Publications by authors named "Nelo R Rivera"

A novel synthetic approach to nemtabrutinib (MK-1026) was recently developed in our laboratories. The chemistry goes through a cyrene amine intermediate which does not contain any chromophore. As a result, analysis of this key chiral intermediate by HPLC-UV is not feasible.

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An operationally simple protocol for a palladium-catalyzed CO and CO exchange with activated aliphatic and benzoic carbonyls is presented. Several C and C building blocks, natural product derivatives, and pharmaceuticals have been prepared to showcase the method for late-stage carbon isotope incorporation and its functional group compatibility.

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Tritium-labeled molecules are critical tools for elucidating the binding and metabolic properties of bioactive compounds, particularly during pharmaceutical discovery. Direct tritiation of inert C-H bonds with T gas is an ideal approach for tritium labeling, but significant gaps remain for direct tritiation of structurally complex molecules with diverse functional groups. Here we report the first application of palladium(II) C-H activation chemistry for tritiation with T gas.

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Deuterium- and tritium-labeled pharmaceutical compounds are pivotal diagnostic tools in drug discovery research, providing vital information about the biological fate of drugs and drug metabolites. Herein we demonstrate that a photoredox-mediated hydrogen atom transfer protocol can efficiently and selectively install deuterium (D) and tritium (T) at α-amino sp carbon-hydrogen bonds in a single step, using isotopically labeled water (DO or TO) as the source of hydrogen isotope. In this context, we also report a convenient synthesis of TO from T, providing access to high-specific-activity TO.

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Radiolabeled steroid derivative 1 was successfully prepared using a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons approach: a [(14) C]-label was efficiently incorporated into the C-18 position of the molecule. Previously published procedures employing other olefination methods are either not applicable due to unavailability of [(14) C]-precursors or suffer from poor reactivity.

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Aryl carboxylic esters were synthesized by Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl p-fluorobenzenesulfonates or -tosylates. A unique Josiphos ligand was discovered through high-throughput catalyst screening, which was the key for the successful carbonylation of various substrates. This catalyst is effective and works well for both electron-rich and electron-poor aryl arenesulfonates.

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The asymmetric synthesis of a Merck anti-HIV drug candidate is described. The target molecule contains four stereogenic centers, three of which are located in a highly functionalized cyclopentane unit. The convergent synthesis involves the preparation of two key advanced intermediates: the cyclopentane unit and a substituted pyrazole unit.

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The preparation of 3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)propan-1-amine 2a and 3-[(7R)-7-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl]propan-1-amine 2b, key intermediates in the synthesis of alpha(V)beta(3) antagonists, is described. The syntheses rely on the efficient double Sonogashira reactions of 2,5-dibromopyridine 3 with acetylenic alcohols 4a/4b and protected propargylamines 10a-e followed by Chichibabin cyclizations of 3,3'-pyridine-2,5-diyldipropan-1-amines 9a/9b.

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Article Synopsis
  • A new method for asymmetric hydrogenation of unprotected enamino esters and amides is introduced.
  • This process is catalyzed by Rh complexes paired with Josiphos-type chiral ligands, leading to successful production of beta-amino esters and amides.
  • The method achieves high yields and excellent enantiomeric excess (93-97% ee) without needing acyl protection or deprotection.
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A practical preparation of an alpha(v)beta(3) antagonist is reported. The antagonist consists of three key components, a tetrahydronaphthyridine moiety, a beta-alanine moiety, and a central imidazolidone moiety. The tetrahydronaphthyridine component was prepared using two different methods, both of which relied on variations of the Friedländer reaction to establish the desired regiochemistry.

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Pure (Z)-enamines readily prepared from beta-ketoesters and amides using (S)-phenylglycine amide were hydrogenated with very high diastereoselectivities (up to 200:1) using heterogeneous catalysis. Hydrogenolytic cleavage of the (S)-phenylglycine amide afforded the corresponding chiral beta-aminoesters and amides. The high geometrical purity of the (Z)-enamine and a simple activation procedure for the PtO2 catalyst are essential in achieving high selectivity.

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