An efficient asymmetric synthesis of an estrogen receptor modulator by sulfoxide-directed borane reduction

Chemoselective Synthesis and Anti-Kinetoplastidal Properties of 2,6-Diaryl-4H-tetrahydro-thiopyran-4-one S-Oxides: Their Interplay in a Cascade of Redox Reactions from Diarylideneacetones

2,6-Diaryl-4H-tetrahydro-thiopyran-4-ones and corresponding sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives were designed to lower the major toxicity of their parent anti-kinetoplatidal diarylideneacetones through a prodrug effect. Novel diastereoselective methodologies were developed and generalized from diarylideneacetones and 2,6-diaryl-4H-tetrahydro-thiopyran-4-ones to allow the introduction of a wide substitution profile and to prepare the related S-oxides. The in vitro biological activity and selectivity of diarylideneacetones, 2,6-diaryl-4H-tetrahydro-thiopyran-4-ones, and their S-sulfoxide and sulfone metabolites were evaluated against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and various Leishmania species in comparison with their cytotoxicity against human fibroblasts hMRC-5. The data revealed that the sulfides, sulfoxides, and sulfones, in which the Michael acceptor sites are temporarily masked, are less toxic against mammal cells while the anti-trypanosomal potency was maintained against T. b. brucei, T. cruzi, L. infantum, and L. donovani, thus confirming the validity of the prodrug strategy. The mechanism of action is proposed to be due to the involvement of diarylideneacetones in cascades of redox reactions involving the trypanothione system. After Michael addition of the dithiol to the double bonds, resulting in an elongated polymer, the latter-upon S-oxidation, followed by syn-eliminations-fragments, under continuous release of reactive oxygen species and sulfenic/sulfonic species, causing the death of the trypanosomal parasites in the micromolar or submicromolar range with high selectivity indexes.

The Synthesis and Base-Induced Breakdown of Triaryl 1,4-Oxathiins-An Experimental and DFT Study

1,4-Oxathiins are valued for a breadth of bioactivities and are known commercial fungicides. This article explores a novel preparation of 2,3,6-trisubstituted 1,4-oxathiin-S,S-dioxides via the reaction of benzyl 1-alkynyl sulfones and aryl aldehydes under basic conditions. A total of 20 examples possessing exclusively a trans arrangement of the 2,3-diaryl substituents are exhibited; the products demonstrate a variation of functional groups on the aryl ring attached to the heterocyclic ring system. The preparation is hindered by the base sensitivity of the products, and a ring-opened by-product typically contaminates the reaction mixture. A DFT assessment of the overall system includes a lithium counterion and offers possible pathways for the incorporation of the aldehyde, the cyclization step and the requisite proton transfers. In addition, the DFT work reveals options for the ring opening chemistry. It appears the trans 2,3-diaryl selectivity is set during the cyclization stage of the reaction sequence. The practical work uncovers a new reaction pathway to create a family of novel 1,4-oxathiin-S,S-dioxides whereas the computational work offers an understanding of the structures and possible mechanisms involved.

A Sulfur-Controlled Approach to the Synthesis of Linerixibat

Establishing the two stereocenters in the benzothiazepine ring of linerixibat (GSK2330672) has been a long-standing problem at GSK. Our solution rests on an episulfonium-controlled Ritter reaction followed by a sulfoxide-directed reduction. A rationale for both steps is based on a mixture of literature precedent and computational experiments. Transition state modeling suggests the sulfoxide-directed reduction proceeds through electronic repulsion between the lone pair of electrons on sulfur and the incoming borohydride anion.

