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This paper describes the facile synthesis of sildenafil citrate (1) and its related compounds through an improved chlorosulfonation reaction using chlorosulfonic acid and thionyl chloride. This synthesis results in pure sildenafil with high yield. The structures of the compounds were determined with infrared (IR), 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic methods, and high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS) analysis.

Lopinavir is an antiretroviral drug used for the inhibition of HIV protease. Four related substances of lopinavir were observed during the manufacturing process of lopinavir in the laboratory and they were identified. The present work describes the origin, synthesis, characterization, and control of these related substances.

An efficient and environmentally benign method using Bu4NOAc as ionic liquid for the synthesis of the title compounds is presented.

Crystal engineering has succeeded in the design and construction of various architectures such as tapes, ribbons, rosettes, layers etc. Though wavy layer packing is known to occur in crystals, no crystal engineering attempts have been ventured to create wavy layer topology in crystals. Aromatic nitrogen heterocyclics (ANHs) are known to preferentially self assemble in lateral fashion through edge-to-edge CH…N hydrogen bonds. Exploiting this preferential lateral assembly of ANHs, we have engineered wavy layer architectures in the crystals of various substituted quinolines.

Knoevenagel condensation between indole-3-aldehyde 1 and an active methylene group containing 2,4-thiazolidinedione 2 in refluxing toluene using L-proline as a catalyst yielded 3, which on alkylation using 2 equivalents of alkylating agent under phase-transfer-catalyzed (PTC) conditions using K2CO3 as a base in dimethylformamide gave N,NI-symmetrically disubstituted 5-(1H-indol-3ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-diones 4. Alternately, 4 can be synthesized by condensing 5 and 6 in a single step. Using this synthetic strategy, N,NI-unsymmetricallydisubstituted derivatives 9a–f were prepared either by condensing 6 with N-substituted-2,4-thiazolidinedione 5 to obtain 7 followed by alkylation under PTC conditions or condensing 6 with N-unsubstituted- 2,4-thiazolidinedione 2 to yield 8 followed by alkylation under PTC conditions. The latter are the dehydro analogs of the dihydro-N-substituted-5-(1H-indol-3-yl-methylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-diones, which are potential antihyperglycemic agents.

A simple, rapid and sensitive high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the separation and quantification of positional isomers of zafirlukast in bulk drugs and dosage forms using a chiral column. Elution time was 20 min in normal phase mode and ultra violet detection was carried out at 240 nm. Efficient separation was achieved on an immobilized amylose-based Chiralpak-IA column using n-hexane/ethanol/trifluoroacetic acid/diethyl amine (65:35:0.1:0.1, v/v) as the mobile phase. Resolutions between ortho, meta and para isomers of zafirlukast were found to be >3.0. The active pharmaceutical ingredient was extracted from tablets using tetrahydrofuran. The calibration graphs for meta and para isomers of zafirlukast were linear (r 2 > 0.999) when ranging from the limit of quantitation to 0.3%. The method showed excellent recoveries for both zafirlukast isomers identified in bulk and formulated products. The test solution was found to be stable in the mobile phase for 48 h after preparation. The developed LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.

A novel liquid chromatographic method for analysis three potential impurities in brimonidine tartrate drug substance has been developed and validated. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5-μm particles) with a simple mobile-phase gradient at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. Quantification was achieved by use of ultraviolet detection at 248 nm. Resolution between brimonidine tartrate and its three potential impurities was greater than 3.0. Regression analysis showed the r value (correlation coefficient) was >0.999 for brimonidine and its three impurities. The method was capable of detecting all three impurities of brimonidine tartrate at levels below 0.07 μg in a test concentration of brimonidine tartrate of 1.0 mg mL−1 and for an injection volume of 10 μL. A solution of brimonidine tartrate in acetonitrile–water 2:8 (v/v) was stable for 48 h. The drug was subjected to stress conditions as prescribed by the ICH. Degradation was found to occur slightly under oxidative stress conditions but the drug was stable to aqueous, acidic, and basic hydrolysis, and photolytic and thermal stress. The assay of the stressed samples was calculated relative to a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.8%. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness.

