Discovery of MK-1084: An Orally Bioavailable and Low-Dose KRASG12C Inhibitor.

Oncogenic mutations in the RAS gene account for 30% of all human tumors; more than 60% of which present as KRAS mutations at the hotspot codon 12. After decades of intense pursuit, a covalent inhibition strategy has enabled selective targeting of this previously "undruggable" target. Herein, we disclose our journey toward the discovery of MK-1084, an orally bioavailable and low-dose KRASG12C covalent inhibitor currently in phase I clinical trials (NCT05067283). We leveraged structure-based drug design to identify a macrocyclic core structure, and hypothesis-driven optimization of biopharmaceutical properties to further improve metabolic stability and tolerability.

Pd-Catalyzed Amination of Base-Sensitive Five-Membered Heteroaryl Halides with Aliphatic Amines.

We report a versatile and functional-group-tolerant method for the Pd-catalyzed C-N cross-coupling of five-membered heteroaryl halides with primary and secondary amines, an important but underexplored transformation. Coupling reactions of challenging, pharmaceutically relevant heteroarenes, such as 2-H-1,3-azoles, are reported in good-to-excellent yields. High-yielding coupling reactions of a wide set of five-membered heteroaryl halides with sterically demanding α-branched cyclic amines and acyclic secondary amines are reported for the first time. The key to the broad applicability of this method is the synergistic combination of (1) the moderate-strength base NaOTMS, which limits base-mediated decomposition of sensitive five-membered heteroarenes that ultimately leads to catalyst deactivation, and (2) the use of a GPhos-supported Pd catalyst, which effectively resists heteroarene-induced catalyst deactivation while promoting efficient coupling, even for challenging and sterically demanding amines. Cross-coupling reactions between a wide variety of five-membered heteroaryl halides and amines are demonstrated, including eight examples involving densely functionalized medicinal chemistry building blocks.

Two-Component Coupling of Carbodiimides and Hydrazides Provides Convergent Access to Biologically Active Compounds.

A novel, convergent synthesis of aminotriazoloquinazolines is reported. These heterocycles are reliably prepared via a "click-like" reaction between readily available aryl carbodiimides and acyl or aryl hydrazides. Such products are of particular interest with respect to their inhibitory activity against the A2A and A2B adenosine receptors, and the title two-component coupling reaction has greatly accelerated the discovery of potent/selective chemical matter in this space.

A Modular and Diastereoselective 5 + 1 Cyclization Approach to N-(Hetero)Aryl Piperidines.

A new general de novo synthesis of pharmaceutically important N-(hetero)aryl piperidines is reported. This protocol uses a robustly diastereoselective reductive amination/aza-Michael reaction sequence to achieve rapid construction of complex polysubstituted ring systems starting from widely available heterocyclic amine nucleophiles and carbonyl electrophiles. Notably, the diastereoselectivity of this process is enhanced by the presence of water, and DFT calculations support a stereochemical model involving a facially selective protonation of a water-coordinated enol intermediate.

The Evolution of Pd0/PdII-Catalyzed Aromatic Fluorination.

