Polymer-supported tetrafluorophenol: a new activated resin for chemical library synthesis

Immobilized coupling reagents: synthesis of amides/peptides

The primary idea of using immobilized reagents in organic synthetic chemistry is to simplify the downstream process, product workup and isolation, and therefore avoiding time-consuming and expensive chromatographic separations, which are intrinsic to every synthetic process. Numerous polymer-bounded reagents are commercially available and applicable to almost all kinds of synthetic chemistry conversions. Herein, we have covered all known supported-coupling reagents and bases which have had a great impact in amide/peptide bond formation. These coupling reagents have been used for the activation of a carboxyl moiety; thus generating an active acylating species that is ready to couple with an amine nucleophile liberating the amide/peptide and polymeric support which can be regenerated for reuse. This also addresses a large variety of anchored coupling reagents, additives, and bases that have only been employed in amide/peptide syntheses during the last six decades.

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization-based recyclable magnetic acylation reagents

An operationally simple method for the acylation of amines utilizing carbon-coated metal nanoparticles as recyclable supports is reported. Highly magnetic carbon-coated cobalt (Co/C) and iron (Fe/C) nanobeads were functionalized with a norbornene tag (Nb-tag) through a "click" reaction followed by surface activation employing Grubbs-II catalyst and subsequent grafting of acylated N-hydroxysuccinimide ROMPgels (ROMP=ring-opening metathesis polymerization). The high loading (up to 2.6 mmolg(-1) ) hybrid material was applied in the acylation of various primary and secondary amines. The products were isolated in high yields (86-99%) and excellent purities (all >95 % by NMR spectroscopy) after rapid magnetic decantation and simple evaporation of the solvents. The spent resins were successfully re-acylated by acid chlorides, anhydrides, and carboxylic acids and reused for up to five consecutive cycles without considerable loss of activity.

Evaluation of a solid-supported tagging strategy for mass spectrometric analysis of peptides

We have explored two divinylbenzene cross-linked polystyrene supports for use in a solid-supported N-terminal peptide tagging strategy. Resin-bound tags designed to be cleaved in a single step at the N-terminus of peptides have been devised and explored as peptide N-terminal tagging reagents (constructs) for subsequent mass spectrometric analysis. While the brominated tagging approach shows promise, the use of these specific solid supports has drawbacks, in terms of tagging reaction scale, for real applications in proteomics.

Parallel synthesis of a series of non-functional ATP/NAD analogs with activity against trypanosomatid parasites

Non-functional analogs of the cofactors ATP and NAD are putative inhibitors of ATP- or NAD-dependant enzymes. Since pathogenic protozoa rely heavily on the salvage of purine nucleosides from the bloodstream of their host, such compounds are of interest as antiplasmodial and antitrypanosomal agents with a multitude of molecular targets. By replacing the negatively charged phosphate residues with a constrained unsaturated amide spacer and the nicotinamide moiety of NAD with various lipophilic substituents, 15 new ATP/NAD analogs were obtained in screening quantities. In these compounds, a 5'-desoxyadenosine moiety was conserved as key molecular recognition motif. The inhibition of P. falciparum and T. brucei ssp. in a whole parasite in vitro assay is reported.

(79)Br NMR spectroscopy as a practical tool for kinetic analysis

(79)Br NMR spectroscopy has been used to monitor a series of reactions in which the bromide ion is produced, including the Menschutkin reaction of pyridine with a range of substituted benzyl bromides and a Heck coupling process. In cases where the process could also be monitored using (1)H NMR spectroscopy, the kinetic analyses using heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were shown to be completely consistent. Both the utility of the process in following reactions which may be difficult to analyse using other techniques and the practical limitations associated with solvent choice are discussed.

Diversification of the Three-Component Coupling of 2-Aminoheterocycles, Aldehydes, and Isonitriles: Efficient Parallel Synthesis of a Diverse and Druglike Library of Imidazo- and Tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a] Heterocycles

Due to their diverse range of biological activities, imidazoheterocycles are recognized as privileged structures making these structural motifs attractive targets for library preparation. We report herein the synthesis of a sizable collection of imidazo[1,2- a]heterocycle scaffolds well-suited for divergent library preparation by virtue of amine functional handles with diverse positioning and connectivities. Partial reduction of imidazo[1,2- a]pyrazines to the tetrahydroimidazo[1,2- a]pyrazines and regiospecific Mannich-type bond formation at the C-3 of imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine under mild conditions achieved additional topological and connective diversity within the scaffold collection. Subsequent parallel reaction of the functionalized imidazoheterocycles with polystyrene-tetrafluorophenol esters and sulfonates produced a 7500 compound library in high purity.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-(2-fluoro-4-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-phenoxy)acetic acid as a linker in solid-phase synthesis monitored by gel-phase19F NMR spectroscopy

