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Aryl and heteroaryl iodides have been efficiently converted into the corresponding thioacetates in cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), a green solvent, under Cu catalysis. The chemoselectivity of the reaction is mainly controlled by electronic factors, enabling the conversion of both electron-rich and electron-deficient substrates into the corresponding thioacetates in good to excellent yields. The products can be easily deprotected to the corresponding thiolates to carry out additional synthetic transformations in situ. Surprisingly, despite CPME’s relatively low dielectric constant, the reaction rate significantly increased when conducted under microwave irradiation conditions. This synthetic methodology exhibits a remarkable tolerance to functional groups, mild reaction conditions, and a wide substrate scope, utilizing a safe and inexpensive CuI pre-catalyst in the green solvent CPME. A non-aqueous workup allowing for the complete recovery of both catalyst and solvent makes this approach an environmentally sustainable protocol for C(sp2) sulfur functionalization. Additionally, the reaction shows selective cross-coupling with iodides in competition with chlorides and bromides, allowing its use in multistep syntheses. To demonstrate the potential of this methodology, it was applied to the high-yield synthesis of a photochromic dithienylethene, where a selective synthesis had not been reported before.

Abstract Pharmacovigilance aims at a better understanding of the molecular events triggered by medications to prevent adverse effects, which despite significant advances in our analytical repertoire plague the use of drugs until today. In this study, we find that clinically prescribed and commercially available pirenzepine may not be the correct compound. Pirenzepine can undergo an unexpected scaffold rearrangement from the pharmaceutical active ingredient (API) to a previously uncharacterized benzimidazole. The rearrangement occurs under highly acidic conditions, which were believed to favour the dihydrochloride formation of pirenzepine. The rearranged products of pirenzepine and the structurally related telenzepine have significantly decreased affinity for the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, the pharmacological target of these compounds. Fortunately, in situ rearrangement after oral application is no safety issue, as we show that reaction kinetics in gastric acid prevent rearrangement. The research community should consider appropriate measures to perform reliable receiving inspections in the commercial supply of well described and frequently used chemicals, in particular if experiments yield unexpected results.

Fused pyrazole ring systems are common structural motifs of numerous pharmaceutically important compounds. Nevertheless, access to derivatives of the aromatic 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyrazole ring system is still quite limited, and their chemistry and functional properties remain largely underexplored. The current study investigates routes to construct this system from easily accessible starting materials using metal-catalyzed reactions. A simple and efficient procedure to access the 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyrazole ring system was developed by employing the silver(I) ion-mediated ring-closure reaction of 4-alkynyl-3-hydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazoles as a key step. The required intermediate hydroxyalkynyl substrates for this reaction were prepared by a Pd-catalyzed coupling of 4-iodo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ol with ethyne derivatives. The structures of the obtained target compounds were unequivocally confirmed by detailed 1H, 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopic experiments, HRMS and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. This silver(I)-mediated 5-endo-dig cyclization of readily available 4-alkynyl-3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazoles can be used as an efficient method to access many novel 2,5-disubstituted 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyrazoles.

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor family is a highly sought-after target in drug and molecular imaging discovery efforts aimed at neurological disorders. Hampered by the structural similarity of the five subtypes’ orthosteric binding pockets, these efforts largely failed to deliver subtype-selective ligands. Building on our recent successes with arecaidine-derived ligands targeting M1, herein we report the synthesis of a related series of 11 hydroxylated arecaidine esters. Their physicochemical property profiles, expressed in terms of their computationally calculated CNS MPO scores and HPLC-logD values, point towards blood–brain barrier permeability. By means of a competitive radioligand binding assay, the binding affinity values towards each of the individual human mAChR subtypes hM1–hM5 were determined. The most promising compound of this series 17b was shown to have a binding constant towards hM1 in the single-digit nanomolar region (5.5 nM). Similar to our previously reported arecaidine-derived esters, the entire series was shown to act as hM1R antagonists in a calcium flux assay. Overall, this study greatly expanded our understanding of this recurring scaffolds’ structure–activity relationship and will guide the development towards highly selective mAChRs ligands.

