Mapping the dark space of chemical reactions with extended nanomole synthesis and MALDI-TOF MS

High throughput analysis enables high throughput experimentation in pharmaceutical process research

High throughput experimentation has become widely used in the discovery and development of new medicines.

Making better decisions during synthetic route design: leveraging prediction to achieve greenness-by-design

A conceptual framework for incorporating machine learned ligand prediction into predictive route comparisons, to enable greener chemistry outcomes.

High-throughput, low-cost reaction screening using a modified 3D printer

We describe a reaction screening system, based on a 96-well array, and scaled to suit use on the individual scientist's bench. The system was built by modifying a desktop 3D printer and fitting it with a glass syringe and microtiter plate. The effects of experimental variables were characterized, and the performance of the system was optimized. Precise volumes of reaction mixtures (<3% CV) were dispensed into the 96-well array in ca. 40 minutes. The system was used to screen reagents and solvents for the N-alkylation, Katritzky transamination, and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. Product distributions derived from electrospray mass spectra and represented as heat maps facilitated recognition of optimum conditions. Screening of 96 reaction mixtures was completed in the modest time of approximately 105 minutes (∼65 seconds per reaction mixture). The system is constructed from open-source software and inexpensive 3D printer hardware.

Rapid route design of AZD7594

Multidisciplinary collaboration enables the rapid and efficient design and selection of an improved manufacturing route to a new potential medicine for the treatment of asthma.

Generic anion-exchange chromatography method for analytical and preparative separation of nucleotides in the development and manufacture of drug substances

Nucleotides are among the most frequently used chemical building blocks in the research, development and manufacture of drug substances. They are composed of three highly polar subunit molecules (a nucleobase, a sugar, and at least one phosphate group), which makes their separation and analysis very challenging by conventional liquid chromatography techniques. Herein, we describe a simple, efficient, and cost-effective ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) method for the separation and purification of over 20 nucleotides. This method combines the use of a Tosoh TSKgel SuperQ-5P W resin in conjunction with a fully aqueous eluent profile (ammonium bicarbonate-based) that allows for a straightforward scale-up transition and convenient drying process with minimal environmental impact. This generic method was optimized using chromatography simulation software (ACD Labs/LC Simulator) and successfully applied to the preparative purification of multicomponent nucleotide mixtures using readily available Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) instrumentation. These IEC method conditions can be effectively applied as the starting point for method development and isolation of other highly polar nucleotide species beyond those investigated in this study.

Macrocycles: MCR synthesis and applications in drug discovery

Macrocycles are an emerging and largely underexploited part of chemical space where potential drugs for difficult genomic targets can be discovered. Macrocycles can have advantages over their natural twins such as better control over synthesis, physicochemical properties and target binding. Fast and convergent synthesis pathways are underdeveloped. Multicomponent reaction (MCR) chemistry is very well suited for the synthesis of a diverse range of macrocycles and is also able to generate great levels of molecular diversity and complexity at low synthetic costs.

Artificial Macrocycles by Ugi Reaction and Passerini Ring Closure

Artificial macrocycles can be convergently synthesized by a sequence of an Ugi multicomponent reaction (MCR) followed by an intramolecular Passerini MCR used to close the macrocycle. Significantly, in this work, the first intramolecular macrocyclization through a Passerini reaction is described. We describe 21 macrocycles of a size of 15-20. The resulting macrocyclic depsipeptides are model compounds for natural products and could find applications in drug discovery.