Atroposelective Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Photocyclization to Access Chiral -Aryl Quinolones with Low Rotational Barriers.

Herein, a novel route to atropisomeric -aryl quinolones with low rotational barriers is demonstrated, leveraging a dual photochemical/organocatalytic approach to the required ring closure in up to 94% yield and up to >99% ee. The use of a continuous flow system allows for impurity suppression and enables rapid scale-up to a decagram scale.

Separation and quantitation of eight isomers in a molecule with three stereogenic centers by normal phase liquid chromatography.

A normal phase liquid chromatography method was developed for the separation and detection of eight stereoisomers of the key intermediate, CORE + OMe, having three chiral centers. The stereochemistry of this intermediate dictates the stereochemistry of the active pharmaceutical ingredient generated by an additional six synthetic steps. Multiple columns and mobile phases were screened during the development based on a platform approach.

Isolation and structure elucidation of unexpected in-process impurities during tetrazole ring formation of an investigational drug substance.

During the formation of a tetrazole ring on an investigational drug, two in-process impurities were detected and analyzed by LC-MS, which suggested that both impurities were drug-related with the same mass-to-charge ratio. To understand and control their formation, both impurities were isolated from the mother liquor of the reaction using a multi-step isolation procedure to obtain a sufficient amount for high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and NMR structural analysis. HRMS suggested a protonated mass of 577.

Oxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines as Covalent L858R/T790M Mutant Selective Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitors.

In nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the threonine(790)-methionine(790) (T790M) point mutation of EGFR kinase is one of the leading causes of acquired resistance to the first generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib. Herein, we describe the optimization of a series of 7-oxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidinyl-derived irreversible inhibitors of EGFR kinase. This led to the discovery of compound 24 which potently inhibits gefitinib-resistant EGFR(L858R,T790M) with 100-fold selectivity over wild-type EGFR.

Highly Regioselective Halogenation of Pyridine N-Oxide: Practical Access to 2-Halo-Substituted Pyridines.

A highly efficient and regioselective halogenation reaction of unsymmetrical pyridine N-oxide under mild conditions is described. The methodology provides a practical access to various 2-halo-substituted pyridines, which are pharmaceutically important intermediates.

Direct reductive amination of aldehyde bisulfite adducts induced by 2-picoline borane: application to the synthesis of a DPP-IV inhibitor.

Aldehyde-bisulfite adducts dervied from unstable parent aldehydes were reductively alkylated in a direct fashion with a variety of amines. This approach features the use of 2-picoline borane as the reducing agent and a protic solvent for the reaction media and has been successfully applied to the synthesis of a DPP-IV inhibitor and a variety of other amines.

An efficient, regioselective amination of 3,5-disubstituted pyridine N-oxides using saccharin as an ammonium surrogate.

A process for the regioselective amination of unsymmetrical 3,5-substituted pyridine N-oxides has been developed utilizing cheap, readily available saccharin as an ammonium surrogate. High conversions of the corresponding saccharin adducts have been achieved under mild reaction conditions. In situ deprotection under acidic conditions allows for a one-pot process to substituted aminopyridines.

Stereoselective synthesis of a MCHr1 antagonist.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is implicated in the feeding behavior in mammals affording a potential target to control overeating in people. Compound 1 (AMG 076) has been identified as a potent MCHr1 antagonist for the treatment of obesity. A synthesis suitable for the large-scale preparation of this lead candidate was developed to support preclinical studies.

Highly selective rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition reactions of 4-oxobutenamides.

A variety of 4-oxobutenamides 1 were subjected to rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition with arylboronic acids providing high regio- and enantioselectivity (97:3 to >99:1, >96% ee) and moderate to excellent yields (54-99%). The key to high selectivity is the use of sterically demanding P-chiral diphosphines, such as Tangphos or Duanphos. The product oxobutanamides 2 may be converted to alternate targets by selective derivatization of either the amide or ketone functional group.

Lead optimization of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) inhibitors containing sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids.

