Structure-based optimisation of orally active & reversible MetAP-2 inhibitors maintaining a tight 'molecular budget'.

Structure-based led optimisation of orally active reversible Methionine Aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) inhibitors utilising a 'molecular budget' medicinal chemistry strategy is described. The key physicochemical parameters of target molecules (cLogP, molecular size and H-bond donor count) were monitored through straightforward and intuitive use of atom count and distribution. The balance between structure-based design and an awareness of the physicochemical properties of the compounds synthesised enabled the rapid identification of a potent molecule with good oral pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics by making fewer, higher quality compounds. The resulting candidate quality molecule was validated in a mechanistic cellular assay and a rodent secondary immunisation model.

2,8-Diazaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine potent CCR4 antagonists capable of inducing receptor endocytosis.

A number of potent 2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine CCR4 antagonists binding to the extracellular allosteric site were synthesised. (R)-N-(2,4-Dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine (R)-(18a) has high affinity in both the [(125)I]-TARC binding assay with a pKi of 8.8, and the [(35)S]-GTPγS functional assay with a pIC50 of 8.1, and high activity in the human whole blood actin polymerisation assay (pA2 = 6.7). The most potent antagonists were also investigated for their ability to induce endocytosis of CCR4 and were found to internalise about 60% of the cell surface receptors, a property which is not commonly shared by small molecule antagonists of chemokine receptors.

Iridium-catalyzed C-H borylation of pyridines.

The iridium-catalysed C-H borylation is a valuable and attractive method for the preparation of aryl and heteroaryl boronates. However, application of this methodology for the preparation of pyridyl and related azinyl boronates can be challenged by low reactivity and propensity for rapid protodeborylation, particularly for a boronate ester ortho to the azinyl nitrogen. Competition experiments have revealed that the low reactivity is due to inhibition of the active catalyst through coordination of the azinyl nitrogen lone pair at the vacant site on the iridium. This effect can be overcome through the incorporation of a substituent at C-2. Moreover, when this is sufficiently electron-withdrawing protodeborylation is sufficiently slowed to permit isolation and purification of the C-6 boronate ester. Following functionalization, reduction of the directing C-2 substituent provides the product arising from formal ortho borylation of an unhindered pyridine ring.

Discovery of potent, isoform-selective inhibitors of histone deacetylase containing chiral heterocyclic capping groups and a N-(2-aminophenyl)benzamide binding unit.

The synthesis of a novel series of potent chiral inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) is described that contain a heterocyclic capping group and a N-(2-aminophenyl)benzamide unit that binds in the active site. In vitro assays for the inhibition of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3-NCoR1, and HDAC8 by the N-(2-aminophenyl)benzamide 24a gave respective IC50 values of 930, 85, 12, and 4100 nM, exhibiting class I selectivity and potent inhibition of HDAC3-NCoR1. Both imidazolinone and thiazoline rings are shown to be effective replacements for the pyrimidine ring present in many other 2-(aminophenyl)benzamides previously reported, an example of each ring system at 1 µM causing an increase in histone H3K9 acetylation in the human cell lines Jurkat and HeLa and an increase in cell death consistent with induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of the growth of MCF-7, A549, DU145, and HCT116 cell lines by 24a was observed, with respective IC50 values of 5.4, 5.8, 6.4, and 2.2 mM.

"One-pot" tandem C-H borylation/1,4-conjugate addition/reduction sequence.

A microwave-assisted, one-pot, iridium-catalyzed aromatic C-H borylation/rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-conjugate addition sequence provides a highly robust protocol suitable for high-throughput array synthesis. Selective formation of either ß-aryl-substituted ketones or the corresponding alcohols can be achieved in good overall yields by simple variation of the reaction conditions.

Conjugate addition of 2- and 4-pyridylcuprates: an expeditious asymmetric synthesis of natural (-)-evoninic acid.

