Efficient Synthesis of 4,4-Dimethyl-1,9,10(1H)-Anthracenetrione

A concise route to the title compound was achieved via annulation of 4,4-dimethylcyclohexenone with 3-cyanophthalide, followed by oxidation with DDQ.

Efficient, regioselective palladium-catalyzed tandem Heck-isomerization reaction of aryl bromides and non-allylic benzyl alcohols

An efficient and mild method to couple aryl bromides and activated non-allylic alcohols in a Heck reaction with tandem isomerization to selectively afford high yields of 1,5-diarylalkan-1-ones has been developed. Mechanistic insight was gained through NMR studies of products derived from deuterium-labeled intermediates.

Improvement of physiochemical properties of the tetrahydroazepinoindole series of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists: beneficial modulation of lipids in primates

In an effort to develop orally active farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonists, a series of tetrahydroazepinoindoles with appended solubilizing amine functionalities were synthesized. The crystal structure of the previously disclosed FXR agonist, 1 (FXR-450), aided in the design of compounds with tethered solubilizing functionalities designed to reach the solvent cavity around the hFXR receptor. These compounds were soluble in 0.5% methylcellulose/2% Tween-80 in water (MC/T) for oral administration. In vitro and in vivo optimization led to the identification of 14dd and 14cc, which in a dose-dependent fashion regulated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) in low density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR(-/-)) mice. Compound 14cc was dosed in female rhesus monkeys for 4 weeks at 60 mg/kg daily in MC/T vehicle. After 7 days, triglyceride (TG) levels and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc) levels were significantly decreased and LDLc was decreased 63%. These data are the first to demonstrate the dramatic lowering of serum LDLc levels by a FXR agonist in primates and supports the potential utility of 14cc in treating dyslipidemia in humans beyond just TG lowering.

Benzothiazole benzimidazole (S)-isothiazolidinone derivatives as protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B inhibitors

Benzothiazole benzimidazole (S)-isothiazolidinone ((S)-IZD) derivatives 5 were discovered through a peptidomimetic modification of the tripeptide (S)-IZD protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitor 1. These derivatives are potent, competitive, and reversible inhibitors of PTP1B with improved caco-2 permeability. An X-ray co-crystal structure of inhibitor 5/PTP1B at 2.2A resolution demonstrated that the benzothiazole benzimidazole forms bi-dentate H-bonds to Asp48, and the benzothiazole interacts with the surface of the protein in a solvent exposed region towards the C-site. The design, synthesis, and SAR of this novel series of benzothiazole benzimidazole containing (S)-IZD inhibitors of PTP1B are presented herein.

Structural Insights into the Design of Nonpeptidic Isothiazolidinone-containing Inhibitors of Protein-tyrosine Phosphatase 1B

Structural analyses of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) active site and inhibitor complexes have aided in optimization of a peptide inhibitor containing the novel (S)-isothiazolidinone (IZD) phosphonate mimetic. Potency and permeability were simultaneously improved by replacing the polar peptidic backbone of the inhibitor with nonpeptidic moieties. The C-terminal primary amide was replaced with a benzimidazole ring, which hydrogen bonds to the carboxylate of Asp(48), and the N terminus of the peptide was replaced with an aryl sulfonamide, which hydrogen bonds to Asp(48) and the backbone NH of Arg(47) via a water molecule. Although both substituents retain the favorable hydrogen bonding network of the peptide scaffold, their aryl rings interact weakly with the protein. The aryl ring of benzimidazole is partially solvent exposed and only participates in van der Waals interactions with Phe(182) of the flap. The aryl ring of aryl sulfonamide adopts an unexpected conformation and only participates in intramolecular pi-stacking interactions with the benzimidazole ring. These results explain the flat SAR for substitutions on both rings and the reason why unsubstituted moieties were selected as candidates. Finally, substituents ortho to the IZD heterocycle on the aryl ring of the IZD-phenyl moiety bind in a small narrow site adjacent to the primary phosphate binding pocket. The crystal structure of an o-chloro derivative reveals that chlorine interacts extensively with residues in the small site. The structural insights that have led to the discovery of potent benzimidazole aryl sulfonamide o-substituted derivatives are discussed in detail.

Regioselective Synthesis of Substituted Pyrroles: Efficient Palladium-Catalyzed Cyclization of Internal Alkynes and 2-Amino-3-iodoacrylate Derivatives

The first efficient and regioselective palladium-catalyzed cyclization of internal alkynes and 2-amino-3-iodoacrylates to give moderate to excellent yields of highly functionalized pyrroles has been developed. This approach is applicable to a range of alkynes and affords the deacylated pyrrole under reaction conditions for most substrates. [reaction: see text]

Isothiazolidinone heterocycles as inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases: Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of a peptide scaffold

The structure-based design and discovery of the isothiazolidinone (IZD) heterocycle as a mimic of phosphotyrosine (pTyr) has led to the identification of novel IZD-containing inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). The structure-activity relationships (SARs) of peptidic IZD-containing inhibitors of PTP1B are described along with a novel synthesis of the aryl-IZD fragments via a Suzuki coupling. The SAR revealed the saturated IZD heterocycle (42) is the most potent heterocyclic pTyr mimetic compared to the unsaturated IZD (25), the thiadiazolidinone (TDZ) (38), and the regioisomeric unsaturated IZD (31). The X-ray crystal structures of 11c and 25 complexed with PTP1B were solved and revealed nearly identical binding interactions in the active site. Ab initio calculations effectively explain the strong binding of the (S)-IZD due to the preorganized binding of the IZD in its low energy conformation.

