5-Aryltetrazoles from Direct C-H Arylation with Aryl Bromides.

A mild, direct C-H arylation of 1-substituted tetrazoles to 5-aryltetrazoles is developed using a Pd/Cu cocatalytic system with readily available aryl bromides. The methodology avoids late-stage usage of azides and tolerates a wide range of functionalities.

Deaminative Reductive Cross-Electrophile Couplings of Alkylpyridinium Salts and Aryl Bromides.

A nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of alkylpyridinium salts and aryl bromides has been developed using Mn as the reductant. Both primary and secondary alkylpyridinium salts can be used, and high functional group and heterocycle tolerance is observed, including for protic groups. Mechanistic studies indicate the formation of an alkyl radical, and controlling its fate was key to the success of this reaction.

Transforming Benzylic Amines into Diarylmethanes: Cross-Couplings of Benzylic Pyridinium Salts via C-N Bond Activation.

A nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of benzylic pyridinium salts with arylboronic acids was developed. Coupled with chemoselective pyridinium formation, this method allows benzyl primary amines to be efficiently converted to di(hetero)arylmethanes. Excellent heteroaryl and functional group tolerance is observed, and a one-pot procedure enables benzylic amines to be converted to diarylmethanes directly.

Discovery and Characterization of (R)-6-Neopentyl-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-6,7-dihydropyrimido[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-4(9H)-one (PF-06462894), an Alkyne-Lacking Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Negative Allosteric Modulator Profiled in both Rat and Nonhuman Primates.

We previously observed a cutaneous type IV immune response in nonhuman primates (NHP) with the mGlu5 negative allosteric modulator (NAM) 7. To determine if this adverse event was chemotype- or mechanism-based, we evaluated a distinct series of mGlu5 NAMs. Increasing the sp3 character of high-throughput screening hit 40 afforded a novel morpholinopyrimidone mGlu5 NAM series. Its prototype, (R)-6-neopentyl-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-6,7-dihydropyrimido[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-4(9H)-one (PF-06462894, 8), possessed favorable properties and a predicted low clinical dose (2 mg twice daily). Compound 8 did not show any evidence of immune activation in a mouse drug allergy model. Additionally, plasma samples from toxicology studies confirmed that 8 did not form any reactive metabolites. However, 8 caused the identical microscopic skin lesions in NHPs found with 7, albeit with lower severity. Holistically, this work supports the hypothesis that this unique toxicity may be mechanism-based although additional work is required to confirm this and determine clinical relevance.

Discovery of Clinical Candidate 1-{[(2S,3S,4S)-3-Ethyl-4-fluoro-5-oxopyrrolidin-2-yl]methoxy}-7-methoxyisoquinoline-6-carboxamide (PF-06650833), a Potent, Selective Inhibitor of Interleukin-1 Receptor Associated Kinase 4 (IRAK4), by Fragment-Based Drug Design.

Through fragment-based drug design focused on engaging the active site of IRAK4 and leveraging three-dimensional topology in a ligand-efficient manner, a micromolar hit identified from a screen of a Pfizer fragment library was optimized to afford IRAK4 inhibitors with nanomolar potency in cellular assays. The medicinal chemistry effort featured the judicious placement of lipophilicity, informed by co-crystal structures with IRAK4 and optimization of ADME properties to deliver clinical candidate PF-06650833 (compound 40). This compound displays a 5-unit increase in lipophilic efficiency from the fragment hit, excellent kinase selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties suitable for oral administration.

Discovery of cyclopropyl chromane-derived pyridopyrazine-1,6-dione γ-secretase modulators with robust central efficacy.

Herein we describe the discovery of a novel series of cyclopropyl chromane-derived pyridopyrazine-1,6-dione γ-secretase modulators for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using ligand-based design tactics such as conformational analysis and molecular modeling, a cyclopropyl chromane unit was identified as a suitable heterocyclic replacement for a naphthyl moiety that was present in the preliminary lead 4. The optimized lead molecule 44 achieved good central exposure resulting in robust and sustained reduction of brain amyloid-ß42 (Aß42) when dosed orally at 10 mg kg-1 in a rat time-course study. Application of the unpaced isolated heart Langendorff model enabled efficient differentiation of compounds with respect to cardiovascular safety, highlighting how minor structural changes can greatly impact the safety profile within a series of compounds.

Utilizing on- and off-line monitoring tools to follow a kinetic resolution step during flow synthesis.

In situ reaction monitoring tools offer the ability to track the progress of a synthetic reaction in real time to facilitate reaction optimization and provide kinetic/mechanistic insight. Herein, we report the utilization of flow NMR, flow IR, and other off-line spectroscopy tools to monitor the progress of a flow chemistry reaction. The on-line and off-line tools were selected to facilitate the stereoselective kinetic resolution of a key racemic monomer, which lacked a chromophore, making conventional reaction monitoring difficult. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Reversal of Diastereoselection in the Conjugate Addition of Cuprates to Unsaturated Lactams.