Due to their important role in mediating a broad range of physiological functions, muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) have been a promising target for therapeutic and diagnostic applications alike; however, the list of truly subtype-selective ligands is scarce. Within this work, we have identified a series of twelve 4,4’-difluorobenzhydrol carbamates through a rigorous docking campaign leveraging commercially available amine databases. After synthesis, these compounds have been evaluated for their physico–chemical property profiles, including characteristics such as HPLC-logD, tPSA, logBB, and logPS. For all the synthesized carbamates, these characteristics indicate the potential for BBB permeation. In competitive radioligand binding experiments using Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes expressing the individual human mAChR subtype hM1-hM5, the most promising compound 2 displayed a high binding affinitiy towards hM1R (1.2 nM) while exhibiting modest-to-excellent selectivity versus the hM2-5R (4–189-fold). All 12 compounds were shown to act in an antagonistic fashion towards hM1R using a dose-dependent calcium mobilization assay. The structural eligibility for radiolabeling and their pharmacological and physico–chemical property profiles render compounds 2, 5, and 7 promising candidates for future position emission tomography (PET) tracer development.

Dialkyl 5,5'-dioxo-4,4'-bipyrazole-4,4'-dicarboxylates are readily obtained by the reaction of 5-hydroxypyrazole-4-carboxylates in refluxing thionyl chloride. The obtained diesters can be transformed into the corresponding 4,4'-bipyrazoles via alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent decarboxylation. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N) were undertaken with all products prepared. Moreover, the structure of a representative 5,5'-dioxo-4,4'-bipyrazole-4,4'-dicarboxylate was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis.

A synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrazoles containing two, three or four pyridinyl substituents is described. Hence, the reaction of 1,3-dipyridinyl-1,3-propanediones with 2-hydrazinopyridine or phenylhydrazine, respectively, affords the corresponding 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles. Iodination at the 4-position of the pyrazole nucleus by treatment with I2/HIO3 gives the appropriate 4-iodopyrazoles which served as starting materials for different cross-coupling reactions. Finally, Negishi cross-coupling employing organozinc halides and Pd catalysts turned out to be the method of choice to obtain the desired tetrasubstituted pyrazoles. The formation of different unexpected reaction products is described. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N) were undertaken with all products prepared. Moreover, the structure of a condensation product was confirmed by crystal structure analysis.

The synthesis of α-fluorinated methyl ketones has always been challenging. New methods based on the homologation chemistry via nucleophilic halocarbenoid transfer, carried out recently in our labs, allowed us to design and synthesize a target-directed dipeptidyl α,α-difluoromethyl ketone (DFMK) 8 as a potential antiviral agent with activity against human coronaviruses. The ability of the newly synthesized compound to inhibit viral replication was evaluated by a viral cytopathic effect (CPE)-based assay performed on MCR5 cells infected with one of the four human coronaviruses associated with respiratory distress, i.e., hCoV-229E, showing antiproliferative activity in the micromolar range (EC50 = 12.9 ± 1.22 µM), with a very low cytotoxicity profile (CC50 = 170 ± 3.79 µM, 307 ± 11.63 µM, and 174 ± 7.6 µM for A549, human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs), and MRC5 cells, respectively). Docking and molecular dynamics simulations studies indicated that 8 efficaciously binds to the intended target hCoV-229E main protease (Mpro). Moreover, due to the high similarity between hCoV-229E Mpro and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, we also performed the in silico analysis towards the second target, which showed results comparable to those obtained for hCoV-229E Mpro and promising in terms of energy of binding and docking pose.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are a pivotal constituent of the central and peripheral nervous system. Yet, therapeutic and diagnostic applications thereof are hampered by the lack of subtype selective ligands. Within this work, we synthesized and chemically characterized three different stereoisomers of hydrobenzoin esters of arecaidine by NMR, HR-MS, chiral chromatography, and HPLC-logP. All compounds are structurally eligible for carbon-11 labeling and show appropriate stability in Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) and F12 cell culture medium. A competitive radioligand binding assay on Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes comprising the human mAChR subtypes M1-M5 showed the highest orthosteric binding affinity for subtype M1 and a strong influence of stereochemistry on binding affinity, which corresponds to in silico molecular docking experiments. Ki values toward M1 were determined as 99 ± 19 nM, 800 ± 200 nM, and 380 ± 90 nM for the (R,R)-, (S,S)-, and racemic (R,S)-stereoisomer, respectively, highlighting the importance of stereochemical variations in mAChR ligand development. All three stereoisomers were shown to act as antagonists toward mAChR M1 using a Fluo-4 calcium efflux assay. With respect to future positron emission tomography (PET) tracer development, the (R,R)-isomer appears especially promising as a lead structure due to its highest subtype selectivity and lowest Ki value.

