Discovery of substituted benzamides as follicle stimulating hormone receptor allosteric modulators.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), acting on its receptor (FSHR), plays a pivotal role in the stimulation of follicular development and maturation. Multiple injections of protein formulations are used during clinical protocols for ovulation induction and for in vitro fertilization that are followed by a selection of assisted reproductive technologies. In order to increase patient convenience and compliance several research groups have searched for orally bioavailable FSH mimetics for innovative fertility medicines. We report here the discovery of a series of substituted benzamides as positive allosteric modulators (PAM) targeting FSHR. Optimization of this series has led to enhanced activity in primary rat granulosa cells, as well as remarkable selectivity against the closely related luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). Two modulators, 9j and 9k, showed promising in vitro and pharmacokinetic profiles.

Asymmetric synthesis of C2-symmetric vicinal diamines via reductive dimerization of N-acylpyridinium and related salts.

A new route to C2-symmetric diamines via an asymmetric reductive dimerization of 1-acylpyridinium salts and their benzo derivatives is described. This method is practical as the starting heterocycles and chiral auxiliaries are readily available. The titanium reducing agent is inexpensive and easy to prepare. Several novel enantiopure C2-symmetric diamine derivatives were synthesized using this method.

Simple and efficient methods of synthesis of 3,3-diarylcyclobutanone and 3,3-diarylcyclobutylamine derivatives using the TiCl4/R3N reagent system.

[reaction: see text] The iminium ions generated in situ by the oxidation of N,N-diisopropyl-N-benzylamine using iodine react with diaryl ketones in the presence of TiCl4/R3N to give the corresponding 3,3-diarylcyclobutanones in moderate to good yields (49-86%). The 3,3-diarylcyclobutanone iminium ions formed in this transformation was reduced in situ with B2H6 to produce the corresponding 3,3-diarylcyclobutylamines (52-79% yields), a class of compounds with potential antidepressant activity. In addition, a series of N,N-dimethyl-3,3-diarylcyclobutylamines were synthesized by the reductive amination of the corresponding 3,3-diarylcyclobutanone derivatives.

Dendrimers based on a three-dimensionally disposed AB4 monomer.

[reaction: see text] Design and synthesis of a novel class of dendrons based on an AB(4) monomer are described. These dendrons have been evaluated by using dendritic encapsulation of a redox active core. The electrochemical properties of symmetric ferrocene-cored dendrimers show that significant alterations in redox potential and heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants could be achieved even at lower generations.

A mild deprotection strategy for allyl-protecting groups and its implications in sequence specific dendrimer synthesis.

A mild deprotection strategy for allyl ethers under basic conditions in the presence of a palladium catalyst is described. Under these conditions, aryl allyl ethers can be cleaved selectively in the presence of alkyl allyl ethers. These conditions are also effective in the deprotection of allyloxycarbonyl groups. The utility of the current methodology in sequence specific dendrimer synthesis is demonstrated.