A series of aryl sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids were identified as potent inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2). Small alkyl groups and 3-furyl were tolerated at the 5-position of anthranilic acid, while -OCH(3), CH(3), and Cl were found optimal for the 6-position. Placement of 2-aminoethoxy group at the 6-position enabled interaction with the second Mn(2+) but did not result in enhancement in potency.

Reversal of diastereofacial selectivity in hydride reductions of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines.

A variety of N-tert-butanesulfinyl imines were reduced with NaBH4 in THF containing 2% water to provide the corresponding secondary sulfinamides in high yield and diastereoselectivity. By using the same sulfinyl imine starting materials and changing the reductant to L-Selectride, the stereoselectivity could be efficiently reversed to afford the opposite product diastereomer in high yield and selectivity.

Discovery and optimization of anthranilic acid sulfonamides as inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2: a structural basis for the reduction of albumin binding.

Methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) is a novel target for cancer therapy. As part of an effort to discover orally active reversible inhibitors of MetAP2, a series of anthranilic acid sulfonamides with micromolar affinities for human MetAP2 were identified using affinity selection by mass spectrometry (ASMS) screening. These micromolar hits were rapidly improved to nanomolar leads on the basis of insights from protein crystallography; however, the compounds displayed extensive binding to human serum albumin and had limited activity in cellular assays.

Development of sulfonamide compounds as potent methionine aminopeptidase type II inhibitors with antiproliferative properties.

We have screened molecules for inhibition of MetAP2 as a novel approach toward antiangiogenesis and anticancer therapy using affinity selection/mass spectrometry (ASMS) employing MetAP2 loaded with Mn(2+) as the active site metal. After a series of anthranilic acid sulfonamides with micromolar affinities was identified, chemistry efforts were initiated. The micromolar hits were quickly improved to potent nanomolar inhibitors by chemical modifications guided by insights from X-ray crystallography.

Application of chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands to enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation processes.

Chiral mixed phosphorus/sulfur ligands 1-3 have been shown to be effective in enantioselective Rh-catalyzed dehydroamino acid hydrogenation and ketone hydrosilylation reactions (eqs 1, 2). After assaying the influence of the substituents at sulfur, the substituents on the ligand backbone, the relative stereochemistry within the ligand backbone, and the substituents at phosphorus, ligands 2c (R = 3,5-dimethylphenyl) and 3 were found to be optimal in the Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of a variety of alpha-acylaminoacrylates in high enantioselectivity (89-97% ee). A similar optimization of the catalyst for the Rh-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ketones showed that ligand 3 afforded the highest enantioselectivities for a wide variety of aryl alkyl and dialkyl ketones (up to 99% ee).

Magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones.

[reaction: see text] Diastereoselective direct aldol reactions of chiral N-acylthiazolidinethiones occur in high yield with preference for the illustrated anti diastereomer. This reaction is catalyzed by 10% MgBr2.OEt2 in the presence of triethylamine and chlorotrimethylsilane.

Diastereoselective magnesium halide-catalyzed anti-aldol reactions of chiral N-acyloxazolidinones.

A chiral auxilliary-based direct aldol reaction is reported. The reactions are catalytic in magnesium salts and are facilitated by silylation with chlorotrimethylsilane. The adducts isolated are in high diastereoselectivity (up to 32:1 dr) and favor the anti-aldol diastereomer B.

Enantioselective Syntheses of 2-Deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone and 2-Deoxyribono-1,4-lactone from 1,3-Dioxan-5-yl Diazoacetates.

1,3-Dioxan-5-yl diazoacetates are valuable substrates for highly diastereoselective and enantioselective carbon-hydrogen insertion reactions. trans-2-(tert-Butyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate is a direct precursor to 2-deoxyribono-1,4-lactone in up to 81% ee, whereas cis-2-(tert-butyl)-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate yields only the protected 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone in up to 96% ee. However, trans-2-aryl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl diazoacetate (aryl = phenyl or 2-naphthyl) forms the precursor to 2-deoxyxylono-1,4-lactone in up to 95% ee but with the mirror image configuration of that produced from the trans-2-(tert-butyl) analogue.