Since the norepinephrine transporter (NET) is involved in a variety of diseases, the investigation of underlying dysregulation-mechanisms of the norepinephrine (NE) system is of major interest. Based on the previously described highly potent and selective NET ligand 1-(3-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidaz- ol-2-one (Me@APPI), this paper aims at the development of several fluorinated methylamine-based analogs of this compound. The newly synthesized compounds were computationally evaluated for their interactions with the monoamine transporters and represent reference compounds for PET-based investigation of the NET.

A straightforward synthesis of 6-substituted 1-phenyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridines and the corresponding 5-oxides is presented. Hence, microwave-assisted treatment of 5-chloro-1-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazole-4-carbaldehyde with various terminal alkynes in the presence of tert-butylamine under Sonogashira-type cross-coupling conditions affords the former title compounds in a one-pot multicomponent procedure. Oximes derived from (intermediate) 5-alkynyl-1-phenyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes were transformed into the corresponding 1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine 5-oxides by silver triflate-catalyzed cyclization. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N and 19F) were undertaken with all obtained products.

Activated enol ethers derived from esters or the dinitrile of malonic acid, or from pentane-2,4-dione were treated with hydrazine hydrate. The structures of the obtained products – pyrazoles 5 – were studied with a focus on tautomerism and supramolecular structure. A reverse addition of the reagents led to the isolation of two novel products, namely bis-enehydrazines 6 with an unsymmetrical arrangement of the formally equivalent subunits.

The synthesis of reference standards and expected in vivo metabolites of the first adenosine A3 PET radiotracer [18F]FE@SUPPY ([18F]fluoroethyl 4,6-diethyl-5-[(ethyl-sulfanyl)carbonyl]-2-phenylpyridine-3-carboxylate) was achieved by using a straightforward microwave assisted alkylation method, which allowed O/S-chemoselective alkylation of the starting material 1 to give each target compound 2–8 in a single step.

The synthesis of dipyrazolo[1,5-a:4',3'-c]pyridines is described. Easily obtainable 5-alkynylpyrazole-4-carbaldehydes, p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide, and an aldehyde or ketone containing an α-hydrogen atom were reacted in a silver triflate catalyzed multicomponent reaction affording new tricyclic compounds with a dipyrazolo[1,5-a:4',3'-c]pyridine core. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C and 15N) were undertaken with all obtained compounds.

The synthesis of the title compounds is described. Reaction of 1-substituted 2-pyrazolin-5-ones with 5-chloro-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride or 5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride, respectively, using calcium hydroxide in refluxing 1,4-dioxane gave the corresponding 4-heteroaroylpyrazol-5-ols, which were cyclized into 1H-pyrano[2,3-c:6,5-c]dipyrazol-4(7H)-ones by treatment with K2CO3/DMF. The latter were converted into the corresponding thiones upon reaction with Lawesson’s reagent. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N) of the ring systems and their precursors are presented.

The tautomerism of 1-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-One was investigated. An X-ray crystal structure analysis exhibits dimers of 1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ol units. Comparison of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra in liquid state (1H, 13C, 15N) with those of “fixed” derivatives, as well as with the corresponding solid state NMR spectra reveal this compound to exist predominantly as 1H-pyrazol-3-ol molecule pairs in nonpolar solvents like CDCl3 or C6D6, whereas in DMSO-d6 the corresponding monomers are at hand. Moreover, the NMR data of different related 1H-pyrazol-3-ol derivatives are presented.

The synthesis of several hitherto unknown heterocyclic ring systems derived from thioflavone is described. Coupling of various o-haloheteroarenecarbonyl chlorides with phenylacetylene gives 1-(o-haloheteroaryl)-3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ones, which were treated with NaSH in refluxing ethanol to yield the corresponding bi- and tricyclic annelated 2-phenylthiopyran-4-ones. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations of the ring systems and their precursors are presented.

