Copper-Catalyzed Direct Amination of Ortho-Functionalized Haloarenes with Sodium Azide as the Amino Source

Substrate-Based Ligand Design for Phenazine Biosynthesis Enzyme PhzF

The phenazine pyocyanin is an important virulence factor of the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is on the WHO list of antibiotic resistant "priority pathogens". In this study the isomerase PhzF, a key bacterial enzyme of the pyocyanin biosynthetic pathway, was investigated as a pathoblocker target. The aim of the pathoblocker strategy is to reduce the virulence of the pathogen without killing it, thus preventing the rapid development of resistance. Based on crystal structures of PhzF, derivatives of the inhibitor 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid were designed. Co-crystal structures of the synthesized derivatives with PhzF revealed spacial limitations of the binding pocket of PhzF in the closed conformation. In contrast, ligands aligned to the open conformation of PhzF provided more room for structural modifications. The intrinsic fluorescence of small 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid derivatives enabled direct affinity determinations using FRET assays. The analysis of structure-activity relationships showed that the carboxylic acid moiety is essential for binding to the target enzyme. The results of this study provide fundamental structural insights that will be useful for the design of PhzF-inhibitors.

Replacing the oxidation-sensitive triaminoaryl chemotype of problematic KV 7 channel openers: Exploration of a nicotinamide scaffold

K_V 7 channel openers have proven their therapeutic value in the treatment of pain as well as epilepsy and, moreover, they hold the potential to expand into additional indications with unmet medical needs. However, the clinically validated but meanwhile discontinued K_V 7 channel openers flupirtine and retigabine bear an oxidation-sensitive triaminoraryl scaffold, which is suspected of causing adverse drug reactions via the formation of quinoid oxidation products. Here, we report the design and synthesis of nicotinamide analogs and related compounds that remediate the liability in the chemical structure of flupirtine and retigabine. Optimization of a nicotinamide lead structure yielded analogs with excellent K_V 7.2/3 opening activity, as evidenced by EC₅₀ values approaching the single-digit nanomolar range. On the other hand, weighted K_V 7.2/3 opening activity data including inactive compounds allowed for the establishment of structure-activity relationships and a plausible binding mode hypothesis verified by docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Identification of the Highly Active, Species Cross-Reactive Complex I Inhibitor BAY-179

Mitochondria are key regulators of energy supply and cell death. Generation of ATP within mitochondria occurs through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), a process which utilizes the four complexes (complex I-IV) of the electron transport chain and ATP synthase. Certain oncogenic mutations (e.g., LKB1 or mIDH) can further enhance the reliance of cancer cells on OXPHOS for their energetic requirements, rendering cells sensitive to complex I inhibition and highlighting the potential value of complex I as a therapeutic target. Herein, we describe the discovery of a potent, selective, and species cross-reactive complex I inhibitor. A high-throughput screen of the Bayer compound library followed by hit triaging and initial hit-to-lead activities led to a lead structure which was further optimized in a comprehensive lead optimization campaign. Focusing on balancing potency and metabolic stability, this program resulted in the identification of BAY-179, an excellent in vivo suitable tool with which to probe the biological relevance of complex I inhibition in cancer indications.

Modifications of the Triaminoaryl Metabophore of Flupirtine and Retigabine Aimed at Avoiding Quinone Diimine Formation

The potassium channel opening drugs flupirtine and retigabine have been withdrawn from the market due to occasional drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and tissue discoloration, respectively. While the mechanism underlying DILI after prolonged flupirtine use is not entirely understood, evidence indicates that both drugs are metabolized in an initial step to reactive ortho- and/or para-azaquinone diimines or ortho- and/or para-quinone diimines, respectively. Aiming to develop safer alternatives for the treatment of pain and epilepsy, we have attempted to separate activity from toxicity by employing a drug design strategy of avoiding the detrimental oxidation of the central aromatic ring by shifting oxidation toward the formation of benign metabolites. In the present investigation, an alternative retrometabolic design strategy was followed. The nitrogen atom, which could be involved in the formation of both ortho- or para-quinone diimines of the lead structures, was shifted away from the central ring, yielding a substitution pattern with nitrogen substituents in the meta position only. Evaluation of K_V7.2/3 opening activity of the 11 new specially designed derivatives revealed surprisingly steep structure-activity relationship data with inactive compounds and an activity cliff that led to the identification of an apparent "magic methyl" effect in the case of N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-6-[(4-fluorobenzyl)amino]-2-methoxy-4-methylnicotinamide. This flupirtine analogue showed potent K_V7.2/3 opening activity, being six times as active as flupirtine itself, and by design is devoid of the potential for azaquinone diimine formation.

