Structure-activity relationships of the 1-amino-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-3-phenylpropan-2-ol series of monoamine reuptake inhibitors

Asymmetric N-Alkylation of 1H-Indoles via Carbene Insertion Reaction

An intermolecular enantioselective N-alkylation reaction of 1H-indoles has been developed by cooperative rhodium and chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed N-H bond insertion reaction. N-Alkyl indoles with newly formed stereocenter adjacent to the indole nitrogen atom are produced in good yields (up to 95 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). Importantly, both α-aryl and α-alkyl diazoacetates are tolerated, which is extremely rare in asymmetric X-H (X=N, O, S et al.) and C-H insertion reactions. With this method, only 0.1 mol % of rhodium catalyst and 2.5 mol % of chiral phosphoric acid are required to complete the conversion as well as achieve the high enantioselectivity. Computational studies reveal the cooperative relay of rhodium and chiral phosphoric acid, and the origin of the chemo and stereoselectivity.

SAR Studies of the Leupyrrins: Design and Total Synthesis of Highly Potent Simplified Leupylogs

Leupyrrins are highly potent antifungal agents. A structure-activity-relationship study of natural and synthetic derivatives is reported which reveals important insights into the biological relevance of several structural subunits leading to the discovery of highly potent but drastically simplified leupylogs that incorporate a stable and readily available aromatic side chain. For their synthesis a concise strategy is described that enables a short and versatile access.

1-(Indolin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-3-propan-2-olamines as potent and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Efforts to identify new selective and potent norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs) for multiple indications by structural modification of the previous 3-(arylamino)-3-phenylpropan-2-olamine scaffold led to the discovery of a novel series of 1-(indolin-1-yl)-1-phenyl-3-propan-2-olamines (9). Investigation of the structure-activity relationships revealed that small alkyl substitution at the C3 position of the indoline ring enhanced selectivity for the norepinephrine transporter (NET) over the serotonin transporter (SERT). Several compounds bearing a 3,3-dimethyl group on the indoline ring, 9k, 9o,p, and 9s,t, exhibited potent inhibition of NET (IC(50) = 2.7-6.5 nM) and excellent selectivity over both serotonin and dopamine transporters. The best example from this series, 9p, a potent and highly selective NRI, displayed oral efficacy in a telemetric rat model of ovariectomized-induced thermoregulatory dysfunction, a mouse p-phenylquinone (PPQ) model of acute visceral pain, and a rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain.