Asymmetric construction of quaternary centers by enantioselective allylation: application to the synthesis of the serotonin antagonist LY426965

[reaction: see text] Catalytic enantioselective allylation with a chiral bisphosphoramide was applied to the synthesis of LY426965, a serotonin antagonist. The key step, addition of a 3,3-disubstituted allyltrichlorosilane to benzaldehyde, provided the adduct containing a stereogenic quaternary center with excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.

Synthesis, receptor potency, and selectivity of halogenated diphenylpiperidines as serotonin 5-HT2A ligands for PET or SPECT brain imaging

A series of 4'-substituted phenyl-4-piperidinylmethanol and benzoyl-4-piperidine derivatives was synthesized as potential novel serotonin 5-HT2A receptor ligands that can be radiolabeled for in vivo brain imaging. Compounds were prepared by alkylation of 4-substituted benzoyl-4-piperidine with an iodo- or fluoro-substituted phenylalkyl halide followed by reduction with sodium borohydride. Potency of novel compounds was determined by in vitro radioreceptor affinity assays selective for serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Potent compounds were further evaluated for selectivity at serotonin-2A versus 2C, 6, and 7, as well as dopamine D2 and adrenergic alpha1 and alpha2 receptors. The novel compound (4-fluorophenyl)-(1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethyl]piperidin-4-yl])methanol was particularly promising with high 5-HT2A potency (K(i) = 1.63 nM) and >300-fold selectivity over other 5-HT receptor types.

New strategy for the synthesis of iminoglycitols from amino acids

A novel strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of polyhydroxypiperidines, which can be considered as iminoglycitols or 2,6-dideoxyazasugars, was developed. alpha-Benzolsulfonylamino esters served as a C(2)N building block while 2-bromo-3-(bromomethyl)oxazoles and -thiazoles contributed a C3-unit to the final piperidine ring. At first a dihydropyridine ring was established via alkylation and bromine-lithium exchange. The keto group of the resulting 5,6-dihydro[1,3]oxazolo- and 5,6-dihydro[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-7(4H)-ones was reduced and, after alkylation reactions, the azole ring was cleaved, thus providing heteroatom substituents for the target piperdines. Protected 5-amino-3,4-dihydroxy and 5-amino-3-hydroxy-4-thiohydroxypiperdines were obtained in the talose series while Mitsunobu reaction of the intermiediates provided access to the altrose series.

Conversion of carbamates to amidosulfones and amides. Synthesis of the [14C]-labeled antiobesity agent Ro23-7637

[reaction: see text] Carbamates of primary and secondary amines react with the dianion of methyl phenyl sulfone to yield amidosulfones. Alylation of the amidosulfone followed by reductive removal of the sulfonyl residue gives an amide.

Enantiomeric enrichment of (+)-(3R,4S)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpiperidine by crystallization

Two-fold crystallization of trans-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpiperidine enriched in (+)-enantiomer 3b (65.2-79.4% ee) yielded the racemate that crystallized out of solution and the mother liquor highly enriched in 3b (95.4-97.6% ee). Differences in infrared spectra of the racemate and enantiomer proved that the racemate consists of a racemic compound. Furthermore, solution NMR spectra of enriched 3b showed differentiation of some resonances (self-induced non-equivalence), which indicated strong diastereomeric interactions between solutes in apolar solvent. The enantiomeric composition of products was determined by NMR spectroscopy in the presence of R-Mosher acid.

Asymmetric synthesis of substituted prolines from delta-amino beta-ketoesters. Methyl (2S,5R)-(+)-5-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylate

[reaction: see text]. Metal carbenoid chemistry is used to convert delta-amino beta-ketoesters into 5-substituted 3-oxo prolines, which expands the utility of this class of polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks.

Novel piperidine .sigma. receptor ligands as potential antipsychotic drugs

sigma receptor ligands represent a new class of potential antipsychotic drugs. This paper presents the structure-activity relationships leading to novel disubstituted piperidine sigma ligands, which have little or no affinity for dopamine D2 receptors. Selectivity for sigma sites over dopamine D2 or serotonin 5-HT2 receptors appears to be governed by the chemical nature of the piperidine nitrogen substituent, its distance from the basic nitrogen, and its orientation relative to the other piperidine substituent. Several of these compounds have good oral potency in some animal models used to evaluate potential antipsychotic drugs. The N-cyclopropylmethyl ketones and ethers (e.g. 6i (DuP 734), 6q, 18a, and 18n) have the best in vivo potency. Compounds 6i (DuP 734) and 6q did not cause catalepsy in the rat, even at very high doses. On the basis of the pharmacology profiles of these sigma ligands, we propose these compounds may be effective antipsychotic drugs, which do not induce extrapyramidal side effects or tardive dyskinesia.

