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We describe herein a two-step process for the conversion of serine to a wide array of optically pure unnatural amino acids. This method utilizes a photocatalytic cross-electrophile coupling between a bromoalkyl intermediate and a diverse set of aryl halides to produce artificial analogues of phenylalanine, tryptophan, and histidine. The reaction is tolerant of a broad range of functionalities and can be leveraged toward the scalable synthesis of valuable pharmaceutical scaffolds via flow technology.

High-throughput experimentation (HTE) has revolutionized the pharmaceutical industry, most notably allowing for rapid screening of compound libraries against therapeutic targets. The past decade ha...

A strategy for the installation of small alkyl fragments onto pharmaceutically relevant aliphatic structures has been established via metallaphotoredox catalysis. Herein, we report that tris(trimethylsilyl)silanol can be employed as an effective halogen abstraction reagent that, in combination with photoredox and nickel catalysis, allows a generic approach to Csp3–Csp3 cross-electrophile coupling. In this study, we demonstrate that a variety of aliphatic drug-like groups can be successfully coupled with a number of commercially available small alkyl electrophiles, including methyl tosylate and strained cyclic alkyl bromides. Moreover, the union of two secondary aliphatic carbon centers, a long-standing challenge for organic molecule construction, has been accomplished with a wide array of structural formats. Last, this technology can be selectively merged with Csp2–Csp3 aryl–alkyl couplings to build drug-like systems in a highly modular fashion.

Here we report an optimized protocol for the asymmetric introduction of a fluorine atom into a quaternary center facilitated by d-proline, Selectfluor®, and trifluoroethanol. The synthesis proceeds over four steps starting from a chiral amino alcohol precursor and provides the desired enantiomer with no erosion of chiral purity and good diastereoselectivity. The process optimization allowed diastereoselective preparation of the key intermediate on a multigram scale.

As part of our ongoing efforts to identify novel ligands for the metabotropic glutamate 2 and 3 (mGlu2/3) receptors, we have incorporated substitution at the C3 and C4 positions of the (1S,2R,5R,6R)-2-amino-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid scaffold to generate mGlu2/3 antagonists. Exploration of this structure–activity relationship (SAR) led to the identification of (1S,2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-amino-3-[(3,4-difluorophenyl)sulfanylmethyl]-4-hydroxy-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid hydrochloride (LY3020371·HCl, 19f), a potent, selective, and maximally efficacious mGlu2/3 antagonist. Further characterization of compound 19f binding to the human metabotropic 2 glutamate (hmGlu2) site was established by cocrystallization of this molecule with the amino terminal domain (ATD) of the hmGlu2 receptor protein. The resulting cocrystal structure revealed the specific ligand–protein interactions, which likely explain the high affinity of 19f for this site and support its functional mGlu2 antagonist pharm...

Negative modulators of metabotropic glutamate 2 & 3 receptors demonstrate antidepressant-like activity in animal models and hold promise as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Herein we describe our efforts to prepare and optimize a series of conformationally constrained 3,4-disubstituted bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane glutamic acid analogs as orthosteric (glutamate site) mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists. This work led to the discovery of a highly potent and efficacious tool compound 18 (hmGlu2 IC50 46±14.2nM, hmGlu3 IC50=46.1±36.2nM). Compound 18 showed activity in the mouse forced swim test with a minimal effective dose (MED) of 1mg/kg ip. While in rat EEG studies it exhibited wake promoting effects at 3 and 10mg/kg ip without any significant effects on locomotor activity. Compound 18 thus represents a novel tool molecule for studying the impact of blocking mGlu2/3 receptors both in vitro and in vivo.

A strategy for the installation of small alkyl fragments onto pharmaceutically relevant aliphatic structures has been established via metallaphotoredox catalysis. Herein, we report that tris(trimethylsilyl)silanol can be employed as an effective halogen abstraction reagent that, in combination with photoredox and nickel catalysis, allows a generic approach to C(sp)(3)─C(sp)(3) cross-electrophile coupling. In this study, we demonstrate that a variety of aliphatic drug-like groups can be successfully coupled with a number of commercially available small alkyl electrophiles, including methyl tosylate and strained cyclic alkyl bromides. Moreover, the union of two secondary aliphatic carbon centers, a long-standing challenge for organic molecule construction, has been accomplished with a wide array of structural formats. Last, this technology can be selectively merged with C(sp)(2)─C(sp)(3) aryl–alkyl couplings to build drug-like systems in a highly modular fashion.

