Diversity-oriented synthesis of polycyclic diazinic scaffolds

Novel thiazolopyridine derivatives of diflapolin as dual sEH/FLAP inhibitors with improved solubility

Inflammatory responses are orchestrated by a plethora of lipid mediators, and perturbations of their biosynthesis or degradation hinder resolution and lead to uncontrolled inflammation, which contributes to diverse pathologies. Small molecules that induce a switch from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory lipid mediators are considered valuable for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are afflicted with side effects caused by the inhibition of beneficial prostanoid formation and redirection of arachidonic acid (AA) into alternative pathways. Multi-target inhibitors like diflapolin, the first dual inhibitor of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP), promise improved efficacy and safety but are confronted by poor solubility and bioavailability. Four series of derivatives bearing isomeric thiazolopyridines as bioisosteric replacement of the benzothiazole core and two series additionally containing mono- or diaza-isosteres of the phenylene spacer were designed and synthesized to improve solubility. The combination of thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine, a pyridinylen spacer and a 3,5-Cl2-substituted terminal phenyl ring (46a) enhances solubility and FLAP antagonism, while preserving sEH inhibition. Moreover, the thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridine derivative 41b, although being a less potent sEH/FLAP inhibitor, additionally decreases thromboxane production in activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We conclude that the introduction of nitrogen, depending on the position, not only enhances solubility and FLAP antagonism (46a), but also represents a valid strategy to expand the scope of application towards inhibition of thromboxane biosynthesis.

Benzodithiophene-Based Spacers for Layered and Quasi-Layered Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Incorporating extended pi-conjugated organic cations in layered lead halide perovskites is a recent trend promising to merge the fields of organic semiconductors and lead halide perovskites. Herein, we integrate benzodithiophene (BDT) into Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) layered and quasi-layered lead iodide thin films (with methylammonium, MA) of the form (BDT)2 MAn-1 Pbn I3n+1 . The importance of tuning the ligand chemical structure is shown as an alkyl chain length of at least six carbon atoms is required to form a photoactive RP (n=1) phase. With N=20 or 100, as prepared in the precursor solution following the formula (BDT)2 MAN-1 PbN I3N+1 , the performance and stability of devices surpassed those with phenylethylammonium (PEA). For N=100, the BDT cation gave a power conversion efficiency of up to 14.7 % vs. 13.7 % with PEA. Transient photocurrent, UV photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy point to improved charge transport in the device active layer and additional electronic states close to the valence band, suggesting the formation of a Lewis adduct between the BDT and surface iodide vacancies.

Synthesis of Chromeno[3,4-b]piperazines by an Enol-Ugi/Reduction/Cyclization Sequence

Keto piperazines and aminocoumarins are privileged building blocks for the construction of geometrically constrained peptides and therefore valuable structures in drug discovery. Combining these two heterocycles provides unique rigid polycyclic peptidomimetics with drug-like properties including many points of diversity that could be modulated to interact with different biological receptors. This work describes an efficient multicomponent approach to condensed chromenopiperazines based on the novel enol-Ugi reaction. Importantly, this strategy involves the first reported post-condensation transformation of an enol-Ugi adduct.

Direct access to vicinally functionalized and N-trifluoroacetylated (bicyclic)ketopiperazines using a readily affordable N-heterocyclic anhydride

Functionalized 2-piperazinones play essential roles as conformationally-constrained peptidomimetics by mimicking inverse γ-turns in peptides. Here, we describe an efficient, scalable, stereoselective, modular, and chemoselective annulation protocol between a novel N-trifluoroacetyl anhydride and several reactive partners, including lactim ethers, imidoyl chlorides, aryl aldimines, and 1,3-azadienes, leading to vicinally functionalized (bicyclic) 2-piperazinones.

Highly selective intramolecular addition of C–N and S–N bonds to alkynes catalyzed by palladium: a practical access to two distinct functional indoles

Palladium-catalyzed highly selective intramolecular addition of C–N and S–N bonds to alkynes has been achieved, and two distinct kinds of functional indoles were synthesized rapidly from the same set of substrates in a catalyst-controlled manner.

Synthesis and catalytic activity of ruthenium indenylidene complexes bearing unsymmetrical NHC containing a heteroaromatic moiety

New ruthenium(ii) indenylidene catalysts were synthesized and used in olefin metathesis reactions in toluene under air, leading to high conversions and good selectivities.

Exploiting translational stalling peptides in an effort to extend azithromycin interaction within the prokaryotic ribosome nascent peptide exit tunnel

The ribosome is the primary protein synthesis machine in the cell and is a target for treatment of a variety of diseases including bacterial infection and cancer. The ribosomal peptide exit tunnel, the route of egress for the nascent peptide, is an inviting site for drug design. Toward a rational engagement of the nascent peptide components for the design of small molecule inhibitors of ribosome function, we designed and disclosed herein a set of N-10 indole functionalized azithromycin analogs. The indole moiety of these compounds is designed to mimic the translation stalling interaction of SecM W155 side-chain with the prokaryotic (Escherichia coli) ribosome A751 residue. Many of these N-10 functionalized compounds have enhanced translation inhibition activities against E. coli ribosome relative to azithromycin while a subset inhibited the growth of representative susceptible bacteria strains to about the same extent as azithromycin. Moreover, the inclusion of bovine serum in the bacterial growth media enhanced the anti-bacterial potency of the N-10 functionalized azithromycin analogs by as high as 10-fold.

Copper-catalyzed direct arylation of cyclic enamides using diaryliodonium salts

A convenient method for the copper(II)-catalyzed direct arylation of cyclic and nonaromatic enamides using diaryliodonium salts has been developed. The reaction demonstrates large functional group tolerance, good yields, and total regioselectivity with a C(3)-functionalization. The synthetic potential of this coupling was explored by using a range of readily accessible diaryliodonium salts and enamides.

Construction of nitrogen-fused tetrahydroquinolines via a domino reaction

An efficient domino approach for the diastereoselective synthesis of polyfunctionalized nitrogen-fused tetrahydroquinoline frameworks under mild conditions has been developed. The scope and limitation of this transformation were investigated by using a range of readily accessible enamides and benzyl azides. This method is also applicable to the formation of 2,3-functionalized enamides.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed direct alkenylation of nonaromatic enamides

A mild and efficient method for the direct alkenylation of nonaromatic enamides was achieved through a palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H functionalization. The reaction scope includes cyclic and acyclic enamides and a range of activated alkenes. This approach represents the first successful direct C(3)-functionalization of nonaromatic cyclic enamides.