Traceless solid-phase organic synthesis

Smart chemistry for traceless release of anticancer therapeutics

In the design of delivery strategies for anticancer therapeutics, the controlled release of intact cargo at the destined tumor and metastasis locations is of particular importance. To this end, stimuli-responsive chemical linkers have been extensively investigated owing to their ability to respond to tumor-specific physiological stimuli, such as lowered pH, altered redox conditions, increased radical oxygen species and pathological enzymatic activities. To prevent premature action and off-target effects, anticancer therapeutics are chemically modified to be transiently inactivated, a strategy known as prodrug development. Prodrugs are reactivated upon stimuli-dependent release at the sites of interest. As most drugs and therapeutic proteins have the optimal activity when released from carriers in their native and original forms, traceless release mechanisms are increasingly investigated. In this review, we summarize the chemical toolkit for developing innovative traceless prodrug strategies for stimuli-responsive drug delivery and discuss the applications of these chemical modifications in anticancer treatment including cancer immunotherapy.

Automated synthesis of prexasertib and derivatives enabled by continuous-flow solid-phase synthesis

Recent advances in end-to-end continuous-flow synthesis are rapidly expanding the capabilities of automated customized syntheses of small-molecule pharmacophores, resulting in considerable industrial and societal impacts; however, many hurdles persist that limit the number of sequential steps that can be achieved in such systems, including solvent and reagent incompatibility between individual steps, cumulated by-product formation, risk of clogging and mismatch of timescales between steps in a processing chain. To address these limitations, herein we report a strategy that merges solid-phase synthesis and continuous-flow operation, enabling push-button automated multistep syntheses of active pharmaceutical ingredients. We demonstrate our platform with a six-step synthesis of prexasertib in 65% isolated yield after 32 h of continuous execution. As there are no interactions between individual synthetic steps in the sequence, the established chemical recipe file was directly adopted or slightly modified for the synthesis of twenty-three prexasertib derivatives, enabling both automated early and late-stage diversification.

Selective modification of sulfamidate-containing peptides

Hybrid peptides whose N-terminal residues are activated in the form of α-methylisoserine-derived cyclic sulfamidates exhibit rich reactivity as electrophiles, allowing site- and stereoselective modifications at different backbone and side chain positions. The unique properties of this scaffold allow the stereocontrolled late-stage functionalization of the peptide backbone by nucleophilic ring opening with fluorescent probes, thiocarbohydrates and tags for strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition as well as by installing labile N-terminal affinity tags (biotin) and cytotoxic drugs (chlorambucil) for pH-controlled release. Finally, an unexpected base-promoted acyl group migration from the sulfamidate N-terminus allows fast and quantitative intramolecular modification of nucleophilic side chains on the fully unprotected peptides.

Tunable pH-Sensitive 2-Carboxybenzyl Phosphoramidate Cleavable Linkers

We previously described a pH-sensitive phosphoramidate linker scaffold that can be tuned to release amine-containing drugs at various pH values. In these previous studies it was determined that the tunability of this linker was dependent upon the proximity of an acidic group (e.g., carboxylic acid or pyridinium). In this study, we confirmed that the tunability of pH-triggered amine-release was also dependent upon the pKa of the proximal acidic group. A series of 2-carboxybenzyl phosphoramidates was prepared in which the pKa of the proximal benzoic acid was predictably attenuated by substituents on the benzoate ring consistent with their σ-values.

Traceless Solid-Phase Organic Synthesis

Traceless solid-phase synthesis represents an ultimate sophisticated synthetic strategy on insoluble supports. Compounds synthesized on solid supports can be released without a trace of the linker that was used to tether the intermediates during the synthesis. Thus, the target products are composed only of the components (atoms, functional groups) inherent to the target core structure. A wide variety of synthetic strategies have been developed to prepare products in a traceless manner, and this review is dedicated to all aspects of traceless solid-phase organic synthesis. Importantly, the synthesis does not need to be carried out on a linker designed for traceless synthesis; most of the synthetic approaches described herein were developed using standard, commercially available linkers (originally devised for solid-phase peptide synthesis). The type of structure prepared in a traceless fashion is not restricted. The individual synthetic approaches are divided into eight sections, each devoted to a different methodology for traceless synthesis. Each section consists of a brief outline of the synthetic strategy followed by a description of individual reported syntheses.