A novel liquid chromatographic method has been developed, and validated for the determination of tolterodine tartarate, for its potential three impurities in drug substances and drug products. Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 stationary phase (150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm particles) with a simple mobile phase combination delivered in an isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.8 mL min−1 and quantitation was carried out using ultraviolet detection. Microwave assisted degradation procedure was employed for stress testing studies in addition to the conventional way of a refluxing method. The results of both studies were compared. In the developed LC method, the resolution between tolterodine and its three potential impurities was found to be greater than 2.0. Regression analysis shows an r value (correlation coefficient) greater than 0.999 for tolterodine and for its three impurities. This method was capable to detect all three impurities of tolterodine at a level below 0.0038% with respect to a test concentration of 0.5 mg mL−1 for a 10 μL injection volume. The inter- and intra-day precisions for all three impurities and for tolterodine were found to be within 1.1% RSD at its specification level. The method has shown good, consistent recoveries for tolterodine (98.9–101.6%) and for its three impurities (94.5–103.0%). The test solution was found to be stable in the diluent for 48 h. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation, as prescribed by ICH. Degradation was found to occur in alkaline stress condition, while the drug was stable to water hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, oxidative stress, photolytic and thermal stress. The assay of stressed samples was calculated against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.5%. Microwave degradations were very fast and comparable to the conventional way of the refluxing method. Robustness studies were carried out and suggested that system suitability parameters were unaffected by small changes in critical factors. The validated method was successfully applied for the determination of tolterodine tartarate in drug substances and drug products.

An isocratic reverse phase liquid chromatographic (RP-LC) assay method has been developed for the quantitative determination of nateglinide and its related components namely imp-1 and imp-2 in bulk drug and in pharmaceutical dosage form, used for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus. The developed method is stability indicating and also can be used for stability testing. The chromatographic separation was achieved on C-8, 150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm stationary phase. The LC method employs solution A as mobile phase. Solution A contains a mixture of phosphate buffer pH 3.0: acetonitrile (50:50 v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 mL min−1 and the detection wavelength was 210 nm. In the developed LC method the resolution between nateglinide and its potential impurities namely imp-1 and imp-2 was found to be greater than 5.0. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. Considerable degradation was found to occur in acid medium, alkaline medium and oxidative stress conditions. The stress samples were assayed against a qualified reference standard and the mass balance was found close to 99.2%. The developed RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness.

A new simple isocratic chiral RP-LC method has been developed for the separation and quantification of the enantiomer of (R,R)-tadalafil in bulk drugs and dosage forms with an elution time of about 20 min. Chromatographic separation of (R,R)-tadalafil and its enantiomer was achieved on a bonded macro cyclic glycopeptide stationary phase. The method resolves the (R,R)-tadalafil and its enantiomer with a resolution (Rs) greater than 2.4 in the developed chiral RP-LC. The mobile phase used for the separation and quantification of (R,R)-tadalafil and its enantiomer involves a simple mixture of reverse phase solvents and the cost of analysis was drastically decreased. The test concentration is 0.4 mg mL−1 in the mobile phase. This method is capable of detecting the enantiomer of (R,R)-tadalafil up to 0.0048 μg wrt test concentration 400 μg mL−1 for a 20 μL injection volume. The drug was subjected to stress conditions of hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal degradation. There was no interference of degradants with (R,R)-tadalafil and its enantiomer in the developed method. The developed chiral RP-LC method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness. The percentage recovery for the enantiomer of (R,R)-tadalafil in bulk drug samples and in dosage forms ranged from 97.0 to 102.5%. The test solution was found to be stable in the mobile phase for 48 h after preparation.

