Enantioselective synthesis of ancepsenolide and its analogs

Ancepsenolide (1a-s) and the enantiomer (1a-r) were respectively synthesized from (S)- and (R)-2-[(R)-O-MEM-mandeloyloxylpropanal (3a-s and 3a-r) and diisopropyl hexadecanedioate (5). The analogs (1b, 2a and 2b) were synthesized by a similar method.     

Synthesis of novel D-ring fused 7'-aryl-androstano[17,16-d][1,2,4] triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

The preparation of novel steroidal heterocycles containing the 7-aryl-substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine moiety fused to the 16,17-positions of the steroid nucleus is described. The Aldol reaction of 4-aza-androst-3,17-dione (1a) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 1b) with aromatic aldehydes was catalyzed by KF/Al(2)O(3) to give the corresponding 3-oxo-4-aza-5α- and 3β-hydroxy-5-en-16-arylidene-17-ketosteroids (2a-r). Subsequently, the intermediates 2a-r reacted with dinucleophilic 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole in presence of t-BuOK to afford the title compounds (3a-r). All the synthesized heterosteroids are new and are currently being evaluated for their biological activities.     

Synthesis and structure-antituberculosis activity relationship of 1H-indole-2,3-dione derivatives

New series of 5-fluoro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 2a-k and 5-fluoro-1-morpholino/piperidinomethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 3a-r were synthesized. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral data, elemental and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The new 5-fluoro-1H-indole-2,3-dione derivatives, along with previously reported 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 2l-v, 1-morpholino/piperidinomethyl-5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones 4a-l, and 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-[(4-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazones] 5a-s, were evaluated for in vitro antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Among the tested compounds, 5-nitro-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-thiosemicarbazones (2p, 2r, and 2s) and its 1-morpholinomethyl derivatives (4a, 4e, 4g, and 4i) exhibited significant inhibitory activity in the primary screen. The antituberculosis activity of molecules with diverse skeletons was investigated by means of the Electronic-Topological Method (ETM). Ten pharmacophores and ten anti-pharmacophores that have been found by this form the basis of the system capable of predicting the structures of potentially active compounds. The forecasting ability of the system has been tested on structures that differ from those synthesized. The probability of correct identification for active compounds was found as equal to 93% in average. To obtain the algorithmic base for the activity prediction, Artificial Neural Networks were used after the ETM (the so-called combined ETM-ANN method). As the result, only 9 pharmacophores and anti-pharmacophores were chosen as the most important ones for the activity. By this, ANNs classified correctly 94.4%, or 67 compounds from 71.     

Syntheses of 2,4,6-trisubstituted triazines as antimalarial agents

A series of 2,4,6-trisubstituted-1,3,5-triazines (2a-s) were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimalarial activity against P. falciparum. Out of the 19 compounds synthesized eight compounds showed MIC in the range of 1-2 microg/mL. These compounds are in vitro several times more active than cycloguanil.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole embedded chalcones and pyrazoles as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

A series of novel 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole embedded aryl and heteroaryl derived chalcones and pyrazoles were synthesized and evaluated for their angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. The condensation of 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole-5-carboxaldehyde with various aryl and heteroaryl methyl ketones in the presence of 10% aqueous NaOH in methanol proceeded efficiently to give the respective chalcones in very good yields. Further, the reaction of chalcones with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid gave substituted pyrazole analogues. Screening all 36 new compounds using ACE inhibition assay, resulted chalcones with better ACE inhibitory activity compared to the respective pyrazole analogues. Among the chalcones 4a-r, three compounds, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(5-chlorothiophen-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4i, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4l, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(dibenzo[b,d] thiophen-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4q were resulted as most active ACE inhibitors with IC(50) of 3.60 μM, 2.24 μM, and 2.68 μM, respectively.     

1,2,4]Triazole derivatives as 5-HT(1A) serotonin receptor ligands.

A series of new 4-amino-3-[3-[4-(2-methoxy or nitro phenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propyl]thio]-5-(substitutedphenyl)[1,2,4]triazoles 11a-t was synthesized in order to obtain compounds with high affinity and selectivity for 5-HT(1A) receptor over the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor. A series of isomeric 4-amino-2-[3-[4-(2-methoxy or nitro phenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]-5-(substitutedphenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiones 12a-r was also isolated and characterized. New compounds were tested to evaluate their affinity for 5-HT(1A) receptor and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor in radioligand binding experiments. As a general trend, triazoles 11a-t showed a preferential affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor whereas isomeric 2,4-dihydro-3H[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiones 12a-r preferentially bind to the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor site. Several molecules showed affinities in the nanomolar range and 4-amino-3-[3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]thio]-5-(4-propyloxy-phenyl)[1,2,4]triazole (11o) was the most selective derivative for the 5-HT(1A) receptor (K(i) alpha(1)/K(i) 5-HT(1A)=55). The decrease in 5-HT(1A) receptor selectivity in 3-[3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]thio]-5-(substitutedphenyl)[1,2,4] triazole 14a-b, lacking in the amino group in 4-position of the triazole ring, in comparison with their analogues in the series 11a-t, suggest that the amino function represents a critical structural feature in determining 5-HT(1A) receptor selectivity in this class of compounds.     

