Enantioselective synthesis of (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-[3,3,2-2H3] alanines

The synthesis of optically pure (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-[3,3,3-2H3] alanines of biological interest is described. The stereochemistry of the reaction of the lithio derivative of (R)-(-)-2,5-dimethoxy-3-benzyl-3-methyl-3,6-dihydropyrazine with alkyl and deuterated alkyl iodides is discussed. The configuration of the newly formed center of chirality in (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-[3,3,3-2H3] alanines is derived from 1H NMR.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of some alkyl [5-(nitroaryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio]propionates

Two series of 2- and 3-[5-(nitroaryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio, sulfinyl and sulfonyl] propionic acid alkyl esters were synthesized and screened for antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using the BACTEC 460 radiometric system. The MIC values for the compounds showing more than 90% inhibition were determined. The result of comparison between two groups of data exhibited that among the synthesized derivatives, the compound propyl 3-[5-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio]propionate was the most active one (MIC=1.56 microgml(-1)).     

Partial resolution of racemic trans-4-[5-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl-2-yl]benzoic acids by the diastereomer method with (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethylamine

The partial resolution is described of a series of racemic trans-4-[5-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl-2-yl]benzoic acids (1), which are the key intermediates for the synthesis of chiral organic radical liquid crystalline compounds and are crystallized to give racemic compounds. Racemic acid 1 [(+/-)-1] with a long alkyl chain (C7 to C13) could be resolved by the conventional diastereomeric salt formation using (R)- or (S)-1-phenylethylamine (2) as the resolving agent, whereas resolution of (+/-)-1 with a short alkyl chain (C4 to C6) was unsuccessful. Use of six equiv of (R)- or (S)-2 for the initial diastereomeric salt formation of (+/-)-1 with a C7-C13 alkyl chain, followed by recrystallization of the resulting salts once or twice, gave 2S,5S- or 2R,5R-enriched 1, respectively, in an ee range of 75-92% and with an overall recovery of 11-27%, based on the original quantity of (+/-)-1.     

Antagonists of the human CCR5 receptor as anti-HIV-1 agents. Part 4: synthesis and structure-activity relationships for 1-[N-(methyl)-N-(phenylsulfonyl)amino]-2-(phenyl)-4-(4-(N-(alkyl)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino)piperidin-1-yl)butanes

(2S)-2-(3-Chlorophenyl)-1-[N-(methyl)-N-(phenylsulfonyl)amino]-4-[spiro(2,3-dihydrobenzthiophene-3,4'-piperidin-1'-yl)]butane S-oxide (1b) has been identified as a potent CCR5 antagonist having an IC50=10 nM. Herein, structure-activity relationship studies of non-spiro piperidines are described, which led to the discovery of 4-(N-(alkyl)-N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino)piperidine derivatives (3-5) as potent CCR5 antagonists.     

1-[4-(1H-Benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-3-[4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-urea derivatives as small molecule heparanase inhibitors

A novel class of 1-[4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-3-[4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-ureas are described as potent inhibitors of heparanase. Among them are 1,3-bis-[4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-urea (7a) and 1,3-bis-[4-(5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl]-urea (7d), which displayed good heparanase inhibitory activity (IC(50) 0.075-0.27 microM). Compound 7a showed good efficacy in a B16 metastasis model.     

Synthesis, cytostatic, and antiviral activity of novel 6-[2-(dialkylamino)ethyl]-, 6-(2-alkoxyethyl)-, 6-[2-(alkylsulfanyl)ethyl]-, and 6-[2-(dialkylamino)vinyl]purine nucleosides

An efficient and facile synthesis of a large series of diverse 6-[2-(dialkylamino)vinyl]-, 6-[2-(dialkylamino)ethyl]-, 6-(2-alkoxyethyl)-, and 6-[2-(alkylsulfanyl)ethyl]purine nucleosides (35 examples of both ribo- and 2'-deoxyribonucleosides) was developed. The key transformations involved conjugate nucleophilic additions of amines, alcoholates, or thiolates to Tol-protected 6-alkylylpurine or 6-vinylpurine nucleosides. 6-[(2-Dialkylamino)vinyl]- and some 6-[(2-dialkylamino)ethyl]purine ribonucleosides exerted significant cytostatic effects and some anti-HCV activity with low selectivity.     