Gel-phase (19)F NMR spectroscopy is a useful monitoring technique for solid-phase organic chemistry due to the high information content it delivers and swift acquisition times, using standard NMR spectrometers. This paper describes the synthesis of the novel linker 2-(2-fluoro-4-hydroxymethyl-5-methoxy-phenoxy)acetic acid in 29% yield over seven steps, using nucleophilic aromatic substitutions on 2,4,5-trifluorobenzonitrile as key steps. Following standard solid-phase synthesis a peptide could be cleaved from the linker using 20% TFA in CH(2)Cl(2) in 30 minutes, in contrast to a previously described monoalkoxy linker that requires 90% TFA in water at elevated temperature. A resin-bound peptide could be successfully glycosylated using only two equivalents of a thioglycoside donor, activated with N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, and subsequent cleavage and deprotection gave the target glycopeptide. Direct glycosylation of the linker itself followed by mild acidic cleavage gave a fully protected hemiacetal for further chemical manipulation.

Synthesis and antiplasmodial activity of new N-[3-(4-{3-[(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)amino]propyl}piperazin-1-yl)propyl]carboxamides

The parallel acylation of N-{3-[4-(3-aminopropyl)piperazin-1-yl]propyl}-7-chloroquinolin-4-amine with polymer-bound carboxylic acids opened straightforward access to novel aminoquinolines with activity against Plasmodium falciparum strains in vitro. Using this amino scaffold prepared in solution and polymer-bound carboxylic, we have synthesized a series of 29 new compounds in good to excellent yield and purity. Biological evaluation included determination of the activity against a chloroquine (CQ) sensitive strain and a CQ resistant mutant. Most of the novel structures presented here displayed activity against both strains in the lower nanomolar range, four compounds showed an at least fourfold increase in the ratio of inhibition of CQ resistant to sensitive strains over CQ itself. These results suggest that this derivatization technique is a useful method to speed up structure-activity relationship studies on aminoquinolines toward improved activity versus CQ resistant strains of P. falciparum in vitro.

Structure based design of 4-(3-aminomethylphenyl)piperidinyl-1-amides: novel, potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitors of betaII tryptase

Tryptase is a serine protease found almost exclusively in mast cells. It has trypsin-like specificity, favoring cleavage of substrates with an arginine (or lysine) at the P1 position, and has optimal catalytic activity at neutral pH. Current evidence suggests tryptase beta is the most important form released during mast cell activation in allergic diseases. It is shown to have numerous pro-inflammatory cellular activities in vitro, and in animal models tryptase provokes broncho-constriction and induces a cellular inflammatory infiltrate characteristic of human asthma. Screening of in-house inhibitors of factor Xa (a closely related serine protease) identified beta-amidoester benzamidines as potent inhibitors of recombinant human betaII tryptase. X-ray structure driven template modification and exchange of the benzamidine to optimize potency and pharmacokinetic properties gave selective, potent and orally bioavailable 4-(3-aminomethyl phenyl)piperidinyl-1-amides.

Utilization of NMR-derived fragment leads in drug design

The advent of large-scale NMR-based screening has enabled new strategies for the design of novel, potent inhibitors of therapeutic targets. In particular, fragment-based strategies, in which molecular portions of the final high-affinity ligand are experimentally identified prior to chemical synthesis, have found widespread utility. This chapter will discuss some of the practical considerations for identifying and utilizing these fragment leads in drug design, with special emphasis on some of the lessons learned from more than a decade of industry experience.

Benzimidazoles as non-peptide luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonists. Part 3: Discovery of 1-(1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-tert-butylurea derivatives

1-(1H-Benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-tert-butylurea derivatives have been identified as a novel class of non-peptide luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonists. Herein, we disclose the synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of this class resulting in the identification of compound 12c, with dual functional activity on human and rat receptors (rat LHRH: IC50=120 nM; human LHRH: IC50=18 nM). These SAR studies suggest that 1-(1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-3-tert-butylurea is a new pharmacophore for small molecule LHRH antagonists.

