Enantioselective Synthesis of (−)‐CP‐55940 via Ruthenium‐ Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Ketones

A new and efficient catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the potent cannabinoid receptor agonist (−)‐CP‐55940 has been developed by using ruthenium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐aryl ketones via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) as a key step. With RuCl₂‐SDPs/diamine [SDPs=7,7′‐bis(diarylphophino)‐1,1′‐spirobiindane] catalysts the asymmetric hydrogenation of racemic α‐arylcyclohexanones via DKR provided the corresponding cis‐β‐arylcyclohexanols in high yields with up to 99.3% ee and >99:1 cis‐selectivities. Both ethylene ketal group at the cyclohexane ring and ortho‐methoxy group at the phenyl ring of the substrates 6 have little effect on the selectivity and reactivity of the hydrogenations. Based on this highly efficient asymmetric ketone hydrogenation, (−)‐CP‐55940 was synthesized in 13 steps (the longest linear steps) in 14.6% overall yield starting from commercially available 3‐methoxybenzaldehyde and 1,4‐cyclohexenedione monoethylene acetal.     

Heterogeneous Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Hydroxy-substituted (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-2,3-diphenylpropenoic Acids over Pd/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Modified by Cinchonidine

Abstract  

The enantioselective hydrogenation of (E)-2,3-diphenylpropenoic acids substituted by hydroxyl group has been studied over Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst modified by cinchonidine. The effect of the acidic hydroxyl substituents was compared with that of the methoxy group in the same position. The para-hydroxyl substituent on the 3-phenyl ring had similar effect on the enantioselectivity as the methoxy group, whereas the meta positioned decreased the optical purity of the saturated acid. This was explained by different origin of the increase in the enantioselectivity obtained in the presence of electron releasing substituents in these positions. Although, the para-hydroxyl group on the 2-phenyl ring had beneficial influence on the enantioselectivity of the hydrogenation of the mono-substituted acid, in the presence of fluorine or hydroxyl group on the 3-phenyl ring the effect of the two substituents was not additive. This study demonstrated that the cinchonidine-modified Pd catalyst is appropriate for the preparation of several hydroxy-substituted 2,3-diphenylpropionic acids in good optical purities, extending the scope of this catalytic system to new types of versatile chiral building blocks.     

2‐Carbaborane‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐indoles—Synthesis via McMurry Reaction and Cyclooxygenase (COX) Inhibition Activity

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors have been the focus of medicinal chemistry efforts for years, and many compounds that exhibit high selectivity and affinity have been developed. As carbaboranes represent interesting pharmacophores as phenyl mimetics in drug development, this paper presents the synthesis of carbaboranyl derivatives of COX‐2‐selective 2,3‐disubstituted indoles. Despite the lability of carbaboranes under reducing conditions, 2‐carbaborane‐3‐phenyl‐1H‐indoles could be synthesized by McMurry cyclization of the corresponding amides. Whereas the meta‐carbaboranyl‐substituted derivatives lacked COX inhibitory activity, an ortho‐carbaboranyl analogue was active, but showed a selectivity shift toward COX‐1.     

Preparation of Optically Enriched 3‐Hydroxy‐3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones by Heterogeneous Catalytic Cascade Reaction over Supported Platinum Catalyst

The development of a novel heterogeneous catalytic asymmetric cascade reaction for the synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines from 2‐nitrophenylpyruvates is reported. Optically enriched 3‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones are prepared by enantioselective hydrogenation of the activated keto group over a Cinchona alkaloid‐modified Pt catalyst, reduction of the nitro group and spontaneous cyclization cascade. Acceleration of the enantioselective hydrogenation of the activated keto group over the catalyst modified by Cinchona alkaloids ensured high tetrahydroquinolinone selectivities. The scope of the reaction was checked using twelve substrates. Both yields and enantioselectivities were significantly influenced by the nature and position of the substituents on the phenyl ring. Substituents adjacent to the nitro group considerably increased the product yield, due to their effect on the nitro group′s reduction rate; however, had only a limited effect on enantioselectivities.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐Arylquinazolines and Tetracyclic Isoindolo[1,2‐a]quinazolines via Cyanation Followed by Rearrangement of ortho‐Substituted 2‐Halo‐N‐arylbenzamides