Solid Phase Synthesis of Aminochalcones

A microwave-assisted solid phase synthesis of aminochalcones via the Claisen–Schmidt condensation reaction between resin-bound p-aminoacetophenone and aromatic aldehydes was described.

Ecofriendly microwave assisted synthesis of some new pyridine glycosides

An efficient, mild and rapid procedure was employed to prepare a novel series of pyridine glycosides. The protocol allows the reaction of 2-pyridone with 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranose under solvent-free microwave-assisted synthesis using different solid supports. Silica gel has been found to be an efficient and environmentally friendly promoter. Structures of the new products were confirmed based on their elemental analyses and spectral data (LC-MS/MS, IR, UV, 1D- and 2D-NMR).

A solid-phase approach for the synthesis of α-aminoboronic acid peptides

A solid-phase synthesis of α-aminoboronic acid peptides using a 1-glycerol polystyrene resin is described.

Greener solvents for solid-phase organic synthesis

Solid-phase organic synthesis is an essential method for the rapid synthesis of complex biological structures and libraries of small organic molecules. However, it is often associated with the use of large quantities of problematic solvents for the removal of excess reagents and reaction by-products. Given that solvent will often be the biggest contributor to waste generated in the average pharmaceutical/fine-chemical process, its exchange for a more desirable alternative often presents the biggest gains in terms of reducing environmental impact. This review aims to explore recent approaches to performing solid-phase organic synthesis, and associated solid-phase peptide synthesis, in neoteric solvents and reaction media that present greener alternatives.

Green mechanical activation-assisted solid phase synthesis of cellulose esters using a co-reactant: effect of chain length of fatty acids on reaction efficiency and structure properties of products

A green, simple, and efficient technology for direct production of cellulose mixed esters with acetyl and long chain acyl substituents.

Synthesis of trisubstituted ureas by a multistep sequence utilizing recyclable magnetic reagents and scavengers

Unprecedented magnetic borohydride exchange (mBER), magnetic Wang aldehyde (mWang) and magnetic amine resins were prepared from highly magnetic polymer-coated cobalt or iron nanoparticles. Microwave irradiation was used to obtain excellent degrees of functionalization (>95 %) and loadings (up to 3.0 mmol  g(-1)) in short reaction times of 15 min or less. A small library of ureas and thioureas was synthesized by the exclusive application of these magnetic resins. As a first step, a reductive amination of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes was carried out with mBER. The excess of primary amine needed to complete the reaction was subsequently scavenged selectively by mWang. Simple magnetic decantation from the resins resulted in secondary amines in good to excellent yields and purities. The used magnetic resins were efficiently regenerated and reused for the next run. In a second step, the secondary amines were converted to trisubstituted (thio)ureas in excellent yields and purities by stirring with an excess of iso(thio)cyanate, which was scavenged by addition of the magnetic amine resin after completion of the reaction. The whole reaction sequence is carried out without any purification apart from magnetic decantation; moreover, conventional magnetic stirring can be used as opposed to the vortexing required for polystyrene resins.

Soluble-support-assisted electrochemical reactions: application to anodic disulfide bond formation

A soluble-support-assisted technique was successfully applied to electrochemical reactions, leading to anodic disulfide bond formation. The support-bound peptide was soluble in electrolyte solution, allowing electron transfer at the surface of the electrodes. After completion of the reaction, the support-bound product was recovered as a precipitate by simple dilution of the reaction mixture with poor solvent.

