Direct Access to 4-Carboxy-1,8-naphthyridines and Related Compounds through Pfitzinger-Type Chemistry

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 4-Quinoline Carboxylic Acids as Inhibitors of Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase

We pursued a structure-guided approach toward the development of improved dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors with the goal of forming new interactions between DHODH and the brequinar class of inhibitors. Two potential residues, T63 and Y356, suitable for novel H-bonding interactions, were identified in the brequinar-binding pocket. Analogues were designed to maintain the essential pharmacophore and form new electrostatic interactions through strategically positioned H-bond accepting groups. This effort led to the discovery of potent quinoline-based analogues 41 (DHODH IC₅₀ = 9.71 ± 1.4 nM) and 43 (DHODH IC₅₀ = 26.2 ± 1.8 nM). A cocrystal structure between 43 and DHODH depicts a novel water mediated H-bond interaction with T63. Additional optimization led to the 1,7-naphthyridine 46 (DHODH IC₅₀ = 28.3 ± 3.3 nM) that forms a novel H-bond with Y356. Importantly, compound 41 possesses significant oral bioavailability ( F = 56%) and an elimination t_1/2 = 2.78 h (PO dosing). In conclusion, the data supports further preclinical studies of our lead compounds toward selection of a candidate for early-stage clinical development.

C-H Functionalization of Azines

Azines, which are six-membered aromatic compounds containing one or more nitrogen atoms, serve as ubiquitous structural cores of aromatic species with important applications in biological and materials sciences. Among a variety of synthetic approaches toward azines, C-H functionalization represents the most rapid and atom-economical transformation, and it is advantageous for the late-stage functionalization of azine-containing functional molecules. Since azines have several C-H bonds with different reactivities, the development of new reactions that allow for the functionalization of azines in a regioselective fashion has comprised a central issue. This review describes recent advances in the C-H functionalization of azines categorized as follows: (1) S_NAr reactions, (2) radical reactions, (3) deprotonation/functionalization, and (4) metal-catalyzed reactions.

α,β-Functionalization of saturated ketones with anthranils via Cu-catalyzed sequential dehydrogenation/aza-Michael addition/annulation cascade reactions in one-pot

An efficient method to access functionalized quinolines from the readily available saturated ketones and anthranils have been explored.

CuBr-ZnI2 Combo-Catalysis for Mild CuI-CuIII Switching and sp2 C-H Activated Rapid Cyclization to Quinolines and Their Sugar-Based Chiral Analogues: A UV-Vis and XPS Study

An unprecedented CuBr-ZnI₂ combo-catalyzed mild Cu¹-Cu^III switching activation of sp² C-H of highly electron-rich arenes is reported. Anilines, aldehydes, and terminal alkynes were rapidly coupled together at ambient temperature to construct a ubiquitous quinoline framework through cyclization of the C≡C bond. This smart solvent-free strategy was exploited for the direct synthesis of valuable 4-substituted, 2,4-disubstituted, and thermally labile sugar-based chiral quinolines in good yields. In contrast to the frequently used imine-alkyne cyclization reaction, this uncommonly mild Cu^I-Cu^III combo-catalysis for a rapid three-component cyclization is expected to proceed through the formation of a flexible propargyl amine intermediate, which provides a Cu^I-procatalyst for rapid sp² C-H activation with cyclization involving transient Cu^III species. The in situ generation of transient Cu^III species was confirmed through online ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses.

Cobalt-catalyzed synthesis of quinolines from the redox-neutral annulation of anilides and alkynes

A new method of cobalt-catalyzed annulation of anilides and internal alkynes for the efficient synthesis of quinoline scaffolds was developed.

Synthesis of multi-substituted 4-aminopyridines via ring-opening and recyclization reactions of 2-iminopyridines

Synthesis of multi-substituted 4-aminopyridines is developed via a regioselective ring-opening reaction of 2-iminopyridines followed by a 6π-azaelectrocyclization and N-to-N 1,3-sulfonyl group migration process.