Synthesis of new 4-[2-(alkylamino) ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and 5-[2-(alkylamino) ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine derivatives, as potential bacterial multidrug resistance pump inhibitors

The synthesis of new 4-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives la-1 is described in five or six steps starting from various substituted nitroanilines 2a-e. The bioisostere 5-[2-(alkylamino)ethylthio]pyrrolo[1,2- a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine 1m was also prepared. The new derivatives were evaluated as efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) in a model targeting the NorA system of Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotic susceptibility of two strains overproducing NorA, SA-1199B and SA-1, was determined alone and in combination with the neo-synthesised compounds by the agar diffusion method and MIC determination, in comparison with reserpine and omeprazole taken as reference EPIs. A preliminary structure-activity relationship study firstly allowed to clarify the influence of the substituents at positions 7 and/or 8 of the pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline nucleus. Methoxy substituted compounds, 1b and 1g, were more potent EPIs than the unsubstituted compounds (1a and 1f), followed by chlorinated derivatives (1c-d and 1h). Moreover, the replacement of the N,N-diethylamino group (compounds 1a-e) by a bioisostere such as pyrrolidine (compounds 1f-h) enhanced the EPI activity, in contrast with the replacement by a piperidine moiety (compounds 1i-k). Finally, the pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e]pyrazine compound 1m exhibited a higher EPI activity than its pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline analogue la, opening the way to further pharmacomodulation.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of N-[2-[5-(methylthio)thiophen-2-yl]-2-oxoethyl] and N-[2-[5-(methylthio)thiophen-2-yl]-2-(oxyimino)ethyl]piperazinylquinolone derivatives

A number of N-substituted piperazinylquinolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Preliminary results indicated that most compounds tested in this study demonstrated comparable or better activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than their parent piperazinylquinolones as reference drugs. Among these derivatives, ciprofloxacin derivative 5a, containing N-[2-[5-(methylthio)thiophen-2-yl]-2-oxoethyl] residue, showed significant improvement of potency against staphylococci, maintaining Gram-negative coverage.     

(+)-3-[2-(Benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane as potent agonists for the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

A series of 3-substituted 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes was discovered as the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine (alpha7) receptor agonists. It was found that (+)-3-[2-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (+)-15b has potent agonistic activity for the alpha7 receptor.     

Synthesis of some new [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines and [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4] thiadiazoles starting from 5-nitro-2-furoic acid and evaluation of their antimicrobial activity

New series of fused 1,2,4-triazoles such as, 6-(aryl)-3-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-5,6-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles 4-8, 6-(alkyl/aryl amino)-3-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles 9-13 and 6-(4-substituted phenyl)-3-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines 14-18 have been synthesized via the reaction of 4-amino-5-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol 3 with various reagents such as hetero aromatic aldehydes, alkyl/aryl isothiocyanates and 4-substituted phenacyl bromides, respectively. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds have been confirmed on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral studies. The newly synthesized triazolo derivatives have been investigated for their in vitro antibacterial activity. Most of the tested compounds showed interesting antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the most potent antibacterial compounds 11-13 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines. It was found that compounds 11 and 13 showed higher cytotoxicity against Hep-G2 cell line as compared to standard.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of various 5-[alkoxy-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracils in their racemic form

The preparation of various 5-[alkoxy-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracils with alkyl chain lengths C(1)-C(12) is described. The synthesis is based on the preparation of 5-[chloro-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracil and subsequent substitution of chlorine with appropriate alcohols. The resulting ethers were tested for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against five cancer cell lines. The compounds were less active in lung resistance protein expressing cell lines, suggesting the involvement of this multidrug resistant protein in control of the biological activity. Cytotoxic substances induced rapid inhibition of DNA and modulation of RNA synthesis followed by induction of apoptosis. The data indicate that the biological activity of 5-[alkoxy-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracils depends on the alkyl chain length.     

Isotopic discrimination between D-[1-(13)C]fructose and D-[2-(13)C]fructose in rat liver cells

When liver cells from either normal or hereditarily diabetic rats are exposed to (13)C-enriched D-fructose (10 mM) and unlabelled D-glucose (also 10 mM) in the presence of D(2)O, the output of (13)C-enriched D-glucose generated from D-[1-(13)C]fructose is significantly lower than that from D-[2-(13)C]fructose. This coincides with a higher generation of (13)C-enriched L-lactate and L-alanine from D-[1-(13)C]fructose, as compared to D-[2-(13)C]fructose. In absolute terms, the mean paired difference in the output of (13)C-enriched D-glucose generated from D-[1-(13)C]fructose versus D-[2-(13)C]fructose is not significantly different from the mean paired difference in the production of (13)C-enriched L-lactate and L-alanine from the same precursors, with an overall mean value of 7.01 +/- 1.59 micromol (n = 8; P < 0.005). It is proposed that these findings indicate isotopic discrimination at the phosphoglucoisomerase level between (12)C and (13)C for the carbon atom in position 1 (as compared to that in position 2) of D-fructose 6-phosphate.     