We report that the stereochemical outcome of the conjugate addition of organocopper reagents to bicyclic α,ß-unsaturated lactams derived from pyroglutaminol is determined by the nature of the aminal group. Bicyclic α,ß-unsaturated lactams in which the aminal is derived from a ketone have been found to afford products of syn conjugate addition. By contrast, bicyclic α,ß-unsaturated lactams in which the aminal is derived from an aldehyde afford products of anti conjugate addition. These remarkably different results obtained from very similar starting materials are unexpected.

Discovery of a novel Kv7 channel opener as a treatment for epilepsy.

Facilitating activation, or delaying inactivation, of the native Kv7 channel reduces neuronal excitability, which may be beneficial in controlling spontaneous electrical activity during epileptic seizures. In an effort to identify a compound with such properties, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and in vitro ADME for a series of heterocyclic Kv7.2-7.5 channel openers was explored. PF-05020182 (2) demonstrated suitable properties for further testing in vivo where it dose-dependently decreased the number of animals exhibiting full tonic extension convulsions in response to corneal stimulation in the maximal electroshock (MES) assay. In addition, PF-05020182 (2) significantly inhibited convulsions in the MES assay at doses tested, consistent with in vitro activity measure. The physiochemical properties, in vitro and in vivo activities of PF-05020182 (2) support further development as an adjunctive treatment of refractory epilepsy.

Discovery and preclinical characterization of 1-methyl-3-(4-methylpyridin-3-yl)-6-(pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-1H-pyrazolo-[3,4-b]pyrazine (PF470): a highly potent, selective, and efficacious metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) negative allosteric modulator.

A novel series of pyrazolopyrazines is herein disclosed as mGluR5 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs). Starting from a high-throughput screen (HTS) hit (1), a systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was conducted with a specific focus on balancing pharmacological potency with physicochemical and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. This effort led to the discovery of 1-methyl-3-(4-methylpyridin-3-yl)-6-(pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine (PF470, 14) as a highly potent, selective, and orally bioavailable mGluR5 NAM. Compound 14 demonstrated robust efficacy in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-rendered Parkinsonian nonhuman primate model of l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (PD-LID). However, the progression of 14 to the clinic was terminated because of a potentially mechanism-mediated finding consistent with a delayed-type immune-mediated type IV hypersensitivity in a 90-day NHP regulatory toxicology study.

1,5-Substituted nipecotic amides: selective PDE8 inhibitors displaying diastereomer-dependent microsomal stability.

The first highly potent and selective PDE8 inhibitors are disclosed. The initial tetrahydroisoquinoline hit was transformed into a nipecotic amide series in order to address a reactive metabolite issue. Reduction of lipophilicity to address metabolic liabilities uncovered an interesting diastereomer-dependent trend in turnover by human microsomes.

Unexpected migration and oxidative cyclization of substituted 2-acetophenone triflates under basic conditions: synthetic and mechanistic insights.

Oxidative ring closure of alkyl-substituted 2-hydroxyacetophenone trifluoromethanesulfonate esters (triflates) occurs upon exposure to base in anaerobic DMF at 20-90 degrees C. Alkyl substitution is required for ring closure. A migrated enol triflate product forms at lower temperature in high yield via migration of the trifluoromethanesulfonate in the unsubstituted and monoalkyl-substituted cases. The alkyl-substituted enol triflates also enter into the benzofuran-3-one ring-forming process under thermal cyclization conditions. Potential mechanistic pathways are evaluated.

The biological and biochemical effects of CP-654577, a selective erbB2 kinase inhibitor, on human breast cancer cells.

Aberrant expression or activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) or the closely related p185(erbB2) can promote cell proliferation and survival and thereby contribute to tumorigenesis. Specific antibodies and low molecular-weight tyrosine kinase inhibitors of both proteins are in clinical trials for cancer treatment. CP-654577 is a potent inhibitor selective for p185(erbB2), relative to EGFr tyrosine kinase, and selectively reduces erbB2 autophosphorylation in intact cells. Treatment of SKBr3 human breast cancer cells with CP-654577 reduces the levels of the activated form of mitogen-activated protein kinase, increases the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1) and reduces expression of cyclins D and E. These biochemical changes result in a reduced level of phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein and an inhibition of cell-cycle progression at G(1). Apoptosis is triggered in both SKBr3 and another high erbB2-expressing cell line, BT474, by exposure to 1 micro M CP-654577, but this effect is not observed in MCF7 cells that express low erbB2. Levels of activated Akt, an important positive regulator of cell survival, are reduced within 2 h of exposure to 250 nM CP-654577, and this may contribute to the increased apoptosis. These biochemical effects are distinct from those produced by Tarceva, a selective EGFr inhibitor. The antitumor activity of CP-654577 was investigated in athymic mice bearing s.c. tumors from Fischer rat embryo fibroblasts transfected with erbB2. CP-654577 produced a dose-dependent reduction of p185(erbB2) autophosphorylation and inhibited the growth of these tumors. CP-654577 warrants further evaluation in tumors with high expression of p185(erbB2) and may differ from selective EGFr inhibitors or nonselective dual EGFr/erbB2 inhibitors in efficacy and therapeutic index.