Antifungal agents. Part 5: synthesis and antifungal activities of aminoguanidine derivatives of N-arylsulfonyl-3-acylindoles

In order to discover more promising antifungal agents, a series of aminoguanidine derivatives of N-arylsulfonyl-3-acylindoles (5a-r) were prepared and evaluated in vitro for their antifungal activities against seven phytopathogenic fungi. Especially compounds 5n and 5o exhibited more potent antifungal activities than or comparable to hymexazol, a commercially available agricultural fungicide at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. Preliminary structure-activity relationships study demonstrated that introduction of electron-donating substituents R(1) and R(2), and the proper length of substituent R(3) were usually very important for their antifungal activities.     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some [4,6-(4-substituted aryl)-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrimidin-5-yl]-acetic acid derivatives

A series of [4,6-(substituted aryl)-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrimidin-5-yl]-acetic acid (4a-r) has been synthesized by the base catalyzed condensation of beta-aroylpropionic acid, thiourea with aldehyde in ethanol. Structures of the new compound were established on the basis of (1)H NMR and IR spectral data. Anti-inflammatory activity in vivo were evaluated and compared with standard drug diclofenac sodium. Some compounds have shown moderate activity.     

Biotransformation of alpha-isomethylionone to 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one

The main biodegradation product of (+/-)-alpha-isomethylionone (2) with standard activated sludge was characterized as (+/-)-1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)propan-2-one (1) by its analysis and synthesis. Both enantiomers (1a and 1b) of 1 were synthesized by starting from (R)- and (S)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol (3a and 3b), respectively.     

Expeditious synthesis and chromatographic resolution of (+)- and (-)-trans-1-benzylcyclohexan-1,2-diamine hydrochlorides

The hitherto unknown (-)- and (+)-1-benzylcyclohexan-1,2-diamine hydrochlorides 4a. HCl and 4b. HCl were synthesized by means of diastereoselective alpha-iminoamine rearrangement with subsequent imine reduction and hydrogenolysis. The relative trans-configuration as well as the absolute (1S,2R) and (1R,2S) configurations of 4a and 4b, respectively, were elucidated on the basis of an X-ray analysis of 3b. HCl. The enantiomeric excess (ee) values of the title compounds (>99%) were determined by chiral HPLC on a Chirex (D) Penicillamine column.     

(3S)-N-(L-Aminoacyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines, a class of novel antithrombotic agents: synthesis, bioassay, 3D QSAR, and ADME analysis

To increase antithrombotic activity, 3S-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (1) was modified with natural amino acids to form 19 novel dipeptide analogs, 3S-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxyamino acids (5a-s), targeting the intestinal peptide transport system. In vitro assay of 5a-s indicated that their potencies for inhibiting adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA), platelet-activating factor (PAF), and thrombin (TH)-induced platelet aggregations were higher than that of 1. Additionally, in vivo assay of 5a-s indicated that their potencies for inhibiting thrombogenesis in rats were also higher than that of 1. Among the candidates, 5h with Ser attachment showed the most impressive features for further development. According to molecular field analysis based Cerius(2) QSAR module, two equations (r, 0.961 and 0.988) correlating the structures with both in vitro and in vivo activities of 5a-s were established. ADMET calculations predict higher intestinal absorption for compounds 5a-s. Further investigation with 5h as a lead compound is underway.     

