Synthesis and discovery of 2,3-dihydro-3,8-diphenylbenzo[1,4]oxazines as a novel class of potent cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors

Synthesis of 1,4-benzoxazines via Y(OTf)3-catalyzed ring opening/annulation cascade reaction of benzoxazoles with propargylic alcohols

A convenient Y(OTf)₃-catalyzed cascade formal [4 + 2] cyclization approach for the formation of 1,4-benzoxazine scaffolds from benzoxazoles and propargyl alcohols through a ring-opening and regioselective ring-closure process has been developed. By using this mild and practical protocol, a broad range of aldehyde-containing 1,4-benzoxazine compounds were prepared in moderate to excellent yields with good functional group tolerance. Mechanistic studies indicated that an S_N1 nucleophilic substitution of benzoxazole with a propargyl cation was involved in this transformation.

Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 3-Substituted Oxetanes: An Efficient Access to Chiral 3,4-Dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazines

Herein, we describe a versatile transition metal/oxidant free synthesis of the chiral 2H-1,4-benzoxazines through chiral phosphoric acid (CPA) catalyzed enantioselective desymmetrization of prochiral oxetanes (30 examples) in up to 99% yield and 99% enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The reported strategy not only complements the conventional 2H-1,4-benzoxazine synthetic strategies but also provides access to key intermediates of therapeutic candidates, i.e., prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist and M1 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) compound VU0486846.

Controllable synthesis of 2- and 3-aryl-benzomorpholines from 2-aminophenols and 4-vinylphenols

We present herein a method for the controllable synthesis of 3-aryl-benzomorpholine and 2-aryl-benzomorpholine cycloadducts via cross-coupling/annulation between electron-rich 2-aminophenols and 4-vinylphenols. Molecular oxygen was successfully used in the reaction as the terminal oxidant and the complete inversion of chemoselectivity was achieved by the adjustment of the solvents and bases at room temperature.

Base-mediated intramolecular one-pot double-cyclization of epoxide-tethered 2-fluorobenzenesulfonamides: an avenue to 1,4-benzoxazine-fused benzothiaoxazepine-1,1-dioxides

Herein, we describe the synthesis of hitherto unknown 1,4-benzoxazine-fused benzothiaoxazepine-1,1-dioxides by a NaH-promoted intramolecular one-pot double-cyclization of epoxide-tethered 2-fluorobenzene sulfonamides. Mechanistically, the reactions proceed via an intramolecular epoxide ring-opening followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The high yields, mild conditions, complete regio- and diastereoselectivity, and a wide substrate scope render this protocol well suited for drug discovery efforts.

Potential Inhibitors of the Activity of the Cholesterol-Ester Transfer Protein

The cholesterol-ester transfer protein (CETP) exchanges lipids between high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). The excessive transport of lipids from HDLs to LDLs mediated by this protein can cause an alteration in the deposition of lipoproteins onto the arterial walls, thus promoting the development of arteriosclerosis. Different CETP inhibitors have been tested in recent years, but none has been confirmed as being effectively palliative for the disease. We employed in silico databases and molecular docking as a computational method to predict how potential CETP inhibitors could interact with the active site of the CETP protein. Upon previously comparing two computer software packages to determine which generated a greater number of accurate CETP-inhibitor-complex structures, we chose the more appropriate program for our studies. We then abstracted a series of databases of known CETP inhibitors and noninhibitors exhibiting different 50% concentrations of CETP-inhibitory (INH) activity, to generate virtual structures for docking with different combinations of the CETP receptor. From this process, we obtained as the most suitable structure 4F2A_1OB_C_PCW-it accordingly having a greater area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The molecular docking of known compounds in comparison with the respective conformation of this inhibitor enabled us to obtain ΔGs (in kcal/mol) from which data we made a first exploration of unknown compounds for CETP-INH activity. Thus, the 4F2A_1OB_C_PCW structure was docked with DrugBank-Approved commercial compounds in an extensive database, whose status had already been established from pharmacokinetics and toxicology. In this study, we present a group of potential compounds as CETP-inhibitor candidates.

Highly efficient Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of benzoxazinones and derivatives with a Brønsted acid cocatalyst

The Ir-catalyzed highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of benzoxazinones and derivatives was successfully developed with N-methylated ZhaoPhos L5 as the ligand, affording various chiral dihydrobenzoxazinones and derivatives with excellent results.