Parallel synthesis and dopamine D3/D2 receptor screening of novel {4-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]butyl}carboxamides

We have applied a fast and high-yielding method for the parallel amidation of 4-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]-butylamine yielding analogs of the partial dopamine receptor agonist BP 897. Using this amino scaffold prepared in solution and polymer-bound carboxylic acid equivalents, we have synthesized a series of high affinity dopamine D(3) receptor ligands. The novel compounds were obtained in good to excellent yield and purity. Biological evaluation included determination of binding affinities at hD(2S) and hD(3) receptor subtypes. From the 22 novel structures presented here, compound 4v showed high affinity (K(i) (hD(3)) 1.6nM) and a 136-fold preference for the D(3) receptor versus that for the D(2) receptor subtype. Our results suggest that this derivatization technique is a useful method to speed up structure-activity relationships studies on dopamine receptor subtype modulators.

ROMPgel Beads in IRORI Format: Acylations Revisited

Functionalized "designer" polymers derived from ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMPgels) are attractive for their high loading, high purity, and ease of synthesis. Their physical state may vary from liquid to gel to granular solid, making a general method of handling these polymers difficult. By incorporating a suitable norbornene-substituted linker on standard Wang beads, ROMPgels can be easily grafted onto the resin, adding the convenience of a bead format while still maintaining the high loading and excellent site accessibility. This advantage is demonstrated by the use of an N-hydroxysuccinimide ROMPgel (3.3 mmol g(-1), a 3-fold increase from the parent linker resin) in IRORI Kan format. Conditions for the acylation of these IRORI-formatted ROMPgels are reported, along with the scope and limitations of the choice of acylating reagents. Yields are greatly improved by the use of perfluorinated solvents as a nonparticipating cosolvent in the acylation process. A simple titration method for the quantification of the acylated ROMPgels is also reported. Spent Kans are regenerated after each use without apparent loss of activity or purity after several cycles. Due to the high loading and reduced swelling of the ROMPgel resin, up to 0.39 mmol acyl group has successfully been recovered from a single IRORI miniKan, demonstrating the high capacity of the resin and applicability to both lead discovery and optimization programs.

Gel-phase19F NMR spectral quality for resins commonly used in solid-phase organic synthesis; a study of peptide solid-phase glycosylations

The spectroscopic properties for seven different commercial resins used in solid-phase synthesis were investigated with (19)F NMR spectroscopy. A fluorine-labeled dipeptide was synthesized on each resin, and the resolution of the (19)F resonances in CDCl(3), DMSO-d(6), benzene-d(6) and CD(3)OD were measured with a conventional NMR spectrometer, i.e. without using magic angle spinning. In general, resins containing poly(ethylene glycol) chains (ArgoGel, TentaGel and PEGA) were found to be favorable for the (19)F NMR spectral quality. Three serine containing tri-, penta-, and heptapeptides were then prepared on an ArgoGel resin functionalized with a fluorine-labeled linker. The resin bound peptides were glycosylated utilizing a thiogalactoside glycosyl donor carrying fluorine-labeled protective groups. Monitoring of the glycosylations with gel-phase (19)F NMR spectroscopy allowed each glycopeptide to be formed in similar 80% yield, using a minimal amount of glycosyl donor (3 x 2 equivalents). In addition, it was found that the glycosylation yields were independent of peptide length.

Solid-phase synthesis of alpha-Gal epitopes: on-resin analysis of solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis with 19F NMR spectroscopy

A route for solid-phase synthesis of the alpha-Gal epitopes Gal(alpha1-3)Gal(beta1-4)Glc and Gal(alpha1-3)Gal(beta1-4)GlcNAc is described. These trisaccharide antigens are responsible for hyperacute rejection in xenotransplantation of porcine organs. Optimization of the solid-phase synthesis relied on use of fluorinated protective groups for the carbohydrate building blocks and use of a fluorinated linker. This allowed convenient on-resin analysis of the reactions with gel-phase (19)F NMR spectroscopy. Conditions were established which allowed reductive ring-opening of 4,6-O-benzylidene acetals to be performed on the solid phase with high regioselectivity to furnish the corresponding 6-O-benzyl ethers. It was found that glycosylations could be conveniently carried out by using thioglycosides as donors with N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as the promoter system. With use of these conditions a challenging alpha-glycosidic linkage was successfully installed with complete stereoselectivity in the final glycosylation. It was also established that fluorinated benzoates, benzyl ethers, and benzylidene acetals display almost identical chemical properties as their nonfluorinated counterparts, a finding that is essential for future use of fluorinated protective groups in solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis.