The one‐pot synthesis of substituted 2‐arylquinazoline derivatives and tetracylic isoindolo[1,2‐a]quinazoline via cyanation followed by rearrangement of ortho‐substituted 2‐halo‐N‐arylbenzamides is described. Using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the solvent, the cleavage of the tetracyclic isoindole fused quinazoline leads to the formation of 2‐arylquinazoline derivatives. When 1,4‐dioxane is used as the solvent, tetracyclic isoindole fused quinazolines are produced in good yield. A wide range of products, including 2‐phenylquinazolin‐4‐amine, 4‐methyl‐2‐phenylquinazoline and long‐chain 2‐phenyl‐4‐styrylquinazoline derivatives were produced in moderate to good yields using DMSO as the solvent. However, various tetracyclic isoindole fused quinazoline derivatives were obtained in good yields when 1,4‐dioxane was used as the solvent.

     

Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Derivatives of the Dual Aromatase–Sulfatase Inhibitor 4‐{[(4‐Cyanophenyl)(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)amino]methyl}phenyl sulfamate

4‐{[(4‐Cyanophenyl)(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)amino]methyl}phenyl sulfamate and its ortho‐halogenated (F, Cl, Br) derivatives are first‐generation dual aromatase and sulfatase inhibitors (DASIs). Structure–activity relationship studies were performed on these compounds, and various modifications were made to their structures involving relocation of the halogen atom, introduction of more halogen atoms, replacement of the halogen with another group, replacement of the methylene linker with a difluoromethylene linker, replacement of the para‐cyanophenyl ring with other ring structures, and replacement of the triazolyl group with an imidazolyl group. The most potent in vitro DASI discovered is an imidazole derivative with IC₅₀ values against aromatase and steroid sulfatase in a JEG‐3 cell preparation of 0.2 and 2.5 nM , respectively. The parent phenol of this compound inhibits aromatase with an IC₅₀ value of 0.028 nM in the same assay.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Purine 2′‐Fluoro‐2′‐deoxyriboside ProTides as Anti‐influenza Virus Agents

2′‐Fluoro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine has been reported to have potent anti‐influenza virus activity in vitro and in vivo. Herein we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of 6‐modified 2′‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine analogues and their corresponding phosphoramidate ProTides as potential anti‐influenza virus agents. Whereas the parent nucleosides were devoid of antiviral activity in two different cellular assays, the 5′‐O‐naphthyl(methoxy‐L ‐alaninyl) ProTide derivatives of 6‐O‐methyl‐2′‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine, 6‐O‐ethyl‐2′‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine, and 2′‐deoxy‐2′‐fluoro‐6‐chloroguanosine, and the 5′‐O‐naphthyl(ethoxy‐L ‐alaninyl) ProTide of 6‐O‐ethyl‐2′‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine displayed antiviral EC₉₉ values of ～12 μM . The antiviral results are supported by metabolism studies. Rapid conversion into the L ‐alaninyl metabolite and then 6‐modified 2′‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine 5′‐monophosphate was observed in enzymatic assays with yeast carboxypeptidase Y or crude cell lysate. Evidence for efficient removal of the 6‐substituent on the guanine part was provided by enzymatic studies with adenosine deaminase, and by molecular modeling of the nucleoside 5′‐monophosphates in the catalytic site of a model of ADAL1, thus indicating the utility of the double prodrug concept.     

Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of 2‐Nitroarenediazonium Tetrafluoroborates: Synthesis of Unsymmetrical 2‐Nitrobiphenyls and Highly Functionalized Carbazoles

The Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of 2‐nitrodiazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with substituted boronic acids is an effective and efficient means of preparing highly functionalized 2‐nitrobiphenyls in modest to excellent yield under extremely mild reaction conditions. Cross‐coupling of 2‐nitrodiazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with ortho‐methoxy‐ and benzyloxyphenylboronic acids was also demonstrated leading to the ortho‐ortho‐2‐nitrobiphenyls. Reductive cyclization of the 2‐nitrobiphenyl products allows for the overall three‐step synthesis of uniquely substituted carbazoles from readily available 2‐nitroanilines. The methodology was further highlighted by the short total synthesis of the carbazole alkaloids clausine V, N, C, and glycoborine.     

Gold(I)‐ and Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening of Unactivated Vinylcyclopropanes with Sulfonamides

The gold(I)‐ or Brønsted acid‐catalyzed reaction of unactivated vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) with sulfonamides affords useful homoallylic amine derivatives. This ring‐opening reaction occurs in a highly selective manner affording in the case of α‐phenyl‐substituted VCPs products with the E‐configuration exclusively.     

Biphasic Aqueous Organometallic Catalysis Promoted by Cyclodextrins: How to Design the Water‐Soluble Phenylphosphane to Avoid Interaction with Cyclodextrin

The ability of cyclodextrin to interact with meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphane derivatives bearing one or two methyl (or methoxy) groups on the aromatic ring has been investigated by NMR and UV‐vis spectroscopy. In the case of native β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), the presence of one methyl or methoxy group in the ortho‐position on each aromatic ring is necessary to hamper the formation of an inclusion complex between the β‐CD and meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphane derivatives. In the case of methylated β‐CD, the formation of an inclusion complex is only observed when the meta‐trisulfonated triphenylphosphane contains a methyl group in the para‐position. The poor affinity of methylated β‐CD towards modified trisulfonated triphenylphosphanes was attributed to the steric hindrance generated by the methyl groups on the CD secondary face. The absence or presence of an interaction between phosphanes and methylated β‐CD was also confirmed by catalytic experiments. Thus, the phosphanes that do not interact with the methylated CD were the most efficient mass‐transfer promoters in an aqueous biphasic palladium‐catalyzed Tsuji–Trost reaction.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Acylation of O‐Phenyl Carbamates with α‐Oxocarboxylic Acids at Room Temperature

A palladium‐catalyzed oxidative acylation of O‐phenyl carbamates with α‐oxocarboxylic acids via selective aromatic C H bond activation is described. This protocol represents the first ortho‐acylation of phenol derivatives, and a catalytic amount of triflic acid additive is crucial for this transformation.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cyclizations: A Comparative Study of ortho,ortho′‐Substituted KITPHOS Monophosphines with their Biaryl Monophosphine Counterpart SPHOS

Electrophilic gold(I) triflimide (trifluoromethanesulfonimide) complexes of electron‐rich ortho,ortho′‐disubstituted KITPHOS (11‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐12‐phenyl‐9,10‐ethenoanthracene) monophosphines are efficient catalysts for intramolecular cycloisomerizations that afford phenols, 3‐acylindenes and methylene‐oxazolines; comparative catalyst testing showed that these catalysts either competed with or outperformed that based on SPHOS [2‐(2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl)dicyclohexylphosphine]. An electron‐rich biarylmonophosphine containing a single ortho‐methoxy substituent, prepared by rhodium‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition between a 1‐alkynyl(dicyclohexylphosphine) oxide and 1,7‐octadiyne, also formed a highly efficient catalyst for the same transformations. Monitoring of comparative catalyst testing between a KITPHOS‐based gold(I) triflimide complex containing a coordinated tetrahydrothiophene and its counterpart coordinated solely by the triflimide anion revealed that the former is an order of magnitude less efficient than the latter, confirming that tetrahydrothiophene can be an effective catalyst inhibitor.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of Enantiopure α‐ and β‐Amino Acids by Phenylalanine Aminomutase‐Catalysed Amination of Cinnamic Acid Derivatives

