Synthesis, aggregation, and chiroptical properties of chiral, amphiphilic dendrimers.

The syntheses of amphiphilic dendrimers based on 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol containing tri- or tetrafunctional chiral central cores and allyl ester termini are described. Water solubility is imparted to the dendrimers via a palladium-catalyzed deprotection of the peripheral allyl esters. This method affords complete deprotection of the carboxylate surface because, in contrast to the basic hydrolysis of methyl ester termini, the solubility of partially hydrolyzed intermediates is maintained throughout the course of the deprotection, thereby avoiding precipitation during the reaction. Chiroptical analysis indicates that the structure of the dendrimers collapses in water, resulting in an increased steric effect upon the central core that is manifested by lower optical rotatory power. However, contributions to the chiroptical properties from the dendron branch segments were not evident in water or organic media, suggesting that chiral substructures were not developing in the branch segments of the dendrimers. Multiangle light scattering studies revealed that the dendrimers experienced significant aggregation in aqueous media that decreased at higher generations. This behavior could be rationalized by a change in conformational preference from a disklike conformation at low generations to a more globular conformation at higher generations.

The development of new carboxylic acid-based MMP inhibitors derived from a cyclohexylglycine scaffold.

A series of carboxylic acids was prepared based on cyclohexylglycine scaffolds and tested for potency as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors. Detailed SAR for the series is reported for five enzymes within the MMP family, and a number of inhibitors such as compound 18 display low nanomolar potency for MMP-2 and MMP-13, while selectively sparing MMP-1 and MMP-7.

Development of new carboxylic acid-based MMP inhibitors derived from functionalized propargylglycines.

A series of carboxylic acids were prepared from a propargylglycine scaffold and tested for efficacy as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors. Detailed SAR for the series is reported for four enzymes within the MMP family. The inhibitors were typically potent against collagenase-3 (MMP-13) and gelatinase A (MMP-2), while they spared collagenase-1 (MMP-1) and only moderately inhibited stromelysin (MMP-3). Compound 40 represents a typical inhibition profile of a compound with reasonable potency. Introduction of polar groups was required in order to generate inhibitors with acceptable water solubility, and this often resulted in a loss of potency as in compound 63. High serum protein binding proved to be a difficult hurdle with many compounds such as 48 showing >99% binding. Some compounds such as 64 displayed approximately 90% binding, but no reliable method was discovered for designing molecules with low protein binding. Finally, selected data regarding the pharmacokinetic behavior of these compounds is presented.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of functionalized cyclohexylglycines and alpha-methylcyclohexylglycines via Kazmaier-Claisen rearrangement.

The synthesis of homochiral functionalized cyclohexylglycines and alpha-methylcyclohexylglycines via chelated Kazmaier-Claisen rearrangement is described. These were shown to be potent scaffolds for the development of MMP inhibitors.