Synthesis of the orally active spiroindoline-based growth hormone secretagogue, MK-677

Interrupted reactions in chemical synthesis

Interrupted reactions reroute established processes to new and often unanticipated end points. Of particular interest are the cases in which a known reactive intermediate takes on a new reaction pathway, either because this pathway is lower in energy or because the conventional pathway is no longer available. Through analysis of documented cases, we aim to dissect the known interrupted reactions and trace their mechanistic origins. As new chemical processes are being discovered at a seemingly ever-increasing pace, it is likely that new interrupted reactions will continue to emerge. Our hope is that the cases considered in this Review will help identify new classes of these fascinating transformations.

Synthesis of Spirocyclic Piperidines by Radical Hydroarylation

Reported here are conditions for the construction of spirocyclic piperidines from linear aryl halide precursors. These conditions employ a strongly reducing organic photoredox catalyst in combination with a trialkylamine reductant to achieve formation of aryl radical species. Regioselective cyclization followed by hydrogen-atom transfer affords a range of complex spiropiperidines. This system operates efficiently under mild conditions without the need for toxic reagents or precious metals.

Cell-free in vitro reduction of carboxylates to aldehydes: With crude enzyme preparations to a key pharmaceutical building block

The scarcity of practical methods for aldehyde synthesis in chemistry necessitates the development of mild, selective procedures. Carboxylic acid reductases catalyze aldehyde formation from stable carboxylic acid precursors in an aqueous solution. Carboxylic acid reductases were employed to catalyze aldehyde formation in a cell-free system with activation energy and reducing equivalents provided through auxiliary proteins for ATP and NADPH recycling. In situ product removal was used to suppress over-reduction due to background enzyme activities, and an N-protected 4-formyl-piperidine pharma synthon was prepared in 61% isolated yield. This is the first report of preparative aldehyde synthesis with carboxylic acid reductases employing crude, commercially available enzyme preparations.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Exotine B

The heterodimeric indole/coumarin natural product exotine B was synthesized for the first time. The carbon skeleton of the natural product was formed rapidly by a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a gallium-catalyzed three-component [4 + 3] cycloaddition reaction. An alternative biosynthesis of exotine B is proposed based on the total synthesis. Improved syntheses of coumarin natural products gleinadiene and coumurrayin are also reported.

Enantioselective Total Syntheses of Methanoquinolizidine-Containing Akuammiline Alkaloids and Related Studies

The akuammiline alkaloids are a structurally diverse class of bioactive natural products isolated from plants found in various parts of the world. A particularly challenging subset of akuammiline alkaloids are those that contain a methanoquinolizidine core. We describe a synthetic approach to these compounds that has enabled the first total syntheses of (+)-strictamine, (-)-2( S)-cathafoline, (+)-akuammiline, and (-)-Ψ-akuammigine. Our strategy relies on the development of the reductive interrupted Fischer indolization reaction to construct a common pentacyclic intermediate bearing five contiguous stereocenters, in addition to late-stage formation of the methanoquinolizidine framework using a deprotection-cyclization cascade. The total syntheses of (-)-Ψ-akuammigine and (+)-akuammiline mark the first preparations of akuammiline alkaloids containing both a methanoquinolizidine core and vicinal quaternary centers. Lastly, we describe the bioinspired reductive rearrangements of (+)-strictamine and (+)-akuammiline to ultimately provide (-)-10-demethoxyvincorine and a new analogue thereof.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of santacruzamate A analogues for anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory activity

Santacruzamate A (SCA) is a natural product isolated from a Panamanian marine cyanobacterium, previously reported to have potent and selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. To optimize the enzymatic and cellular activity, 40 SCA analogues were synthesized in a systematic exploration of the zinc-binding group (ZBG), cap terminus, and linker region. Two cap group analogues inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with analogous increased degranulation of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), while one cap group analogue reduced CTL degranulation, indicative of suppression of the immune response. Additional testing of these analogues resulted in reevaluation of the previously reported SCA mechanism of action. These analogues and the resulting structure-activity relationships will be of interest for future studies on cell proliferation and immune modulation.

Enantioselective Total Syntheses of Akuammiline Alkaloids (+)-Strictamine, (-)-2(S)-Cathafoline, and (-)-Aspidophylline A

The akuammiline alkaloids are a family of natural products that have been widely studied for decades. Although notable synthetic achievements have been made recently, akuammilines that possess a methanoquinolizidine core have evaded synthetic efforts. We report an asymmetric approach to these alkaloids, which has culminated in the first total syntheses of (-)-2(S)-cathafoline and the long-standing target (+)-strictamine. Moreover, the first enantioselective total synthesis of aspidophylline A is described.

