3-Oxo-2-piperazinyl acetamides as potent bradykinin B1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of pain and inflammation.

The discovery of novel and highly potent oxopiperazine based B1 receptor antagonists is described. Compared to the previously described arylsulfonylated (R)-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid series, the current compounds showed improved in vitro potency and metabolic stability. Compound 17, 2-((2R)-1-((4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl)-3-oxo-2-piperazinyl)-N-((1R)-6-(1-piperidinylmethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenyl)acetamide, showed EC(50) of 10.

A highly efficient palladium/copper cocatalytic system for direct arylation of heteroarenes: an unexpected effect of Cu(Xantphos)I.

Heteroarenes are important structural moieties in many chemical industry fields. A highly efficient Pd/Cu-catalyzed C-H arylation method for a range of heterocycles has been discovered. It was found that the key to the success of this transformation is a combination of a palladium catalyst and a well-defined copper cocatalyst.

Practical asymmetric conjugate alkynylation of Meldrum's acid-derived acceptors: access to chiral beta-alkynyl acids.

The enantioselective conjugate addition of alkynyl nucleophiles has been a long-standing challenge in synthetic chemistry. This paper describes a highly practical asymmetric conjugate alkynylation of Meldrum's acid-derived acceptors using cinchonidine (<$100/kg) as the chiral mediator. The process provides practical access to chiral beta-alkynyl acids.

Two asymmetric syntheses of AMG 221, an inhibitor of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1.

Two asymmetric syntheses of AMG 221 (2), an inhibitor of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) discovered in our laboratories, are reported. One of the syntheses utilizes chiral trimethylsilyl cyanohydrin 12 as starting material and the other utilizes its enantiomer ent-12. The displacement approach involves the conversion of 12 to 2 via a six-step sequence, occurs with net inversion of configuration, and employs amine 6 as starting material.

Practical synthesis of a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor.

p38 MAP kinase inhibitors have attracted considerable interest as potential agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Herein, we describe a concise and efficient synthesis of inhibitor 1 that is based on a phthalazine scaffold. Highlights of our approach include a practical synthesis of a 1,6-disubstituted phthalazine building block 24 as well as the one-pot formation of boronic acid 27.

Diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed alpha-arylation of 4-substituted cyclohexyl esters.

A diastereoselective palladium-catalyzed arylation of 4-substituted cyclohexyl esters has been developed. The reaction proceeds at room temperature in the presence of [(t-Bu3P)PdBr]2 providing products in up to 37:1 dr.

A mild, one-pot synthesis of 4-quinolones via sequential Pd-catalyzed amidation and base-promoted cyclization.

A mild, one-pot synthesis of 4-quinolones is described. Under the optimal conditions, a variety of 2-substituted 4-quinolones were synthesized via sequential palladium-catalyzed amidation of 2'-bromoacetophenones followed by base-promoted intramolecular cyclization.

Practical synthesis of a vanilloid receptor-1 antagonist.

Small molecule TRPV1 antagonists have been a recent focus in the search for pain treatment agents. We herein describe a practical and scalable synthesis of AMG 628 (1), a bis-substituted pyrimidine derivative that was identified as a highly efficacious agent, suitable for clinical development. Highlights of our approach include a practical route to a substituted benzothiazole, a scalable synthesis of an enantiopure piperazine fragment, and identification of conditions for selective coupling reactions on 2,6-dichloropyrimidine, to access the active pharmaceutical ingredient in high purity and overall yield.

New methods for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazolones.

Two new methods for the synthesis of 2-aminothiazolones from 2-(4-methoxybenzylthio)acetic acids are described. A single reagent and simple experimental conditions are used in the key tandem deprotection-cyclization process. In the first approach 2-aminothiazolones are directly accessed via cyclization of the corresponding N-acylisothioureas.

Palladium-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 2-alkyl-2-arylcyanoacetates.

A one-pot procedure for the synthesis of 2-alkyl-2-arylcyanoacetates based on a Pd(OAc)2/DPPF (DPPF = 1,1'-diphenylphosphino ferreocene)-catalyzed enolate arylation followed by in situ alkylation has been developed. This procedure tolerates a diverse range of aryl and heteroaryl bromides, and provides a rapid entry to a variety of 2-alkyl-2-arylcyanoacetates in good to excellent yield.