A rapid, sensitive, and simple HPLC–MS–MS method, with electro-spray ionization and cetirizine as internal standard (IS), has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine in human plasma. The analytes were isolated from plasma by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis HLB cartridges. The compounds were chromatographed on an RP 18 column with a mixture of ammonium acetate (10 mm, pH 6.4) and methanol as mobile phase. Quantification of the analytes was based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of precursor-to-product ion pairs m/z 502 → 466 for fexofenadine, m/z 166 → 148 for pseudoephedrine, and m/z 389 → 201 for cetirizine. The linear calibration range for both analytes was 2–1,700 ng mL−1 (r = 0.995), based on analysis of 0.1 mL plasma. Extraction recovery was 91.5 and 80.88% for fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine, respectively. The method was suitable for analysis of human plasma samples obtained 72 h after administration of a drug containing both fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine.

A facile synthetic route for the synthesis of bisphosphonates in phenols is described. Preparations of some of bisphosphonates, which are presently in clinical use such as risedronic acid and alendronate sodium, are synthesized following this new, simple method. This procedure can be useful for the synthesis of this class of bone‐resorptive inhibitors in bulk quantities.

A unified synthetic strategy has been devised for the synthesis of both tedanolide and 13-deoxytedanolide, which involves a cross-metathesis reaction as the key step. We report herein the stereoselective synthesis of the C3–C16 segment (+)- 5b and subsequent manipulation of the C12–C13 double bond leading to the preparation of both tedanolides.

New methods for the preparation of irbesartan 1 have been described. The dehydration and tetrazole formation in one step from substituted cyclopentane derivative 7 with tributyltin chloride and sodium azide is described. Selective hydrolysis of nitrile 3 with HCl has also been described in the preparation of N‐acylaminocyclopentane‐2‐carboxylic acid 4, which is the key intermediate for the preparation of irbesartan. The impurity profiling of irbesartan has also been discussed.

(2007). IMPROVED SYNTHESIS OF MIRTAZAPINE. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 399-402.

New methods for the preparation of Cefdinir 1 and its polymorphic form Sesqui hydrate 1a are described. The synthesis of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazolyl (Z)‐2‐(2‐amino‐4‐thiazolyl)‐2‐acetoxyiminoacetate 4 was affected by using triphenylphosphine and triethylamine, and acylation of 7‐amino‐3‐vinylcephem‐4‐carboxylic acid 5 followed by deprotection with K2CO3 in the presence of ammonium chloride in the same pot yielded crude Cefdinir. Purification of crude Cefdinir through resin and treatment of the resulting wet product with trifluoroacetic acid gave highly pure TFA salt of Cefdinir 6, which on neutralization afforded 1a in excellent yield. The impurity profiling of this compound has also been discussed.

A novel and efficient one-pot synthesis of tetrazole -derivatives such as Irbesartan and its analogues has been described from the primary acid amide derivatives. Thus 2-alkyl-3-[ P-( O-amidophenyl)benzyl]-1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-1-en-4-one derivatives or 4-[α-(acylamino)cyclopentamidomethyl]-2′-carboxamidobi-phenyl derivatives were treated with tributyltin chloride and sodium azide in O-xylene in the presence of DMF to afford irbesartan and its analogues without generation of nitriles. The synthesis of these new starting materials is also described, and two of the derivatives have been used as new intermediates in the preparation of -irbesartan.

Preparation of two new compounds 2-mercapto-5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl-(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-trityloxyiminoacetate (14) and 2-mercapto-5-methyl-1, 3,4-thiadiazolyl- (Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-acetyloxyiminoacetate (12) and their use in the preparation of 7β-[(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-hydroxyiminoacetamido]-3-vinylcephem-4-carboxylic acid, also known by the generic name Cefdinir (1) has been accomplished in a single step by coupling with 7-amino-3-vinylcephem-4-carboxylic acid (7) with purity of greater than 99% by HPLC.