Potent Benzimidazole Sulfonamide Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors Containing the Heterocyclic (S)-Isothiazolidinone Phosphotyrosine Mimetic

Potent nonpeptidic benzimidazole sulfonamide inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) were derived from the optimization of a tripeptide containing the novel (S)-isothiazolidinone ((S)-IZD) phosphotyrosine (pTyr) mimetic. An X-ray cocrystal structure of inhibitor 46/PTP1B at 1.8 A resolution demonstrated that the benzimidazole sulfonamides form a bidentate H bond to Asp48 as designed, although the aryl group of the sulfonamide unexpectedly interacts intramolecularly in a pi-stacking manner with the benzimidazole. The ortho substitution to the (S)-IZD on the aryl ring afforded low nanomolar enzyme inhibitors of PTP1B that also displayed low caco-2 permeability and cellular activity in an insulin receptor (IR) phosphorylation assay and an Akt phosphorylation assay. The design, synthesis, and SAR of this novel series of benzimidazole sulfonamide containing (S)-IZD inhibitors of PTP1B are presented herein.

S,O-Acetals as Novel “Chiral Aldehyde” Equivalents

Palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylations (AAA) to form "chiral aldehyde" equivalents were investigated. Alpha-acetoxysulfones were formed in high enantiomeric excess as single regioisomers in AAA reactions of allylic geminal dicarboxylates with sodium benzenesulfinate. The directing ability of this novel functional group was highlighted by a series of dihydroxylations, affording syn diols exclusively anti to the acetoxy sulfone as single diastereomers in excellent yields. This is the first example of an asymmetric dihydroxylation protocol that gives the equivalent of reaction with a simple enal. The synthetic value of this process was exemplified by subsequent transformations of the diols including the development of a one-pot dihydroxylation-deprotective acyl migration protocol to give differentially protected 1,2-diols.

Concise Approach to Novel Isothiazolidinone Phosphotyrosine Mimetics: Microwave-Assisted Addition of Bisulfite to Activated Olefins

[reaction: see text] A novel and efficient synthesis of isothiazolidinone protein tyrosine phosphatase mimetics is presented. A practical, regiospecific microwave-assisted addition of bisulfite to activated olefins, including unprecedented reactions with styrene derivatives, is highlighted.

Structure-Based Design and Discovery of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitors Incorporating Novel Isothiazolidinone Heterocyclic Phosphotyrosine Mimetics

Structure-based design led to the discovery of novel (S)-isothiazolidinone ((S)-IZD) heterocyclic phosphotyrosine (pTyr) mimetics that when incorporated into dipeptides are exceptionally potent, competitive, and reversible inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). The crystal structure of PTP1B in complex with our most potent inhibitor 12 revealed that the (S)-IZD heterocycle interacts extensively with the phosphate binding loop precisely as designed in silico. Our data provide strong evidence that the (S)-IZD is the most potent pTyr mimetic reported to date.

A "chiral aldehyde" equivalent as a building block towards biologically active targets

Chiral gamma-aryloxybutenolides, readily accessible through dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of racemic acyloxybutenolides, were utilized as "chiral aldehyde" building blocks for intermolecular cycloadditions and Michael reactions. Unprecedented selectivity in trimethylenemethane cycloadditions with this building block allowed an efficient synthesis of a novel metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 antagonist in development by the Bayer corporation. These studies further inspired work that culminated in the total synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A, a natural product with a range of significant biological properties. All of the stereochemistry in this target molecule was derived from two palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions. The trans-alkenes were synthesized by a Julia olefination and a ruthenium-catalyzed trans-hydrosilylation-protodesilylation protocol. The route to (+)-brefeldin A lends itself to analogue syntheses and was completed in 18 steps in 6 % overall yield.

4-Aryloxybutenolides as "chiral aldehyde" equivalents: an efficient enantioselective synthesis of (+)-brefeldin a

4-(2'-Naphthoxy)-2-butenolide, readily available with high enantiopurity by a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of racemic 4-acyloxybutenolides (available in two steps from furfural), serves as an excellent chiral building block where the naphthoxy group strongly directs the stereochemistry of cycloadditions to the double bond. Notably, the cycloadditions of trimethylenemethanepalladium intermediates which do not exhibit good diastereoselectivity in additions to acceptors that possess many common and important chiral auxiliaries undergo cycloadditions with excellent regio- and stereocontrol. The utility of this process set the stage for an efficient new synthesis of (+)-brefeldin A, a compound of growing pharmacological significance. This synthesis also highlights the Pd-catalyzed DYKAT of crotyl carbonate to create the remote stereocenter. A new two-step method to convert aldehydes to delta-hydroxy-E-alpha,beta-enoates is also outlined.