Discovery of novel and selective tertiary alcohol containing inhibitors of the norepinephrine transporter

A novel series of tertiary alcohol containing 2-substituted benzyl morpholines have been discovered as potent and selective inhibitors of the norepinephrine transporter. Efficient synthetic routes were developed featuring a highly diastereoselective nucleophilic addition of benzyl Grignard reagents to enantiopure (4-benzylmorpholin-2-yl)phenylmethanone (11) as the key synthetic step. In vitro binding affinity for the norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin transporters and in vivo examination of a select compound (16) in a pharmacodynamic animal model for norepinephrine reuptake inhibition are presented.     

A library synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives as anti-tumor agents

As a result of a hit-to-lead program using a technique of solution-phase parallel synthesis, a highly potent (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-[6-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl]methanone (15b) was synthesized as an optimized derivative of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), which was discovered as a screening hit from small-molecule libraries and exhibited selective cytotoxicity against a tumorigenic cell line.     

Synthesis and biological characterization of novel hybrid 7-[[2-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol and their heterocyclic bioisosteric analogues for dopamine D2 and D3 receptors

In a recent preliminary communication we described the development of a series of hybrid molecules for the dopamine D2 and D3 receptor subtypes. The design of these compounds was based on combining pharmacophoric elements of aminotetralin and piperazine molecular fragments derived from known dopamine receptor agonist and antagonist molecules. Molecules developed from this approach exhibited high affinity and selectivity for the D3 receptor as judged from preliminary [(3)H]spiperone binding data. In this report, we have expanded our previous finding by developing additional novel molecules and additionally evaluated functional activities of these novel molecules in the [(3)H]thymidine incorporation mitogenesis assay. The binding results indicated highest selectivity in the bioisosteric benzothiazole derivative N6-[2-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N6-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-benzothiazole-2,6-diamine (14) for the D3 receptor whereas the racemic compound 7-([2-[4-(2,3-dichloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-propyl-amino)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol (10c) showed the strongest potency. Mitogenesis studies to evaluate functional activity demonstrated potent agonist properties in these novel derivatives for both D2 and D3 receptors. In this regard, compound 7-[[4-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-butyl]-prop-2-ynyl-amino]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol (7b) exhibited the most potent agonist activity at the D3 receptor, 10 times more potent than quinpirole and was also the most selective compound for the D3 receptor in this series. Racemic compound 10a was resolved; however, little separation of activity was found between the two enantiomers of 10a. The marginally more active enantiomer (-)-10a was examined in vivo using the 6-OH-DA induced unilaterally lesioned rat model to evaluate its activity in producing contralateral rotations. The results demonstrated that in comparison to the reference compound apomorphine, (-)-10a was quite potent in inducing contralateral rotations and exhibited longer duration of action.     

4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives as potent anti-tumor agents

Based on the structure of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), which exhibits selective cytotoxicity against a tumorigenic cell line, (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-yl)-methanone (18m) was designed and synthesized as a biologically stable derivative containing no ester group. Although the potency of 18m was almost the same as our initial hit compound 1, 18m is expected to last longer in the human body as an anticancer agent.     

Isolation and identification of the intermediates during pyrazole formation of some carbohydrate hydrazone derivatives

Reaction of the oxidation product of L-ascorbic acid, dehydro-L-ascorbic acid, with o-phenylenediamine, followed by 2,4,6-trichlorophenylhydrazine (3) afforded 3-[1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylhydrazono)-L-threo-2,3,4-trihydroxybut-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (4), whose structure was deduced from studying its periodate oxidation, which gave the glyoxal derivative 3-[1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylhydrazono)glyoxal-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (5) that upon reduction afforded 3-[1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylhydrazono)-2-hydroxyethy-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (6). The reaction of 5 with 3 afforded the bishydrazone 3-[1,2-bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenylhydrazono)glyoxal-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one. The reaction of 5 with acetic anhydride in pyridine afforded the 2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivative 2-acetoxy-3-[2-acetyl-2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)hydrazono)]-2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoxaline. Acetylation of 4 with acetic anhydride in pyridine afforded the acyclic diacetate intermediate 3-[3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylhydra-zono)but-2-en-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (12), which was also obtained from the reaction of 4 with boiling acetic anhydride. Compound 12 rearranged under the reaction conditions to give the pyrazole derivatives 3-[5-(ace-toxymethyl)-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (14) and 2-acetoxy-3-[5-(acetoxymethyl)-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl)]quinoxaline (15), as well as the 2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivative 2-(2-acetoxyethen-2-yl)-3-[2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)hydrazono]-2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]quinoxaline. Acetylation of 3-[5-(hydroxymethyl)-l-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (16) with acetic anhydride in pyridine or 12 with boiling acetic anhydride afforded 15 and 16, respectively. Treatment of 4 with diluted sodium hydroxide afforded the pyrazolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline (flavazole) derivative 1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-3-(L-threo-glycerol-1-yl)pyrazolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline whose acetylation afforded the acetyl derivative 3-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-L-threo-glycerol-1-yl)-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)pyrazolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline. The assigned structures were based on spectral analysis. The activity of compound 4 against hepatitis B virus has been studied.     

