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Mutations in the gene encoding activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2) are implicated in the pathophysiology of a pediatric brainstem cancer, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Inhibitors of ALK2 that cross the blood–brain barrier have been proposed as a method of treatment for DIPG. As part of an open science approach to radiopharmaceutical and drug discovery, we developed 11C-labeled radiotracers from potent and selective lead ALK2 inhibitors to investigate their brain permeability through positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging. Four radiotracers were synthesized by 11C-methylation and assessed by dynamic PET imaging in healthy Sprague–Dawley rats. One of the compounds, [11C]M4K2127, showed high initial brain uptake (SUV ∼ 2), including in the region of interest (pons). This data supports the use of this chemotype as a brain penetrant ALK2 inhibitor that permeates evenly into the pons with potential application for the treatment of DIPG.

The stereochemical course of the reactions of N-benzyl-2,3-azetidinedione with six differently functionalized allylic bromides, as promoted by indium metal in 1:1 H2O−THF, were initially examined. ...

The stereochemistry of the coupling reactions of oxygen-substituted bromides 8−10 with isobutyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde in water is described. The examples involving the O-silylated derivatives 8 exhibit moderate anti stereoselectivity. In contrast, rather high (most often in excess of 80:20) syn diastereofacial bias is observed when hydroxy bromides 10 are involved. Consequently, stereocontrolled 1,4-asymmetric induction under aqueous conditions can be realized in either direction on demand. These results are considered to reflect the fact that the siloxy systems enter into C−C bond formation via conventional Felkin−Anh transition state arrangements. The crossover observed for the unprotected analogues is believed to be a consequence of the preferred adoption of chelated transition states, these interactions likely being fundamental to aqueous organometallic chemistry.

Indium-promoted additions of (Z)-2-(bromomethyl)-2-butenoate to several α-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy) and α-(benzyloxy) aldehydes in water have been examined in order to assess the direction and sense of asymmetric induction in these coupling reactions. High levels of the 3,4-syn;4,5-anti diastereomers were produced, reflecting the promising synthetic potential of this chemistry. This stereodifferentiation has been attributed to the strong geometric bias exercised by this allylindium reagent and adherence to a Felkin−Ahn transition-state alignment. Support for this interpretation was gained by comparing the fate of (E)-cinnamyl bromide under comparable circumstances. In this case, the 3,4-anti;4,5-anti diastereomer predominated as expected.

The regio-and diastereo-selectivity in the coupling of γ-substituted allyl bromides with aldehydes mediated by indium in water were found to be dependent on the steric effect of the substitutents on both allyl bromides and the aldehydes.

Catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis has been used to selectively cleave silyl protecting groups from primary and secondary alcohols, including from thymidine. Ease of cleavage is in the order triethyl > t-butyldimethyl > triisopropyl > t-butyldiphenyl.

Indium-mediated coupling of aldehydes 1 with prop-2-ynyl bromides 2 occurs regioseiectively to give either homoprop-2-ynyl alcohols 3 or allenylic alcohols 4 depending on the γ-substituent of the prop-2-ynyl bromide.

The preparation and indium-promoted aldehyde addition reactions of a series of 3-substituted 3-oxy-1-bromo-2-methylidenepropanes under aqueous conditions are described. The (tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy derivatives 4a-d are the most diastereoselective of this group of reagents, giving rise to levels of syn-1,4-asymmetric induction in the range of 87-99%. Interestingly, syn stereoselectivity is eroded and reactions proceed more rapidly when the steric bulk of the oxygen substituent is reduced as in the hydroxy and methoxy derivatives. This dropoff in pi-facial differentiation with kinetic acceleration is attributed to the operation of chelation effects during oxidative addition of the metal into the carbon-bromine bond, but not during the coupling stage. Once the aldehyde enters into the coordination sphere of the indium, internal chelation to the proximal oxygen is disrupted and conformational restrictions are released. These effects, in combination with the absence of a powerful steric control element in the latter examples, permit competitive passage via syn and anti transition states.