Synthesis of benzofuro[3,2-b]indoline amines via deamination-interrupted Fischer indolization and their unexpected reactivity towards nucleophiles

We report the access to the benzofuro[3,2-b]indoline framework via an interrupted Fischer indolization and its unexpected reactivity towards allyl nucleophiles.

Synthesis of spiro isoindolinone-indolines and 1,2-disubstituted indoles from 2-iodobenzamide derivatives

Copper catalyzed C-terminal and N-terminal attack of 2-alkynylanilines to 2-iodobenzamides afforded isoindolinones and 1,2-disubstituted indoles, respectively.

ZrO2 nanoparticles as a reusable solid dual acid–base catalyst for facile one-pot synthesis of multi-functionalized spirooxindole derivatives under solvent free condition

A two-step one-pot protocol for the facile synthesis of biologically important spirooxindole derivatives such as spiro[4H-pyran-3,3′-oxindoles] and spiro[indoline-3,4′(1H′)-pyrano-[2,3-c]pyrazol-2-ones has been developed.

Santacruzamate A, a potent and selective histone deacetylase inhibitor from the Panamanian marine cyanobacterium cf. Symploca sp

A dark brown tuft-forming cyanobacterium, morphologically resembling the genus Symploca, was collected during an expedition to the Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Pacific coast of Panama. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that it is 4.5% divergent from the type strain for Symploca and thus is likely a new genus. Fractionation of the crude extract led to the isolation of a new cytotoxin, designated santacruzamate A (1), which has several structural features in common with suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid [(2), SAHA, trade name Vorinostat], a clinically approved histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor used to treat refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Recognition of the structural similarly of 1 and SAHA led to the characterization of santacruzamate A as a picomolar level selective inhibitor of HDAC2, a Class I HDAC, with relatively little inhibition of HDAC4 or HDAC6, both Class II HDACs. As a result, chemical syntheses of santacruzamate A as well as a structurally intriguing hybrid molecule, which blends aspects of both agents (1 and 2), were achieved and evaluated for their HDAC activity and specificity.

Spiroindolines identify the vesicular acetylcholine transporter as a novel target for insecticide action

The efficacy of all major insecticide classes continues to be eroded by the development of resistance mediated, in part, by selection of alleles encoding insecticide insensitive target proteins. The discovery of new insecticide classes acting at novel protein binding sites is therefore important for the continued protection of the food supply from insect predators, and of human and animal health from insect borne disease. Here we describe a novel class of insecticides (Spiroindolines) encompassing molecules that combine excellent activity against major agricultural pest species with low mammalian toxicity. We confidently assign the vesicular acetylcholine transporter as the molecular target of Spiroindolines through the combination of molecular genetics in model organisms with a pharmacological approach in insect tissues. The vesicular acetylcholine transporter can now be added to the list of validated insecticide targets in the acetylcholine signalling pathway and we anticipate that this will lead to the discovery of novel molecules useful in sustaining agriculture. In addition to their potential as insecticides and nematocides, Spiroindolines represent the only other class of chemical ligands for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter since those based on the discovery of vesamicol over 40 years ago, and as such, have potential to provide more selective tools for PET imaging in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease. They also provide novel biochemical tools for studies of the function of this protein family.

An Efficient, One-Pot Synthesis of Spiro[Dihydropyridine-Oxindole] Compounds under Catalyst-Free Conditions

An efficient one-pot synthesis of the biologically important spiro[dihydropyridine-oxindole] scaffolds from isatins, 2-naphthylamine and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in poly (ethylene glycol) 400/H2O under catalyst-free conditions is described. The reaction is free of catalysts and toxic solvents, operates under neutral conditions and allows for ease of product isolation, making it more environmentally friendly and suitable for large-scale operations.

Efficient synthesis of Fmoc-protected phosphinic pseudodipeptides: Building blocks for the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

A convenient route for the synthesis of Fmoc-protected phosphinic dipeptide building blocks is described. The protected amino acid isosteres benzyloxycarbonyl aminomethyl phosphinic acid (glycine surrogate), benzyl α-isopropyl acrylate (valine surrogate), and benzyl α-isobutyl acrylate (leucine surrogate) were synthesized starting from commercially available materials. Reaction of either the valine or leucine surrogate with bis(trimethylsilyl) phosphonite generated the pseudodipeptide bond. The synthesis concluded with an efficient one-pot three-step procedure involving a bis-deprotection of the N- and C-termini under catalytic hydrogenation conditions followed by selective capping of the N-terminus with an Fmoc group to yield either Fmoc-NHCH(2) PO(OAd)CH(2) CH(Pr(i) )CO(2) H or Fmoc-NHCH(2) PO(OAd)CH(2) CH(Bu(i) )CO(2) H.