Novel chiral isoxazole derivatives: synthesis and pharmacological characterization at human beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes

Isoxazole derivative (+/-)-4 and the three pairs of stereoisomeric 3-bromo-isoxazolyl amino alcohols (S,R)-(-)-7a/(R,R)-(+)-7b, (S,R)-(-)-8a/(R,R)-(+)-8b, and (S,R)-(-)-9a/(R,R)-(+)-9b were synthesized and assayed for their affinity and efficacy at human beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and beta(3)-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) in membranes from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the respective receptor subtype. Whereas derivative (+/-)-4 did not bind at all three beta-ARs, stereoisomers (S,R)-7a-(S,R)-9a behaved as high-affinity ligands at beta(1)- and, particularly, at beta(2)-ARs (K(i) 2.82-66.7 nM). The K(i) values of isomers (R,R)-7b-(R,R)-9b at beta(1)- and beta(2)-subtypes were about 30-100 times higher than those of their (S,R)-7a-9a counterparts, indicating a sizable stereochemical effect. The affinity at beta(3)-ARs was negligible for all the investigated compounds. When submitted to a functional assay, the three stereoisomeric pairs showed a comparable pattern of efficacy at all three beta-AR subtypes. The highest value of efficacy (75-90%) was observed at beta(2)-ARs, whereas all compounds behaved as partial agonists (30-60%) at the beta(3)-subtype. The lowest degree of efficacy (15-35%) was found at beta(1)-ARs. The affinity/efficacy profile of the derivatives under study has been compared with that of the two model compounds, Broxaterol [(+/-)-1] and BRL 37344 [(+/-)-6].     

Synthesis and evaluation of pyridone-phenoxypropyl-R-2-methylpyrrolidine analogues as histamine H3 receptor antagonists

6-{4-[3-(R)-2-Methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)propoxy]-phenyl}-2H-pyridazin-3-one 6 (Irdabisant; CEP-26401) was recently reported as a potent H(3)R antagonist with excellent drug-like properties and in vivo activity that advanced into clinical evaluation. A series of pyridone analogs of 6 was synthesized and evaluated as H(3)R antagonists. Structure-activity relationships revealed that the 5-pyridone regiomer was optimal for H(3)R affinity. N-Methyl 9b showed excellent H(3)R affinity, acceptable pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical properties. In vivo evaluation of 9b showed potent activity in the rat dipsogenia model and robust wake-promoting activity in the rat EEG model.     

Exciton coupling effects and conformational change of perhexyloligosilanes with optically active methyl(1-naphthyl)phenylsilyl terminals

Perhexyloligosilanes (R,R)-(+)-MeNpPhSi*(Hex(2)Si)(n)Si*PhNpMe (n = 2; (R,R)-(+)-4a, n = 4; (R,R)-(+)-6a, n = 6; (R,R)-(+)-8a) with chiral methyl(1-naphthyl)phenylsilyl terminals were synthesized and characterized. The absorption wavelengths lambda(max) by (1)L(a,Ph) transition of phenyl chromophore conjugated with oligosilane units in (R,R)-(+)-4a - (R,R)-(+)-8a show bathochromic shift of about 3-4 nm compared with those of the alpha,omega-phenyl substituted perhexyloligosilanes Ph(Hex(2)Si)(m)Ph (m = 4; 4b, m = 6; 6b, m = 8; 8b) having the same silicon chain length. Longer chain length induces the separated lambda(max) of (1)L(a,Ph) from (1)B(b,Np) of naphthyl chromophore with positive exciton chiralities. In (R,R)-(+)-8a, although the extremum wavelengths lambda(ext) of exciton coupling between (1)B(b,Np) and (1)L(a,Ph) are separated by about 80 nm, the compound retains the positive exciton chirality, which provides definite information on the absolute configuration of terminal chiral silicon atoms. Bulky terminal substituents and lowering the temperature affect the conformation of the main chain, inducing extended silicon backbone structure.     

Synthesis and stereostructure-activity relationship of three asymmetric center pyrethroids: 2-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropylmethyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether and cyanohydrin ester

2-Methyl-3-phenylcyclopropylmethyl 3-phenoxybenzyl ether 2 and cyanohydrin ester 3, a couple of pyrethroids with three asymmetric centers, were synthesized. Of each of the four diastereomers of 2 and 3, only the (1R*,2R*,3R*)-2a and 3a showed significant insecticidal activities. Dual sets of enantiomers [(1R,2R,3R)-(-)-2a and (1S,2S,3S)-(+)-2a] and [(1R,2R,3R)-(-)-3a and (1S,2S,3S)-(+)-3a] were synthesized through the asymmetric cyclopropanation using the Aratani catalyst. Significant separations of insecticidal activities were observed between both the enantiomers against the tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) and the common mosquito (Culex pipiens pallens); (1S,2S,3S)-(+)-2a and (+)-3a showed higher activities than their antipodes (1R,2R,3R)(-)-2a and (-)-3a. This result is the second example of such synthetic pyrethroids with three asymmetric centers.     

