Development of a Scalable Synthesis of a Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor via C–N and C–C Bond Couplings as an End Game Strategy

A Three-Step Method for the Preparation of N-Substituted 3,4-Dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones and Heteroaryl-Fused 3,4-Dihydropyridin-2(1H)-ones from 2-Bromobenzoate Precursors

We demonstrate a general method for the preparation of diverse N-substituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-one compounds through an overall three-step cross-coupling/cyclization/N-deprotection/N-alkylation sequence. In the first step, ethyl 2-bromobenzoates and 2-bromo-1-carboxyethyl heterocycles are cross-coupled with commercially available potassium (2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)ethyl)trifluoroborate to produce (hetero)aryl-substituted 3-[(N-Boc-2-carboxyethyl)phenyl]ethylamines. In a subsequent two-stage process, these (hetero)arylethylamines undergo base-mediated ring closure followed by N-deprotection and N-alkylation to produce N-substituted 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones and heteroaryl-fused N-benzyl 3,4-dihydropyridin-2(1H)-ones. Mechanistic work was performed to elucidate the order of transformations for the latter two-stage process. The method was also extended to the production of N-benzyl isoindolin-1-one and N-benzyl 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[c]azepin-1-one.

Facile Buchwald-Hartwig coupling of sterically encumbered substrates effected by PNP ligands

The diphosphinoamine ligands [(Ph2P)2N(Ar); 1 (Ar = C6H5), 2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3)] were effectively utilized in Buchwald-Hartwig coupling of a range of sterically demanding substrates. The reaction was carried out using conventional and microwave routes and the latter reduces the reaction time from 3 d to 15-30 min. A broad substrate scope was achieved in this protocol and most of the coupling products are isolated on a mutligram scale. DFT calculations were carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanism.

σ N-C Bond Difunctionalization in Bridged Twisted Amides: Sew-and-Cut Activation Approach to Functionalized Isoquinolines

A rare example of highly selective σ N-C bond difunctionalization in bridged twisted lactams through N-C cleavage has been achieved. In combination with the intramolecular Heck cyclization, this method affords a two-step bond reorganization event ("sew-and-cut") to access functionalized isoquinoline ring systems directly with high atom economy. C-H bond functionalizations directed by a weakly coordinating bridged amide bond increase scaffold diversity. Preliminary mechanistic studies on the effect of amide distortion and the role of electrophile in this unusual σ N-C amide difunctionalization are described.

Structural optimization of diphenylpyrimidine derivatives (DPPYs) as potent Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors with improved activity toward B leukemia cell lines

A new series of diphenylpyrimidine derivatives (DPPYs) bearing various aniline side chains at the C-2 position of pyrimidine core were synthesized as potent BTK inhibitors. Most of these inhibitors displayed improved activity against B leukemia cell lines compared with lead compound spebrutinib. Subsequent studies showed that the peculiar inhibitor 7j, with IC₅₀ values of 10.5 μM against Ramos cells and 19.1 μM against Raji cells, also displayed slightly higher inhibitory ability than the novel agent ibrutinib. Moreover, compound 7j is not sensitive to normal cells PBMC, indicating low cell cytotoxicity. In addition, flow cytometry analysis indicated that 7j significantly induced the apoptosis of Ramos cells, and arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. These explorations provided new clues to discover pyrimidine scaffold as more effective BTK inhibitors.

Applications of Palladium-Catalyzed C-N Cross-Coupling Reactions

Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions that form C–N bonds have become useful methods to synthesize anilines and aniline derivatives, an important class of compounds throughout chemical research. A key factor in the widespread adoption of these methods has been the continued development of reliable and versatile catalysts that function under operationally simple, user-friendly conditions. This review provides an overview of Pd-catalyzed N-arylation reactions found in both basic and applied chemical research from 2008 to the present. Selected examples of C–N cross-coupling reactions between nine classes of nitrogen-based coupling partners and (pseudo)aryl halides are described for the synthesis of heterocycles, medicinally relevant compounds, natural products, organic materials, and catalysts.

Rational ligand design for the arylation of hindered primary amines guided by reaction progress kinetic analysis

We report the Pd-catalyzed arylation of very hindered α,α,α-trisubstituted primary amines. Kinetics-based mechanistic analysis and rational design have led to the development of two biarylphosphine ligands that allow the transformation to proceed with excellent efficiency. The process was effective in coupling a wide range of functionalized aryl and heteroaryl halides under mild conditions.