A systematic study of the hydride reduction of cyclopropyl ketones with structurally simplified substrates. highly stereoselective reductions of trans-substituted cyclopropyl ketones via the bisected s-cis conformation

Total syntheses of ent-hypocoprin A and ent-hypocoprin B

This study reports the stereoselective total syntheses of the antipodes of the unique 3/10 bicyclic skeletal sesquiterpenoids, namely, hypocoprin A and hypocoprin B. The synthesis involved conjugate addition accelerated by trimethylsilyl chloride, construction of the ten-membered ring via the intramolecular SN2 reaction promoted by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, and osmium-mediated π-facial selective dihydroxylation to functionalize the 1,1-disubstituted alkene.

[Medicinal Chemical Studies Based on the Theoretical Design of Bioactive Compounds]

I have engaged in medicinal chemical studies based on the theoretical design of bioactive compounds. First, I present a three-dimensional structural diversity-oriented conformational restriction strategy for developing bioactive compounds based on the characteristic steric and stereoelectronic features of cyclopropane. Using this strategy, various biologically active small molecule compounds, such as receptor agonists/antagonists and enzyme inhibitors, were effectively developed. The strategy was also applied to develop versatile peptidomimetics and membrane-permeable cyclic peptides. Next, studies on Ca²⁺-mobilizing second messengers, cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and myo-inositol trisphosphates (IP₃), are described. In these studies, stable equivalents of cADPR were developed, since biological studies of cADPR have been limited due to its instability. Various potent IP₃ receptor ligands, which were designed using the d-glucose structure as a bioisostere of the myo-inositol moiety of IP₃, have been identified. Organic chemistry studies have also been extensively performed, because excellent organic chemistry is essential for promoting high-level medicinal chemical studies. For examples, new methods for the synthesis of chiral cyclopropanes, new radical reactions with silicon tethers, and kinetic anomeric effect-dependent stereoselective glycosidations have been developed.

From Peptides to Peptidomimetics: A Strategy Based on the Structural Features of Cyclopropane

Peptidomimetics, non-natural mimicries of bioactive peptides, comprise an important class of drug molecules. The essence of the peptidomimetic design is to mimic the key conformation assumed by the bioactive peptides upon binding to their targets. Regulation of the conformation of peptidomimetics is important not only to enhance target binding affinity and selectivity, but also to confer cell-membrane permeability for targeting protein-protein interactions in cells. The rational design of peptidomimetics with suitable three-dimensional structures is challenging, however, due to the inherent flexibility of peptides and their dynamic conformational changes upon binding to the target biomolecules. In this Minireview, a three-dimensional structural diversity-oriented strategy based on the characteristic structural features of cyclopropane to address this challenging issue in peptidomimetic chemistry is described.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of goniothalamins and derivatives

Substituted goniothalamins containing cyclopropane-groups were efficiently prepared in high yields and good selectivity. Antiproliferative activity was measured on three human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, HBL-100), to show which of the structural elements of goniothalamins is mandatory for cytotoxicity. We found that the configuration of the stereogenic centre of the δ-lactone plays an important role for cytotoxicity. In our studies only (R)-configured goniothalamins showed antiproliferative activity, whereby (R)-configuration accords to natural goniothalamin (R)-1. Additionally, the δ-lactone needs to be unsaturated whereas our results show that the vinylic double bond is not mandatory for cytotoxicity. Furthermore, with a two-fold in vitro and in vivo strategy, we determined the inhibitory effect of the compounds to the yeast protein Pdr5. Here, we clearly demonstrate that the configuration seems to be of minor influence, only, while the nature of the substituent of the phenyl ring is of prime importance.

Cyclopropane-Based Peptidomimetics Mimicking Wide-Ranging Secondary Structures of Peptides: Conformational Analysis and Their Use in Rational Ligand Optimization

Detailed conformational analyses of our previously reported cyclopropane-based peptidomimetics and conformational analysis-driven ligand optimization are described. Computational calculations and X-ray crystallography showed that the characteristic features of cyclopropane function effectively to constrain the molecular conformation in a three-dimensionally diverse manner. Subsequent principal component analysis revealed that the diversity covers the broad chemical space filled by peptide secondary structures in terms of both main-chain and side-chain conformations. Based on these analyses, a lead stereoisomer targeting melanocortin receptors was identified, and its potency and subtype selectivity were improved by further derivatization. The presented strategy is effective not only for designing non-peptidic ligands from a peptide ligand but also for the rational optimization of these ligands based on the plausible target-binding conformation without requiring the three- dimensional structural information of the target and its peptide ligands.

Synthesis and conformational analysis of peptides embodying 2,3-methanopipecolic acids

When 2,3-methanopipecolic acids replace a proline in peptides, a marked preference (42–92%) for thecisgeometry around the pipecolic amide bond is observed in both water and organic solvents.

