Discovery of PF-06835919: A Potent Inhibitor of Ketohexokinase (KHK) for the Treatment of Metabolic Disorders Driven by the Overconsumption of Fructose.

Increased fructose consumption and its subsequent metabolism have been implicated in metabolic disorders such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) and insulin resistance. Ketohexokinase (KHK) converts fructose to fructose-1-phosphate (F1P) in the first step of the metabolic cascade. Herein we report the discovery of a first-in-class KHK inhibitor, PF-06835919 (8), currently in phase 2 clinical trials. The discovery of 8 was built upon our originally reported, fragment-derived lead 1 and the recognition of an alternative, rotated binding mode upon changing the ribose-pocket binding moiety from a pyrrolidinyl to an azetidinyl ring system. This new binding mode enabled efficient exploration of the vector directed at the Arg-108 residue, leading to the identification of highly potent 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane acetic acid-based KHK inhibitors by combined use of parallel medicinal chemistry and structure-based drug design.

Reaction of Alkyl Halides with Rongalite: One-Pot and Telescoped Syntheses of Aliphatic Sulfonamides, Sulfonyl Fluorides, and Unsymmetrical Sulfones.

An efficient methodology has been developed for the one-pot or telescoped synthesis of aliphatic sulfonamides, sulfonyl fluorides, and unsymmetrical sulfones on the basis of interrupted alkylation of sodium hydroxymethylsulfinate (rongalite) with alkyl halides. The protocols are conducted under mild conditions, use inexpensive and shelf-stable reagents, and are not sensitive to air/moisture. These conditions can be applied in rapid parallel chemical synthesis, which was demonstrated by the preparation of a small sulfonamide library based on the core structure of the anticoagulant drug Tirofiban.

One-Step Synthesis of Sulfonamides from N-Tosylhydrazones.

The first described reaction between N-tosylhydrazone and SO2 is reported to provide alkyl sulfonamides in the presence of various amines. In this procedurally simple method, hydrazones of both unsaturated aldehydes and ketones proceed in moderate to excellent yields. Primary and secondary aliphatic amines are accommodated in this reaction, which provides a novel route to sulfonamides.

Pharmacodynamic Profiling of a Siderophore-Conjugated Monocarbam in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Assessing the Risk for Resistance and Attenuated Efficacy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of attenuated efficacy due to adaptive resistance for the siderophore-conjugated monocarbam SMC-3176 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) approach. MICs were determined in cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) and in Chelex-treated, dialyzed MHB (CDMHB). Spontaneous resistance was assessed at 2× to 16× the MIC and the resulting mutants sequenced. Efficacy was evaluated in a neutropenic mouse thigh model at 3.13 to 400 mg/kg of body weight every 3 h for 24 h and analyzed for association with free time above the MIC (fT>MIC). To closer emulate the conditions of the in vivo model, we developed a novel assay testing activity mouse whole blood (WB). All mutations were found in genes related to iron uptake: piuA, piuC, pirR, fecI, and pvdS. Against four P. aeruginosa isolates, SMC-3176 displayed predictable efficacy corresponding to the fT>MIC using the MIC in CDMHB (R(2) = 0.968 to 0.985), with stasis to 2-log kill achieved at 59.4 to 81.1%. Efficacy did not translate for P. aeruginosa isolate JJ 4-36, as the in vivo responses were inconsistent with fT>MIC exposures and implied a threshold concentration that was greater than the MIC. The results of the mouse WB assay indicated that efficacy was not predictable using the MIC for JJ 4-36 and four additional isolates, against which in vivo failures of another siderophore-conjugated ß-lactam were previously reported. SMC-3176 carries a risk of attenuated efficacy in P. aeruginosa due to rapid adaptive resistance preventing entry via the siderophore-mediated iron uptake systems. Substantial in vivo testing is warranted for compounds using the siderophore approach to thoroughly screen for this in vitro-in vivo disconnect in P. aeruginosa.

Discovery of efficacious Pseudomonas aeruginosa-targeted siderophore-conjugated monocarbams by application of a semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model.

To identify new agents for the treatment of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we focused on siderophore-conjugated monocarbams. This class of monocyclic ß-lactams are stable to metallo-ß-lactamases and have excellent P. aeruginosa activities due to their ability to exploit the iron uptake machinery of Gram-negative bacteria. Our medicinal chemistry plan focused on identifying a molecule with optimal potency and physical properties and activity for in vivo efficacy. Modifications to the monocarbam linker, siderophore, and oxime portion of the molecules were examined. Through these efforts, a series of pyrrolidinone-based monocarbams with good P. aeruginosa cellular activity (P. aeruginosa MIC90 = 2 µg/mL), free fraction levels (>20% free), and hydrolytic stability (t1/2 ≥ 100 h) were identified. To differentiate the lead compounds and enable prioritization for in vivo studies, we applied a semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model to enable prediction of in vivo efficacy from in vitro data.