Lisinopril is a drug of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class that is primarily used in the treatment of hypertension. During the scale-up of the lisinopril process, one unknown impurity was observed and is identified. The present work describes the origin, synthesis, characterization, and control of this impurity. This paper also describes the synthesis and characterization of three other impurities listed in the European Pharmacopoeia 8.4 (Impurity C, D, and F).

A simple, efficient and environmentally benign method for the three component, one-pot synthesis of spirooxindoles using ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium acetate as an inexpensive catalyst as well as reaction medium.

The synthesis of three contaminants of mirtazapine 6, formed during the preparation of mirtazapine bulk drug, is described. The products are 2-methyl-1,2,3,4,10,14bhexahydrobenzo[c]pyrazino(1,2-a)pyrido[3,2-f]azepine-2-oxide (N-oxide, 7), 1-(3methylpyridyl-2)-2-phenyl-4-methylpiperazine (deshydroxy compound, 9), and 2-methyl1,2,3,4,10,14b-hexahydro-10-oxo-benzo[c] pyrazino (1,2-a)pyrido[3,2-f]azepine (oxo compound 11). The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectral data (IR, HNMR and MS).

The stereoselective synthesis of the C(8)–C(17) sub-unit (−)-5 of tedanolide (1), which involves iterative Evans aldol reactions as the key steps, is described.

An efficient and environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of thiazolylideneindoles (III), related cyclohexane (V) and barbituric acid derivatives (VII) is described.

A simple one pot synthetic method for the isomerization of cephem double bond from the natural 3-position to 2-cephem positions is affected by silylation. Thus cephalosporin acids are treated with Ntrimethylsilylacetamide (MSA) or N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA) and the resulting silyl esters are treated with triethylamine at ambient temperature in the same pot to afford Δ2-cephalosporins, which are potentially related compounds in cephalosporin antibacterial compounds.

An efficient and environmentally benign method using Bu4NOAc as ionic liquid for the synthesis of the title compounds is presented.

Symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted title compounds are prepared under PTC conditions.

A highly selective, sensitive and accurate HPLC method has been developed and validated for the estimation of four proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), lansoprazole (LPZ), omeprazole (OPZ), pantoprazole (PPZ) and rabeprazole (RPZ), with 500 microL human plasma using zonisamide as an internal standard (IS). The sample preparation involved simple liquid-liquid extraction of LPZ, OPZ, PPZ and RPZ and IS from human plasma with ethyl acetate. The baseline separation of all the peaks was achieved with 0.1% triethylamine (pH 6.0):acetonitrile (72:28, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min on a Zorbax C(8) column. The total chromatographic run time was 11.0 min and the simultaneous elution of IS, OPZ, RPZ, PPZ and LPZ occurred at approximately 2.42, 4.45, 5.02 and 9.37 min, respectively. The method was proved to be accurate and precise at linearity range of 20.61-1999.79 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) of >or=0.999. The limit of quantitation for each of the PPI studied was 20.61 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy values were found to be within the assay variability limits as per the FDA guidelines. The developed assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers.

A highly sensitive, rapid assay method has been developed and validated for the estimation of montelukast (MTK) in human plasma with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electro spray ionization in the positive-ion mode. Liquid-liquid extraction was used to extract MTK and amlodipine (internal standard, IS) from human plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved with 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 6.4): acetonitrile (15:85, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min on a Discovery HS C(18) column with a total run time of 3.5 min. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 586.10 --> 422.10 for MTK and 409.20 --> 238.30 for IS. Method validation and clinical sample analysis were performed as per FDA guidelines and the results met the acceptance criteria. The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 0.25 ng/mL and linearity was observed from 0.25 to 800 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-day precisions were 5.97-8.33 and 7.09-10.13%, respectively. This novel method has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study of MTK in humans.

A facile synthetic route for the synthesis of bisphosphonates in phenols is described. Preparations of some of bisphosphonates, which are presently in clinical use such as risedronic acid and alendronate sodium, are synthesized following this new, simple method. This procedure can be useful for the synthesis of this class of bone‐resorptive inhibitors in bulk quantities.

