Parallel multi-droplet platform for reaction kinetics and optimization.

We present an automated droplet reactor platform possessing parallel reactor channels and a scheduling algorithm that orchestrates all of the parallel hardware operations and ensures droplet integrity as well as overall efficiency. We design and incorporate all of the necessary hardware and software to enable the platform to be used to study both thermal and photochemical reactions. We incorporate a Bayesian optimization algorithm into the control software to enable reaction optimization over both categorical and continuous variables. We demonstrate the capabilities of both the preliminary single-channel and parallelized versions of the platform using a series of model thermal and photochemical reactions. We conduct a series of reaction optimization campaigns and demonstrate rapid acquisition of the data necessary to determine reaction kinetics. The platform is flexible in terms of use case: it can be used either to investigate reaction kinetics or to perform reaction optimization over a wide range of chemical domains.

Early Clinical Development of Lufotrelvir as a Potential Therapy for COVID-19.

Lufotrelvir was designed as a first in class 3CL protease inhibitor to treat COVID-19. Development of lufotrelvir was challenged by its relatively poor stability due to its propensity to epimerize and degrade. Key elements of process development included improvement of the supply routes to the indole and lactam fragments, a Claisen addition to homologate the lactam, and a subsequent phosphorylation reaction to prepare the prodrug as well as identification of a DMSO solvated form of lufotrelvir to enable long-term storage. As a new approach to preparing the indole fragment, a Cu-catalyzed C-O coupling using oxalamide ligands was demonstrated. The control of process-related impurities was essential to accommodate the parenteral formulation. Isolation of an MEK solvate followed by the DMSO solvate ensured that all impurities were controlled appropriately.

Synthetic Approaches to New Drugs Approved during 2018.

New drugs introduced to the market every year represent privileged structures for particular biological targets. These new chemical entities (NCEs) provide insight into molecular recognition while serving as leads for designing future new drugs. This annual review describes the most likely process-scale synthetic approaches to 39 new chemical entities approved for the first time globally in 2018.

Enantioselective counter-anions in photoredox catalysis: the asymmetric cation radical Diels-Alder reaction.

Control of absolute stereochemistry in radical and ion radical transformations is a major challenge in synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report the design of a photoredox catalyst system comprised of an oxidizing pyrilium salt bearing a chiral N-triflyl phosphoramide anion. This class of chiral organic photoredox catalysts is able to catalyze the formation of cation radical-mediated Diels-Alder transformations in up to 75:25 e.r. in both intramolecular and intermolecular examples.

Synthesis and Utilization of Nitroalkyne Equivalents in Batch and Continuous Flow.

We report a method for overcoming the low stability of nitroalkynes through the development of nitrated vinyl silyltriflate equivalents. Because of their instability, nitroalkynes have only rarely been utilized in synthesis. The reactivity of these silyltriflates, which are prepared in situ, is exemplified by dipolar cycloaddition reactions with nitrones to give highly substituted 4-nitro-4-isoxazolines in high yields. This approach has proven general for several different alkyl and aryl substituted alkynes. In order to minimize the accumulation of potentially hazardous reaction intermediates, we have also developed a continuous flow variant of this method that is capable of carrying out the entire reaction sequence in a good yield and a short residence time.

Towards More Efficient, Greener Syntheses through Flow Chemistry.

Technological advances have an important role in the design of greener synthetic processes. In this Personal Account, we describe a wide range of thermal, photochemical, catalytic, and biphasic chemical transformations examined by our group. Each of these demonstrate how the merits of a continuous flow synthesis platform can align with some of the goals put forth by the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry. In particular, we illustrate the potential for improved reaction efficiency in terms of atom economy, product yield and reaction rates, the ability to design synthetic process with chemical and solvent waste reduction in mind as well as highlight the benefits of the real-time monitoring capabilities in flow for highly controlled synthetic output.

Divergent Regioselectivity in Photoredox-Catalyzed Hydrofunctionalization Reactions of Unsaturated Amides and Thioamides.

A direct method to construct 2-oxazolines and 2-thiazolines from corresponding allylic amides and thioamides is reported. The redox-neutral intramolecular hydrofunctionalization is enabled by a dual catalyst system comprised of the 9-mesityl-N-methyl acridinium tetrafluoroborate and phenyl disulphide and exhibits complete selectivity for the anti-Markovnikov regioisomeric products. The cyclization of allylic thioamides is postulated to operate via a modified mechanism in which oxidation of the thioamide, rather than the alkene, is responsible for the observed reactivity.

Synthesis of Oxazolidinone and Tosyl Enamines by Tertiary Amine Catalysis.

A procedure for the synthesis of oxazolidinone and tosyl enamines is reported. Alkynoyl oxazolidinones and tosyl imides undergo reaction to form enamines in the presence of catalytic amounts of tertiary amines. The data suggest that an amide anion is formed during the reaction, which undergoes conjugate addition to form the final product.