Novel bis(indolyl)maleimide pyridinophanes that are potent, selective inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3.

Novel bis(indolyl)maleimide pyridinophanes 3, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, and 11 were prepared by cobalt-mediated [2+2+2] cycloaddition of an appropriate alpha,omega-diyne with an N,N-dialkylcyanamide. These macrocyclic heterophanes were found to be potent, selective inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. An X-ray structure of a co-crystal of GSK-3beta and 3 (IC(50)=3nM) depicts the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions in the ATP-binding pocket of this serine/threonine protein kinase.

Synthesis of macrocycles via cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions.

We investigated the formation of macrocycles from alpha,omega-diynes in cobalt-mediated co-cyclotrimerization reactions. Long-chain alpha,omega-diynes underwent metal-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions with nitriles, cyanamides, or isocyanates in the presence of CpCo(CO)2 (Cp = cyclopentadienide) to yield pyridine-containing macrocycles, i.e.

Cobalt-mediated cyclotrimerisation of bis-alkynes and cyanamides.

CpCo(CO)2-mediated cyclotrimerisation of bis-alkynes and cyanamides provides multisubstituted 2-aminopyridines, including macrocyclic products, such as 22 (50% yield).

Catalytic activity of dodecacarbonyltetracobalt in aqueous media: a "greening" of the Pauson-Khand reaction.

The unprecedented reactivity of Co(4)(CO)(12) with enynes under aqueous conditions, representing the development of a mild and simple aqueous-phase cobalt-catalyzed PK reaction protocol, is described herein.

Cobalt-mediated macrocyclizations. Facile synthesis of 2-oxo pyridinophanes via [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alpha, omega-diynes and isocyanates.

[reaction: see text] Cobalt-mediated [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of alpha,omega-diynes and isocyanates provides a direct approach to macrocyclic 2-oxopyridinophanes. This macrocyclization process, which proceeded most efficiently with aliphatic isocyanates, was conveniently performed at a moderate temperature (85 degrees C) without irradiation or syringe-pump addition.

A sterically-encumbered, C2-symmetric chiral acetal for enhanced asymmetric induction in the Pauson-Khand reaction.

High levels of diastereoselection were achieved in the PKR of 1,6- and 1,7-cyclopropylidenynes bearing a bulky propargylic C(2)-symmetric acetal.

Cobalt carbonyl-mediated carbocyclizations of enynes: generation of bicyclooctanones or monocyclic alkenes.

Depending on the thermolytic conditions, dicobalthexacarbonyl-complexed enynes underwent cyclizations to provide different carbocyclic frameworks. Bicyclopentanones were formed from enyne-Co2(CO)6 complexes, or from enynes that were treated with Co2(CO)8, or more effectively, with Co4(CO)12 in an alcoholic solvent under a H2 or N2 atmosphere. This transformation proceeded via a sequential cyclocarbonylation and 1,4-reduction and is the first account using the cobalt carbonyl cluster.