Synthesis, biochemical evaluation and molecular modeling studies of nonpeptidic nitrile-based fluorinated compounds

Aim: Compounds that block enzyme activity can kill pathogens and help develop effective and safe drugs for Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Materials & methods: A library of nonpeptidic nitrile-based compounds was synthesized and had their inhibitory affinity tested against cruzain, Leishmania mexicana cysteine protease B and cathepsin L. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments and molecular simulations were performed for selected compounds to obtain thermodynamic fingerprints and identify main interactions and putative modes of binding with cruzain. Results: The derivatives provided increased affinity against all enzymes compared with the lead, and thermodynamic and computational studies showed improved thermodynamic properties and a possible different mode of binding. Conclusion: Our studies culminated in 1b, a compound 60-fold more potent in cruzain than its lead that also showed entropic and enthalpic contributions favorable to Gibbs binding energy.

Synthesis and Penicillin-binding Protein Inhibitory Assessment of Dipeptidic 4-Phenyl-β-lactams from α-Amino Acid-derived Imines

Monocyclic β-lactams revive the research field on antibiotics, which are threatened by the emergence of resistant bacteria. A six-step synthetic route was developed, providing easy access to new 3-amino-1-carboxymethyl-4-phenyl-β-lactams, of which the penicillin-binding protein (PBP) inhibitory potency was demonstrated biochemically.

Interfacial hydrogenation and deamination of nitriles to selectively synthesize tertiary amines

A novel one-pot method has been developed for the interfacial hydrogenation of nitriles to synthesize asymmetrical tertiary amines. The active Pt NWs allow for the preparation of a series of tertiary amines in excellent yields (up to 99.0%) and a mixed solvent is vital for the adjustment of the yield. And also, the reaction proceeded under mild conditions and is environmentally friendly.

Fluorinated β-nitro amines by a selective ZrCl4-catalyzed aza-Henry reaction of (E)-trifluoromethyl aldimines

ZrCl(4) was found to be an ideal catalyst to promote aza-Henry reactions between trifluoromethyl aldimines and some nitro alkanes giving new fluorinated β-nitro amines. The reaction is strongly influenced by the CF(3) group, the yield by the alkyl chain of the nitro compound, while the stereochemical outcome seems to be unaffected, the anti isomer being always the major product.

Highly efficient heterogeneous gold-catalyzed direct synthesis of tertiary and secondary amines from alcohols and urea

Urea, the white gold: The efficient synthesis of tertiary and secondary amines is achieved by heterogeneous gold-catalyzed direct amination of stoichiometric alcohols with urea in good to excellent yields. Via a hydrogen autotransfer pathway, the reactions of primary alcohols with urea give tertiary amines exclusively, while secondary alcohols selectively afford secondary amines.