Indium-promoted additions of (Z)-2-(bromomethyl)-2-butenoate to several α-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy) and α-(benzyloxy) aldehydes in water have been examined in order to assess the direction and sense of asymmetric induction in these coupling reactions. High levels of the 3,4-syn;4,5-anti diastereomers were produced, reflecting the promising synthetic potential of this chemistry. This stereodifferentiation has been attributed to the strong geometric bias exercised by this allylindium reagent and adherence to a Felkin−Ahn transition-state alignment. Support for this interpretation was gained by comparing the fate of (E)-cinnamyl bromide under comparable circumstances. In this case, the 3,4-anti;4,5-anti diastereomer predominated as expected.

The stereochemistry of the coupling reactions of oxygen-substituted bromides 8−10 with isobutyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde in water is described. The examples involving the O-silylated derivatives 8 exhibit moderate anti stereoselectivity. In contrast, rather high (most often in excess of 80:20) syn diastereofacial bias is observed when hydroxy bromides 10 are involved. Consequently, stereocontrolled 1,4-asymmetric induction under aqueous conditions can be realized in either direction on demand. These results are considered to reflect the fact that the siloxy systems enter into C−C bond formation via conventional Felkin−Anh transition state arrangements. The crossover observed for the unprotected analogues is believed to be a consequence of the preferred adoption of chelated transition states, these interactions likely being fundamental to aqueous organometallic chemistry.

The stereochemical course of the reactions of N-benzyl-2,3-azetidinedione with six differently functionalized allylic bromides, as promoted by indium metal in 1:1 H2O−THF, were initially examined. ...

The stereochemistry of the indium-promoted reaction of allyl bromide with alpha-thia (PhS and MeS), disubstituted alpha-amino (Bn(2)N, Me(2)N, isoindolyl), and protected alpha-amino aldehydes (Ac and Boc) in water has been evaluated. The reactions involving the sulfur derivatives are minimally diastereoselective, indicating that the allylindium reagent is not thiophilic. Chelation is not observed and pi-facial discrimination is achieved via Felkin-Ahn transition states under the steric control of the substituents. The Garner aldehyde is also anti-diastereoselective. Interestingly, N-acetylmannosamine is appreciably responsive to chelation control and is capable of generating 90% of the syn beta-amino alcohol when reacted in a 0.5 M NH(4)Cl solution. While the alpha-dibenzylamino substituent is too bulky to enter into complexation, the alpha-dimethylamino group is not and can lead to high levels (99%) of syn diastereomer. The size of other neighboring substituents does have an impact on pi-facial discrimination in these systems and can erode the stereoselectivity accordingly.

The preparation and indium-promoted aldehyde addition reactions of a series of 3-substituted 3-oxy-1-bromo-2-methylidenepropanes under aqueous conditions are described. The (tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy derivatives 4a-d are the most diastereoselective of this group of reagents, giving rise to levels of syn-1,4-asymmetric induction in the range of 87-99%. Interestingly, syn stereoselectivity is eroded and reactions proceed more rapidly when the steric bulk of the oxygen substituent is reduced as in the hydroxy and methoxy derivatives. This dropoff in pi-facial differentiation with kinetic acceleration is attributed to the operation of chelation effects during oxidative addition of the metal into the carbon-bromine bond, but not during the coupling stage. Once the aldehyde enters into the coordination sphere of the indium, internal chelation to the proximal oxygen is disrupted and conformational restrictions are released. These effects, in combination with the absence of a powerful steric control element in the latter examples, permit competitive passage via syn and anti transition states.

Indium-mediated coupling of aldehydes 1 with prop-2-ynyl bromides 2 occurs regioseiectively to give either homoprop-2-ynyl alcohols 3 or allenylic alcohols 4 depending on the γ-substituent of the prop-2-ynyl bromide.