Inhibition of BACE1 has become an important strategy in the quest for disease modifying agents to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. We previously reported the fragment-based discovery of LY2811376, the first BACE1 inhibitor reported to demonstrate robust reduction of human CSF Aβ in a Phase I clinical trial. We also reported on the discovery of LY2886721, a potent BACE1 inhibitor that reached phase 2 clinical trials. Herein we describe the preparation and structure activity relationships (SAR) of a series of BACE1 inhibitors utilizing trans-cyclopropyl moieties as conformational constraints. The design, details of the stereochemically complex organic synthesis, and biological activity of these BACE1 inhibitors is described.

As part of our ongoing efforts to identify novel ligands for the metabotropic glutamate 2 and 3 (mGlu

The [3,3] Claisen rearrangement is a well-known reaction that has been very useful for the synthesis of o-allyl phenols. The thermally induced rearrangement could present safety and operational issues at large batch scale. Herein, we report a process that utilized a tube reactor to make 80 g of an early phase intermediate in a short time while mitigating the potential chemistry hazards. Thus, both project material demands and flow chemistry proof of concept were achieved.

A scalable process has been developed for the synthesis of trans-2-methylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid via the stereoselective cyclopropanation of ethyl crotonate with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (Corey's ylide). This well-known reaction is generally low yielding and very challenging to scale up as it involves highly reactive reagents. A design of experiment (DoE) allowed us to quickly define the optimal ranges for the reaction parameters. A very significant increase of the yield was obtained by adding the ylide to ethyl crotonate in DMSO at 80 degrees C in anhydrous conditions. In view of a scale-up at a multikilogram scale, several experiments were then performed combining Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) and Calorimetry (Dynamic DSC, Adiabatic Reaction Calorimetry and Vent Sizing Package). For safety reasons at high temperatures on large scale the reaction was also evaluated in a continuous How reactor. Thanks to these studies, we were able to develop an efficient process avoiding the hazardous accumulation of the thermally unstable dimethylsulfoxonium methylide.

Cluster excision of polymeric {Mo3S7Cl4}n phases with chiral phosphane (+)-1,2-bis[(2R,5R)-2,5-(dimethylphospholan-1-yl)]ethane ((R,R)-Me-BPE) or with its enantiomer ((S,S)-Me-BPE) yields the stereoselective formation of the trinuclear cluster complexes [Mo3S4{(R,R)-Me-BPE}3Cl3]+ ([(P)-1]+) and [Mo3S4{(S,S)-Me-BPE}3Cl3]+ ([(M)-1]+), respectively. These complexes possess an incomplete cuboidal structure with the metal atoms defining an equilateral triangle and one capping and three bridging sulfur atoms. The P and M symbols refer to the rotation of the chlorine atoms around the C3 axis, with the capping sulphur atom pointing towards the viewer. Incorporation of copper into these trinuclear complexes affords heterodimetallic cubane-type compounds of formula [Mo3CuS4{(R,R)-Me-BPE}3Cl4]+ ([(P)-2]+) or [Mo3CuS4{(S,S)-Me-BPE}3Cl4]+ ([(M)-2]+), respectively, for which the chirality of the trinuclear precursor is preserved in the final product. Cationic complexes [(P)-1]+, [(M)-1]+, [(P)-2]+, and [(M)-2]+ combine the chirality of the metal cluster framework with that of the optically active diphosphane ligands. The known racemic [Mo3CuS4(dmpe)3Cl4]+ cluster (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphanyl)ethane) as well as the new enantiomerically pure Mo3CuS4 [(P)-2]+ and [(M)-2]+ complexes are efficient catalysts for the intramolecular cyclopropanation of 1-diazo-5-hexen-2-one (3) and for the intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes, such as styrene and 2-phenylpropene, with ethyl diazoacetate. In all cases, the cyclopropanation products were obtained in high yields. The diastereoselectivity in the intermolecular cyclopropanation of the alkenes and the enantioselectivity in the inter- or intramolecular processes are only moderate.

Chiral dirhodium(II) compounds, Rh2(O2CR)2(pc)2 (pc = ortho-metalated arylphosphine), with a head-to-tail arrangement (1−21) are used in the cyclopropanation of α-diazo ketones. The influence of catalyst ligands and substrate structure on enantioselectivity is studied. Temperature and solvent dependence assays are performed, the best ee values being obtained in refluxing pentane. Results compare favorably with those reported in the literature using Ru, Cu, and other Rh(II) catalysts.