Starting from commercially available educts, a straightforward synthetic route to new heterocyclic building blocks is exemplified with the one- or two-step synthesis of tri-, tetra-, or pentacyclic ring systems. Representatives of the following novel ring systems are prepared from 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and the corresponding o-halo-arenecarbonyl chloride using calcium hydroxide in refluxing 1,4-dioxane: pyrimidino[4',5':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one, thieno[3',2':5,6]pyrano[2,3c]pyrazol- 4-(1H)-one, thieno[3',4':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one, thieno[3'',2'':4',5']thieno[2',3':5,6]-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one, [1,3]dioxolo[5',6'][1]benzothieno[2',3':5,6]pyrano-[2,3-c]- pyrazol-4(1H)-one, pyridazino[4',3':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one and pyrazolo-[4'',3'':5',6']pyrido[3',4':5,6]pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one. While the latter two ring systems are directly obtained due to a spontaneous intramolecular substitution reaction, in the other reactions uncyclised 4-aroylpyrazol-5-ols are produced, which are cyclised into the target heterocycles in a subsequent synthetic step (i.e. treatment with NaH in DMF). Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H-, 13C-, 15N-) with the obtained compounds were undertaken to unambiguously prove the new structures.

Starting from 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (1) and (1-bromo-3-chloropropyl)benzene (2), the target compound 3, which represents a precursor for future radiolabeling, is prepared in a three-step synthesis.

Starting from N-methyl-1-[(3S*,4S*)-4-(2-methylphenoxy)-3,4-dihydro-1H-isochromen-3-yl]methanamine (1) target compound 2 is prepared in a mild, direct alkylation approach with 2-fluoroethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.

Starting from N-methyl-1-{(3S,4S)-4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-3,4-dihydro-1H-isochromen-3-yl}methanamine (1) target compound 2 is prepared using a mild, direct alkylation approach with 2-fluoroethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate.

Novel 3-acetyl-2-aminothiophenes were prepared from cyanoacetone and1,4-dithianyl-2,5-diols using a modified Gewald reaction. The syntheses of thecorresponding acetamides, as well as that of 3-acetyl-2-amino-5-nitrothiophene – aninteresting building-block for thiophene azo dyes – are reported. Detailed spectroscopicinvestigations (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS, IR) of the obtained compounds are presented.

Full and unambiguous asssignment of all 1H- and 13C-NMR resonances of the free bases as well as the hydrochloride salts of the antiarrhythmic agent propafenone and a thiophene analogue in different solutions (DMSO-d6, CDCl3) is reported.

The title compound was obtained by the reaction of tosylated glycerol carbonate with 1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ol in a good 71% yield. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 15N-NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

The title compound was prepared by treatment of 5-fluoro-1-phenylchromeno [2,3-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-one with aqueous dimethylamine. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

The title compound is prepared by treatment of 1-phenylpyrazolo[4',3':5,6]pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-4(1H)-one with Lawesson’s reagent in refluxing toluene. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, MS) are presented.

The title compound was prepared by treatment of 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one with 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride / Ca(OH)2 in 1,4-dioxane and subsequent cyclization of the thus obtained 4-aroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole with sodium hydride in dry DMF. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

The palladium-catalyzed reaction of 4-bromo-3-methoxy-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole with acrolein diethyl acetal gives the title compound in good yield. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

The title compound was prepared by treatment of 4-bromo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-ol with sodium hydride/methyl iodide in good yield. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

Reaction of 5-chloro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole with I2/HIO3 in refluxing acetic acid gives the title compound in good yield. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

The reaction of 1-phenyl-3-trifluoromethyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and 2-chlorobenzaldehyde leads to the title compound, which results from addition of a second pyrazolone unit to the primarily formed 1:1 condensation product. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

The reaction of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one and 2-bromo-3-furoyl chloride in the presence of Ca(OH)2 in 1,4-dioxane gave the title compound. The latter was also obtained in much higher yield upon reaction of the starting materials in the system dichloromethane / triethylamine. Detailed spectroscopic data (1H NMR, 13C NMR, 15N NMR, IR, MS) are presented.

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