Chemical methods to interrogate bacterial quorum sensing pathways

Bacteria frequently manifest distinct phenotypes as a function of cell density in a phenomenon known as quorum sensing (QS). This intercellular signalling process is mediated by "chemical languages" comprised of low-molecular weight signals, known as autoinducers, and their cognate receptor proteins. As many of the phenotypes regulated by QS can have a significant impact on the success of pathogenic or mutualistic prokaryotic-eukaryotic interactions, there is considerable interest in methods to probe and modulate QS pathways with temporal and spatial control. Such methods would be valuable for both basic research in bacterial ecology and in practical medicinal, agricultural, and industrial applications. Toward this goal, considerable recent research has been focused on the development of chemical approaches to study bacterial QS pathways. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of the use of chemical probes and techniques in QS research. Specifically, we focus on: (1) combinatorial approaches for the discovery of small molecule QS modulators, (2) affinity chromatography for the isolation of QS receptors, (3) reactive and fluorescent probes for QS receptors, (4) antibodies as quorum "quenchers," (5) abiotic polymeric "sinks" and "pools" for QS signals, and (6) the electrochemical sensing of QS signals. The application of such chemical methods can offer unique advantages for both elucidating and manipulating QS pathways in culture and under native conditions.

Synthesis of Farnesol Analogues Containing Triazoles in Place of Isoprenes through 'Click Chemistry'

A solid-phase three-component Huisgen reaction has been used to generate polar farnesol and farnesyl diphosphate analogues. The Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-cycloadditions of various azides with solid supported (E)-3-methylhept-2-en-6-yn-1-ol provided only the 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole regioisomers. The organic azides were generated in situ to minimize handling of potentially explosive azides. We have employed this powerful 'click chemistry' to make farnesol analogues where both β- and γ-isoprenes were replaced by triazole and substituted aromatic rings, respectively.

Solid-Phase Organic Synthesis of (E)-1-Nitroalkenes Based on Polystyrene-Supported Selenonitromethane

A facile method for solid-phase organic synthesis of (E)-1-nitroalkenes from polystyrene-supported selenonitromethane has been developed. Polymer-supported organic reagents are useful for the rapid preparation of small organic molecules.

Polymer-supported syntheses of thiophene-containing compounds using a new type of traceless linker

A new type of traceless linker is described for use in polymer-supported (PS) syntheses of thiophene-containing compounds. It is based on the cleavage of PS aryl 2-thienyl ketones by a mixture of potassium t-butoxide and water (typical mol ratio 10:3) in an ethereal solvent. Cleavage occurs to give the soluble thiophene-containing product. The method is used to prepare a range of eight thiophene-containing compounds including a terthiophene and a dialkylquaterthiophene. PS unsymmetrical diaryl ketones incorporating, for example, ortho-methoxyphenyl or pyrrole moieties could also serve as traceless linkers.

Traceless synthesis of diketopiperazine fused tetrahydro-β-carbolines on soluble polymer support

The Pictet-Spengler reaction, using polyethylene glycol immobilized tryptophan ester with a variety of ketones, was achieved by refluxing condition in acidic chloroform. The linear as well as cyclic ketones were employed. All the ketones were reacted within 6-8 h to furnish soluble polymer-supported tetrahydro-β-carboline in good yields. Further expansion at N-terminus of tetrahydro-β-carbolines was achieved through a reaction with chloroacetyl chloride. Finally, the 2,5-diketopiperazine skeleton was constructed over a β-carboline by amination of the resulting N-chloroacetamides and subsequent intramolecular cyclization leading to cleavage of the polymer; constitutes a traceless synthesis of tetracyclic molecular architecture. Significantly, this strategy affords a straightforward and efficient approach for the construction of biological promising molecules with high purity and good yields.

Diversity-oriented synthesis of angular bis-benzimidazole derivatives under microwave irradiation

Pharmaceutically interesting, angular bis-benzimidazoles with three appendages have been synthesized successfully through a diversity-oriented approach with soluble support under microwave irradiation. Polymer immobilized o-phenylenediamine was selectively N-acylated with 2-chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid in a primary aromatic amino moiety. The obtained amide was cyclized to benzimidazole in an acidic condition, and subsequently nucleophilic aromatic substitution with different amines was performed. Successive reduction, cyclization with various aldehydes and activated isothiocyanates yielded angular biheterocyclic benzimidazoles in good quantities. Reaction progress on polymer support was precisely monitored using the conventional proton NMR spectroscopy. Preliminary screening results showed some of these interesting compounds exhibited moderately to good inhibition against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3), which is related to invasion and migration of cancer cells.