One-pot catalytic enantio- and diastereoselective syntheses of anti-, syn-cis-disubstituted, and syn-vinyl cyclopropyl alcohols

Highly enantio- and diastereoselective methods for the synthesis of a variety of cyclopropyl alcohols are reported. These methods represent the first one-pot approaches to syn-vinyl cyclopropyl alcohols, syn-cis-disubstituted cyclopropyl alcohols, and anti-cyclopropyl alcohols from achiral precursors. The methods begin with enantioselective C-C bond formations promoted by a MIB-based zinc catalyst to generate allylic alkoxide intermediates. The intermediates are then subjected to in situ alkoxide-directed cyclopropanation to provide cyclopropyl alcohols. In the synthesis of vinyl cyclopropyl alcohols, hydroboration of enynes is followed by transmetalation of the resulting dienylborane to zinc to provide dienylzinc reagents. Enantioselective addition to aldehydes generates the requisite dienyl zinc alkoxides, which are then subjected to in situ cyclopropanation to furnish vinyl cyclopropyl alcohols. Cyclopropanation occurs at the double bond allylic to the alkoxide. Using this method, syn-vinylcyclopropyl alcohols are obtained in 65-85% yield, 76-93% ee, and > 19:1 dr. To prepare anti-cyclopropanols, enantioselective addition of alkylzinc reagents to conjugated enals provides allylic zinc alkoxides. Because direct cyclopropanation provides syn-cyclopropyl alcohols, the intermediate allylic alkoxides were treated with TMSCl/Et(3)N to generate intermediate silyl ethers. In situ cyclopropanation of the allylic silyl ether resulted in cyclopropanation to form the anti-cyclopropyl silyl ether. Workup with TBAF affords the anti-cyclopropyl alcohols in one pot in 60-82% yield, 89-99% ee, and > or = 10:1 dr. For the synthesis of cis-disubstituted cyclopropyl alcohols, in situ generated (Z)-vinyl zinc reagents were employed in asymmetric addition to aldehydes to generate (Z)-allylic zinc alkoxides. In situ cyclopropanation provides syn-cis-disubstituted cyclopropyl alcohols in 42-70% yield, 88-97% ee, and > 19:1 dr. These one-pot procedures enable the synthesis of a diverse array of cyclopropyl alcohol building blocks with high enantio- and diastereoselectivities.

Stereochemical Diversity-Oriented Conformational Restriction Strategy. Development of Potent Histamine H3 and/or H4 Receptor Antagonists with an Imidazolylcyclopropane Structure

The stereochemical diversity-oriented conformational restriction strategy can be an efficient method for developing specific ligands for drug target proteins, especially in cases where neither the bioactive conformation nor the pharmacophore is known. To develop potent H3 and H4 receptor antagonists, a series of conformationally restricted analogues of histamine with a chiral cis- or trans-cyclopropane structure were designed on the basis of this strategy. These target compounds with stereochemical diversity were synthesized from the versatile chiral cyclopropane units (1S,2R)- and (1R,2R)-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methyl-1-formylcyclopropane (6 and 7, respectively) or their enantiomers ent-6 and ent-7. Pharmacological profiles of these conformationally restricted analogues were shown to be different depending on the cyclopropane backbones. Among the analogues, (1R,2S)-2-[2-(4-chlorobenzylamino)ethyl]-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)cyclopropane (11a) with the (1R)-trans-cyclopropane structure has remarkable antagonistic activity to both the H3 (Ki = 8.4 nM) and H4 (Ki = 7.6 nM) receptors. The enantiomer of 11a, i.e., ent-11a, with the (1S)-trans-cyclopropane structure turned out to be a highly potent and selective H3 receptor antagonist with a Ki of 3.6 nM. Conversely, (1R,2R)-2-[(4-chlorobenzylamino)methyl]-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)cyclopropane (10a) with the (1R)-trans structure was selective for the H4 receptor (Ki = 118 nM) compared to the H3 receptor (Ki > 10(3) nM). Thus, a variety of compounds with different pharmacological profiles have been developed. These results show that when the structure of the target protein is unknown, the stereochemical diversity-oriented approach can be a powerful strategy in medicinal chemical studies.