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of [18F]FEtP4A, a promising PET tracer for mapping acetylcholinesterase in vivo

N-[18F]Fluoroethyl-4-piperidyl acetate ([18F]FEtP4A), an analog of [11C]MP4A for mapping brain acetylcholineseterase (AchE) activity, was prepared by reacting 4-piperidyl acetate (P4A) with [18F]fluoroethyl bromide ([18F]FEtBr) using a newly developed automated system. Preliminary evaluation showed that the initial uptake of [18F]FEtP4A in the mouse brain was > 8% injected dose/g tissue. The distribution pattern of [18F]FEtP4A in the brain was striatum>cerebral cortex>cerebellum within 10-120 min post-injection, which reflected the distribution rank pattern of AchE activity in the brain. Moreover, chemical analysis of in vivo radioactive metabolites in the mouse brain indicated that 83% of [18F]FEtP4A was hydrolyzed to N-[18F]fluoroethyl-4-piperidinol ([18F]FEtP4OH) after 1 min intravenous injection. From these results, [18F]FEtP4A may become a promising PET tracer for mapping the AchE in vivo.

trans-6-Aminocyclohept-3-enols, a new designed polyfunctionalized chiral building block for the asymmetric synthesis of 2-substituted-4-hydroxypiperidines

trans-6-Aminocyclohept-3-enols 18 and ent-18 are new designed polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks for piperidine alkaloids synthesis and are prepared in high yields from the enzymatically derived cyclohept-3-ene-1,6-diol monoacetate (-)-8. Efficient highly enantioselective syntheses of cis-4-hydroxypipecolic acid (1) and piperidines 3 and 4, in both enantiomeric forms, are described. [reaction: see text]

A 3,4-epoxypiperidine structure as a novel and simple DNA-cleavage unit

Based on the 4-hydroxy-1-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane structure of azinomycin, a 3,4-epoxypiperidine structure was designed as a novel and simple alkylating molecular unit, and some 3,4-epoxypiperidine derivatives were found to show DNA-cleavage activity, the structural requirements for which were revealed.

Enantioselective allyltitanations and metathesis reactions. Application to the synthesis of piperidine alkaloids (+)-sedamine and (-)-prosophylline

An enantioselective synthesis of the piperidine alkaloids (+)-sedamine and (-)-prosophylline is reported. The synthesis of (+)-sedamine has been achieved in 12 steps with an overall yield of 20% from benzaldehyde, and (-)-prosophylline was obtained in 15 steps with an overall yield of 9.2%, starting from D-glyceraldehyde acetonide 14. The key steps are enantioselective allyltitanation reactions and ring-closing or cross-metathesis reactions.

Total synthesis of (-)-tetrazomine. Determination of the stereochemistry of tetrazomine and the synthesis and biological activity of tetrazomine analogues

The first total synthesis of the potent antitumor antibiotic (-)-tetrazomine has been accomplished. A new method for the formation of the allylic amine precursor to an azomethine ylide has been developed and exploited in an efficient [1,3]-dipolar cycloaddition to afford the key tetracyclic intermediate used in the synthesis of (-)-tetrazomine. Several analogues of tetrazomine have been synthesized and tested for antimicrobial and biochemical activity.