Azidation of aryl halides promoted by EDTA

An efficient approach to azidation of aryl halides is described here. Good yields of aryl azides were obtained with [CuI/EDTA]–3 as a catalytic system. Cost-affectivity of the EDTA compared to expensive DMEDA (1 : 500 times) along with the use of 7EtOH:3H2O as mixed solvent and green medium makes it to be a suitable method for selective synthesis of aryl azides.

Optimization of PDE3A Modulators for SLFN12-Dependent Cancer Cell Killing

6-(4-(Diethylamino)-3-nitrophenyl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-one, or DNMDP, potently and selectively inhibits phosphodiesterases 3A and 3B (PDE3A and PDE3B) and kills cancer cells by inducing PDE3A/B interactions with SFLN12. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) of DNMDP analogs was evaluated using a phenotypic viability assay, resulting in several compounds with suitable pharmacokinetic properties for in vivo analysis. One of these compounds, BRD9500, was active in an SK-MEL-3 xenograft model of cancer.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 2-aminopyridylbenzoxazoles via domino reactions of intermolecular N-arylation and intramolecular O-arylation

A simple and general approach to nitrogen-containing heterocycles via copper-catalyzed domino reaction has been developed, and the corresponding 2-aminopyridylbenzoxazole derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields using the readily available starting materials. This method possesses unique step economy features, and is of high tolerance towards various functional groups in the substrates.

Copper-Catalyzed Multicomponent Domino Reaction of 2-Bromobenzaldehydes, Aryl Methyl Ketones, and Sodium Azide: Access to 1 H-[1,2,3]Triazolo[4,5- c]quinoline Derivatives

A practical copper-catalyzed multicomponent reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 1 H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5- c]quinoline derivatives from commercially available 2-bromobenzaldehydes, aryl methyl ketones, and sodium azide. This protocol integrated consecutive base-promoted condensation, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, copper-catalyzed S_NAr, and denitrogenation cyclization sequences. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that CuBr₂ acted as a multifunctional catalyst to streamline this domino process. The mild catalytic system enabled effective construction of one C-C and four C-N bonds in one operation.

Visible-light-driven Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of Organic Azides to Amines over CdS Sheet-rGO Nanocomposite

CdS sheet-rGO nanocomposite as a heterogeneous photocatalyst enables visible-light-induced photocatalytic reduction of aromatic, heteroaromatic, aliphatic and sulfonyl azides to the corresponding amines using hydrazine hydrate as a reductant. The reaction shows excellent conversion and chemoselectivity towards the formation of the amine without self-photoactivated azo compounds. In the adopted strategy, CdS not only accelerates the formation of nitrene through photoactivation of azide but also enhances the decomposition of azide to a certain extent, which entirely suppressed formation of the azo compound. The developed CdS sheet-rGO nanocomposite catalyst is very active, providing excellent results under irradiation with a 40 W simple household CFL lamp.

Copper-mediated reduction of azides under seemingly oxidising conditions: catalytic and computational studies

The reduction of aryl azides in the presence of water and air and without an obvious reducing agent is reported.

Structure-activity relationships of 2-arylquinazolin-4-ones as highly selective and potent inhibitors of the tankyrases

Tankyrases (TNKSs), members of the PARP (Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerases) superfamily of enzymes, have gained interest as therapeutic drug targets, especially as they are involved in the regulation of Wnt signalling. A series of 2-arylquinazolin-4-ones with varying substituents at the 8-position was synthesised. An 8-methyl group (compared to 8-H, 8-OMe, 8-OH), together with a 4'-hydrophobic or electron-withdrawing group, provided the most potency and selectivity towards TNKSs. Co-crystal structures of selected compounds with TNKS-2 revealed that the protein around the 8-position is more hydrophobic in TNKS-2 compared to PARP-1/2, rationalising the selectivity. The NAD(+)-binding site contains a hydrophobic cavity which accommodates the 2-aryl group; in TNKS-2, this has a tunnel to the exterior but the cavity is closed in PARP-1. 8-Methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)quinazolin-4-one was identified as a potent and selective inhibitor of TNKSs and Wnt signalling. This compound and analogues could serve as molecular probes to study proliferative signalling and for development of inhibitors of TNKSs as drugs.