Synthesis of an amphiphilic tetrazine derivative and its application as a liposomal component to accelerate release of encapsulated drugs

Tetrazine irreversibly reacts with dienophiles, and its derivatives find wide applications in the fields of biochemistry and biophysics. We have synthesized an amphiphilic tetrazine derivative (2-hexadecyl-N-(6-(6-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3-yl)pyridin-3-yl)octadecanamide; 1), which has a hydrophilic tetrazine structure and hydrophobic alkyl chains. Liposomes composed of compound 1 and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) (PTz-liposome) were prepared. In search of a new drug delivery system (DDS), we investigated the viability of inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder, a reaction between tetrazine and 2-norbornene, on the surface of the liposomes to change membrane fluidity and promote spatial and temporal controlled release of the encapsulated drugs. Compound 1 was synthesized with a yield of 71%. MS analysis after incubation of 2-norbornene with PTz-liposome revealed the binding of 2-norbornene to tetrazine. Indium-111-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (¹¹¹In-DTPA) was encapsulated inside PTz-liposome to evaluate the leakage of free ¹¹¹In-DTPA from the liposomes quantitatively. After 24 h of adding 2-norbornene, the release percentage for PTz-liposome was significantly higher than that for the control liposome (without tetrazine structure). Furthermore, the membrane fluidity of the PTz-liposome was increased by adding 2-norbornene. These results suggested that the combination of dienophile and liposome containing a newly synthesized tetrazine derivative can be used as a controlled release DDS carrier.     

Design and synthesis of an all-in-one 3-(1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl functional group for photo-affinity labeling

A novel radioisotope-free photo-affinity probe containing the 3-(1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl functional group was designed and synthesized. This very compact functionality is envisaged to allow photochemically-induced coupling of a compound to its target followed by click reaction coupling with an azido-biotin reagent in order to facilitate purification of the labeled target. In a proof-of-concept study we have shown that 3-(1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl functional group could be photolyzed to efficiently furnish the methanol adduct 23 and that the generated highly unstable carbene does not react with the neighboring acetylene moiety. A subsequent click reaction with the azido-biotin derivative 25 proceeded smoothly to give triazole 26. This chemical probe should thus be of unique value for facilitating identification of the molecular structure of the target of a bioactive compound.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some new substituted pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]-pyrimidinone derivatives

A series of new 3-substituted-7-(2-chloro-6-ethoxypyridin-4-yl)-9-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-methylpyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives were synthesized as antimicrobial agents using 7-(2-chloro-6-ethoxypyridin-4-yl)-9-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-methyl-4H-pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]-[1,3]oxazin-4-one as a starting compound. Its condensation with substituted aniline derivatives or phenyl hydrazine gave the corresponding N-substituted derivatives. Treatment of the starting compound with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding N-amino derivative, which was reacted with substituted phenylisocyanate and phenylisothiocyanate derivatives to give the corresponding semicarbazides and thiosemicarbazide derivatives. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities in comparison to streptomycin and fusidic acid as positive controls. The structure assignments of the new compounds are based on chemical and spectroscopic evidence.     

Discovery of (1R,2R)-N-(4-(6-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-methyl-2H-indazol-5-yl)isothiazol-5-yl)-2-methylcyclopropanecarboxamide,a potent and orally efficacious mGlu5 receptor negative allosteric modulator

A novel series of selective negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) for metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) was discovered from an isothiazole scaffold. One compound of this series, (1R,2R)-N-(4-(6-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-methyl-2H-indazol-5-yl)isothiazol-5-yl)-2-methylcyclopropanecarboxamide (24), demonstrated satisfactory pharmacokinetic properties and, following oral dosing in rats, produced dose-dependent and long-lasting mGlu5 receptor occupancy. Consistent with the hypothesis that blockade of mGlu5 receptors will produce analgesic effects in mammals, compound 24 produced a dose-dependent reduction in paw licking responses in the formalin model of persistent pain.     

