Structure-Based Optimization of Selective and Brain Penetrant CK1δ Inhibitors for the Treatment of Circadian Disruptions.

Neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorders and schizophrenia are often associated with disruptions to the normal 24 h sleep wake cycle. Casein kinase 1 (CK1δ) is an integral part of the molecular machinery that regulates circadian rhythms. Starting from a cluster of bicyclic pyrazoles identified from a virtual screening effort, we utilized structure-based drug design to identify and reinforce a unique "hinge-flip" binding mode that provides a high degree of selectivity for CK1δ versus the kinome.

Hydrogen Gas-Mediated Deoxydehydration/Hydrogenation of Sugar Acids: Catalytic Conversion of Glucarates to Adipates.

The development of a system for the operationally simple, scalable conversion of polyhydroxylated biomass into industrially relevant feedstock chemicals is described. This system includes a bimetallic Pd/Re catalyst in combination with hydrogen gas as a terminal reductant and enables the high-yielding reduction of sugar acids. This procedure has been applied to the synthesis of adipate esters, precursors for the production of Nylon-6,6, in excellent yield from biomass-derived sources.

Isolation and Reactivity of Trifluoromethyl Iodonium Salts.

The strategic incorporation of the trifluoromethyl (CF3) functionality within therapeutic or agrochemical agents is a proven strategy for altering their associated physicochemical properties (e.g., metabolic stability, lipophilicity, and bioavailability).

Single-operation deracemization of 3H-indolines and tetrahydroquinolines enabled by phase separation.

The single-operation deracemization of 3H indolines and tetrahydroquinolines is described. An asymmetric redox approach was employed, in which a phosphoric acid catalyst, oxidant, and reductant are present in the reaction mixture. The simultaneous presence of both oxidant and reductant was enabled by phase separation and resulted in the isolation of highly enantioenriched starting materials in high yields.