Synthesis of (R)- and (S)- muscone

(R)-(-)-Muscone (3-methylcyclopentadecanone, 1) the key perfumery component isolated from the male musk deer, Moschus moschiferus,* was synthesized from the easily available chiral building block, (R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-methylpropanoic acid (2), by employing ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM). Antipode (+)-1 was also synthesized in a similar manner from tert-butyl (S)-3-methoxycarbonylbutanoate (10). *(a) Walbaum, H. J. J. Prakt. Chem., 73, 488 (1906); (b) Ruzicka, L., Further considerations on the constitution of muscone. Helv. Chim. Acta, 9, 715, 1008-1017 (1926).     

Novel adenosine A1 receptor antagonists. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a novel series of 3-(2-cyclohexenyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazin-6-yl)-2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5 -a]pyridines

A novel series of 3-(2-cyclohexenyl-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazin-6-yl)-2-phenylpyrazol o[1,5-a]pyridines was synthesized and evaluated for in vitro adenosine A1 and A2A receptor binding activities. Most of the cyclohexenyl derivatives (7a-e, 8a-s) were found to be potent adenosine A1 receptor antagonists. In a series of analogues of FR166124 (3a), alcohol 7c, nitrile 7e and amide derivatives (7d, 8c, 8r) were found to be more potent A1 antagonists with higher A2A/A1 selectivity than FR166124. Amongst them, 8r showed considerable water solubility (33.3 mg/mL), but lower than that of the sodium salt of FR166124 (> 200 mg/mL). Additionally, FR166124 had strong diuretic activity by both p.o. and iv administration in rats (minimum effective dose=0.1 and 0.032 mg/kg, respectively).     

Synthesis of an affinity ligand ('UPHIT') for in vivo acylation of the kappa-opioid receptor

The isothiocyanate analog (1S,2S-trans-2-isothiocyanato-4,5-dichloro-N- methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide, 3a) of the highly selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist, U50,488, was prepared as a potential site-directed affinity ligand for acylation of kappa-opioid receptors in vivo. The isothiocyanate (3a) which we have designated UPHIT and its enantiomer (3b) were synthesized in 3 steps starting from optically pure (1S,2S)-(+)-trans-2-pyrrolidinyl-N-methyl-cyclohexylamine (4a) and its enantiomer (4b), respectively, thus defining their absolute stereochemistry. Binding in vitro of the 1S,2S enantiomer 3a to kappa receptors labelled by [3H]U69,593 was shown to occur with an IC50 value of 25.92 +/- 0.36 nM, whereas 827.42 +/- 5.88 and 115.10 +/- 1.23 nM were obtained for the IC50 value of the 1R,2R enantiomer (3b) and (+/-)-3 respectively. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of 100 micrograms of (+/-)-3 into guinea-pig brain followed by analysis of remaining kappa-binding sites 24 h later revealed that (+/-)-3 depleted 98% of the kappa receptors that bind [3H]U69,593 and 40% of those that bind [3H]bremazocine. These preliminary data suggest exciting uses for these compounds in furthering our knowledge of the kappa-opioid receptor.     

Cyclic analogs of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alphaMSH) with high agonist potency and selectivity at human melanocortin receptor 1b

Alpha-melanotropin (alphaMSH), Ac-Ser1-Tyr2-Ser3-Met4-Glu5-His6-Phe7-Arg8-Trp9-Gly10-Lys11-Pro12-Val13-NH2,(1) has been long recognized as an important physiological regulator of skin and hair pigmentation in mammals. Binding of this peptide to the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) leads to activation of tyrosinase, the key enzyme of the melanin biosynthesis pathway. In this study, interactions of the human MC1bR (an isoform of the receptor 1a) with the synthetic cyclic analogs of alphaMSH were studied. These ligands were analogs of MTII, Ac-Nle4-cyclo-(Asp5-His6-D-Phe7-Arg8-Trp9-Lys10)-NH2, a potent pan-agonist at the human melanocortin receptors (hMC1,3-5R). In the structure of MTII, the His6-D-Phe7-Arg8-Trp9 segment has been recognized as "essential" for molecular recognition at the human melanocortin receptors (hMC1,3-5R). Herein, the role of the Trp9 in the ligand interactions with the hMC1b,3-5R has been reevaluated. Analogs with various amino acids in place of Trp9 were synthesized and tested in vitro in receptor affinity binding and cAMP functional assays at human melanocortin receptors 1b, 3, 4 and 5 (hMC1b,3-5R). Several of the new peptides were high potency agonists (partial) at hMC1bR (EC50 from 0.5 to 20 nM) and largely inactive at hMC3-5R. The bulky aromatic side chain in position 9, such as that in Trp, was found not to be essential to agonism (partial) of the studied peptides at hMC1bR.