An efficient and convergent synthesis of the potent and selective H3 antagonist ABT-239

Stereoselective synthesis of 2,6-trans-4-oxopiperidines using an acid-mediated 6-endo-trig cyclisation

An acid-mediated 6-endo-trig cyclisation of amine-substituted enones has been developed for the stereoselective synthesis of trans-6-alkyl-2-methyl-4-oxopiperidines. Performed under conditions that prevent removal of the Boc-protecting group or acetal formation, the key cyclisation was found to generate cleanly the 4-oxopiperidine products in high overall yields from a wide range of alkyl substituted enones. The synthetic utility of the trans-6-alkyl-2-methyl-4-oxopiperidines formed from this process was demonstrated with the total synthesis of the quinolizidine alkaloid, (+)-myrtine and the piperidine alkaloid, (-)-solenopsin A.

Access to 2,6-Disubstituted 4-Oxopiperidines Using a 6-Endo-trig Cyclization: Stereoselective Synthesis of Spruce Alkaloid and (+)-241D

A synthetic route to cis-2-methyl-4-oxo-6-alkylpiperidines has been developed using a 6-endo-trig cyclization of (E)-enones. The base-mediated intramolecular cyclization was found to be general for both alkyl- and aryl-substituted enones, providing the corresponding 4-oxopiperidines in high yields (80-89%). Stereoselective reduction of the 2,6-cis-disubstituted 4-oxopiperidines then gave the 2,4,6-cis,cis-trisubstituted 4-hydroxypiperidines in high diastereoselectivity. The general nature of this approach was demonstrated with the synthesis of the natural products, spruce alkaloid and (+)-241D.

Histamine H3 receptor ligands break ground in a remarkable plethora of therapeutic areas

The neurotransmitter histamine exerts its action through four distinct histamine receptors. The histamine H(1) and H(2) receptor are well established drug targets, whereas the histamine H(4) receptor is undergoing rigorous characterisation at present. The histamine H(3) receptor (H(3)R) is a G(i/o)-protein coupled receptor and is mostly expressed in the CNS. A remarkably large and different array of therapeutic areas, in which ligands for the H(3)R may prove useful, has been identified and a massive research undertaking is underway to substantiate the high expectations for H(3)R ligands. At present, several ligands for the H(3)R are being evaluated in clinical studies. In this review, the many potential therapeutic areas for H(3)R antagonists, inverse agonists and agonists is discussed. Promising medicinal chemistry and toxicological developments, as well as the advancement of several H(3)R ligands into the clinic, will be highlighted. This review also describes the problems that have been overcome and the questions that remain in developing H(3)R-related drugs. Considering the tremendous efforts by industry, it can be expected that the first H(3)R drugs will reach the market soon.