A simple one pot synthetic method for the isomerization of cephem double bond from the natural 3-position to 2-cephem positions is affected by silylation. Thus cephalosporin acids are treated with Ntrimethylsilylacetamide (MSA) or N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA) and the resulting silyl esters are treated with triethylamine at ambient temperature in the same pot to afford Δ2-cephalosporins, which are potentially related compounds in cephalosporin antibacterial compounds.

Clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride is a water soluble hydrochloride salt of the ester of clindamycin and palmitic acid. It is inactive in vitro, rapid in vivo hydrolysis converts this compound to the antibacterially active clindamycin. Total 12 impurities at levels ranging from 0.05% to 0.5% were detected by isocratic reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using RI detector. The molecular weights of impurities were determined by LC-MS analysis. Two impurities were starting materials and the remaining impurities were isolated from crude samples/enriched mother liquors using reverse-phase preparative HPLC. Based on the spectral data the structures of these impurities were characterized as, clindamycin palmitate sulphoxides alpha-/beta-isomers (impurity I); clindamycin laurate (impurity II); lincomycin palmitate (impurity III); clindamycin myristate (impurity IV); epiclindamycin palmitate (impurity V); clindamycin palmitate 3-isomer (impurity VI); clindamycin pentadecanoate (impurity VII); clindamycin B-palmitate (impurity VIII); clindamycin heptadecanoate (impurity IX) and clindamycin stearate (impurity X). Structural elucidation of all impurities by spectral data ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, MS and IR) and formation of these impurities have been discussed in detail.

A highly sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the estimation of zafirlukast (ZFK) with 500 microL human plasma using valdecoxib as an internal standard (IS). The API-4,000 LC-MS/MS was operated under multiple reaction-monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique. The assay procedure involved extraction of ZFK and IS from human plasma with ethyl acetate. The resolution of peaks was achieved with 10 mm ammonium acetate (pH 6.4):acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) on a Hypersil BDS C(18) column. The total chromatographic run time was 2.0 min and the elution of ZFK and IS occurred at approximately 1.11 and 1.58 min, respectively. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 574.2 --> 462.1 for ZFK and 313.3 --> 118.1 for IS. The method was proved to be accurate and precise at a linearity range of 0.15-600 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) of >or=0.999. The method was rugged with 0.15 ng/mL as lower limit of quantitation. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy values were found to be within the assay variability limits as per the FDA guidelines. The developed assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers following oral administration of 20 mg ZFK tablet.

New methods for the preparation of irbesartan 1 have been described. The dehydration and tetrazole formation in one step from substituted cyclopentane derivative 7 with tributyltin chloride and sodium azide is described. Selective hydrolysis of nitrile 3 with HCl has also been described in the preparation of N‐acylaminocyclopentane‐2‐carboxylic acid 4, which is the key intermediate for the preparation of irbesartan. The impurity profiling of irbesartan has also been discussed.

A highly sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of itraconazole (ITZ) and hydroxyitraconazole (OH-ITZ) with 500 microL of human plasma using fluconazole as an internal standard (IS). The API-4000 LC-MS/MS was operated under the multiple reaction-monitoring mode (MRM) using the electrospray ionization technique. Solid phase extraction process was used to extract ITZ, OH-ITZ and IS from human plasma. The total run time was 3.0 min and the elution of ITZ, OH-ITZ and IS occurred at 2.08 min, 1.85 min and 1.29 min, respectively; this was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 0.2% (v/v) ammonia solution:acetonitrile (20:80, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.50 mL/min on a HyPurity C(18) (50 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column. The developed method was validated in human plasma with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.50 ng/mL for both ITZ and OH-ITZ. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.5-263 ng/mL (r>0.998) for both ITZ and OH-ITZ. The intra- and inter-day precision values for ITZ and OH-ITZ met the acceptance as per FDA guidelines. ITZ and OH-ITZ were stable in the battery of stability studies, viz., bench-top, auto-sampler, dry extract and freeze/thaw cycles. The developed assay method was applied to an oral bioequivalence study in humans.