Aromatic fluorides are prevalent in both agrochemical and pharmaceutical agents. However, methods for their rapid and general preparation from widely available starting materials are limited. Traditional approaches such as the Balz-Schiemann and Halex reactions require harsh conditions that limit functional group tolerance and substrate scope. The use of transition metals to affect C-F bond formation has provided some useful alternatives, but a broadly applicable method remains elusive. In contrast to the widespread use of Pd0/PdII catalysis for aryl-Z bond formation (Z = C, N, O), the analogous C-F cross-coupling process was unknown until fairly recently. In large part, this is due to the challenging Ar-F reductive elimination from Pd(II) intermediates. We have discovered that certain biaryl monophosphine ligands are uniquely capable of promoting this transformation. In this Account, we describe the discovery and development of a Pd-catalyzed C-F cross-coupling process and the systematic developments that made this once hypothetical reaction possible. Key to these developments was the discovery of an unusual in situ ligand modification process in which a molecule of substrate is incorporated into the ligand scaffold and the identity of the modifying group is crucial to the outcome of the reaction. This prompted the synthesis of a variety of "premodified" ligands and the identification of one that led to an expanded substrate scope, including (hetero)aryl triflates and bromides. Contemporaneously, a new Pd(0) precatalyst was also discovered that avoids the need to reduce Pd(II) in situ, a process that was often inefficient and led to the formation of byproducts. The use of inexpensive but hygroscopic sources of fluoride necessitates a reaction setup inside of a N2-filled glovebox, limiting the practicality of the method. Thus, a preformed wax capsule was designed to isolate the catalyst and reagents from the atmosphere and permit benchtop storage and setup. This new technology thus removes the requirement to employ a glovebox for the aromatic fluorination process and other air-sensitive protocols. In every catalyst system that we have studied to date, we observed the formation of regioisomeric fluoride side products. Through deuterium labeling studies it was found that they likely arise from a deprotonation event resulting in the formation of HF and a Pd-benzyne intermediate. Through an investigation of the mechanism of this undesired pathway, a new ligand was designed that substantially reduces the formation of the aryl fluoride regioisomer and even allows room-temperature Ar-F reductive elimination from a Pd(II) intermediate.

A Fluorinated Ligand Enables Room-Temperature and Regioselective Pd-Catalyzed Fluorination of Aryl Triflates and Bromides.

A new biaryl monophosphine ligand (AlPhos, L1) allows for the room-temperature Pd-catalyzed fluorination of a variety of activated (hetero)aryl triflates. Furthermore, aryl triflates and bromides that are prone to give mixtures of regioisomeric aryl fluorides with Pd-catalysis can now be converted to the desired aryl fluorides with high regioselectivity. Analysis of the solid-state structures of several Pd(II) complexes, as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations, shed light on the origin of the enhanced reactivity observed with L1.

Dosage delivery of sensitive reagents enables glove-box-free synthesis.

Contemporary organic chemists employ a broad range of catalytic and stoichiometric methods to construct molecules for applications in the material sciences, and as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and sensors. The utility of a synthetic method may be greatly reduced if it relies on a glove box to enable the use of air- and moisture-sensitive reagents or catalysts. Furthermore, many synthetic chemistry laboratories have numerous containers of partially used reagents that have been spoiled by exposure to the ambient atmosphere. This is exceptionally wasteful from both an environmental and a cost perspective. Here we report an encapsulation method for stabilizing and storing air- and moisture-sensitive compounds. We demonstrate this approach in three contexts, by describing single-use capsules that contain all of the reagents (catalysts, ligands, and bases) necessary for the glove-box-free palladium-catalysed carbon-fluorine, carbon-nitrogen, and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. This strategy should reduce the number of error-prone, tedious and time-consuming weighing procedures required for such syntheses and should be applicable to a wide range of reagents, catalysts, and substrate combinations.

Pnictogen-directed synthesis of discrete disulfide macrocycles.

Cyclic disulfide macrocycles were rapidly synthesized cleanly and selectively from rigid dithiols via oxidation with iodine when activated by pnictogen additives (As and Sb). Macrocycles were confirmed by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. A p-xylyl-based disulfide trimer and tetramer crystallized in hollow, stacked columns stabilized by intermolecular, sulfur···sulfur close contacts.

Uranyl ion coordination with rigid aromatic carboxylates and structural characterization of their complexes.

Uranyl complexes of rigid aromatic carboxylates were synthesized and their solid-state structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. The new ligands create cavities lined with endohedral functions to encapsulate the uranyl ion.

Synthesis of fused indazole ring systems and application to nigeglanine hydrobromide.

The single-step synthesis of fused tricyclic pyridazino[1,2-a]indazolium ring systems is described. Structural details revealed by crystallography explain the unexpected reactivity. The method is applied to the gram scale synthesis of nigeglanine hydrobromide.

A deep cavitand with a fluorescent wall functions as an ion sensor.

