Data Science-Enabled Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Aryl-Carbonylation of Sulfonimidamides

New methods for the general asymmetric synthesis of sulfonimidamides are of great interest due to their applications in medicinal chemistry, agrochemical discovery, and academic research. We report a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling method for the enantioselective aryl-carbonylation of sulfonimidamides. Using data science techniques, a virtual library of calculated bisphosphine ligand descriptors was used to guide reaction optimization by effectively sampling the catalyst chemical space. The optimized conditions identified using this approach provided the desired product in excellent yield and enantioselectivity. As the next step, a data science-driven strategy was also used to explore a diverse set of aryl and heteroaryl iodides, providing key information about the scope and limitations of the method. Furthermore, we tested a range of racemic sulfonimidamides for compatibility of this coupling partner. The developed method offers a general and efficient strategy for accessing enantioenriched sulfonimidamides, which should facilitate their application in industrial and academic settings.

Second-Generation Atroposelective Synthesis of KRAS G12C Covalent Inhibitor GDC-6036

A chromatography-free asymmetric synthesis of GDC-6036 (1) was achieved via a highly atroposelective Negishi coupling of aminopyridine 5 and quinazoline 6b catalyzed by 0.5 mol % [Pd(cin)Cl]₂ and 1 mol % (R,R)-Chiraphite to afford the key intermediate (R_a)-3. An alkoxylation of (R_a)-3 with (S)-N-methylprolinol (4) and a global deprotection generates the penultimate heterobiaryl intermediate 2. A controlled acrylamide installation by stepwise acylation/sulfone elimination and final adipate salt formation and crystallization delivered high-purity GDC-6036 (1).

Phosphoramidates as Steering Elements for Highly Selective Access to Complementary Imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine Isomers

We report that selective N-phosphorylation of aminoimidazoles results in a key steering element that controls isomeric selectivity in the condensation of β-ethoxy acrylamides and aminoimidazoles to furnish imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines. We identified conditions that provide highly selective (99:1) phosphorylation at the endo- or exocyclic nitrogen. Either the 2-amino or 4-amino isomer of the (benzo)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine products could be isolated in 64-95% yield. Mass spectrometric analysis and computational studies give insight into the mechanism of this exceptionally selective transformation.

A Benzyne Insertion Approach to Hetisine-Type Diterpenoid Alkaloids: Synthesis of Cossonidine (Davisine)

The hetisine-type natural products exhibit one of the most complex carbon skeletons within the diterpenoid alkaloid family. The use of network analysis has enabled a synthesis strategy to access alkaloids in this class with hydroxylation on the A-ring. Key transformations include a benzyne acyl-alkylation to construct a key fused 6-7-6 tricycle, a chemoselective nitrile reduction, and sequential C-N bond formations using a reductive cyclization and a photochemical hydroamination to construct an embedded azabicycle. Our strategy should enable access to myriad natural and unnatural products within the hetisine-type.

GNE-781, A Highly Advanced Potent and Selective Bromodomain Inhibitor of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element Binding Protein, Binding Protein (CBP)

Inhibition of the bromodomain of the transcriptional regulator CBP/P300 is an especially interesting new therapeutic approach in oncology. We recently disclosed in vivo chemical tool 1 (GNE-272) for the bromodomain of CBP that was moderately potent and selective over BRD4(1). In pursuit of a more potent and selective CBP inhibitor, we used structure-based design. Constraining the aniline of 1 into a tetrahydroquinoline motif maintained potency and increased selectivity 2-fold. Structure-activity relationship studies coupled with further structure-based design targeting the LPF shelf, BC loop, and KAc regions allowed us to significantly increase potency and selectivity, resulting in the identification of non-CNS penetrant 19 (GNE-781, TR-FRET IC₅₀ = 0.94 nM, BRET IC₅₀ = 6.2 nM; BRD4(1) IC₅₀ = 5100 nΜ) that maintained good in vivo PK properties in multiple species. Compound 19 displays antitumor activity in an AML tumor model and was also shown to decrease Foxp3 transcript levels in a dose dependent manner.

Synthesis of Indole-2-carboxylate Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Aerobic Amination of Aryl C-H Bonds

A direct oxidative C-H amination affording 1-acetyl indolecarboxylates starting from 2-acetamido-3-arylacrylates has been achieved. Indole-2-carboxylates can be targeted with a straightforward deacetylation of the initial reaction products. The C-H amination reaction is carried out using a catalytic Pd(II) source with oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The scope and application of this chemistry is demonstrated with good to high yields for numerous electron-rich and electron-poor substrates. Further reaction of selected products via Suzuki arylation and deacetylation provides access to highly functionalized indole structures.

Experimental and Computational Studies of the Diastereoselective Alkylations of 3-Substituted γ-Sultams

We report that chiral 3-substituted γ-sultam α-carbanions undergo diastereoselective alkylation reactions with alkyl halides to predominantly produce trans-3,5-disubstituted γ-sultam products. Quantum mechanical calculations provided a stereoelectronic rationale for the observed diastereoselectivity.