A novel antiproliferative agent, phenylpyridineylbutenol, isolated from Streptomyces sp

A novel compound showing antiproliferative effect was isolated from Streptomyces sp. Its structure was determined based on the interpretation of the NMR spectra, and its conformation was elucidated using molecular modeling and 2D NOESY. It was determined to be (E)-4-phenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)but-2-en-1-ol.     

Partial Protection of Carbohydrate Derivatives. Part 24.1 Synthesis of Adenylyl-(2′–5′)-Adenylyl-(2′–5′)-Adenosine Using a 3′-O-(Tetrahydropyran-2-YL) Adenosine Derivative

Abstract

The synthesis of the title compound was performed using a 3′-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl) adenosine derivative as the starting material, i.e., a coupling reaction of triethylammonium N ⁶-benzoyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-3′-O-(tetrahydropyran-2-yl) adenosine 2′-(4-chlorophenyl)phosphate with N ⁶-benzoyl-2′,3′-di-O-benzoyladenosine, followed by a sequence of reactions, O-dedimethoxytritylation, a coupling reaction with the former triethylammonium salt, and complete deblocking of the resultant 2′, 5′-triadenylic acid derivative.     

Solid-phase synthesis of chiral stationary phases based on 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3-dicyanobenzene derivatives spaced from N-3,5-dinitrobenzoyl alpha-amino acids: comparative study of their resolution efficacy

Two new chiral stationary phases, 3-[5-chloro-1,3-dicyano-2,4-[2'-(N'-1,3-dinitrobenzoyl-D-phenylglycinyl) aminoethyl]aminophen-1-yl] aminopropyl silica (CSP-1) and 3-[5-chloro-1,3-dicyano-2,4-[2'-(N'-1,3-dinitrobenzoyl-L-leucinyl) aminoethyl] aminophen-1-yl] aminopropyl silica (CSP-2), were prepared by solid-phase synthesis. They comprise chiral unit, 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivative of the amino acid, D-PhGly or L-Leu, bound via spacer 1,2-diaminoethane to 2,4-positions of the persubstituted benzene ring, derived from compound 1, and possess pseudo-C2 symmetry. Preparation of model compounds 6 and 7 confirmed the structure of chiral selectors, which comprise pi-donor persubsituted aromatic ring and two strong pi-acceptor 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl amido units. CD spectra of model selectors 6 and 7, run in DMSO above 250 nm, exhibit negative exciton coupling (EC) between pi-acceptor and pi-donor chromophores, C(1) symmetric model compound 8 exhibited much weaker EC and 9, devoid of pi-donor unit, does not exhibit any significant CD. Combined pi-donor and pi-acceptor properties enable the new CSPs to separate a broad range of racemates. The columns with CSP-1 and CSP-2 were tested for the separation of 22 racemates by HPLC with two different mobile phase systems and the results are compared with those obtained by using a structurally related commercial column.     

Design and synthesis of 3-pyridylacetamide derivatives as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors targeting a bidentate interaction with Arg125

We have previously discovered nicotinic acid derivative 1 as a structurally novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor. In this study, we obtained the X-ray co-crystal structure between nicotinic acid derivative 1 and DPP-4. From these X-ray co-crystallography results, to achieve more potent inhibitory activity, we targeted Arg125 as a potential amino acid residue because it was located near the pyridine core, and some known DPP-4 inhibitors were reported to interact with this residue. We hypothesized that the guanidino group of Arg125 could interact with two hydrogen-bond acceptors in a bidentate manner. Therefore, we designed a series of 3-pyridylacetamide derivatives possessing an additional hydrogen-bond acceptor that could have the desired bidentate interaction with Arg125. We discovered the dihydrochloride of 1-{[5-(aminomethyl)-2-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-6-(2-methylpropyl)pyridin-3-yl]acetyl}-l-prolinamide (13j) to be a potent and selective DPP-4 inhibitor that could interact with the guanidino group of Arg125 in a unique bidentate manner.     

Ethenesulfonamide and ethanesulfonamide derivatives, a novel class of orally active endothelin-A receptor antagonists

In the previous paper, we described a series of 2-phenylethenesulfonamide derivatives, a novel class of ET(A)-selective endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists, including the 2-methoxyethoxy derivative 2a and the 2-fluoroethoxy derivative (2b). In this paper, we wish to report further details of structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the two regions of the molecule in compound 2b, which were the alkoxy region at the 6-position of the core pyrimidine ring and the 2-phenylethenesulfonamide region. In these modifications, replacement of the 2-fluoroethoxy group with a methoxy group (6e) and replacement of the 2-phenylethenesulfonamide group with a 2-(pyridin-3-yl)ethenesulfonamide group (6l) or 2-phenylethanesulfonamide group (6q) were well tolerated both in the ET(A) binding affinity and ET(A) selectivity. Among them, compound 6e showed further improvement in oral activity compared to 2b. After oral administration, compound 6e inhibited the big ET-1 induced pressor response in conscious rats at 0.3mg /kg with a duration of >6.5h. Compound 6e also exhibited a potent antagonistic activity in the pithed rats.     

