DNA-Compatible ortho-Phthalaldehyde (OPA)-Mediated 2-Substituted Isoindole Core Formation and Applications

High-yield and high-purity amide bond formation using DMTMM PF6 for DNA-encoded libraries

In this study, we report on the ability of DMTMM PF6 to improve the amidation reaction. The on-DNA amidation reaction using DMTMM PF6 demonstrates higher conversion rates than those using HATU or DMTMM Cl, particularly with challenging sterically hindered amines and carboxylic acids. The developed method enables the expansion of available building blocks and the efficient synthesis of high-purity DNA-encoded libraries.

Macrocyclizing DNA-Linked Peptides via Three-Component Cyclization and Photoinduced Chemistry

While DNA-encoded macrocyclic libraries have gained substantial attention and several hit compounds have been identified from DNA-encoded library technology, efficient on-DNA macrocyclic methods are also required to construct DNA-linked libraries with a high degree of cyclization and DNA integrity. In this paper, we reported a set of on-DNA methodologies, including the use of an OPA-mediated three-component cyclization with native handles of amino acids and photoredox chemistries. These chemistries proceed smoothly under mild conditions in good to excellent conversions, successfully generating novel isoindole, isoindoline, indazolone, and bicyclic scaffolds.

Mask and Release Strategy-Enabled Diversity-Oriented Synthesis for DNA-Encoded Library

An ideal DNA-encoded library (DEL) selection requires the library to consist of diverse core skeletons and cover chemical space as much as possible. However, the lack of efficient on-DNA synthetic approaches toward core skeletons has greatly restricted the diversity of DEL. To mitigate this issue, this work disclosed a "Mask & Release" strategy to streamline the challenging on-DNA core skeleton synthesis. N-phenoxyacetamide is used as a masked phenol and versatile directing group to mediate diversified DNA-compatible C-H functionalization, introducing the 1st-dimensional diversity at a defined site, and simultaneously releasing the phenol functionality, which can facilitate the introduction of the 2nd diversity. This work not only provides a set of efficient syntheses toward DNA-conjugated drug-like core skeletons such as ortho-alkenyl/sulfiliminyl/cyclopropyl phenol, benzofuran, dihydrobenzofuran but also provides a paradigm for on-DNA core skeleton synthetic method development.

Synthesis of DNA-Encoded Macrocyclic Peptides via Nitrile-Aminothiol Click Reaction

DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology holds exciting potential for discovering novel therapeutic macrocyclic peptides (MPs). Herein, we describe the development of a DEL-compatible peptide macrocyclization method that proceeds via intramolecular click-condensation between 3-(2-cyano-4-pyridyl)-l-alanine (Cpa) and an N-terminal cysteine. Cyclization takes place spontaneously in a buffered aqueous solution and affords the cyclized products in excellent yields. The reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope and can be employed to generate MPs of variable ring size and amino acid composition.

Impact of organic chemistry conditions on DNA durability in the context of DNA-encoded library technology

High-power screening (HPS) technologies, such as DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology, could exponentially increase the dimensions of the chemical space accessible for drug discovery. The intrinsic fragile nature of DNA is associated with cumbersome limitations and DNA durability (e.g., depurination, loss of phosphate groups, adduct formation) is compromised in numerous organic chemistry conditions that require empirical testing. An atlas of reaction conditions (temperature, pH, solvent/buffer, ligands, oxidizing reagents, catalysts, scavengers in function of time) that have been systematically tested in multiple combinations, indicates precisely limits useful for DEL construction. More importantly, this approach could be used broadly to effectively evaluate DNA-compatibility of any novel on-DNA chemical reaction, and it is compatible with different molecular methodologies. This atlas and the general approach presented, by allowing novel reaction conditions to be performed in presence of DNA, should greatly help in expanding the DEL chemical space as well as any field involving DNA durability.

Enolate-Azide [3 + 2]-Cycloaddition Reaction Suitable for DNA-Encoded Library Synthesis

The DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) is a powerful hit selection technique in either basic science or innovative drug discovery. With the aim to circumvent the issue concerning DNA barcode damage in a conventional on-DNA copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC), we have successfully developed the first DNA-compatible enolate-azide [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. The merits of this DEL chemistry include metal-free reaction and high DNA fidelity, high conversions and easy operation, broad substrate scope, and ready access to the highly substituted 1,4,5-trisubstituted triazoles. Thus, it will not only further enrich the DEL chemistry toolbox but also will have great potential in practical DEL synthesis.

Synthesis of a DNA-Encoded Macrocyclic Library Utilizing Intramolecular Benzimidazole Formation

Macrocycles occupy chemical space "beyond the rule of five". They bridge traditional bioactive small molecule drugs and macromolecules and have the potential to modulate challenging targets such as PPI or proteases. Here we report an on-DNA macrocyclization reaction utilizing intramolecular benzimidazole formation. A 129-million-member macrocyclic library composed of a privileged benzimidazole core, a dipeptide sequence (natural or non-natural), and linkers of varying length and flexibility was designed and synthesized.

Guanidine Additive Enabled Intermolecular ortho-Phthalaldehyde-Amine-Thiol Three-Component Reactions for Modular Constructions

Recently, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is experiencing a renascence for the modification of proteins and peptides through OPA-amine two-component reactions for bioconjugation and intramolecular OPA-amine-thiol three-component reactions for cyclization. Historically, small thiol molecules were used in large excess to allow for the intermolecular OPA-amine-thiol reaction forming 1-thio-isoindole derivatives. In this study, we discovered that guanidine could serve as an effective additive to switch the intermolecular OPA-amine-thiol three-component reaction to a stoichiometric process and enable the modular construction of peptide-peptide, and peptide-drug conjugate structures. Thus, 12 model peptide-peptide conjugates have been synthesized from unprotected peptides featuring all proteinogenic residues. Besides, 6 peptide-drug conjugates have been prepared in one step, with excellent conversions and isolated yields. In addition, a conjugate product has been further functionalized by utilizing a premodified OPA derivative, demonstrating the versatility and flexibility of this reaction.