The phenylalanine aminomutase (PAM) from Taxus chinensis catalyses the conversion of α‐phenylalanine to β‐phenylalanine, an important step in the biosynthesis of the N‐benzoyl phenylisoserinoyl side‐chain of the anticancer drug taxol. Mechanistic studies on PAM have suggested that (E)‐cinnamic acid is an intermediate in the mutase reaction and that it can be released from the enzyme's active site. Here we describe a novel synthetic strategy that is based on the finding that ring‐substituted (E)‐cinnamic acids can serve as a substrate in PAM‐catalysed ammonia addition reactions for the biocatalytic production of several important β‐amino acids. The enzyme has a broad substrate range and a high enantioselectivity with cinnamic acid derivatives; this allows the synthesis of several non‐natural aromatic α‐ and β‐amino acids in excellent enantiomeric excess (ee >99 %). The internal 5‐methylene‐3,5‐dihydroimidazol‐4‐one (MIO) cofactor is essential for the PAM‐catalysed amination reactions. The regioselectivity of amination reactions was influenced by the nature of the ring substituent.     

Fluorine‐Containing 6,7‐Dialkoxybiaryl‐Based Inhibitors for Phosphodiesterase 10 A: Synthesis and in vitro Evaluation of Inhibitory Potency,Selectivity, and Metabolism

Based on the potent phosphodiesterase 10 A (PDE10A) inhibitor PQ‐10, we synthesized 32 derivatives to determine relationships between their molecular structure and binding properties. Their roles as potential positron emission tomography (PET) ligands were evaluated, as well as their inhibitory potency toward PDE10A and other PDEs, and their metabolic stability was determined in vitro. According to our findings, halo‐alkyl substituents at position 2 of the quinazoline moiety and/or halo‐alkyloxy substituents at positions 6 or 7 affect not only the compounds′ affinity, but also their selectivity toward PDE10A. As a result of substituting the methoxy group for a monofluoroethoxy or difluoroethoxy group at position 6 of the quinazoline ring, the selectivity for PDE10A over PDE3A increased. The same result was obtained by 6,7‐difluoride substitution on the quinoxaline moiety. Finally, fluorinated compounds (R)‐7‐(fluoromethoxy)‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(3‐(quinoxaline‐2‐yloxy)pyrrolidine‐1‐yl)quinazoline ( 16 a ), 19 a – d , (R)‐tert‐butyl‐3‐(6‐fluoroquinoxalin‐2‐yloxy)pyrrolidine‐1‐carboxylate ( 29 ), and 35 (IC₅₀ PDE10A 11–65 nM ) showed the highest inhibitory potential. Further, fluoroethoxy substitution at position 7 of the quinazoline ring improved metabolic stability over that of the lead structure PQ‐10.     

Gamma‐radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of N‐[4‐(N′‐substituted amino carbonyl)phenyl] maleimide onto poly(vinlyl chloride) films

Three types of N[4‐(N‐substituted amino carbonyl)phenyl] maleimide (RPhMI:N‐substituent (R) = phenyl, cyclohexyl, p‐chlorophenyl) were grafted onto poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films by using gamma irradiation. The effects of different parameters on the graft yield were investigated. These parameters included radiation dose and monomer concentration. Thermal properties of the grafted polymer were investigated by the determination of dehydrochlorination rate, thermal gravimetric behavior, and UV stability.     

Computational Study of the Lipase‐Mediated Desymmetrisation of 2‐Substituted‐Propane‐1,3‐Diamines