Novel and orally active 5-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyrimidine derivatives as selective FLT3 inhibitors

5-(1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-yl)pyrimidine derivative 1 was identified as a new class of FLT3 inhibitor from our compound library. With the aim of enhancement of antitumor activity of 2 prepared by minor modification of 1, structure optimization of side chains at the 2-, 4-, and 5-positions of the pyrimidine ring of 2 was performed to improve the metabolic stability. Introduction of polar substituents on the 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl group contributed to a significant increase in the metabolic stability. As a result, a series of compounds showed increased efficacy against MOLM-13 xenograft model in mice by oral administration.     

Structure-based optimization of aminopyridines as PKCθ inhibitors

The identification of a novel series of PKCθ inhibitors and subsequent optimization using docking based on a crystal structure of PKCθ is described. SAR was rapidly generated around an amino pyridine-ketone hit; (6-aminopyridin-2-yl)(2-aminopyridin-3-yl)methanone 2 leading to compound 21 which significantly inhibits production of IL-2 in a mouse SEB-IL2 model.     

A novel synthesis of acyclonucleosides via allylation of 3-[1-(phenylhydrazono)-L-threo-2,3,4-trihydroxybut-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one

The allylation of 3-[1-(phenylhydrazono)-L-threo-2,3,4-trihydroxybut-1-yl]quinoxalin-2(1H)one (1) gave, in addition to the anticipated 1-N-allyl derivative (2), a dehydrative cyclized product, 1-N-allyl-3-[5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl]quinoxalin-2-one (4) and its isomeric O-allyl derivative 3. The O-allyl group in 3 underwent acetolysis under acetylation conditions, in addition to the acetylation of the hydroxyl group, to afford 2-acetoxy-3-[5-(acetoxymethyl)-1-phenylpyrazol-3-yl]quinoxaline (8) instead of the O-acetyl derivative of 3. Allylation of the tri-O-acetyl derivative of 1 caused the elimination of a molecule of acetic acid in addition to N-allylation to give 1-N-allyl-3-[3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-1-(phenylhydrazono)but-2-en-1-yl]quinoxalin-2-one (11). Hydroxylation of the allyl group gave a glycerol-1-yl acyclonucleoside which can be alternatively obtained by a displacement reaction of the tosyloxy group in 2,3-O-isopropylidene-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)glycerol (14), followed by deisopropylidenation. 1-N-(2,3-Dibromopropyl)-3-[5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-(4-bromophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]quinoxalin-2-one (15) underwent azidolysis to give a 2,3-diazido derivative. The assigned structures were based on spectral analysis. The activity of compounds 2, 4, 6, and 15 against hepatitis B virus was studied.     

A new bioactive compound from the roots of Petasites hybridus

A new benzofuran derivative (1) was isolated from the roots of Petasites hybridus and its structure was determined as 1-(6-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-1-benzofuran-5-yl)-1-ethanone by spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The compound 1 showed moderate inhibitory activity on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells proliferation in vitro with an IC50 value of 48 μmol/L. The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and DNA with compound 1 were studied in an aqueous solution under physiological conditions by UV–vis spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzothiazole derivatives as potent antitumor agents

Based on 2-methyl-4-nitro-2H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid[2-(cyclohexanecarbonylamino)benzothiazol-6-yl]amide (1), which shows selective cytotoxicity against tumorigenic cell lines, 2,6-dichloro-N-[2-(cyclopropanecarbonylamino)benzothiazol-6-yl]benzamide (13b) was designed and synthesized as a biologically stable derivative containing no nitro group. The highly potent derivative 13b exhibited excellent in vivo inhibitory effect on tumor growth.     

SAR studies of 9-norbornylpurines as Coxsackievirus B3 inhibitors

Coxsackievirus and related enteroviruses are important human pathogens that cause various diseases with clinical manifestations ranging from trivial flu-like syndromes to dangerous or even fatal diseases such as myocarditis, meningitis and encephalitis. Here, we report on our continuous SAR study focused on 9-(bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl)-9H-purines as anti-enteroviral inhibitors. The purine moiety was modified at positions 2, 6 and 8. Several analogues inhibited Coxsackievirus B3 as well as other enteroviruses at low-micromolar concentrations. The 6-chloropurine derivative was confirmed as the most active compound in this series.