A novel stereoselective tin-free radical protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of pyrrolidinones and its application to the synthesis of biologically active GABA-derivatives

Looking Inside the Intramolecular C-H∙∙∙O Hydrogen Bond in Lactams Derived from α-Methylbenzylamine

Recently, strong evidence that supports the presence of an intramolecular C−H···O hydrogen bond in amides derived from the chiral auxiliary α-methylbenzylamine was disclosed. Due to the high importance of this chiral auxiliary in asymmetric synthesis, the inadvertent presence of this C−H···O interaction may lead to new interpretations upon stereochemical models in which this chiral auxiliary is present. Therefore, a series of lactams containing the chiral auxiliary α-methylbenzylamine (from three to eight-membered ring) were theoretically studied at the MP2/cc-pVDZ level of theory with the purpose of studying the origin and nature of the C−Hα···O interaction. NBO analysis revealed that rehybridization at C atom of the C−Hα bond (s-character at C is ~23%) and the subsequent bond polarization are the dominant effect over the orbital interaction energy n_(O)→σ*_C−Hα (E(2) < 2 kcal/mol), causing an important shortening of the C−Hα bond distance and an increment in the positive charge in the Hα atom.

Conformationally Restricted GABA with Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane Backbone as the First Highly Selective BGT-1 Inhibitor

On the basis of the three-dimensional diversity-oriented conformational restriction strategy using key chiral cyclopropane units, we previously identified 3 ((2S,3R)-4-amino-3,4-methanobutyric acid) with a chiral trans-cyclopropane structure as a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter inhibitor selective for GABA transporter (GAT) subtypes GAT-3 and BGT-1 (betaine/GABA transporter-1). Further conformational restriction of 3 with the rigid bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane backbone led to the successful development of the first highly potent and selective BGT-1 inhibitor 4 (IC50 = 0.59 μM). The bioactive conformation of 3 for BGT-1 was also identified.

Cyclopropane-based conformational restriction of GABA by a stereochemical diversity-oriented strategy: identification of an efficient lead for potent inhibitors of GABA transports

A series of cyclopropane-based conformationally restricted γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs with stereochemical diversity, that is, the trans- and cis-2,3-methano analogs Ia and Ib and their enantiomers ent-Ia and ent-Ib, and also the trans- and cis-3,4-methano analogs IIa and IIb and their enantiomers ent-IIa and ent-Iib, were synthesized from the chiral cyclopropane units Type-a and Type-b that we developed. These analogs were systematically evaluated with four GABA transporter (GAT) subtypes. The trans-3,4-methano analog IIa had inhibitory effects on GAT3 (IC50=23.9μM) and betaine-GABA transporter1 (5.48μM), indicating its potential as an effective lead compound for the development of potent GAT inhibitors due to its hydrophilic and low molecular weight properties and excellent ligand efficiency.

Conformationally restricted GABA analogs: from rigid carbocycles to cage hydrocarbons

GABA was discovered to play an important role as the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian CNS 60 years ago. The conformational flexibility of GABA is important for its biological function, as it has been found to bind to different receptors with different conformations. In an effort to increase the lipophilicity and to reduce conformational flexibility of GABA itself, a polycyclic or cage hydrocarbon framework can be introduced into the 3D structure of GABA in order to better control the binding. This article explores the available synthetic methods, properties and activity of carbocyclic (cyclopropanes, cyclobutanes and cyclohexanes) and cage (adamantane and others) hydrocarbons – analogs of GABA with conformationally rigid carbon skeletons.