cyclopropanation of 4-exo-Methylene Furanosides.

Cyclopropane fusion of the only rotatable carbon-carbon bond in furanosyl nucleosides (i.e., exocyclic 4'-5') is a powerful design strategy to arrive at conformationally constrained analogues. Herein, we report a direct stereodivergent route toward the synthesis of the four possible configurations of 4-spirocyclopropane furanoses, which have been transformed into the corresponding 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues. The latter showed differential inhibition of the protein methyltransferase PRMT5-MEP50 complex, with one analogue inhibiting more effectively than adenosine itself, demonstrating the utility of rationally probing 4'-5' side chain orientations.

Organic glasses with tunable liquid-crystalline order through kinetic arrest of end-over-end rotation: the case of saperconazole.

Liquid crystals (LCs) undergo fast phase transitions, almost without hysteresis, leading to the notion that it is difficult to bypass LC transitions. However, recent work on itraconazole has shown that a nematic-to-smectic phase transition can be frustrated or avoided at moderate cooling rates. At each cooling rate, the highest smectic order obtained is determined by the kinetic arrest of the end-over-end molecular rotation. We report that the same phenomenon occurs in the system saperconazole, an analog of itraconazole where each of the two Cl atoms is replaced by F. Saperconazole has a wider temperature range over which smectic order can develop before kinetic arrest, providing a stronger test of the previous conclusion. Together these results indicate a general principle for controlling LC order in organic glasses for electronic applications.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Spirocarbocycles as Scaffolds for Nucleoside Analogues.

A novel class of substituted spiro[3.4]octanes can be accessed via a [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of dichloroketene on a readily prepared exo-methylene cyclopentane building block. This reaction sequence was found to be robust on a multigram scale and afforded a central spirocyclobutanone scaffold for carbocyclic nucleosides. The reactivity of this constrained building block was evaluated and compared to the corresponding 4'-spirocyclic furanose analogues. Density functional theory calculations were performed to support the observed selectivity in the carbonyl reduction of spirocyclobutanone building blocks. Starting from novel spirocyclic intermediates, we exemplified the preparation of an undescribed class of carbocyclic nucleoside analogues and provided a proof of concept for application as inhibitors for the protein methyltransferase target PRMT5.

Preparation of 4'-Spirocyclobutyl Nucleoside Analogues as Novel and Versatile Adenosine Scaffolds.

Despite the large variety of modified nucleosides that have been reported, the preparation of constrained 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues has received very little attention. We discovered that the [2+2]-cycloaddition of dichloroketene on readily available 4'-exo-methylene furanose sugars efficiently results in the diastereoselective formation of novel 4'-spirocyclobutanones. The reaction mechanism was investigated via density functional theory (DFT) and found to proceed either via a non-synchronous or stepwise reaction sequence, controlled by the stereochemistry at the 3'-position of the sugar substrate. The obtained dichlorocyclobutanones were converted into nucleoside analogues, providing access to a novel class of chiral 4'-spirocyclobutyl adenosine mimetics in eight steps from commercially available sugars. Assessment of the biological activity of designed 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues identified potent inhibitors for protein methyltransferase target PRMT5.

Discovery and optimization of a series of small-molecule allosteric inhibitors of MALT1 protease.

We describe a series of potent and highly selective small-molecule MALT1 inhibitors, optimized from a High-Throughput Screening hit. Advanced analogues such as compound 40 show high potency (IC50: 0.01 µM) in a biochemical assay measuring MALT1 enzymatic activity, as well as in cellular assays: Jurkat T cell activation (0.05 µM) and IL6/10 secretion (IC50: 0.10/0.06 µM) in the TMD8 B-cell lymphoma line. Compound 40 also inhibited cleavage of the MALT1 substrate RelB (IC50: 0.10 µM). Mechanistic enzymology results suggest that these compounds bind to the known allosteric site of the protease.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Reductive Arylation of N-(2-Pyridinyl)amides with Isopropanol and Arylboronate Esters.

A new three-component reductive arylation of amides with stable reactants (iPrOH and arylboronate esters), making use of a 2-pyridinyl (Py) directing group, is described. The N-Py-amide substrates are readily prepared from carboxylic acids and PyNH2 , and the resulting N-Py-1-arylalkanamine reaction products are easily transformed into the corresponding chlorides by substitution of the HN-Py group with HCl. The 1-aryl-1-chloroalkane products allow substitution and cross-coupling reactions. Therefore, a general protocol for the transformation of carboxylic acids into a variety of functionalities is obtained. The Py-NH2 by-product can be recycled.

Design and synthesis of a series of bioavailable fatty acid synthase (FASN) KR domain inhibitors for cancer therapy.

