Asymmetric Synthesis and Binding Study of New Long-Chain HPA-12 Analogues as Potent Ligands of the Ceramide Transfer Protein CERT.

A series of 12 analogues of the Cer transfer protein (CERT) antagonist HPA-12 with long aliphatic chains were prepared as their (1R,3S)-syn and (1R,3R)-anti stereoisomers from pivotal chiral oxoamino acids. The enantioselective access to these intermediates as well as their ensuing transformation relied on a practical crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation (CIAT) process. Sonogashira coupling followed by triple bond reduction and thiophene ring hydrodesulfurization (HDS) into the corresponding alkane moieties was then implemented to complete the synthetic routes delivering the targeted HPA-12 analogues in concise 4- to 6-step reaction sequences. Ten compounds were evaluated regarding their ability to bind to the CERT START domain by using the recently developed time-resolved FRET-based homogeneous (HTR-FRET) binding assay. The introduction of a lipophilic appendage on the phenyl moiety led to an overall 10- to 1000-fold enhancement of the protein binding, with the highest effect being observed for a n-hexyl residue in the meta position. The importance of the phenyl ring for the activity was indicated by the reduced potency of the 3-deoxyphytoceramide aliphatic analogues. The 1,3-syn stereoisomers were systematically more potent than their 1,3-anti analogues. In silico studies were used to rationalized these trends, leading to a model of protein recognition coherent with the stronger binding of (1R,3S)-syn HPAs.

One-Pot Asymmetric Nitro-Mannich/Hydroamination Cascades for the Synthesis of Pyrrolidine Derivatives: Combining Organocatalysis and Gold Catalysis.

The highly enantioselective preparation of trisubstituted pyrrolidine derivatives employing a one-pot nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade is reported. This cascade approach utilizes an asymmetric bifunctional organocatalytic nitro-Mannich reaction followed by a gold-catalyzed allene hydroamination reaction. The products are afforded in good yields and excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities.

Diastereoselective synthesis of pyrrolidine derivatives via a one-pot nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade using base and gold catalysis.

An efficient one-pot nitro-Mannich/hydroamination cascade reaction for the synthesis of substituted pyrrolidines bearing three stereocentres is reported. Proceeding under the control of a combination of base and gold(I) catalysts, the cascade reaction affords the pyrrolidine products in high yields with good to excellent diastereoselectivities.

Expedient and practical synthesis of CERT-dependent ceramide trafficking inhibitor HPA-12 and its analogues.

The practical stereodivergent route to both syn- and anti-diastereomers of 1-substituted 3-aminobutane-1,4-diols based on the crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation (CIAT) approach was completed. This led to the revision of the reported stereochemistry of the first inhibitor of CERT-dependent ceramide trafficking HPA-12 from (R,R)-anti- to the (R,S)-syn-enantiomer. Due to the expeditiousness of production and inexpensive conditions developed, a series of alkyl- and aryl-substituted analogues of HPA-12 is also reported.