3-(2-Aminocarbonylphenyl)propanoic acid analogs as potent and selective EP3 receptor antagonists. Part 1: Discovery and exploration of the carboxyamide side chain

Organogel delivery vehicles for the stabilization of organolithium reagents

Organolithium reagents are a vital tool in modern organic chemistry, enabling the synthesis of carbon-carbon bonds. However, due to their high reactivity, low temperatures, inert atmospheres and strictly dried solvents are usually necessary for their use. Here we report an encapsulating method for the stabilization of sensitive organolithium reagents-PhLi, n-BuLi and s-BuLi-in a low-cost hexatriacontane (C₃₆H₇₄) organogel. The use of this technology is showcased in nucleophilic addition reactions under ambient conditions, low-temperature bromine-lithium exchange, ortho-lithiation and C-H functionalization. The gel substantially enhances organolithium stability, allows simple storage, handling and delivery, and enables reproducible reagent portioning. The use of gels as easily divided delivery vehicles for hazardous organometallics has the potential to transform this area of synthetic chemistry, making these powerful reactions safer and more accessible to non-specialist researchers, and enabling the more widespread use of these common synthetic methods.

Structure-activity relationship studies of novel 3-oxazolidinedione-6-naphthyl-2-pyridinones as potent and orally bioavailable EP3 receptor antagonists

Multiple regions of the 3-oxazolidinedione-6-naphthyl-pyridinone series identified via high throughput screening were explored. SAR studies of these regions including the left-hand side oxazolidinedione moiety, α-substituent on the oxazolidinedione ring, central pyridinone core, and substituents on the central pyridinone core led to the discovery of potent EP(3) receptor antagonists such as compound 29 which possesses outstanding rat pharmacokinetic properties. Synthesis and SAR of these novel compounds and DMPK properties of representative compounds are discussed.