We designed and synthesized a new series of fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors with potential utility for the treatment of cancer. Extensive SAR studies led to highly active FASN inhibitors with good cellular activity and oral bioavailability, exemplified by compound 34. Compound 34 is a potent inhibitor of human FASN (IC50 = 28 nM) that effectively inhibits proliferation of A2780 ovarian cells (IC50 = 13 nM) in lipid-reduced serum (LRS). This cellular activity can be rescued by addition of palmitate, consistent with an on-target effect. Compound 34 is also active in many other cell types, including PC3M (IC50 = 25 nM) and LnCaP-Vancouver prostate cells (IC50 = 66 nM), and is highly bioavailable (F 61%) with good exposure after oral administration. In a pharmacodynamics study in H460 lung xenograft-bearing mice, oral treatment with compound 34 results in elevated tumor levels of malonyl-CoA and decreased tumor levels of palmitate, fully consistent with the desired target engagement.

Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Heterocycles.

An iron-catalyzed synthesis of sulfur- and sulfone-containing heterocycles is reported. The method is based on the cyclization of readily available substrates and proceeded with high efficiency and diastereoselectivity. A variety of sulfur-containing heterocycles bearing moieties suitable for subsequent functionalization are prepared. Illustrative examples of such postcyclization modifications are also presented.

Access to Silylated Pyrazole Derivatives by Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Activation of a TMS group.

A simple and efficient approach to new silylated heterocycles of potential interest in medicinal chemistry is presented. A set of bromophenyl trimethylsilyl pyrazole intermediates can be transformed by direct organometallic routes into two families of regioisomeric iodoaryl substrates; using either arylzinc or aryllithium chemistry, the TMS group remains on the pyrazole ring or translocates to the aryl moiety. These two families can then be efficiently transformed into benzo silino pyrazoles thanks to a single-step cyclization relying on the Pd-catalyzed activation of a non-activated C(sp(3) )-H bond alpha to a silicon atom. The experimental conditions used, which are fully compatible with the pyrazole ring, suggest that this reaction evolves through a concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD) mechanism.

Synthesis and orthogonal functionalization of oxazolo[5',4':4,5]pyrano[2,3-b]pyridine by intra- and intermolecular Pd-catalyzed direct C-H bond heteroarylation.

The construction and subsequent orthogonal functionalization of a hitherto unknown oxazolo[5',4':4,5]pyrano[2,3-b]pyridine are reported. A palladium-catalyzed direct C-H bond functionalization methodology was used to build the tricyclic scaffold as well as to achieve the subsequent C-H bond functionalization at the C-2 position of the oxazole unit with various (hetero)aryl iodides. Remarkably, selective C-H construction and functionalization procedures preserve the chorine atom on the pyridine moiety offering a late-stage substitution site to progress drug design.

Iron-Catalyzed Synthesis of C2 Aryl- and N-Heteroaryl-Substituted Tetrahydropyrans.

An iron-catalyzed cyclization of hydroxy allylic derivatives into tetrahydropyrans possessing an N-heteroaryl at C2 is disclosed. The reaction proceeds with good yield and in high diastereoselectivity in favor of the more stable isomer. The diastereoselectivity results from an iron-induced reopening of the tetrahydropyrans, allowing a thermodynamic equilibration. The method allows access to a variety of 2,6-disubstituted as well as 2,4,6-trisubstituted tetrahydropyrans that could be considered as attractive scaffolds for the pharmaceutical industry.

Pyrrolo[1,2-α][1,4]benzodiazepines show potent in vitro antifungal activity and significant in vivo efficacy in a Microsporum canis dermatitis model in guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND: Pyrrolo[1,2-α][1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs) have been described as a novel class of antifungal compounds with activity against dermatophytes and Aspergillus fumigatus. The initial structure-activity relationship showed that compounds with a chlorine substitution at position 7 have a higher activity compared with regioisomers or other substituents. METHODS: The present study evaluated more analogues with a 7-chlorine-substitution in vitro against a broad panel of clinically relevant fungal species. The Microsporum canis model in guinea pigs was used to assess the in vivo efficacy after oral and topical administration. RESULTS: IC50 values in the low micromolar range (IC50 0.6-8.0 µM for dihydro-PBDs; 0.1-0.7 µM for oxidized PBDs) confirmed the potent and selective in vitro activity of PBDs against dermatophytes, while the activity against A. fumigatus and Candida parapsilosis was slightly lower. For dihydro-PBDs, para-substitution showed superior activity, while oxidized compounds with a meta-substitution performed best. Oxidized Compound O with meta-CF2CH3-substitution showed excellent IC50 values of 0.6 µM against M. canis, 2.0 µM against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 0.7 µM against Trichophyton rubrum, matching or outperforming the activity of itraconazole (IC50 values of 2.0, 0.4 and 0.6 µM, respectively). In vivo, topical application of a 0.25% formulation of Compound O gave a lesion reduction of >90% compared with placebo-treated animals. Oral administration of this compound at 20 mg/kg showed superior therapeutic efficacy compared with the reference drug itraconazole. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, PBDs with a chlorine atom at position 7 are very promising antifungal candidates with convincing in vitro and in vivo activity particularly against dermatophytes and should be studied in greater detail to explore their full potential in the treatment of dermatophytoses.

Anionic access to silylated and germylated binuclear heterocycles.