Synthesis of 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]alkyl-2-oxindole derivatives and their effects on neuronal cell death

Novel 3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]alkyl-2-oxindole analogs were synthesized by either of the following two pathways: (1) a sequence of Knoevenagel condensation of oxindole with (4-dimethylamino)cinnamaldehyde–hydrogenation, or (2) alkylation of oxindole dianion with [(4-dimethylamino)phenyl]alkyl halides. Subsequent alkylation at C-3 and/or N-1 of the oxindole skeleton by anion-based methods provided additional substituted derivatives for structure-activity relationship studies. Their effects on neuronal cell death induced by oxidative stress were evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Compounds with the alkyl chain length of 2–4 significantly suppressed the neuronal cell death. No significant change occurred in the activity by substitution with less-polar groups. The stereochemistry at C-3 of the oxindole core was also irrelevant for the neuroprotective effects of these compounds.     

Enzymatic syntheses of 6-(4H-selenolo[3,2-b]pyrrolyl)-L-alanine, 4-(6H-selenolo[2,3-b]pyrrolyl)-L-alanine, and 6-(4H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrolyl-L-alanine

6-(4H-Selenolo[3,2-b]pyrrolyl)-L-alanine 1, 4-(6H-selenolo[2,3-b]pyrrolyl)-L-alanine 2, and 6-(4H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrolyl)-L-alanine 3 have been synthesized via reactions of selenolo[3,2-b]pyrrole, selenolo[2,3-b]pyrrole, and furo[3,2-b]pyrrole, respectively, with L-serine. The reactions are catalyzed by Salmonella typhimurium tryptophan synthase.     

Synthesis of 2-amino-6-(4-[11C]methoxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester as a novel potential PET gene reporter probe for HBV and HSV-tk in cancers

Acyclic nucleoside 2-amino-6-(4-methoxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester (ABE, 1) is a new hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific antiviral reagent and shows high anti-HBV activity. Carbon-11 labeled ABE may serve as a novel reporter probe for positron emission tomography (PET) to image HBV and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) in cancers. The radiolabeling precursors 2-amino-6-(4-hydroxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester (10) and 2-N-Boc protected analogue 2-N-bis(Boc)amino-6-(4-hydroxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester (12), and the reference standard ABE were synthesized from bis(trifluoroethyl) (2-iodoethoxy)methylphosphonate (5), guanine (6), and 2-amino-6-chloropurine (8). The target radiotracer 2-amino-6-(4-[11C]methoxyphenylthio)-9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]purine bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester ([11C]ABE, [11C]1) was prepared by O-[11C]methylation of the unprotected HO-precursor 10, or 2-N-Boc protected HO-precursor 12 with [11C]methyl triflate followed by a quick deprotection reaction, and isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification in 40-55% radiochemical yields.     

3-(Cyclopropylmethyl)-7-((4-(4-[11C]methoxyphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methyl)-8-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine: Synthesis and preliminary evaluation for PET imaging of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2

Selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) inhibitors have been demonstrated to show therapeutic effects by improving alleviating symptoms of schizophrenic patients in clinical studies. Herein we report the synthesis and preliminary evaluation of a ¹¹C-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) tracer originating from a mGluR2 inhibitor, 3-(cyclopropylmethyl)-7-((4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methyl)-8-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine (CMTP, 1a). [¹¹C]CMTP ([¹¹C]1a) was synthesized by O-[¹¹C]methylation of desmethyl precursor 1b with [¹¹C]methyl iodide in 19.7 ± 8.9% (n = 10) radiochemical yield (based on [¹¹C]CO₂) with >98% radiochemical purity and >74 GBq/μmol molar activity. Autoradiography study showed that [¹¹C]1a possessed moderate in vitro specific binding to mGluR2 in the rat brain, with a heterogeneous distribution of radioactive accumulation in the mGluR2-rich brain tissue sections, such as the cerebral cortex and striatum. PET study indicated that [¹¹C]1a was able to cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the brain, but had very low specific binding in the rat brain. Further optimization for the chemical structure of 1a is necessary to increase binding affinity to mGluR2 and then improve in vivo specific binding in brain.     