[reaction: see text] The scope and limitations of the conjugate addition of 2- and the first 4-pyridyl Gilman homocuprates to various alpha,beta-unsaturated Michael acceptors are delineated. The conjugate addition of the cuprate of 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine to (E)-methyl crotonate then diastereoselective enolate alkylation and lipase-mediated enantioselective ester hydrolysis have enabled an efficient four-step first asymmetric synthesis of the Celastraceae sesquiterpenoid esterifying ligand (-)-(1'S,2'S)-evoninic acid.

Early-late, mixed-metal compounds supported by amidophosphine ligands.

The sequential syntheses, structural characterisation and reactivity studies of a series of discrete early-late mixed-metal complexes supported by the unique amidophosphine ligand m-(But2CH)N(C6H4)PPh2L1 are described. This ligand was synthesised using a Schiff-base/ButLi protocol and the resultant lithium salt LiL1 found to adopt a tetrameric structure in the solid state in which both two-coordinate N-Li-N and eta6:eta6-arylLi metallocene bonding motifs are present. Reaction between HL1 and labile Pt(II) and Pd(II) chlorides formed MCl2(HL1)2 complexes 4 (M = Pt) and 5 (M = Pd) in which a weak N-H...pi(aryl) hydrogen bonding interaction was identified in the solid-state structure of 4. These compounds were found to be inert to transamination and protonolysis reactions with Ti amides and alkyls; instead, stepwise alkyl transfer from Ti to Pt, resulting in Pt(CH2SiMe3)2(HL1)2 6 was observed. Access to mixed-metal complexes was achieved using an early-metal-first approach. Reaction between the metalloligand TiCl2(L1)2 and labile Group 10 and group 9 compounds resulted in the formation of TiCl2(mu-L1)2PtCl2 8, TiCl2(mu-L1)2PtMe2 9, TiCl2(mu-L1)2PdCl2 10, TiCl2(mu-L1)2NiBr2 11, and [TiCl2(mu-L1)2RhCl(CO)]2 12. In the solid state, the Group 4/10 compounds 8, 9 and 10 adopt similar structures that exhibit both intramolecular But2C-H...Cl-Ti hydrogen bonding and arylNP pi-stacking interactions; this hydrogen-bonding interaction is conserved in solution. Unlike the above Group 4/10 complexes, the Ti-Rh complex 12 adopts a tetranuclear structure in the solid state that is stabilised by similar hydrogen-bonding and pi-stacking interactions. The Group 4/10 complexes were assessed as catalysts for olefin polymerisation and cross-coupling reactions. In combination with MAO, the mixed-metal complexes 8 and 10 were poor ethylene polymerisation catalysts and resulted in polymers of both high molecular weight and polydispersity. The Ti-Ni complex 11 formed oligomeric material only, while the mononuclear Ti metalloligand TiCl2(L1)2 gave the best results, showing low activity (6.14 kg mol(-1) bar(-1) h(-1)) and moderate polydispersity (12). The Ti-Pd complex 10 was assessed in arylamination and Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. While little or no catalytic activity was observed in arylamination reactions, 10 was found to effect Suzuki coupling between activated aryl bromides and phenylboronic acid at 80 degrees C. Unlike with TiCl2(L1)2, reactions between 8 and the reducing agents C8K or Mg led to intractable mixtures. However, the cyclic voltammetry of both compounds indicated that a reversible one-electron reduction process occurs at a similar potential (ca. -0.7 V) and was assigned to the formation of the monohalides TiCl(L1)2 and TiCl(mu-L1)2PtCl2. The reactivity of the metallocage TiCl(mu-L3)3Pt was also investigated. While reduction reactions were unsuccessful, the metallocage reacted with CO to form the Ti-Pt carbonyl, TiCl(mu-L3)3Pt(CO) 13. The X-ray crystal structure of 13 revealed that accommodation of CO at the Pt centre has caused the cage expansion and loss of agostic aryl-H...Pt interactions. Furthermore, reaction of TiCl(mu-L3)3Pt with excess MeI resulted in the formation of the Ti(IV)-Pt(II) complex trans-TiCl2(mu-L3)2(kappa1-L3MeI)Pt(Me)I.