Cyclopropyl containing fatty acids as mechanistic probes for cytochromes P450

[reaction: see text] The mechanism of aliphatic hydroxylation by cytochromes P450 has been the subject of intense debate with several proposed mechanistic alternatives. Various cyclopropyl containing compounds (radical clocks), which can produce both unrearranged and ring opened products upon oxidation, have been key tools in these investigations. In this study, we introduce several cyclopropyl containing fatty acids 1a-4a with which to probe the mechanism of P450s capable of fatty acid hydroxylation. The probes are shown to be capable of distinguishing radical from cationic intermediates due to the rapid equilibration of isomeric cyclopropyl cations. Ring opening of a radical intermediate in an oxidative transformation is expected to yield a single rearranged alcohol, whereas a cation isomerizes prior to ring opening, leading to two isomeric homoallylic alcohols. Oxidation of these probes by P450(BM3) and P450(BioI) gives results consistent with a radical but not a cationic intermediate in fatty acid hydroxylation by these enzymes. Quantitation of the unrearranged and ring opened products gives remarkably homogeneous rates for oxygen rebound of (2-3) x 10(10) s(-1). The effects of introduction of a cyclopropane ring into a fatty acid upon the regiochemistry of hydroxylation are discussed.

Highly Stereoselective Grignard Addition to Cis-Substituted C-Cyclopropylaldonitrones. The Bisected s-Trans Transition State Can Be Stabilized Effectively by the Lewis Acid-Coordination

We previously found that Grignard addition to a C-cyclopropylaldonitrone, C-[cis-2-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)-trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl]-N-benzylaldonitrone (1), stereoselectively gave the anti-product 3, in which the stereoselectivity was particularly high when MgBr(2) was the additive. In this study, the reaction pathway was investigated in detail. The stereoselective addition was initially thought to occur via either a 1,5-chelation-controlled or a bisected s-trans conformation-controlled pathway. However, Grignard addition to a nonchelating silyl ether-type substrate, C-[cis-2-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl)-trans-2-phenylcyclopropyl]-N-benzylaldonitrone (7), also gave the anti-product 9 with high stereoselectivity suggesting that chelation is not important in the reaction. Theoretical calculations of C-cyclopropylaldonitrones showed that the coordination of Mg(2+) at the nitrone oxygen significantly stabilizes the bisected s-trans conformer due to the effective hyperconjugation between the pi* of the nitrone C=N bond and the electron-donating cyclopropane orbitals. This kind of orbital interaction is able to stabilize the transition state of the nucleophilic addition and is maximized in the bisected conformation, in which the orbitals of the forming bond and the cyclopropane C-C bond are in an almost planar arrangement. Thus, the high stereoselectivity can be explained by nucleophilic attack on the less hindered side of the C=N bond of the substrates in the Mg(2+)-coordinated bisected s-trans conformation.

Construction of a cis-cyclopropane via reductive radical decarboxylation. Enantioselective synthesis of cis- and trans-1-arylpiperazyl-2-phenylcyclopropanes designed as antidopaminergic agents

(1S,2S)-, (1S,2R)-, and (1R,2S)-1-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)piperazyl-2-phenylcyclopropane (2a, 3, and ent-3, respectively), which were designed as conformationally restricted analogues of haloperidol (1), a clinically effective antipsychotic agent, were synthesized from chiral epichlorohydrins using the Barton reductive radical decarboxylation as the key step. (1S,2R)-1-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methyl-2-carboxy-2-phenylcyclopropane (5), which was prepared from (S)-epichlorohydrin ((S)-7), was converted into its N-hydroxypyridine-2-thione ester 12, the substrate for the reductive radical decarboxylation. When 12 was treated with TMS3SiH in the presence of Et3B or AIBN, the decarboxylation and subsequent hydride attack on the cyclopropyl radical intermediate from the side opposite to the bulky silyloxymethyl moiety occurred, resulting in selective formation of the corresponding reductive decarboxylation product 4-cis with the cis-cyclopropane structure. From 4-cis, the cis-cyclopropane-type target compound 3 was readily synthesized. Starting from (R)-epichlorohydrin ((R)-7), ent-3 was similarly synthesized. Epimerization of the cyclopropanecarboxamide ent-16-cis, a synthetic intermediate for ent-3, on treatment with a base prepared from Bu2Mg and i-Pr2NH in THF occurred effectively to give the corresponding trans isomer 16-trans, which was converted into 2a with the trans-cyclopropane structure.

Diastereoselective Reduction of Cyclopropenylcarbinol: New Access to anti-Cyclopropylcarbinol Derivatives

[reaction: see text] Cyclopropenylcarbinol derivatives are regio- and diastereoselectively reduced with LiAlH(4) in Et(2)O into trans-cyclopropylcarbinols as a single isomer. The regioselectivity of the hydroalumination reaction on the cyclopropenyl ring has been mapped out by deuterium labeling experiments.

Cyclopropyl fatty acids implicate a radical but not a cation as an intermediate in P450BM3-catalysed hydroxylations

Novel cyclopropyl containing fatty acids are good substrates for P450(BM3) catalysed hydroxylation and analysis of their oxidation products indicates the presence of a radical intermediate (maximum rebound rate 2.6 x 10(10) s(-1)) and the absence of any cationic intermediate.