A metal-catalyzed enyne-cyclization step for the synthesis of bi- and tricyclic scaffolds amenable to molecular library production.

A facile metal-catalyzed diversification step for the synthesis of novel bi- and tricyclic scaffolds from enyne substrates is reported in this study. From a single starting material, topologically diverse scaffolds for library synthesis can be generated and decorated in a few steps. The methodology was used to produce a library of 490 compounds within the European Lead Factory (ELF) Consortium.

Synthesis of 1,4,5 trisubstituted γ-lactams via a 3-component cascade reaction.

A three component one-pot cascade reaction was developed for the synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted γ-lactams. The resulting scaffold can be modified independently at three positions, two of which are conveniently accessed by changing the components of the one-pot reaction. The phases of building block generation, scaffold synthesis and subsequent appendage modification were adapted to library production, which resulted in a screening library of 500 compounds.

Synthesis of hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline compound libraries through a Pictet-Spengler cyclization/metal-catalyzed cross coupling/amidation sequence.

Molecular libraries of natural product-like and structurally diverse compounds are attractive in early drug discovery campaigns. In here, we present synthetic methodology for library production of hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline (HPIQ) compounds. Two advanced HPIQ intermediates, both incorporating two handles for diversification, were synthesized through an oxidative cleavage/Pictet-Spengler reaction sequence in high overall yields. A subsequent metal-catalyzed cross coupling/amidation protocol was developed and its utility in library synthesis was validated by construction of a 20-membered natural product-like molecular library in good overall yields.

Solid-phase synthesis of peptide thioureas and thiazole-containing macrocycles through Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis.

N-Terminally modified α-thiourea peptides can selectively be synthesized on solid support under mild reaction conditions using N,N'-di-Boc-thiourea and Mukaiyama's reagent (2-chloro-1-methyl-pyridinium iodide). This N-terminal modification applies to the 20 proteinogenic amino acid residues on three commonly used resins for solid-phase synthesis. Complementary methods for the synthesis of α-guanidino peptides have also been developed. The thiourea products underwent quantitative reactions with α-halo ketones to form thiazoles in excellent purities and yields. When strategically installed between two alkene moieties, said thiazole core was conveniently embedded in peptide macrocycles via Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis reactions. Various 15-17 membered macrocycles were easily accessible in all diastereomeric forms using this methodology. The developed "build/couple/pair" strategy is well suited for the generation of larger and stereochemically complete screening libraries of thiazole-containing peptide macrocycles.

Traceless azido linker for the solid-phase synthesis of NH-1,2,3-triazoles via Cu-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions.

A broadly useful acid-labile traceless azido linker for the solid-phase synthesis of NH-1,2,3-triazoles is presented. A variety of alkynes were efficiently immobilized on a range of polymeric supports by Cu(I)-mediated azide-alkyne cycloadditions. Supported triazoles showed excellent compatibility with subsequent peptide chemistry. Release of pure material (typically >95%) from the solid support was readily achieved by treatment with aqueous TFA.