A DFT examination of the role of proximal boron functionalities in the S-alkylation of sulfenic acid anions

Sulfenic acid anions represent an emerging nucleophile for the preparation of sulfoxides. Their S-functionalization chemistry can often be influenced by a nearby group that interacts with the component atoms of the sulfenate through non-bonding interactions. This study uses DFT methods to assess the importance of proximal boron-containing functional groups to direct S-alkylation chemistry of selected sulfenate anions. Several structural variations were modelled at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level, with the boron species positioned 3 to 5 carbons away from the alkylation site. Transition state free energies of S-alkylation transition states were located with and without sulfenate oxygen precomplexing to the nearby boron atom. The outcomes suggest that an ortho-substituted boronate ester on benzyl bromide can direct and accelerate an alkylation reaction principally due to a reduction of the entropic barrier. It was also determined that an intermolecular precomplex imparts too much stabilization to the sulfenate, thereby reducing its reactivity. The modelling suggests a possible aryl migration of the boronate/sulfenate complex is not competitive with S-alkylation.

Exploring the Structural Compliancy versus Specificity of the Estrogen Receptor Using Isomeric Three-Dimensional Ligands

The estrogen receptors (ERs) bind with high affinity to many structurally diverse ligands by significantly distorting the contours of their ligand-binding pockets. This raises a question: To what degree is ER able to distinguish between structurally related regioisomers and enantiomers? We have explored the structural compliance and specificity of ERα with a set of ligands having a 7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene sulfonate core and basic side chains typical of selective ER modulators (SERMs). These ligands have two regioisomers, each of which is a racemate of enantiomers. Using orthogonal protecting groups and chiral HPLC, we isolated all 4 isomers and assigned their absolute stereochemistry by X-ray analysis. The 1S,2R,4S isomer has a 80-170-fold higher affinity for ERα than the others, and it profiles as a partial agonist/antagonist in cellular reporter gene assays and in suppressing proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with subnanomolar potency, far exceeding that of the other isomers. It is the only isomer found bound to ERα by X-ray analysis after crystallization with four-isomer mixtures of closely related analogs. Thus, despite the general compliance of this receptor for binding a large variety of ligand structures, ER demonstrates marked structural specificity and stereospecificity by selecting a single component from a mixture of structurally related isomers to drive ER-regulated cellular activity. Our findings lay the necessary groundwork for seeking unique ER-mediated pharmacological profiles by rational structural perturbations of two different types of side chains in this unprecedented class of ER ligands, which may prove useful in developing more effective endocrine therapies for breast cancer.

Total synthesis of malagashanine: a chloroquine potentiating indole alkaloid with unusual stereochemistry

The first total synthesis of malagashanine, a chloroquine potentiating indole alkaloid, is presented. A highly stereoselective cascade annulation reaction was developed to generate the tetracyclic core of the Malagasy alkaloids. This chemistry is likely to be broadly applicable to the synthesis of other members of this stereochemically unique family of natural products.

A Straightforward Route to Potent Phenolic Chain-Breaking Antioxidants by Acid-Promoted Transposition of 1,4-Benzo[b]oxathiines to Dihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes

The transformation of simple phenols with limited antioxidant activity into potent chain-breaking antioxidants was achieved by a three-step protocol, consisting of the conversion of phenols into 1,4-benzo[b]oxathiines followed by an unprecedented acid-promoted transposition to o-hydroxydihydrobenzo[b]thiophenes, or dihydrobenzo[de]thiochromenes, starting from phenols or naphthols, respectively. These derivatives, bearing a benzo-fused heterocycle with a sulfide sulfur ortho to the phenolic OH, have a rate constant of reaction with alkylperoxyl radicals (kinh ) comparable to that of α-tocopherol. A solid rationale for the transposition mechanism as well as for the structure-antioxidant activity relationship is presented.

Estrogen Receptor Ligands. 12. Synthesis of the Major Metabolites of an ERα-Selective, Dihydrobenzoxathiin Antagonist for Osteoporosis

[reaction: see text] During the course of drug metabolism studies, a major metabolite of compound 1 was detected in rhesus monkeys and assigned structure 4. The intriguing biotransformation of 1 leading to 4 was confirmed by a 19-step total synthesis starting from resorcinol (11), the key feature of which was the construction of the oxygen bridge utilizing a phenolic oxidation and trapping sequence. In addition, the synthesis of a related metabolite (5) is described.