α-N-acyliminium ion - 2-bromoalkene cyclizations

Structure-Based Design of Potent and Orally Active Isoindolinone Inhibitors of MDM2-p53 Protein-Protein Interaction

Inhibition of murine double minute 2 (MDM2)-p53 protein-protein interaction with small molecules has been shown to reactivate p53 and inhibit tumor growth. Here, we describe rational, structure-guided, design of novel isoindolinone-based MDM2 inhibitors. MDM2 X-ray crystallography, quantum mechanics ligand-based design, and metabolite identification all contributed toward the discovery of potent in vitro and in vivo inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction with representative compounds inducing cytostasis in an SJSA-1 osteosarcoma xenograft model following once-daily oral administration.

Stereoselective synthesis of O-tosyl azabicyclic derivatives via aza Prins reaction of endocyclic N-acyliminium ions: application to the total synthesis of (±)-epi-indolizidine 167B and 209D

A diastereoselective synthesis of 4-O-tosyl piperidine containing azabicyclic derivatives has been established via Prins cyclization reaction. This protocol has been applied for the total synthesis of (±)-epi-indolizidine 167B and 209D.

Novel tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]isoindolone derivatives (valmerins): potent cyclin-dependent kinase/glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitors with antiproliferative activities and antitumor effects in human tumor xenografts

The development of CDK and GSK3 inhibitors has been regarded as a potential therapeutic approach, and a substantial number of diverse structures have been reported to inhibit CDKs and GSK-3β in recent years. Only a few molecules have gone through or are currently undergoing clinical trials as CDK and GSK inhibitors. In this paper, we prepared valmerins, a new family containing the tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]isoindone core. The fused heterocycle was prepared with a straightforward synthesis that was functionalized by a (het)arylurea. Twelve valmerins inhibited the CDK5 and GSK3 with an IC(50) < 100 nM. A semiquantitative kinase scoring was realized, and a cellular screening was done. At the end of our study, we investigated the in vivo potency of one valmerin. Mice exhibited good tolerance to our lead, which proved its efficacy and clearly blocked tumor growth. Valmerins appear also as good candidates for further development as anticancer agents.

Straightforward synthesis of new tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

To identify novel classes of glycine antagonists, compounds potentially useful as neuroprotective after stroke, novel substituted tetrahydroquinoline derivatives, satisfying the key pharmacophoric requirements for glycine antagonists, were designed. To explore the SAR of these compounds an efficient synthetic route was set up exploiting the outstanding reactivity of suitable N-aryl imine derivatives. In particular an allylmetalation reaction or the addition of bis(trimethyldisilyl)ketene acetals allowed the preparation of versatile intermediates which were smoothly transformed into the desired bicycle tetrahydroquinoline derivatives by a Heck-type cyclization reaction.Key words: glycine antagonists, neuroprotection, tetrahydroquinolines, synthesis, allylmetalation.

Studies dealing with thionium ion promoted mannich cyclization reactions

Treatment of several amido-substituted thioacetals with dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate (DMTSF) produces synthetically useful thionium ions that are intercepted by the adjacent nitrogen atom to afford both five- and six-membered alkylthio-substituted lactams as transient intermediates. Further reaction of the alkylthio-substituted lactam with DMTSF generates an N-acyliminium ion, which undergoes cyclization with the tethered aromatic ring to produce an azapolycyclic ring system. Related cyclization sequences occur when amido thioacetals possessing simple olefinic tethers were used. The overall procedure represents an efficient one-pot approach toward various nitrogen-containing ring systems. The cyclization reaction was employed for a synthesis of the core skeleton of the erythrina alkaloid family.