Synthesis of [1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3- a]piperazin-6-ones: An Approach to the Triazole-Fused Ketopiperazine Scaffold

Synthesis and evaluation of 3,4,5-trisubstituted triazoles as G protein-biased kappa opioid receptor agonists

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists represent promising therapeutics for pain relief due to their analgesic properties along with lower abuse potential than opioids that act at the mu opioid receptor. However, typical KOR agonists produce sedation and dysphoria. Previous studies have shown that G protein signaling-biased KOR agonists may present a means to untangle the desired analgesic properties from undesired side effects. In this paper, we report a new series of G protein signaling-biased KOR agonists entailing -S- → -CH2- replacement in a previously reported KOR agonist, triazole 1.1. With an optimized carbon linker in hand, further development of the scaffold was undertaken to investigate the appendages of the triazole core. The structure-activity relationship study of this series is described, including several analogues that display enhanced potency while maintaining G protein-signaling bias compared to triazole 1.1.

Synthesis of 3,4,5-Trisubstituted 1,2,4-Triazoles via I2-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Amidines with Hydrazones

A general and practical method for the construction of various 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles via I2-catalyzed cycloaddition of N-functionalized amidines with hydrazones is reported. This strategy features cheap and readily available catalyst and starting materials, broader substrate scope, and moderate-to-good yields. The mechanism study shows that the existence of hydrogen on the nitrogen of hydrazones is crucial for this transformation.

Development of Nonpeptidic Inverse Agonists of the Ghrelin Receptor (GHSR) Based on the 1,2,4-Triazole Scaffold

GHSR controls, among others, growth hormone and insulin secretion, adiposity, feeding, and glucose metabolism. Therefore, an inverse agonist ligand capable of selectively targeting GHSR and reducing its high constitutive activity appears to be a good candidate for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic diseases. In this context, we present a study that led to the development of several highly potent and selective inverse agonists of GHSR based on the 1,2,4-triazole scaffold. We demonstrate that, depending on the nature of the substituents on positions 3, 4, and 5, this scaffold leads to ligands that exert an intrinsic inverse agonist activity on GHSR-catalyzed G protein activation through the stabilization of a specific inactive receptor conformation. Thanks to an in vivo evaluation, we also show that one of the most promising ligands not only exerts an effect on insulin secretion in rat pancreatic islets but also affects the orexigenic effects of ghrelin in mice.

An efficient, stereocontrolled and versatile synthetic route to bicyclic partially saturated privileged scaffolds

A simple, high yielding and scalable synthesis for diastereoselective access to privileged fused bicyclic heteroaromatic scaffolds.