The enantioselectivity displayed by the lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia towards a wide range of prochiral 2‐substituted‐propane‐1,3‐diamines was studied by means of molecular dynamics simulations (MDS). In all cases the enzyme allows the recovery of the corresponding amino carbamates of R configuration. However, the enantioselectivity is only synthetically useful if no ortho substituent is present and the aromatic ring is directly bonded to the 2‐carbon of the 1,3‐diamine core. Analysis of the MDS trajectories revealed that the homologation of 2‐aryl substituents by means of a methylene group lowers enantioselectivity by alleviating the conformational tension of the slow‐reacting orientations due to unfavourable intramolecular contacts between the ortho carbons of the aryl group and the nucleophilic nitrogen, as well as between the chiral carbon and the oxyanion. Additionally, the relative solvent accessible surfaces of the atoms of the aryl ring nicely correlate with the effect of the location of the substituent on enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis of 2‐Haloalkylpyridines via Cp*RuCl‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition of 1,6‐Diynes with α‐Halonitriles. Unusual Halide Effect in Catalytic Cyclocotrimerization

In the presence of 2–5 mol % Cp*RuCl (cod), various 1,6‐diynes reacted with α‐monohalo‐ and α,α‐dihalonitriles at ambient temperature to afford 2‐haloalkylpyridines in 42–93% isolated yields. The failure of acetonitrile, N,N‐dimethylaminoacetonitrile, phenylthioacetonitrile, and methyl cyanoacetate as nitrile substrate clearly showed that the α halogen substitution is essential for the present cycloaddition under mild conditions. The cycloaddition of unsymmetrical diynes bearing a substituent on one alkyne terminal gave 2,3,4,6‐substituted pyridines exclusively.     

Pd‐Catalyzed ortho‐Selective Oxidative Coupling of Halogenated Acetanilides with Acrylates

Coupling of different halogenated acetanilides with acrylates using Pd‐catalyzed ortho‐selective C H bond activation is reported. The yields of coupled products are low to high depending on the substrate. In general, arenes with electron‐rich substituents like methoxy and methyl groups gave higher yields of the coupled products. The presence of the halogen substituent did not interfere with the activation process under these conditions     

Antibacterial properties of polyaniline derivatives

This work presents a detailed study on the effect of various functional groups both at the ortho position of the aromatic ring and in the amino group of PANI on the antibacterial properties of polymers against gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aureofaciens) microorganisms. It was found that incorporation of methyl, methoxy, or pentyl groups into the ortho-position of PANI did not increase the antibacterial activity but in most cases causes a significant decrease in the antibacterial properties of functionally substituted polyanilines. At the same time, PANI derivatives modified by incorporation of pentyl groups into the amino group were found to be more efficient antibacterial compounds against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms than the original polymer. It was also found that N-substituted PANI derivatives manifest not only bactericidal but also bacteriostatic properties toward the test microorganisms. Varying the nature and position of the substituent allowed us to conclude that the synthesis of various N-substituted PANI derivatives with a high degree of doping is the most promising approach to PANI modification for application in bacterial growth inhibition.     

Synthesis,Antitubulin, and Antiproliferative SAR of C3/C1‐Substituted Tetrahydroisoquinolines

The syntheses and antiproliferative activities of novel substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and their sulfamates are discussed. Biasing of conformational populations through substitution on the tetrahydroisoquinoline core at C1 and C3 has a profound effect on the antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. The C3 methyl‐substituted sulfamate (±)‐7‐methoxy‐2‐(3‐methoxybenzyl)‐3‐methyl‐6‐sulfamoyloxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline ( 6 b ), for example, was found to be ～10‐fold more potent than the corresponding non‐methylated compound 7‐methoxy‐2‐(3‐methoxybenzyl)‐6‐sulfamoyloxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline ( 4 b ) against DU‐145 prostate cancer cells (GI₅₀ values: 220 nM and 2.1 μM , respectively). Such compounds were also found to be active against a drug‐resistant MCF breast cancer cell line. The position and nature of substitution of the N‐benzyl group in the C3‐substituted series was found to have a significant effect on activity. Whereas C1 methylation has little effect on activity, introduction of C1 phenyl and C3‐gem‐dimethyl substituents greatly decreases antiproliferative activity. The ability of these compounds to inhibit microtubule polymerisation and to bind tubulin in a competitive manner versus colchicine confirms the mechanism of action. The therapeutic potential of a representative compound was confirmed in an in vivo multiple myeloma xenograft study.