Novel 4-anilinoquinazolines with C-7 basic side chains: design and structure activity relationship of a series of potent, orally active, VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

We have previously shown that 4-anilinoquinazolines can be potent inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (Flt-1 and KDR) tyrosine kinase activity. A novel subseries of 4-anilinoquinazolines that possess basic side chains at the C-7 position of the quinazoline nucleus have been synthesized. This subseries contains potent, nanomolar inhibitors of KDR (median IC(50) 0.02 microM, range 0.001-0.04 microM), which are comparatively less potent vs Flt-1 tyrosine kinase (median IC(50) 0.55 microM, range 0.02-1.6 microM). The compounds also retain some inhibitory activity against the tyrosine kinase associated to the endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) (median IC(50) 0.2 microM, range 0.075-0.8 microM) but demonstrate selectivity vs that associated to the FGF receptor 1 (median IC(50) 2.5 microM, range 0.9-19 microM). This selectivity profile is also evident in a growth factor-stimulated human endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation assay (i.e., inhibition of VEGF > EGF > FGF), with inhibition of VEGF-induced proliferation being achieved at nanomolar concentrations (median IC(50) 0.06 microM). Further examination of compound 2 (ZD6474) in recombinant enzyme assays revealed excellent selectivity for the inhibition of KDR tyrosine kinase (IC(50) 0.04 microM) vs the kinase activity of erbB2, MEK, CDK-2, Tie-2, IGFR-1R, PDK, PDGFRbeta, and AKT (IC(50) range: 1.1 to >100 microM). Anilinoquinazolines possessing basic C-7 side chains exhibited markedly improved aqueous solubility over previously described anilinoquinazolines possessing neutral C-7 side chains (up to 500-fold improvement at pH 7.4). In addition, aqueous solubility of the neutral fraction present at pH 7.4 of the basic subseries of anilinoquinazoline proved to be higher than that of the neutral analogue 1 (ZD4190). Oral administration of representative compounds to mice (50 mg/kg) produced plasma levels between 0.2 and 3 microM at 24 h after dosing. Our development candidate 2 demonstrated a very attractive in vitro profile combined with excellent solubility (330 microM at pH 7.4) and good oral bioavailability in rat and dog (> 80 and > 50%, respectively). This compound demonstrated highly significant, dose-dependent, antitumor activity in athymic mice. Once daily oral administration of 100 mg/kg of compound 2 for 21 days inhibited the growth of established Calu-6 lung carcinoma xenografts by 79% (P < 0.001, Mann Whitney rank sum test), and substantial inhibition (36%, P < 0.02) was evident with 12.5 mg/kg/day.

Structure-activity relationships of new NAPAP-analogs

Several new analogs of the known thrombin inhibitor NAPAP were synthesized, in which the P2 glycine residue was substituted by natural and unnatural amino acids. The thrombin inhibitory potency was comparable to that of NAPAP. Several of the compounds had inhibition constants lower than 10 nM and a very high selectivity compared to trypsin, factor Xa and plasmin. In addition, analogs were prepared by alkylation of the N alpha-atom of the 4-amidinophenylalanine in P1 position, which showed a more than 10-fold lower thrombin inhibition. Furthermore, azaglycine was introduced instead of P2 glycine. For most of the inhibitors similar fast elimination rates were seen in rats after intravenous dosing, as found previously for NAPAP. Only some compounds, which contained a second basic group showed a slightly decreased cumulative biliary clearance.

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-arylpiperidines from chiral lactams. A concise synthesis of (-)-anabasine

Cyclodehydration of achiral or racemic aryl-delta-oxoacids with (R)-phenylglycinol stereoselectively affords chiral non-racemic bicyclic lactams, from which the enantiodivergent synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-phenylpiperidine, the diastereodivergent synthesis of cis- and trans-3-ethyl-2-phenylpiperidine, and the enantioselective synthesis of the piperidine alkaloid (-)-anabasine is reported.

Stereoselective synthesis from a process research perspective

The process chemists' primary responsibility is to develop efficient and reproducible syntheses of pharmaceutically active compounds. This task is complicated when dealing with chiral molecules that often must be made as single isomers according to regulatory guidelines. The presence of any isomeric impurity in the final product, even in small amounts, is usually not acceptable. This requirement necessitates an exquisite understanding of the methods employed in the construction of chiral drugs. However, the chemistry available for this purpose is sometimes limited and often requires a significant amount of effort and creativity to be made both functional and consistent.

