N-Thiazolylamide-based free fatty-acid 2 receptor agonists: Discovery, lead optimization and demonstration of off-target effect in a diabetes model.

Free fatty acid-2 (FFA2) receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor of interest in the development of therapeutics in metabolic and inflammatory disease areas. The discovery and optimization of an N-thiazolylamide carboxylic acid FFA2 agonist scaffold is described. Dual key objectives were to i) evaluate the potential of this scaffold for lead optimization in particular with respect to safety de-risking physicochemical properties, i.

First efficient synthesis of fluorinated glycidic esters from ketones.

Treatment of various ketones with ethyl dibromofluoroacetate in the presence of diethylzinc and dimethylaminoethanol or triphenylphosphine provides rapid access to corresponding fluorinated glycidic esters. Simplified workup allowed first characterization of these compounds.

Rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-additions to enantiopure acceptors: asymmetric synthesis of functionalized pyrrolizidinones.

The rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of arylboronic acids to an enantiopure heterocyclic acceptor proceeds under ligand control to effect an asymmetric synthesis of functionalized pyrrolizidinones. The protocol allows convenient access to all four stereoisomers of pyrrolizidinone 3a (Ar = Ph) by appropriate selection of substrate and catalyst.

Diethylzinc-mediated one-step stereoselective synthesis of alpha-fluoroacrylates from aldehydes and ketones. Two different pathways depending on the carbonyl partner.

A efficient methodology allowing the one-pot stereoselective synthesis of alpha-fluoroacrylates, based on the addition of ethyl dibromofluoroacetate to a carbonyl derivative using diethylzinc as organometallic mediator, is described. Two different pathways have been identified depending on the involved carbonyl partner. In the case of aldehydes, an E2-type mechanism has been identified, whereas ketones go through an E1cb-type mechanism.

Enantioselective synthesis of BMS-204352 (MaxiPost) using N-fluoroammonium salts of cinchona alkaloids (F-CA-BF4).

The enantioselective synthesis of a potent Maxi-K potassium channel opener (BMS-204352) mediated by N-fluoroammonium salts of cinchona alkaloids is described. Two synthetic pathways were evaluated. An ee as high as 88% was achieved (>99% after a single recrystallisation).