Novel, one-pot, three-component route to indol-3-yl substituted spirooxindole derivatives

A simple and efficient approach to the synthesis of a novel series of polysubstituted 6'-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1',7'-dihydrospiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine]-2-one derivatives in high yields was developed from a one-pot, three-component reaction of 3-cyanoacetyl indoles, isatins, and 1H-pyrazol-5-amines in H(2)O/HOAc.

Ultrasound promoted greener synthesis of spiro[indole-3,5'-[1,3]oxathiolanes in water

An aqueous mediated novel synthesis of substituted 2'amino-4'benzoyl-2'-methyl spiro[indole 3,5'-[1,3]oxathiolane]-2(1H)-ones (2a-f) was carried out from the reaction of spiro [indole-3,2'-oxiranes] (1a-f) with thioacetamide in the presence of LiBr as catalyst. The reaction was carried out under both microwaves and sonication and results were also compared with conventional method. In general, improvement in rate and yields observed when reaction was carried out under sonication as compared to microwave irradiation and conventional method.

Novel orally active NPY Y5 receptor antagonists: Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of spiroindoline class compounds

Spiroindoline urea derivatives, designed to act as NPY Y5 receptor antagonists, were synthesized and their structure-activity relationships were investigated. Of these derivatives, compound 3a showed good Y5 binding affinity with favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 3a significantly inhibited bPP Y5 agonist-induced food intake in rats, and suppressed body weight gain in DIO mice.

Synthesis and structure based optimization of novel Akt inhibitors

Based on a high throughput screening hit, pyrrolopyrimidine inhibitors of the Akt kinase are explored. X-ray co-crystal structures of two lead series results in the understanding of key binding interactions, the design of new lead series, and enhanced potency. The syntheses of these series and their biological activities are described. Spiroindoline 13j is found to have an Akt1 kinase IC(50) of 2.4+/-0.6 nM, Akt cell potency of 50+/-19 nM, and provides 68% inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model (50 mg/kg, qd, po).

Identification and characterization of 4-methylbenzyl 4-[(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)methyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate, an orally bioavailable, brain penetrant NR2B selective N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist

The discovery of a novel series of NR2B subtype selective N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists is reported. Initial optimization of a high-throughput screening lead afforded an aminopyridine derivative 13 with significant NR2B antagonist potency but limited selectivity over hERG-channel and other off-target activities. Further structure-activity studies on the aminoheterocycle moiety and optimization of the carbamate led to the highly potent 2-aminopyrimidine derivative 20j with a significantly improved off-target activity profile and oral bioavailability in multiple species coupled with good brain penetration. Compound 20j demonstrated efficacy in in vivo rodent models of antinociception, allodynia, and Parkinson's disease.

5-Substituted-1H-tetrazoles as carboxylic acid isosteres: medicinal chemistry and synthetic methods

5-Substituted-1H-tetrazoles (RCN4H) are often used as metabolism-resistant isosteric replacements for carboxylic acids (RCO2H) in SAR-driven medicinal chemistry analogue syntheses. This review provides a brief summary of the medicinal chemistry of tetrazolic acids and highlights some examples of tetrazole-containing drug substances in the current literature. A survey of representative literature procedures for the preparation of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles, focusing on preparations from aryl and alkyl nitriles, is presented in sections by generalized synthetic methods.

Design and synthesis of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable tetrasubstituted imidazole inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Novel potent and selective diarylimidazole inhibitors of p38 MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase are described which have activity in both cell-based assays of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release and an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. The SAR leading to the development of selectivity against c-Raf and JNK2alpha1 kinases is presented, with key features being substitution of the 4-aryl ring with m-trifluoromethyl and substitution of the 5-heteroaryl ring with a 2-amino substituent. Cell-based activity was significantly enhanced by incorporation of a 4-piperidinyl moiety at the 2-position of the imidazole which also enhanced aqueous solubility. In general, oral bioavailability of this class of compounds was found to be poor unless the imidazole was methylated on nitrogen. This work led to identification of 48, a potent (p38 MAP kinase inhibition IC50 0.24 nM) and selective p38 MAP kinase inhibitor which inhibits lipopolysaccharide-stimulated release of TNF-alpha from human blood with an IC50 2.2 nM, shows good oral bioavailability in rat and rhesus monkey, and demonstrates significant improvement in measures of disease progression in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model.