CuI-catalyzed amination of Tröger's base halides: a convenient method for synthesis of unsymmetrical Tröger's bases

A convenient and efficient Ullmann type copper catalyzed amination method has been developed for direct amination of halogen substituted Tröger's base analogues.

A copper catalyzed multicomponent cascade redox reaction for the synthesis of quinazolinones

A copper catalyzed multicomponent cascade redox reaction for the synthesis of various quinazolinones starting from easily available 2-bromobenzamides, benzylic alcohols and sodium azide as a nitrogen source has been developed.

Folding Patterns in a Family of Oligoamide Foldamers

A series of small, unsymmetrical pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylamide oligoamide foldamers with varying lengths and substituents at the end groups were synthetized to study their conformational properties and folding patterns. The @-type folding pattern resembled the oxyanion-hole motifs of enzymes, but several alternative folding patterns could also be characterized. Computational studies revealed several alternative conformers of nearly equal stability. These folding patterns differed from each other in their intramolecular hydrogen-bonding patterns and aryl-aryl interactions. In the solid state, the foldamers adopted either the globular @-type fold or the more extended S-type conformers, which were very similar to those foldamers obtained computationally. In some cases, the same foldamer molecule could even crystallize into two different folding patterns, thus confirming that the different folding patterns are very close in energy in spite of their completely different shapes. Finally, the best match for the observed NOE interactions in the liquid state was a conformation that matched the computationally characterized helix-type fold.

CuSO4–d-glucose, an inexpensive and eco-efficient catalytic system: direct access to diverse quinolines through modified Friedländer approach involving SNAr/reduction/annulation cascade in one pot

A one-pot, efficient approach to quinoline synthesis, directly from 2-bromoaromatic aldehydes/ketones in a H₂O–EtOH mixture involving a sequence of S_NAr/reduction/annulation cascade using CuSO₄-d-glucose, is devised.

Copper-mediated aerobic oxidative synthesis of benzimidazo fused quinazolines via a multicomponent approach

First copper mediated aerobic oxidative multi-component synthesis of benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines has been developed from 2-(2-halophenyl)benzoimidazoles, aldehydes and sodium azide as nitrogen source.

Cobalt-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of substituted dichlorobenzenes as an example of a facile radical anion nucleophilic substitution in chloroarenes

A thorough mechanistic study on cobalt-catalysed direct methoxycarbonylation reactions of chlorobenzenes in the presence of methyl oxirane on a wide range of substrates, including poly- and monochloro derivatives with multiple substituents, is reported. The results demonstrate that the reaction is potentially useful as it proceeds under very mild conditions (t = 62 °C, P_CO = 1 bar) and converts aryl chlorides to far more valuable products (especially ortho-substituted benzoic acids and esters) in high yields. This transformation also offers another opportunity for the utilization of environmentally harmful polychlorinated benzenes and biphenyls (PCBs). This study is the first to discover an unexpected universal positive ortho-effect: the proximity of any substituent (including Me, Ph, and MeO groups and halogen atoms) to the reaction centre accelerates the methoxycarbonylation in chlorobenzenes. The effect of the ortho-substituents is discussed in detail and explained in terms of a radical anion reaction mechanism. The advantages of the methoxycarbonylation as a model for the mechanistic study of radical anion reactions are also illustrated.

Rapid assembly of quinazolinone scaffold via copper-catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-bromobenzamides with aldehydes and aqueous ammonia: application to the synthesis of the alkaloid tryptanthrin

An efficient synthesis of quinazolinones via copper-catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-bromobenzamides with aldehydes and aqueous ammonia has been developed.