Overcoming undesirable hERG affinity by incorporating fluorine atoms: A case of MAO-B inhibitors derived from 1 H-pyrrolo-[3,2-c]quinolines.

The incorporation of the fluorine motif is a strategy widely applied in drug design for modulating the activity, physicochemical parameters, and metabolic stability of chemical compounds. In this study, we attempted to reduce the affinity for ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channel by introducing fluorine atoms in a group of 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines that are capable of inhibiting monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B). A series of structural modifications guided by in vitro evaluation of MAO-B inhibition and antitargeting for hERG channels were performed, which led to the identification of 1-(3-chlorobenzyl)-4-(4,4-difluoropiperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline (26).

A dual-acting 5-HT receptor inverse agonist/MAO-B inhibitor displays glioprotective and pro-cognitive properties.

The complex etiology of Alzheimer's disease has initiated a quest for multi-target ligands to address the multifactorial causes of this neurodegenerative disorder. In this context, we designed dual-acting 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) antagonists/MAO-B inhibitors using pharmacophore hybridization strategy. Our approach involved linking priviliged scaffolds of 5-HTR with aryloxy fragments derived from reversible and irreversible MAO-B inhibitors.

Me2Zn-Mediated Catalytic Enantio- and Diastereoselective Addition of TosMIC to Ketones.

The first catalytic asymmetric addition of TosMIC to unactivated ketones is presented. A combination of Me2Zn and aminoalcohol catalyst promoted the aldol addition/cyclization reaction to render oxazolines possessing a fully substituted stereocenter with excellent yields (up to 92%), high enantioselectivities (up to 96%), and complete diastereoselectivity. The chiral oxazolines were then used to give, after a straightforward acid hydrolysis, enantioenriched building blocks bearing tertiary alcohol motifs such as hydroxylaldehydes, hydroxylacids, and hydroxylesters without racemization.