A new industrially viable process for the preparation of 1β-(N-tert-butyl carbamoyl)-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-3-one, also known by the generic name finasteride (6) from the new azaandrostane derivatives such as 1β-(N-tert-butyl carbamoyl)-4-benzoyl-4-aza-5α-androstane-3-one (4), 1β-(N-tert-butyl carbamoyl)-4-benzoyl-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-3-one (5) is reported. In this process, benzoyl group is demonstrated as a novel protecting group for lactamic NH group. The structures of newly prepared compounds were established on the basis of spectral data (IR, 1H-NMR, and MS).

One unknown impurity (degradation product) present at a level below 0.1% in the initial samples increased to a level of 0.5% in 6M/40 degrees C/75% RH stability samples of risperidone tablets was detected by gradient reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This impurity was isolated using reverse-phase preparative liquid chromatography. Based on the spectral data the structure of this impurity is characterized as 3-[2-[4-[6-fluoro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl]piperidin-1-yl]ethyl]-2-methyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-a] pyrimidin-4-one. Structural elucidation of this impurity by spectral data ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, DEPT, MS and IR), formation and mechanism has been discussed in detail.

Ceftizoxime sodium is a parenteral beta-lactamic antibacterial drug. In the synthesis of ceftizoxime sodium, eight process related impurities were detected in HPLC analysis. Pure impurities obtained by both synthesis and preparative HPLC were co-injected with ceftizoxime sample to confirm the retention times in HPLC. The impurities were characterized as, (6R,7R)-7-amino-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (impurity I); (6R,7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetamido]-3-cephem-1-oxo-4-carboxylic acid (impurity II); (4RS,6R,7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-(methoxyimino) acetamido]-3,4-dihydro-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (impurity III); (6R,7R)-7-[(E)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetamido]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (impurity IV); (6R,7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetamido]-3-cephem-N-(3-cephem-4-carboxy-7-yl)-4-carboxamide (impurity V); (6R,7R)-7-[(Z)-2-[[(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-(methoxyimino)acetylamino]thiazol-4-yl]-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (impurity VI); 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (impurity VII) and 2-mercapto benzothiazolyl [(Z)-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)-2-methoxyimino] acetate (impurity VIII). Structural elucidation of all impurities by spectral data ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, MS and IR) has been discussed.

Background Caspase-3 inhibition has been demonstrated to be therapeutically effective in moderating excessive programmed cell death. Interest in caspase-3 as a therapeutic target has led many to pursue the development of inhibitors. To date, only a few series of non-peptide inhibitors have been described, and these have limitations on their drug-like properties. Methods Here, we report the screening of 70 novel small molecules against the caspase-3 enzyme which belongs to four different series (indole fluoromethylketone, indole difluoro and tetrafluorophenoxymethylketone, and oxalamide). Selected molecules were subjected for counter-screening, cell-based, ADME/PK assays in order to understand the potency and drug-like properties. Results The screening yielded series of hits with IC50 values ranging from 0.11 to 10 μM with reasonable SAR, irreversible mode of inhibition, and reasonable selectivity against other proteases including caspase-1, cathepsin B and D, and thrombin. On the basis of in vitro profile, the selected molecules were evaluated for their drug-like properties. Among the compounds evaluated, compound 3D exhibited good solubility, low permeability, interaction with efflux pump, and low potential for CYP450 drug-drug interaction. After intravenous administration, compound 3D showed low clearance (588 ml/hr/kg), medium volume of distribution, and good oral bioavailability (90%). Conclusions These results support further advancement of compound 3D in different apoptotic models to develop as a new anti-apoptotic agent in relevant disease conditions.