Accelerating fragment-based library generation by coupling high-performance photoreactors with benchtop analysis

Introducing covalent warheads on spirocyclic sp2-sp3 fragments by innate C-H functionalization

Sp2-sp3 fragments play a vital role in fragment-based drug design (FBDD). Strategies to chemically modify them and efficiently access libraries of these compounds have been goals of the highest priority in the last decades. In this work, a series of sp2-sp3 fragments was synthesized and validated for that purpose, based on their measured physical-chemical properties. Selective C-H cyanation and allylation of these fragments was demonstrated by simple heating in presence of an appropriate hydrogen-atom transfer reagent and a radical acceptor. These conditions enabled a streamlined access to covalent fragments in a single step, by direct introduction of the desired covalent binder. Preliminary results on vinylation, as well as late-stage functionalization of a drug analogue were disclosed.

Photocatalysis in the Life Science Industry

In the pursuit of new pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, chemists in the life science industry require access to mild and robust synthetic methodologies to systematically modify chemical structures, explore novel chemical space, and enable efficient synthesis. In this context, photocatalysis has emerged as a powerful technology for the synthesis of complex and often highly functionalized molecules. This Review aims to summarize the published contributions to the field from the life science industry, including research from industrial-academic partnerships. An overview of the synthetic methodologies developed and strategic applications in chemical synthesis, including peptide functionalization, isotope labeling, and both DNA-encoded and traditional library synthesis, is provided, along with a summary of the state-of-the-art in photoreactor technology and the effective upscaling of photocatalytic reactions.

Nickel-Catalyzed N-Arylation of NH-Sulfoximines with Aryl Halides via Paired Electrolysis

A novel strategy for the N-arylation of NH-sulfoximines has been developed by merging nickel catalysis and electrochemistry (in an undivided cell), thereby providing a practical method for the construction of sulfoximine derivatives. Paired electrolysis is employed in this protocol, so a sacrificial anode is not required. Owing to the mild reaction conditions, excellent functional group tolerance and yield are achieved. A preliminary mechanistic study indicates that the anodic oxidation of a Ni^II species is crucial to promote the reductive elimination of a C-N bond from the resulting Ni^III species at room temperature.

Cubane, Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane and Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane: Impact and Thermal Sensitiveness of Carboxyl-, Hydroxymethyl- and Iodo-substituents

With the burgeoning interest in cage motifs for bioactive molecule discovery, and the recent disclosure of 1,4-cubane-dicarboxylic acid impact sensitivity, more research into the safety profiles of cage scaffolds is required. Therefore, the impact sensitivity and thermal decomposition behavior of judiciously selected starting materials and synthetic intermediates of cubane, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP), and bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) were evaluated via hammer test and sealed cell differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Iodo-substituted systems were found to be more impact sensitive, whereas hydroxymethyl substitution led to more rapid thermodecomposition. Cubane was more likely to be impact sensitive with these substituents, followed by BCP, whereas all BCOs were unresponsive. The majority of derivatives were placed substantially above Yoshida thresholds-a computational indicator of sensitivity.