Bioconjugation via Hetero-Selective Clamping of Two Different Amines with ortho-Phthalaldehyde

Amino groups are common in both natural and synthetic compounds and offer a very attractive class of endogenous handles for bioconjugation. However, the ability to differentiate two types of amino groups and join them with high hetero-selectivity and efficiency in a complex setting remains elusive. Herein, we report a new method for bioconjugation via one-pot chemoselective clamping of two different amine nucleophiles using a simple ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) reagent. Various α-amino acids, aryl amines, and secondary amines can be crosslinked to the ϵ-amino side chain of lysine on peptides or proteins with high efficiency and hetero-selectivity. This method offers a simple and powerful means to crosslink small molecule drugs, imaging probes, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, and even virus particles without any pre-functionalization.

Access to Isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl-acetamides and Isoindolin-2-yl-acetamides from a Common MCR Precursor

We achieved a divergent synthesis of isoquinolin-2(1H)-yl-acetamides (16 examples, up to 90% yields) and regioselective isoindolin-2-yl-acetamides (14 examples, up to 93% yields) in moderate to good yields by reacting various substituted ethanones or terminal alkynes with Ugi-4CR intermediates via an ammonia-Ugi-4CR/Copper(I)-catalyzed annulation sequence reaction. The same intermediate thus gives 2D distant but 3D closely related scaffolds, which can be of high interest in exploiting chemistry space on a receptor. The scopes and limitations of these efficient sequence reactions are described, as well as gram-scale synthesis.

Vinyl azide as a synthon for DNA-compatible divergent transformations into N-heterocycles

Inspired by diversity-oriented synthesis, we have developed a series of DNA-compatible transformations utilizing on-DNA vinyl azide as a synthon to forge divergent N-heterocyclic scaffolds. Polysubstituted imidazoles and isoquinolines were efficiently obtained with moderate-to-excellent conversions. Besides, the "one-pot" strategy to prepare in-house on-DNA vinyl azides afforded synthons readily. Results from substrate scope exploration and enzymatic ligation further demonstrate the feasibility of these N-heterocycle syntheses in DNA-encoded chemical library construction.

DNA-Compatible Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction of Aryl Iodides With (Hetero)Aryl Boronic Acids for DNA-Encoded Libraries

An efficient method for the C-C bond formation via water soluble Na2PdCl4/sSPhos mediated Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of DNA-conjugated aryl iodide with (het)aryl boronic acids has been developed. This reaction proceeds at 37°C in water and acetonitrile (4:1) system. We also demonstrated that numerous aromatic and heteroaromatic boronic acids of different electronic natures, and harboring various functional groups, were highly compatible providing the desired coupling products in good to excellent yields. This DNA-compatible Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction has strong potential to construct DNA-Encoded Libraries (DELs) in the context of drug discovery.

Visible Light-Promoted Divergent Benzoheterocyclization from Aldehydes for DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries

Benzoheterocyclics have been widely adopted as drug-like core scaffolds that can be incorporated into DNA-encoded chemical library technology for high-throughput hit discovery. Here, we present a visible light-promoted divergent synthesis of on-DNA benzoheterocycles from aldehydes. Four types of DNA-conjugated benzoheterocyclics were obtained under mild conditions with a broad substrate scope. A cross substrate scope study, together with enzymatic ligation and subsequent chemical diversifications, were conducted, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach in DNA-encoded chemical library construction.

Switchable DNA-Encoded Chemical Library: Interconversion between Double- and Single-Stranded DNA Formats

DNA-Encoded Chemical Library (DEL) has attracted substantial attention due to the infinite possibility for hit discovery in both pharmaceutical companies and academia. The encoding method is the initial step of DEL construction and one of the cornerstones of DEL applications. Classified by the DNA format, the existing DEL encoding strategies could be categorized into single-stranded DNA-based strategies and double-stranded DNA-based strategies. The two DEL formats have their unique advantages but are usually incompatible with each other. To address this issue, we proposed the concept of interconversion between double- and single-stranded DEL based on the "reversible covalent headpiece (RCHP)" design, which combined maximum robustness of synthesis with extraordinary flexibility of applications in distinct setups. Future opportunities in this field were also proposed to advance DEL technology to a comprehensive drug discovery platform.

In-solution direct oxidative coupling for the integration of sulfur/selenium into DNA-encoded chemical libraries

Sulfur/selenium-containing electron-rich arenes (ERAs) exist in a wide range of both approved and investigational drugs with diverse pharmacological activities. These unique chemical structures and bioactive properties, if combined with the emerging DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) technique, would facilitate drug and chemical probe discovery. However, it remains challenging, as there is no general DNA-compatible synthetic methodology available for the formation of C-S and C-Se bonds in aqueous solution. Herein, an in-solution direct oxidative coupling procedure that could efficiently integrate sulfur/selenium into the ERA under mild conditions is presented. This method features simple DNA-conjugated electron-rich arenes with a broad substrate scope and a transition-metal free process. Furthermore, this synthetic methodology, examined by a scale-up reaction test and late-stage precise modification in a mock peptide-like DEL synthesis, will enable its utility for the synthesis of sulfur/selenium-containing DNA-encoded libraries and the discovery of bioactive agents.

Development of on-DNA vinyl sulfone synthesis for DNA-encoded chemical libraries

We present the development of an efficient synthetic route to generate a DNA-compatible vinyl sulfone functional group, and the subsequent chemical transformations demonstrated the feasibility of our method in DEL construction.