A simple access to silylated and germylated binuclear heterocycles, based on an original anionic rearrangement, is described. A set of electron-rich and electron-poor silylated aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates were tested to understand the mechanism and the factors controlling this rearrangement, in particular its regioselectivity. This parameter was shown to follow the rules proposed before from a few examples. Then, the effect of the substituents borne by the silicon itself, in particular the selectivity of the ligand transfer, was studied. Additionally, this chemistry was extended to germylated substrates. A hypervalent germanium species, comparable to the putative intermediate proposed with silicon, seems to be involved. However, a pathway implicating the elimination of LiCH2Cl was observed for the first time with this element, leading to unexpected products of the benzo-oxa (or benzo-aza) germol-type.

Synthesis of substituted indenones and indanones by a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling/acid-promoted cyclisation sequence.

A one-pot Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling/acid-catalyzed cyclisation leading to indenones and indanones in modest to good yields is reported.

Ruthenium-catalyzed α-(hetero)arylation of saturated cyclic amines: reaction scope and mechanism.

Transition-metal-catalyzed sp(3) C-H activation has emerged as a powerful approach to functionalize saturated cyclic amines. Our group recently disclosed a direct catalytic arylation reaction of piperidines at the α position to the nitrogen atom. 1-(Pyridin-2-yl)piperidine could be smoothly α-arylated if treated with an arylboronic ester in the presence of a catalytic amount of [Ru3(CO)12] and one equivalent of 3-ethyl-3-pentanol. A systematic study on the substrate and reagent scope of this transformation is disclosed in this paper. The effect of substitution on both the piperidine ring and the arylboronic ester has been investigated. Smaller (pyrrolidine) and larger (azepane) saturated ring systems, as well as benzoannulated derivatives, were found to be compatible substrates with the α-arylation protocol. The successful use of a variety of heteroarylboronic esters as coupling partners further proved the power of this direct functionalization method. Mechanistic studies have allowed for a better understanding of the catalytic cycle of this remarkable transformation featuring an unprecedented direct transmetalation on a Ru(II)-H species.

Cobalt-catalyzed diastereoselective synthesis of C-furanosides. Total synthesis of (-)-isoaltholactone.

An array of C-aryl and C-vinyl furanosides were prepared in good yields and diastereoselectivities from C-halogeno furanosides either with aryl Grignard or with vinyl Grignard using the convenient Co(acac)3/TMEDA catalytic system. This method is illustrated by the total synthesis of the (-)-isoaltholactone.

Removal of the pyridine directing group from α-substituted N-(pyridin-2-yl)piperidines obtained via directed Ru-catalyzed sp3 C-H functionalization.

Two strategies, "hydrogenation-hydride reduction" and "quaternization-hydride reduction", are reported that make use of mild reaction conditions (room temperature) to efficiently remove the N-pyridin-2-yl directing group from a diverse set of C-2-substituted piperidines that were synthesized through directed Ru-catalyzed sp(3) C-H functionalization. The deprotected products are obtained in moderate to good overall yields irrespective of the strategy followed, indicating that both methods are generally equally effective. Only in the case of 2,6-disubstituted piperidines, could the "quaternization-hydride reduction" strategy not be used. The "hydrogenation-hydride reduction" protocol was successfully applied to trans- and cis-2-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)-6-undecylpiperidine in a short synthetic route toward (±)-solenopsin A (trans diastereoisomer) and (±)-isosolenopsin A (cis diastereoisomer). The absolute configuration of the enantiomers of these fire ant alkaloids could be determined via VCD spectroscopy.

Direct α-functionalization of saturated cyclic amines.

Recent advances in synthetic methods for the direct α-functionalization of saturated cyclic amines are described. Methods are categorized according to the in situ formed reactive intermediate (α-amino cation, α-amino anion, and α-amino radical). Transition-metal-catalyzed reactions involving other intermediates have been treated as a separate and fourth class.

The role of the alcohol and carboxylic acid in directed ruthenium-catalyzed C(sp3)-H α-alkylation of cyclic amines.

A general directed Ru-catalyzed C(sp(3))-H α-alkylation protocol for piperidines (less-reactive substrates than the corresponding five-membered cyclic amines) has been developed. The use of a hindered alcohol (2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol) as the solvent and catalyst activator, and a catalytic amount of trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid is necessary to achieve a high conversion to product. This protocol was used to effectively synthesize a number of 2-hexyl- and 2,6-dihexyl piperidines, as well as the alkaloid (±)-solenopsin A. Kinetic studies have revealed that the carboxylic acid additive has a significant effect on catalyst initiation, catalyst longevity, and reverses the reaction selectivity compared with the acid-free reaction (promotes alkylation versus competing alkene reduction).

Diastereoselective metal-catalyzed synthesis of C-aryl and C-vinyl glycosides.

Cobalt, the catalyst of choice: The diastereoselective cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling of 1-bromo glycosides and aryl or vinyl Grignard reagents is described. A convenient and inexpensive catalyst, [Co(acac)(3)]/tmeda (acac = acetylacetonate, tmeda = N,N'-tetramethylethylenediamine), gives full α selectivity in the mannose and galactose series, and an α selectivity in the glucose series with α/ß ratios of 1.3:1-3:1.