Click synthesis and biologic evaluation of (R)- and (S)-2-amino-3-[1-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]propanoic acid for brain tumor imaging with positron emission tomography

The (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 2-amino-3-[1-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl]propanoic acid (4) were synthesized and evaluated in the rat 9L gliosarcoma brain tumor model using cell uptake assays, biodistribution studies, and micro-positron emission tomography (microPET). The (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of [18F]4 were radiolabeled separately using the click reaction in 57% and 51% decay-corrected yields, respectively. (S)-[18F]4 was a substrate for cationic amino acid transport and, to a lesser extent, system L transport in vitro. In vivo biodistribution studies demonstrated that (S)-[18F]4 provided higher tumor uptake and higher tumor to brain ratios (15:1 at the 30- and 60-minute time points) compared to the (R)-enantiomer (7:1 at the 30- and 60-minute time points). MicroPET studies with (S)-[18F]4 confirmed that this tracer provides good target to background ratios for both subcutaneous and intracranial 9L gliosarcoma tumors. Based on these results, the 1H-[1,2,3]triazole-substituted amino acid (S)-[18F]4 has promising PET properties for brain tumors and represents a novel class of radiolabeled amino acids for tumor imaging.     

Discovery of a highly orally bioavailable c-5-[6-(4-Methanesulfonyloxyphenyl)hexyl]-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid as a potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent

A series of novel 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivatives containing alkyl chain tether and substituted phenyl group as a lipophilic tail have been prepared as agonists of PPARalpha and gamma. c-5-[6-(4-Methanesulfonyloxyphenyl)hexyl]-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid 13c exhibited potent hypoglycemic and lipid lowering activity with high oral bioavailability in animal models.     

Hydrogen turnover and subcellular compartmentation of hepatic [2-(13)C]glutamate and [3-(13)C]aspartate as detected by (13)C NMR.

(13)C NMR monitored the dynamics of exchange from specific hydrogens of hepatic [2-(13)C]glutamate and [3-(13)C]aspartate with deuterons from intracellular heavy water providing information on alpha-ketoglutarate/glutamate exchange and subcellular compartmentation. Mouse livers were perfused with [3-(13)C]alanine in buffer containing or not 50% (2)H(2)O for increasing periods of time (1 min < t < 30 min). Liver extracts prepared at the end of the perfusions were analyzed by high resolution (13)C NMR (150.13 MHz) with (1)H decoupling only and with simultaneous (1)H and (2)H decoupling. (13)C-(2)H couplings and (2)H-induced isotopic shifts observed in the glutamate C2 resonance, allowed to estimate the apparent rate constants (forward, reverse; min(-1)) for (i) the reversible exchange of [2-(13)C]glutamate H2 as catalyzed mainly by aspartate aminotransferase (0.32, 0.56), (ii) the reversible exchange of [2-(13)C]glutamate H3(proS) as catalyzed by NAD(P) isocitrate dehydrogenase (0.1, 0.05), and (iii) the irreversible exchanges of glutamate H3(proR) and H3(proS) as catalyzed by the sequential activities of mitochondrial aconitase and NAD isocitrate dehydrogenase of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (0.035), respectively. A similar approach allowed to determine the rates of (1)H-(2)H exchange for the H2 (0.4, 0.5) or H3(proR) (0.3, 0.2) or the H2 and H3(proS) hydrogens (0.20, 0.23) of [3-(13)C]aspartate isotopomers. The ubiquitous subcellular localization of (1)H-(2)H exchange enzymes and the exclusive mitochondrial localization of pyruvate carboxylase and the tricarboxylic acid cycle resulted in distinctive kinetics of deuteration in the H2 and either or both H3 hydrogens of [2-(13)C]glutamate and [3-(13)C]aspartate, allowing to follow glutamate and aspartate trafficking through cytosol and mitochondria.     

Optically active antifungal azoles: synthesis and antifungal activity of (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-[2-[4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-tetrazol-2-yl/1-yl)-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-butan-2-ol

A series of (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-[2-[4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-tetrazol-2-yl)-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-butan-2-ol (11a-n) and (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-[2-[4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-tetrazole-1-yl)-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-butan-2-ol (12a-n) has been synthesized. The antifungal activity of compounds was evaluated by in vitro agar diffusion and broth dilution assay. Compounds 11d and its positional isomer 12d having 3-trifluoromethyl substitution on the phenyl ring of piperazine demonstrated significant antifungal activity against variety of fungal cultures (Candida spp. C. neoformans and Aspergillus spp.). The compound 12d showed MIC value of 0.12 microg/mL for C. albicans, C. albicans V-01-191A-261 (resistant strain); 0.25 microg/mL for C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and C. krusei and MIC value of 0.5 microg/mL for C. glabrata, C. krusei ATCC 6258, which is comparable to itraconazole and better than fluconazole. Further, compound 11d showed significant activity (MIC; 0.25-0.5 microg/mL) against Candida spp. and strong anticryptococcal activity (MIC; 0.25 microg/mL) against C. neoformans.