Understanding the effects of the polymer support on reaction rates and kinetics: knowledge toward efficient synthetic design

Solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS) has an ever-expanding role in the field of organic synthesis. Partially out of difficulty, and partially from the rapid speed of progress, few basic studies on the role of the physical structure of the resin have been undertaken, and the dissemination of the existing knowledge has been slow. Major advances have been made in the understanding of the many factors that govern a SPOS reaction's performance as a function of the choice of solid support.

Nitrophenol resins for facile amide and sulfonamide library synthesis

Novel nitrophenol solid supports based on various resin materials (polystyrene, TentaGel, macroporous, PEGA, and silica gel) are reported for facile amide and sulfonamide library synthesis. The broad choice of resin materials available will allow the reaction to occur successfully in solvents ranging from nonpolar organic solvents to aqueous media.

The solid-phase synthesis and use of N-monosubstituted piperazines in chemical library synthesis

An efficient solid-phase synthesis of mono-N-substituted piperazines is presented. The key transformation involves a selective borane amide bond reduction in the presence of a carbamate resin linkage. This synthetic route takes advantage of the large diverse pool of commercially available carboxylic acids, acid chlorides, and sulfonyl chlorides. The solid-phase approach facilitates parallel processing by eliminating the need for column chromatography after each synthetic step. The N-monosubstituted piperazines were shown to react with polymeric activated tetrafluorophenol (TFP) reagents to generate arrays of amides and sulfonamides in good purity for biological testing.

Solid-supported cyclohexane-1,3-dione (CHD): a "capture and release" reagent for the synthesis of amides and novel scavenger resin

[reaction: see text] A three-step synthesis of cyclohexane-1,3-dione (CHD) resin 6 on polystyrene resin is described. Resin 6 was used to prepare an amide library of high purity by microwave-assisted serial "capture and release" and can be recycled for this purpose. High-loading CHD resin 10 was also shown to scavenge allyl cations in solution.

Reaction monitoring in LPOS by 19F NMR. Study of soluble polymer supports with fluorine in spacer or linker components of supports

Various soluble polystyrene supports with fluorinated spacer or linker were prepared and studied by (19)F NMR for their use in LPOS reaction monitoring. Among three types of systems studied, the perfluoro Wang linker was found to be most efficient for this purpose. Substrates could be easily anchored to and cleaved from this new support-bound linker. The anchoring of the linker and the substrates on the polymer led to significant changes in the fluorine resonances. Therefore, the progress of these reactions could be both monitored and quantified. On the other hand, the chemical transformations on the anchored substrates led only to moderate changes in the fluorine resonances. Nevertheless, the reaction progress could also be monitored in this case. After cleavage of products, the polymer supports were recovered without loss in loading. Membrane separation technology was used to purify some polymer-bound products as well as to obtain the polymer-free cleaved product.

Use of statistical design of experiments in the optimization of amide synthesis utilizing polystyrene-supported N-hydroxybenzotriazole resin

Two fields that routinely perform reaction optimization studies are chemical development (prior to scale-up) and medicinal or combinatorial chemistry (prior to analogue synthesis or library production). To date, the use of statistical design of experiments (DoE) in conjunction with automated synthesizers has been applied in process research to a greater extent than in the medicinal or combinatorial laboratories. We have applied DoE in conjunction with an automated synthesizer to optimize the synthesis of amides employing resin-bound N-hydroxybenzotriazole (PS-HOBt) active esters as intermediates. This methodology allowed the rapid development of an improved protocol for the parallel synthesis of amides by conversion of carboxylic acids to PS-HOBt esters followed by treatment with appropriate amines. Product isolation involved only simple filtration and evaporation.

Comparative resin kinetics using in situ fluorescence measurements

The aminolysis of a novel activated ester resin was utilized for kinetic study via continuous in situ fluorescence measurements. A variety of resin compositions (polystyrene, JandaJel, ArgoPore, TentaGel, NovaGel, and PEGA) and solvents (dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichlorethane, and toluene) were tested to compare their effects on the reaction rate. A linear relationship between the reaction rate and (solvent polarity x swelling of resin) was elucidated for the aminolysis reaction.