Generation of stereochemically defined tetrasubstituted enolborinates by 1,4-hydroboration of α,ß-unsaturated morpholine carboxamides with (diisopinocampheyl)borane.

On all fours: The title reaction with (Ipc)2 BH provides tetrasubstituted enolborinates which undergo aldol reactions with aldehydes to form products with all-carbon quaternary centers with exceptional diastereo- and enantioselectivity. A change to the substitution pattern of the starting amide leads to either diastereomer of the α-methyl-α-ethyl-ß-hydroxy carboxamide (1 or 2).

Chiral Brønsted acid catalyzed enantioselective synthesis of anti-homopropargyl alcohols via kinetic resolution-aldehyde allenylboration using racemic allenylboronates.

A chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed kinetic resolution/allenylboration of racemic allenylboronates with aldehydes is described. Allenylboration of aldehydes with 2.8 equiv of allenylboronate (±)-1 in the presence of 10 mol % of catalyst (R)-2 provided anti-homopropargyl alcohols 3 in 83-95% yield with 9:1 to 20:1 diastereoselectivity and 73-95% ee. The catalyst enables the kinetic resolution of the racemic allenylboronate (±)-1 to set the methyl stereocenter and biases the facial attack of the aldehyde to set the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group in 3.

Rhodium catalyzed chelation-assisted C-H bond functionalization reactions.

Over the last several decades, researchers have achieved remarkable progress in the field of organometallic chemistry. The development of metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions represents a paradigm shift in chemical synthesis, and today synthetic chemists can readily access carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds from a vast array of starting compounds. Although we cannot understate the importance of these methods, the required prefunctionalization to carry out these reactions adds cost and reduces the availability of the starting reagents. The use of C-H bond activation in lieu of prefunctionalization has presented a tantalizing alternative to classical cross-coupling reactions. Researchers have met the challenges of selectivity and reactivity associated with the development of C-H bond functionalization reactions with an explosion of creative advances in substrate and catalyst design. Literature reports on selectivity based on steric effects, acidity, and electronic and directing group effects are now numerous. Our group has developed an array of C-H bond functionalization reactions that take advantage of a chelating directing group, and this Account surveys our progress in this area. The use of chelation control in C-H bond functionalization offers several advantages with respect to substrate scope and application to total synthesis. The predictability and decreased dependence on the inherent stereoelectronics of the substrate generally result in selective and high yielding transformations with broad applicability. The nature of the chelating moiety can be chosen to serve as a functional handle in subsequent elaborations. Our work began with the use of Rh(I) catalysts in intramolecular aromatic C-H annulations, which we further developed to include enantioselective transformations. The application of this chemistry to the simple olefinic C-H bonds found in α,ß-unsaturated imines allowed access to highly substituted olefins, pyridines, and piperidines. We observed complementary reactivity with Rh(III) catalysts and developed an oxidative coupling with unactivated alkenes. Further studies on the Rh(III) catalysts led us to develop methods for the coupling of C-H bonds to polarized π bonds such as those in imines and isocyanates. In several cases the methods that we have developed for chelation-controlled C-H bond functionalization have been applied to the total synthesis of complex molecules such as natural products, highlighting the utility of these methods in organic synthesis.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed arylation of Boc-imines via C-H bond functionalization.

The first rhodium-catalyzed arylation of imines proceeding via C-H bond functionalization is reported. Use of a non-coordinating halide abstractor is important to obtain reactivity. Aryl-branched N-Boc-amines are formed, and a wide range of functionality is compatible with the reaction.

Rh(III)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of unactivated alkenes via C-H activation.

Oxime directed aromatic C-H bond activation and oxidative coupling to alkenes is reported using a cationic Rh(III) catalyst. Significantly, the method can be used to oxidatively couple unactivated, aliphatic alkenes.

Rhodium catalyzed enantioselective cyclization of substituted imidazoles via C-H bond activation.

The enantioselective intramolecular alkylation of substituted imidazoles with enantiomeric excesses up to 98% has been accomplished by rhodium catalyzed C-H bond functionalization with (S,S',R,R')TangPhos as the chiral ligand.

Asymmetric synthesis of (-)-incarvillateine employing an intramolecular alkylation via Rh-catalyzed olefinic C-H bond activation.

An asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-incarvillateine, a natural product having potent analgesic properties, has been achieved in 11 steps and 15.4% overall yield. The key step is a rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkylation of an olefinic C-H bond to set two stereocenters. Additionally, this transformation produces an exocyclic, tetrasubstituted alkene through which the bicyclic piperidine moiety can readily be accessed.