Two new dirhodium(II) catalysts of general formula Rh(2)(N-O)(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (N-O = C(4)H(4)NO(2)) are prepared, starting from Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2)L(2) [PC = (C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2) (head-to-tail arrangement); L = HO(2)CCH(3)]. The thermal reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) with the neutral succinimide stereoselectively gives one compound that according to the X-ray structure determination has the formula Rh(2)(C(4)H(4)NO(2))(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (1). It corresponds to the polar isomer with two bridging imidate ligands in a head-to-head configuration. However, stepwise reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) with (CH(3))(3)SiCl and potassium succinimidate yields a mixture of 1 and one of the two possible isomers (structure B) with a head-to-tail configuration of the imidate ligands, Rh(2)(C(4)H(4)NO(2))(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (2), also characterized by X-ray methods. In solution, compound 2 undergoes slow isomerization to 1; the rate of this process is enhanced by the presence of acetonitrile. Compounds 1 and 2 are obtained as pure enantiomers starting from (M)- and (P)-Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) rather than from the racemic mixture. Their enantioselectivities in cyclopropanation of 1-diazo-5-penten-2-one are similar to those reported for the dirhodium amidate catalysts.

Racemic dirhodium(II) complexes derived from orthometalated aryl phosphines, Rh2(O2CCH3)2(pc)2 (pc = orthometalated phosphine, with head-to-tail arrangement) (1−7), are isolated as pure enantiomers by conventional resolution methods. They are the first examples of dirhodium(II) chiral catalysts without chiral ligands. These compounds have been used in the cyclization of α-diazo ketones; the influence of catalyst and substrate on enantioselectivity is studied. Results are compared with those obtained for reactions catalyzed by Rh2(protos)4 and Rh2(protos)2(pc)2 [ProtosH (8) = N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl-l-proline] (9−22). Only catalysts 1−7 afford a high level of enantioselectivity in the synthesis of carbocycles from α-diazo ketones.

Both enantiomers of sabina ketone were efficiently prepared via an easy synthesis of 1-diazo-5-methylene-6-methylheptan-2-one, starting from succinic anhydride, followed by its highly enantioselective cyclization catalyzed by chiral dirhodium(II) compounds having ortho-metalated phosphines as ligands.

[reaction: see text]. Chiral dirhodium(II) complexes, Rh2(O2CCF3)2(PC)2, [PCH = (p-CH3C6H4)3P, (m-CH3C6H4)3P], provide an excellent yield and a high enantiocontrol in the cyclopropanation of alpha-diazo ketones with gamma and delta double bonds. The ee values are significantly dependent on the solvent used; the best results are obtained using pentane.

(P) and (M) dirhodium(II) complexes with ortho-metalated aryl phosphines are assessed as chiral catalysts in the enantioselective cyclopropanation of styrenes by ethyl diazoacetate; enantioselectivities up to 91% and up to 87%, respectively, for cis- and trans-2-arylcyclopropanecarboxylates are observed.

Herein we report investigations into the p38alpha MAP kinase activity of trisubstituted imidazoles that led to the identification of compounds possessing highly potent in vivo activity. The SAR of a novel series of imidazopyridines is demonstrated as well, resulting in compounds possessing cellular potency and enhanced in vivo activity in the rat collagen-induced arthritis model of chronic inflammation.

A general, simple and straightforward strategy for the synthesis of a novel series of 4,4-disubstituted 2,3,4,7-tetrahydroazepines is described. This route involves a one-pot Wittig olefination/N-allylation process on a five-membered hemi-aminal followed by a final ring closing metathesis reaction.

(P) and (M) dirhodium(II) complexes with ortho-metalated aryl phosphines are assessed as chiral catalysts in the enantioselective cyclopropanation of styrenes by ethyl diazoacetate; enantioselectivities up to 91% and up to 87%, respectively, for cis- and trans-2-arylcyclopropanecarboxylates are observed. Barberis, Mario, Mario.Barberis@uv.es ; Lahuerta Peña, Pascual, Pascual.lahuerta@uv.es ; Perez Prieto, Julia, Julia.Perez@uv.es ; Sanau Torrecilla, Mercedes, Mercedes.Sanau@uv.es