The synthesis and characterization of a deep cavitand bearing a fluorescent benzoquinoxaline wall is reported. Noncovalent host-guest recognition events are exploited to sense small charged molecules including acetylcholine. The cavitand also exhibits an anion dependent change in fluorescence that is used to differentiate halide ions in solution.

Design, synthesis and characterization of self-assembled As2L3 and Sb2L3 cryptands.

The syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of six new self-assembled supramolecular As and Sb-containing cryptands are described. Analysis in the context of previously reported As(2)L(3) and Sb(2)L(3) cryptands reveals that small differences in ligand geometries result in significant differences in the helicity of the complexes and the stereochemistry of the metal coordination within the assembled complexes. Additionally, a new synthetic route is described which involves exposure of reactants to vacuum to help facilitate self-assembly.

A light controlled cavitand wall regulates guest binding.

Here we report a cavitand with a photochemical switch as one of the container walls. The azo-arene switch undergoes photoisomerization when subjected to UV light producing a self-fulfilled cavitand. This process is thermally and photochemically reversible. The reported cavitand binds small molecules and these guests can be ejected from the cavitand through this photochemical process.

Selective recognition and extraction of the uranyl ion.

A tripodal receptor capable of extracting uranyl ion from aqueous solutions has been developed. At a uranyl concentration of 400 ppm, the developed ligand extracts ∼59% of the uranyl ion into the organic phase. The new receptor features three carboxylates that converge on the uranyl ion through bidentate interactions. Solution studies reveal slow exchange of the carboxylates on the NMR time scale. The crystal structure of the complex shows that the carboxylates coordinate to uranyl ion while the amides hydrogen bond to one of the uranyl oxo-oxygen atoms. The hydrophobic coating of the ligand and its rigidity contribute to its ability to selectively extract uranyl ion from dilute aqueous solutions.

A synthetic receptor for hydrogen-bonding to fluorines of trifluoroborates.

A tripodal receptor featuring three inwardly-directed hydrogen-bond donors binds covalently bound fluorine atoms of trifluoroborates through hydrogen-bonding.

Solution phase measurement of both weak sigma and C-H...X- hydrogen bonding interactions in synthetic anion receptors.

A series of tripodal receptors preorganize electron-deficient aromatic rings to bind halides in organic solvents using weak sigma anion-to-arene interactions or C-H...X- hydrogen bonds. 1H NMR spectroscopy proves to be a powerful technique for quantifying binding in solution and determining the interaction motifs, even in cases of weak binding.

Diastereoselectivity in the self-assembly of As2L2Cl2 macrocycles is directed by the As-pi interaction.

The As-pi interaction, in conjunction with reversible As-thiolate bond formation, is used to direct the self-assembly of dinuclear As2L2Cl2 (L = a dithiolate) macrocycles that exist as equilibrium mixtures of both syn and anti diastereomers. The diastereomeric excess of these self-assembly reactions is controlled in a predictable manner by prudent choice of different achiral, isomeric ligands. A general method for the preparation of As2L2Cl2 macrocycles is established, and strategies to control the diastereoselective self-assembly of regioisomeric macrocycles in solution and the crystalline state are described. A mechanism for the interconversion between diastereomers (a slow process on the NMR time scale) is suggested, and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic data show that the diastereomeric excess (de) decreases with increasing temperature. anti-As2(L2,6)2Cl2 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 6.3949(13), b = 19.675(4), c = 10.967(2) A, beta = 106.817(3) degrees , and Z = 2. anti-As2(L1,5)2Cl2 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 6.813(4), b = 19.085(12), c = 10.277(6) A, beta = 107.788(10) degrees , and Z = 4. syn-As2(L1,4)2Cl2.CHCl3 crystallizes in triclinic space group P(-) with a = 19.313(4), b = 19.923(4), c = 24.508(5) A, alpha = 78.110(4) degrees , beta = 78.860(5) degrees , gamma = 89.183(5) degrees , and Z = 12. As2(L1,4)2Cl2.C6H6 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 10.3332(7), b = 34.375(2), c = 17.8593(12) A, beta = 98.9650(10) degrees , and Z = 8.