The Ir-catalyzed highly efficient asymmetric hydrogenation of benzoxazinones and derivatives was successfully developed with N-methylated ZhaoPhos L5 as the ligand, which may display a new activation mode with a single anion-binding interaction among the substrate, cocatalyst Brønsted acid and ligand. This synthetic approach afforded a series of chiral dihydrobenzoxazinones and derivatives with excellent results (>99% conversion, 88–96% yields, 91–>99% ee, up to 40 500 TON). A key to success is the utilization of a strong Brønsted acid as the cocatalyst, such as hydrochloric acid, to form a possible single anion-binding interaction with the substrate and catalyst, which greatly contributed to the improvement of reactivity and enantioselectivity. Importantly, a creative and efficient synthetic route was developed to construct the important intermediate for the potential IgE/IgG receptor modulator through our catalytic methodology system.

Enantioselective Biocatalytic Reduction of 2 H-1,4-Benzoxazines Using Imine Reductases

A biocatalytic reduction of 2 H-1,4-benzoxazines using imine reductases is reported. This process enables a smooth and enantioselective synthesis of the resulting cyclic amines under mild conditions in aqueous media by means of a catalytic amount of the cofactor NADPH as hydride source as well as glucose as the reducing agent used in stoichiometric amounts for in situ cofactor recycling. Several substrates were studied, and the 3,4-dihydro-2 H-1,4-benzoxazines were obtained with up to 99% ee. In addition, the efficiency of this reduction process based on imine reductases as catalysts has been demonstrated for one 2 H-1,4-benzoxazine on an elevated laboratory scale running at a substrate loading of 10 g L^-1 in the presence of a tailor-made whole-cell catalyst.

A metal-free hydrogenation of 3-substituted 2H-1,4-benzoxazines

A metal-free hydrogenation of 3-substituted 2H-1,4-benzoxazines has been successfully realized with 2.5 mol% of B(C6F5)3 as a catalyst to furnish a variety of 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazines in 93-99% yields. Up to 42% ee was also achieved for the asymmetric hydrogenation with the use of a chiral diene and HB(C6F5)2.

Regiospecific synthesis of neuroprotective 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives through a tandem oxidation–Diels–Alder reaction

Highly functionalized 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives have been synthesized at room temperature, with complete regiochemical control, through a tandem oxidation–Diels–Alder reaction.

Enantiopure synthesis of dihydrobenzo[1,4]-oxazine-3-carboxylic acids and a route to benzoxazinyl oxazolidinones

A two step protocol is developed for the enantiopure synthesis of dihydrobenzoxazine-3-carboxylic acids via RuPhos Palladacycle-catalyzed aminoarylation of β-(2-bromoaryloxy)amino acids.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of 3-substituted 2H-1,4-benzoxazines with chiral cationic Ru-MsDPEN catalysts: a remarkable counteranion effect

The achiral counteranions of chiral cationic Ru-diamine complexes regulated both the enantioselectivity and regioselectivity in the asymmetric hydrogenation of 3-substituted-2H-1,4-benzoxazines.

Cardiovascular disease risk reduction by raising HDL cholesterol--current therapies and future opportunities

Since the first discovery of an inverse correlation between high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and coronary heart disease in the 1950s the life cycle of HDL, its role in atherosclerosis and the therapeutic modification of HDL-C levels have been major research topics. The Framingham study and others that followed could show that HDL-C is an independent cardiovascular risk factor and that the increase of HDL-C of only 10 mg·L(-1) leads to a risk reduction of 2-3%. While statin therapy and therefore low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction could lower coronary heart disease considerably; cardiovascular morbidity and mortality still occur in a significant portion of subjects already receiving therapy. Therefore, new strategies and therapies are needed to further reduce the risk. Raising HDL-C was thought to achieve this goal. However, established drug therapies resulting in substantial HDL-C increase are scarce and their effect is controversial. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly evident that HDL particle functionality is at least as important as HDL-C levels since HDL particles not only promote reverse cholesterol transport from the periphery (mainly macrophages) to the liver but also exert pleiotropic effects on inflammation, haemostasis and apoptosis. This review deals with the biology of HDL particles, the established and future therapeutic options to increase HDL-C and discusses the results and conclusions of the most important studies published in the last years. Finally, an outlook on future diagnostic tools and therapeutic opportunities regarding coronary artery disease is given.