Development of a new class of nonimidazole histamine H(3) receptor ligands with combined inhibitory histamine N-methyltransferase activity

In search of novel ways to enhance histaminergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system, a new class of nonimidazole histamine H(3) receptor ligands were developed that simultaneously possess strong inhibitory activity on the main histamine metabolizing enzyme, histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT). The novel compounds contain an aminoquinoline moiety, which is an important structural feature for HMT inhibitory activity, connected by different spacers to a piperidino group (for H(3) receptor antagonism). Variation of the spacer structure provides two different series of compounds. One series, having only an alkylene spacer between the basic centers, led to highly potent HMT inhibitors with moderate to high affinity at human histamine H(3) receptors. The second series possesses a p-phenoxypropyl spacer, which may be extended by another alkylene chain. This latter series also showed strong inhibitory activity on HMT, and in most cases, the H(3) receptor affinity even surpassed that of the first series. One of the most potent compounds with this dual mode of action is 4-(4-(3-piperidinopropoxy)phenylamino)quinoline (34) (hH(3), K(i) = 0.09 nM; HMT, IC(50) = 51 nM). This class of compounds showed high antagonist potency and good H(3) receptor selectivity in functional assays in guinea pig on H(1), H(2), and H(3) receptors. Because of low or missing in vivo activity of two selected compounds, the proof of concept of these valuable pharmacological tools for the supposed superior overall enhancing effect on histaminergic neurotransmission failed to appear hitherto.

Synthesis of 5,6-dihydro-11H-benzo[5,6]-cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridin-11-ylidene)-1-piperidine-N-cyanoguanidine derivatives as inhibitors of ras farnesyl protein transferase

A series of novel N-cyanoguanidine tricyclic farnesyl protein transferase (FPT) inhibitors was prepared. Replacement of a piperidine amide-group with a N-cyanoguanidine functionality increased FPT activity. X-ray crystal structure determination of 42 complexed with FPT revealed differences in the interactions of the amide and N-cyanoguanidine groups with the protein.

Cyclohexylmethylpiperidinyltriphenylpropioamide: a selective muscarinic M(3) antagonist discriminating against the other receptor subtypes

To discover a highly selective M(3) antagonist, a combinatorial library was prepared. The library was designed to identify a novel structural class of M(3) antagonists by exploring the spatial arrangement of the pharmacophores in known M(3) antagonists. After the evaluation of 1000 library members, a potent M(3) antagonist, 14a (K(i) = 0.31 nM), with novel structural features was identified. Compound 14a showed high selectivity for M(3) receptors over the other muscarinic receptor subtypes (M(1)/M(3) = 380-fold, M(2)/M(3) = 98-fold, M(4)/M(3) = 45-fold, M(5)/M(3) = 120-fold).

N-arylalkylpiperidines as high-affinity sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptor ligands: phenylpropylamines as potential leads for selective sigma-2 agents

To delineate the differences between the structural requirements necessary for recognition at sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors, a range of phenethyl- and phenylpropylpiperidines were evaluated in binding assays. Phenethylpiperidines were found to favor sigma-1 receptors, whereas phenylpropylpiperidines tend to favor sigma-2 receptors. It appears that phenylpropylamine is a potential pharmacophore for selective sigma-2 ligands.

Discovery of a nonpeptidic small molecule antagonist of the human platelet thrombin receptor (PAR-1)

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of nonpeptidic small molecule antagonists of the human platelet thrombin receptor (PAR-1) are described. Optimization of the 5-amino-3-arylisoxazole lead resulted in an approximate 100-fold increase in potency. The most potent of these compounds (54) inhibits platelet activation with IC(50)s of 90 nM against the thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP) and 510 nM against thrombin as the agonist. Further, antagonist 54 fully blocks platelet aggregation stimulated by 1 nM thrombin for 10 min.

Expansion of structure-activity studies of piperidine analogues of 1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR 12935) compounds by altering substitutions in the N-benzyl moiety and behavioral pharmacology of selected molecules

A series of substituted N-benzyl analogues of the dopamine transporter (DAT) specific compound, 4-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-1-benzylpiperidine were synthesized and biologically characterized. Different 4'-alkyl, 4'-alkenyl, and 4'-alkynyl substituents were introduced in the phenyl ring of the benzyl moiety along with the replacement of the same phenyl ring by the isomeric alpha- and beta-naphthyl groups. Different polar substitutions at the 3'- and 4'-position were also introduced. Novel compounds were tested for their binding affinity at the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporter systems in the brain by competing for [(3)H]WIN 35 428, [(3)H]citalopram, and [(3)H]nisoxetine, respectively. Selected compounds were also evaluated for their activity in inhibiting the uptake of [(3)H]dopamine. Binding results demonstrated that alkenyl and alkynyl substitutions at the 4'-position produced potent compounds in which compound 6 with a vinyl substitution was the most potent. In vivo evaluation of three selected compounds indicated that despite their high potency at the DAT, these compounds stimulated locomotor activity (LMA) less than cocaine when tested across similar dose ranges. In a drug discrimination study procedure, none of these three compounds generalized from cocaine in mice trained to discriminate 10 mg/kg cocaine from vehicle. In a 4 h time course LMA experiment, one of our previous lead piperidine derivatives (1a) showed considerable prolonged action. Thus, in this report, we describe a structure-activity relationship study of novel piperidine analogues assessed by both in vitro transporter assays and in vivo behavioral activity measurements.

Stereoselective formal synthesis of pseudodistomin C

[reaction: see text] Trisubstituted benzenesulfonylmethylpiperidine 4, in which the substituents are all cis to each other, is a direct synthetic precursor of the cytotoxic marine alkaloid pseudodistomin C; it has been synthesized with total diastereoselectivities from (S)-pyroglutaminol.

Novel spiropiperidines as highly potent and subtype selective sigma-receptor ligands. Part 1

A series of spiro[[2]benzopyran-1,4'-piperidines] and spiro[[2]benzofuran-1,4'-piperidines] of general structure 10 is prepared, and the affinity for sigma(1)- and sigma(2)-receptors is investigated by means of radioligand binding assays. The synthesis of the spiropiperidines 14a and 23 proceeds from bromine/lithium exchange of the bromoacetals 11 and 21, addition to piperidin-4-one 12a, and subsequent cyclization. Systematic variations of the substituent R at the nitrogen atom, the group X in position 3, and the ring size of the oxygen heterocycle are performed. The sigma(1)- and sigma(2)-receptor affinities are determined with guinea pig brain and rat liver membrane preparations using [(3)H]-labeled (+)-pentazocine and ditolylguanidine, respectively. Test results show that a benzyl residue at the piperidine nitrogen atom and a methoxy group in position 3 are advantageous for high sigma(1)-receptor affinity. In this series the 1'-benzyl-3-methoxy-3,4-dihydrospiro[[2]benzopyran-1,4'-piperidine] (14a) and the 1'-benzyl-3-methoxy-3H-spiro[[2]benzofuran-1,4'-piperidine] (23) are among the most potent sigma(1)-ligands interacting in the low nanomolar range with sigma(1)-receptors (14a, K(i) = 1.29 nM; 23, K(i) = 1.14 nM). Variation of the nitrogen substituent R from benzyl to H, alkyl, phenyl, or omega-phenylalkyl and the group X from methoxy to hydroxy, carbonyl, or alkyloxy led to reduced sigma(1)-receptor affinity. In addition to their high sigma(1)-receptor affinity, the spiropiperidines 14a and 23 display excellent selectivity toward sigma(2)-receptors (sigma(1)/sigma(2) = 2708 and 1130) and several other receptor and reuptake systems. Introduction of a polar hydroxy group in position 3 and elongation of the distance between the piperidine nitrogen atom and the phenyl moiety result in ligands with considerable sigma(2)-receptor affinity and therefore diminished sigma(1)/sigma(2)-receptor selectivity. The hemiacetalic 1'-(3-phenylpropyl)-3,4-dihydrospiro[[2]benzopyran-1,4'-piperidin]-3-ol (15e) represents the most active sigma(2)-receptor ligand in this series with a K(i) value of 83.1 nM.

4-(Phenylsulfonyl)piperidines: novel, selective, and bioavailable 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists

On the basis of a spirocyclic ether screening lead, a series of acyclic sulfones have been identified as high-affinity, selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists. Bioavailability lacking in the parent, 1-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)ethyl)-4-(phenylsulfonyl)piperidine (12), was introduced by using stability toward rat liver microsomes as a predictor of bioavailability. By this means, the 4-cyano- and 4-carboxamidophenylsulfonyl derivatives 26 and 31 were identified as orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant analogues suitable for evaluation in animal models. Bioavailability was also attainable by N substitution leading to the N-phenacyl derivative 35. IKr activity detected through counterscreening was reduced to insignificant levels in vivo with the latter compound.