Anhydrous and Stereoretentive Fluoride-Enhanced Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Immunomodulatory Imide Drug Derivatives

Immunomodulatory imide drugs form the core of many pharmaceutically relevant structures, but Csp2-Csp2 bond formation via metal-catalyzed cross coupling is difficult due to the sensitivity of the glutarimide ring ubiquitous in these structures. We report that replacement of the traditional alkali base with a fluoride source enhances a previously challenging Suzuki-Miyaura coupling on glutarimide-containing compounds with trifluoroborates. These enabling conditions are reactive enough to generate these derivatives in high yields but mild enough to preserve both the glutarimide and its sensitive stereocenter. Experimental and computational data suggest a mechanistically distinct process of π-coordination of the trifluoroborate enabled by these conditions.

Discovery of Non-Nucleotide Small-Molecule STING Agonists via Chemotype Hybridization

The identification of agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been an area of intense research due to their potential to enhance innate immune response and tumor immunogenicity in the context of immuno-oncology therapy. Initial efforts to identify STING agonists focused on the modification of 2',3'-cGAMP (1) (an endogenous STING activator ligand) and other closely related cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). While these efforts have successfully identified novel CDNs that have progressed into the clinic, their utility is currently limited to patients with solid tumors that STING agonists can be delivered to intratumorally. Herein, we report the discovery of a unique class of non-nucleotide small-molecule STING agonists that demonstrate antitumor activity when dosed intratumorally in a syngeneic mouse model.

Ligand Enabled Pd(II)-Catalyzed γ-C(sp3)-H Lactamization of Native Amides

γ-Lactams form important structural cores of a range of medicinally relevant natural products and clinical drugs, principal examples being the new generation of immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs) and the brivaracetam family. Compared to conventional multistep synthesis, an intramolecular γ-C-H amination of aliphatic amides would allow for the direct construction of valuable γ-lactam motifs from abundant amino acid precursors. Herein we report a novel 2-pyridone ligand enabled Pd(II)-catalyzed γ-C(sp³)-H lactamization of amino acid derived native amides, providing the convenient synthesis of γ-lactams, isoindolinones, and 2-imidazolidinones. C6-Substitution of the 2-pyridone ligand is crucial for the lactam formation. This protocol features the use of N-acyl amino acids, which serve as both the directing group and cyclization partner, practical and environmentally benign tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the sole bystanding oxidant, and a broad substrate scope. The utility of this protocol was demonstrated through the two-step syntheses of a lenalidomide analog and brivaracetam from readily available carboxylic acids and amino acids.

Conformational-Analysis-Guided Discovery of 2,3-Disubstituted Pyridine IDO1 Inhibitors

IDO1 inhibitors have shown promise as immunotherapies for the treatment of a variety of cancers, including metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. We recently reported the identification of several novel heme-displacing IDO1 inhibitors, including the clinical molecules linrodostat (BMS-986205) and BMS-986242. Both molecules contain quinolines that, while being present in successful medicines, are known to be potentially susceptible to oxidative metabolism. Efforts to swap this quinoline with an alternative aromatic system led to the discovery of 2,3-disubstituted pyridines as suitable replacements. Further optimization, which included lowering ClogP in combination with strategic fluorine incorporation, led to the discovery of compound 29, a potent, selective IDO1 inhibitor with robust pharmacodynamic activity in a mouse xenograft model.

Discovery of Imidazopyridines as Potent Inhibitors of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 for Cancer Immunotherapy

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) has been identified as a target for small-molecule immunotherapy for the treatment of a variety of cancers including renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma. This work focuses on the identification of IDO1 inhibitors containing replacements or isosteres for the amide found in BMS-986205, an amide-containing, IDO1-selective inhibitor currently in phase III clinical trials. Detailed subsequently are efforts to identify a structurally differentiated IDO1 inhibitor via the pursuit of a variety of heterocyclic isosteres, leading to the discovery of highly potent, imidazopyridine-containing IDO1 inhibitors.

Discovery and Preclinical Evaluation of BMS-986242, a Potent, Selective Inhibitor of Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a heme-containing dioxygenase enzyme implicated in cancer immune response. This account details the discovery of BMS-986242, a novel IDO1 inhibitor designed for the treatment of a variety of cancers including metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. Given the substantial interest around this target for cancer immunotherapy, we sought to identify a structurally differentiated clinical candidate that performs comparably to linrodostat (BMS-986205) in terms of both in vitro potency and in vivo pharmacodynamic effect in a mouse xenograft model. On the basis of its preclinical profile, BMS-986242 was selected as a candidate for clinical development.

Catalytic α-Hydroarylation of Acrylates and Acrylamides via an Interrupted Hydrodehalogenation Reaction

The palladium-catalyzed, α-selective hydroarylation of acrylates and acrylamides is reported. Under optimized conditions, this method is highly tolerant of a wide range of substrates including those with base sensitive functional groups and/or multiple enolizable carbonyl groups. A detailed mechanistic study was undertaken, and the high selectivity of this transformation was shown to be enabled by the formation of a [PdII(Ar)(H)] intermediate, which performs selective hydride insertion into the β-position of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

Terpenoid-Alkaloids: Their Biosynthetic Twist of Fate and Total Synthesis

Terpenes and alkaloids are ever-growing classes of natural products that provide new molecular structures which inspire chemists and possess a broad range of biological activity. Terpenoid-alkaloids originate from the same prenyl units that construct terpene skeletons. However, during biosynthesis, a nitrogen atom (or atoms) is introduced in the form of β-aminoethanol, ethylamine, or methylamine. Nitrogen incorporation can occur either before, during, or after the cyclase phase. The outcome of this unique biosynthesis is the formation of natural products containing unprecedented structures. These complex structural motifs expose current limitations in organic chemistry, thus providing opportunities for invention. This review focuses on total syntheses of terpenoid-alkaloids and unique issues presented by this class of natural products. More specifically, it examines how these syntheses relate to the way terpenoid-alkaloids are made in Nature. Developments in chemistry that have facilitated these syntheses are emphasized, as well as chemical technology needed to conquer those that evade synthesis.

Synthesis of substituted septanosyl-1,2,3-triazoles

A carbohydrate-based oxepine, derived from 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexopyranose, was used to prepare a family of septanosyl-1,2,3-triazoles in four steps. DMDO mediated epoxidation of the oxepine followed by trapping of the intermediate 1,2-anhydroseptanose by sodium azide gave the beta-substituted glycosyl azide. The septanosyl azide was then reacted with a number of alkynes under thermal Huisgen or copper(I) mediated reaction conditions. Hydrogenolysis of benzyl protecting groups gave substituted septanosyl-1,2,3-triazoles. The new septanose-based structures were then evaluated as potential glycosidase inhibitors.