Copper-Catalyzed Racemization-Recycle of a Quaternary Center and Optimization Using a Combined Kinetics-DoE/MLR Modeling Approach.

The copper-catalyzed racemization of a complex, quaternary center of a key intermediate on route to lanabecestat has been identified. Optimization and mechanistic understanding were achieved through the use of an efficient, combined kinetic-multiple linear regression approach to experimental design and modeling. The use of a definitive screening design with mechanistically relevant factors and a mixture of fitted kinetic descriptors and empirical measurements facilitated the generation of a model that accurately predicted complex reaction time course behavior. The synergistic model was used to minimize the formation of dimer byproducts, determine optimal conditions for batch operation, and highlight superheated conditions that could be accessed in flow, leading to a further increase in yield which was predicted by the original model.

Approaches to Synthesis and Isolation of Enantiomerically Pure Biologically Active Atropisomers.

Atropisomerism is a stereochemical phenomenon exhibited by molecules containing a rotationally restricted σ bond. Contrary to classical point chirality, the two atropisomeric stereoisomers exist as a dynamic mixture and can be interconverted without the requirement of breaking and reforming a bond. Although this feature increases structural complexity, atropisomers have become frequent targets in medicinal chemistry projects. Their axial chirality, e.g., from axially chiral biaryl motifs, gives access to unique 3D structures. It is often desirable to have access to both enantiomers of the atropisomers via a nonselective reaction during the early discovery phase as it allows the medicinal chemistry team to probe the structure activity relationship in both directions. However, once a single atropisomer is selected, it presents several problems. First, the pure single atropisomer may interconvert to the undesired stereoisomer under certain conditions. Second, separation of atropisomers is nontrivial and often requires expensive chiral stationary phases using chromatography or additives if a salt resolution approach is chosen. Other options can be kinetic resolution using enzymes or chiral catalysts. However, apart from the high cost often associated with the two latter methods, a maximum yield of only 50% of the desired atropisomer can be obtained. The ideal approach is to install the chiral atropisomeric axis enantioselectively or employing a dynamic kinetic resolution approach. In theory, both approaches have the potential to provide a single atropisomer in quantitative yield. This Account will discuss the successes/failures and challenges we have experienced in developing methods for resolution/separation and asymmetric synthesis of atropisomeric drug candidates in one of our early phase drug development projects. Suitability for the different methods at various stages of the drug development phase is discussed. Depending on the scale and time available, a separation of a mixture of atropisomers by chromatography was sometimes preferred, whereas asymmetric- or resolution approaches were desired for long-term supply. With the use of chromatography, the impact on separation efficiency and solvent consumption, depending on the nature of the substrate, is discussed. We hope that with this Account the readers will get a better view on the challenges medicinal and process chemists meet when designing new atropisomeric drug candidates and developing processes for manufacture of a single atropisomer.

Enantioselective Aza-Heck Cyclizations of N-(Tosyloxy)carbamates: Synthesis of Pyrrolidines and Piperidines.

Pd(0)-systems modified with SPINOL-derived phosphoramidate ligands promote highly enantioselective aza-Heck cyclizations of alkenyl N-(tosyloxy)carbamates. The method provides versatile access to challenging N-heterocycles and represents the broadest scope enantioselective aza-Heck protocol developed to date.

Picolinamides as effective ligands for copper-catalysed aryl ether formation: structure-activity relationships, substrate scope and mechanistic investigations.

The use of picolinic acid amide derivatives as an effective family of bidentate ligands for copper-catalysed aryl ether synthesis is reported. A fluorine-substituted ligand gave good results in the synthesis of a wide range of aryl ethers. Even bulky phenols, known to be very challenging substrates, were shown to react with aryl iodides with excellent yields using these ligands. At the end of the reaction, the first examples of end-of-life Cu species were isolated and identified as Cu(II) complexes with several of the anionic ligands tested. A preliminary mechanistic investigation is reported that suggests that the substituents on the ligands might have a crucial role in determining the redox properties of the metal centre and, consequently, its efficacy in the coupling process. An understanding of these effects is important for the development of new efficient and tunable ligands for copper-based chemistry.

Remote stereocontrol in [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements: application to the total synthesis of the immunosuppressant mycestericin G.

The Ireland-Claisen [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement has been used to access biologically important ß,ß'-dihydroxy α-amino acids. The rearrangement reported is highly stereoselective and offers excellent levels of remote stereocontrol. This strategy has been used to synthesize the natural immunosuppressant mycestericin G and ent-mycestericin G, allowing for a revision of absolute configuration of this natural product.

E- and Z-stereoselectivity in the preparation of enamides from glycidyl sulfonamides and carbamates.

Treatment of glycidyl sulfonamides with LDA delivers the corresponding enesulfonamide with good selectivity for the E-isomer, whereas the corresponding carbamates exhibit selectivity for the Z-enecarbamate. An E1cB elimination mechanism proceeding from a substrate-base chelate complex is advanced as rationalisation of the latter set of Z-selective outcomes.

Asymmetric synthesis of 6'-hydroxyarenarol: the proposed biosynthetic precursor to popolohuanone E.

The first synthesis of (+)-6'-hydroxyarenarol 3, the proposed biogenetic precursor to popolohuanone E (1), is described. An enantioselective route to key iodide intermediate 12 has been developed allowing the asymmetric synthesis of the known cis-decalin 22. Conditions which allow the removal of the methyl ether protecting groups on the hydroxyarene leaving the exocyclic methylene moiety in tact have also been developed to complete this synthesis.

Palladium-catalyzed method for the synthesis of carbazoles via tandem C-H functionalization and C-N bond formation.

The development of a new method for the assembly of unsymmetrical carbazoles is reported. The strategy involves the selective intramolecular functionalization of an arene C-H bond and the formation of a new arene C-N bond. The substitution pattern of the carbazole product can be controlled by the design of the biaryl amide substrate, and the method is compatible with a variety of functional groups. The utility of the new protocol was demonstrated by the concise synthesis of three natural products from commercially available materials.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl tosylates and mesylates.

A general protocol for the palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl tosylates and mesylates to form esters has been developed using a catalyst system derived from Pd(OAc)2 and the bulky, bidentate dcpp ligand. The system operates under mild conditions: atmospheric CO pressure and temperatures of 80-110 degrees C. A broad substrate scope has been demonstrated allowing carbonylation of electron-rich, electron-poor, and heterocyclic tosylates and mesylates, and the reaction shows wide functional group tolerance.

Vinyldimethylphenylsilanes as safety catch silanols in fluoride-free palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

A series of five structurally diverse vinyldimethylphenylsilanes have been shown to undergo a fluoride-free one-pot palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with phenyl iodide to give ipso coupled products in 62-86% yield. The limitations of this present protocol lie in the activation of Si-Ph vs protodesilylation by KOTMS/18-C-6, which seems sensitive to the sterics of cis substituents, but not geminal substituents.