Development of on-DNA Formation of Benzofuran for DNA-Encoded Library Synthesis

Using a novel homologation-heterocyclization cascade, the on-DNA synthesis of benzofurans from aldehydes has been developed. The methodology, based on an innovative use of the Seyferth-Gilbert homologation, followed by a high yielding Sonogashira coupling in situ intramolecular cyclization one-pot, two-step reaction, provides a powerful and unique pathway for DNA-encoded library (DEL) synthesis of a wide array of pharmaceutically relevant benzofuran-based scaffolds.

The vinyl sulfone motif as a structural unit for novel drug design and discovery

INTRODUCTION

Vinyl sulfones are a special sulfur-containing structural unit that have attracted considerable attention, owing to their important role in serving as key structural motifs of various biologically active compounds as well as serving as versatile building blocks for organic transformations. The synthetic strategy of vinyl sulfone derivatives has been substantially upgraded over the past 30 years, and the wide application of this functional group in drug design and discovery has been promoted.

AREA COVERED

In this review, the authors review the application of vinyl sulfones in drug discovery and select optimized compounds which might have significant impact or potential inspiration for drug design.

EXPERT OPINION

Vinyl sulfones have been reported to target various macromolecular targets via non-covalent or covalent interactions, including multiple kinases, tubulin, cysteine protease, transcription factor, and so on. Thus, it has been significantly applied as a privileged scaffold in the design of anticancer, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective agents. However, much work remains to be done to improve the drug-like properties, such as chemical and metabolic stability, ADME, and toxicity. Besides, the chemical space of vinyl sulfones needs to be expanded, including but not limited to the design of constrained endocyclic and exocyclic vinyl sulfones.

Constructive on-DNA Thiol Aerial Oxidization for DNA-Encoded Library Synthesis

A novel on-DNA oxidative disulfide formation method has been developed. Under ambient conditions, the methodology showcased wide applicability and swift implementation in routine DNA-encoded library synthesis to access pharmaceutically relevant motifs.

Incorporation of viridicatin alkaloid-like scaffolds into DNA-encoded chemical libraries

Viridicatin alkaloids as natural products have attracted great interest due to their unique core scaffold. To fully exploit their potential application in DNA-encoded chemical libraries that would facilitate drug discovery, we here describe an efficient on-DNA synthesis of viridicatin alkaloid-like scaffolds from isatins and DNA-tagged aldehydes. Promoted by benzenesulfonyl hydrazide, this reaction provided the corresponding DNA-conjugated viridicatin alkaloid-like products in moderate-to-excellent conversion yields, and DNA compatibility validated by enzymatic ligation and qPCR evaluation exhibited the feasible utility of this methodology in DEL synthesis. Cross substrate scope study, together with subsequent on-DNA chemical diversification, further showed the competence of this approach in focused natural product-like encoded library construction.

Aryl diazonium intermediates enable mild DNA-compatible C-C bond formation for medicinally relevant combinatorial library synthesis

Forging carbon-carbon (C-C) linkage in DNA-encoded combinatorial library synthesis represents a fundamental task for drug discovery, especially with broad substrate scope and exquisite functional group tolerance. Here we reported the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura, Heck and Hiyama type cross-coupling via DNA-conjugated aryl diazonium intermediates for DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) synthesis. Starting from commodity arylamines, this synthetic route facilely delivers vast chemical diversity at a mild temperature and pH, thus circumventing damage to fragile functional groups. Given its orthogonality with traditional aryl halide-based cross-coupling, the aryl diazonium-centered strategy expands the compatible synthesis of complex C-C bond-connected scaffolds. In addition, DNA-tethered pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., HDAC inhibitor) are constructed without decomposition of susceptible bioactive warheads (e.g., hydroxamic acid), emphasizing the superiority of the aryl diazonium-based approach. Together with the convenient transformation into an aryl azide photo-crosslinker, aryl diazonium's DNA-compatible diversification synergistically demonstrated its competence to create medicinally relevant combinatorial libraries and investigate protein-ligand interactions in pharmaceutical research.

On-DNA Synthesis of Functionalized 4H-Pyran Scaffolds for Focused DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries

The functionalized 4H-pyran scaffold has aroused synthetic attention because it is widely found in many interesting pharmacologically relevant compounds. We here disclose its incorporation into DNA-encoded chemical libraries, combining this scaffold with the merits of scaffold architecture in drug design. Under the optimized DNA-compatible conditions, functionalized 4H-pyrans were efficiently formed with a broad substrate scope. Among the 4H-pyrans formed, the axial structure features rotational restriction, and the spirocyclic structure provides rigidity and three-dimensionality. These efforts open the door for the construction of DNA-encoded chemical libraries with more consideration for this structural architecture.