Bicyclic Scaffold Research Articles

Synthesis and Biological Activity of 6-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine Thienoyl Regioisomers as Inhibitors of de Novo Purine Biosynthesis with Selectivity for Cellular Uptake by High Affinity Folate Receptors and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter over the Reduced Folate Carrier

We previously reported the selective transport of classical 2-amino-4-oxo-6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines with a thienoyl-for-benzoyl-substituted side chain and a three- (3a) and four-carbon (3b) bridge. Compound 3a was more potent than 3b against tumor cells. While 3b was completely selective for transport by folate receptors (FRs) and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) over the reduced folate carrier (RFC), 3a was not. To determine if decreasing the distance between the bicyclic scaffold and l-glutamate in 3b would preserve transport selectivity and potency against human tumor cells, 3b regioisomers with [1,3] (7 and 8) and [1,2] (4, 5, and 6) substitutions on the thienoyl ring and with acetylenic insertions in the four-atom bridge were synthesized and evaluated. Compounds 7 and 8 were potent nanomolar inhibitors of KB and IGROV1 human tumor cells with complete selectivity for FRα and PCFT over RFC.

ChemInform Abstract: Thermal [2 + 2] Cycloaddition of CF3‐Substituted Allenynes: Access to Novel Cyclobutene‐Containing α‐Amino Acids.

AbstractReadily prepared α‐CF3‐α‐amino allenynes (III) undergo regioselective intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition with the distal double bond to produce bicyclic amino acid scaffolds of high potential.

A Chiral‐Pool‐Based Approach to the Core Structure of (+)‐Hyperforin

AbstractAsymmetric entry to the bicyclic core structure of (+)‐hyperforin is presented. The developed synthetic strategy features a carefully orchestrated stereochemical relay from the single chiral center residing within (–)‐Wieland–Miescher ketone and an intramolecular aldol reaction to cast the [3.3.1] bicyclic scaffold found in a diverse array of polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols.

Total Synthesis of (−)-N-Methylwelwitindolinone C Isothiocyanate

We report the first total synthesis of (-)-N-methylwelwitindolinone C isothiocyanate. Our route features a number of key transformations, including an indolyne cyclization to assemble the [4.3.1]-bicyclic scaffold, as well as a late-stage intramolecular nitrene insertion to functionalize the C11 bridgehead carbon en route to the natural product.

An Entry into Hexahydro-2H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrrole 1,1-Dioxide Derivatives

Hexahydro-2H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrrole is proposed as a low molecular weight polar scaffold to construct compound libraries used in the search for new drugs. Practical syntheses of derivatives of this bicyclic scaffold were developed, based on [3 + 2] cycloaddition of the ylide generated from N-benzyl-1-methoxy-N-((trimethylsilyl)methyl)methanamine and 4-substituted 2,3-dihydrothiophene 1,1-dioxides. All of the 3-substituted hexahydro-2H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrrole 1,1-dioxide derivatives were obtained as single diastereomers. Conformational properties of the hexahydro-2H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrrole 1,1-dioxide derivatives were explored using X-ray diffraction studies. The potential of the scaffold to generate libraries of 3D-shaped molecules was demonstrated.

N-Fused Imidazoles As Novel Anticancer Agents That Inhibit Catalytic Activity of Topoisomerase IIα and Induce Apoptosis in G1/S Phase

On the basis of structures of known topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitors and initial molecular docking studies, bicyclic N-fused aminoimidazoles were predicted as potential topoisomerase II inhibitors. They were synthesized by multicomponent reactions and evaluated against human topoisomerase IIα (hTopoIIα) in decatenation, relaxation, cleavage complex, and DNA intercalation in vitro assays. Among 31 compounds of eight different bicyclic scaffolds, it was found that imidazopyridine, imidazopyrazole, and imidazopyrazine with suitable substituents exhibited potent inhibition of catalytic activity of hTopoIIα while not showing DNA intercalation. Molecular docking studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analysis, ATPase-kinetics and ATP-dependent plasmid relaxation assay revealed the catalytic mode of inhibition of the title compounds plausibly by blocking the ATP-binding site. N-Fused aminoimidazoles showed potent anticancer activities in kidney and breast cancer cell lines, low toxicity to normal cells, relatively higher potency compared to etoposide and 5-fluorouracil in kidney cancer cell lines, and potent inhibition in cell migration. These compounds were found to exert apoptotic effect in G1/S phase.

Pd-Catalyzed Pyridine-Directed Aerobic Olefination of Unactivated sp³C-H Sites

A new palladium/polyoxometalate-catalyzed aerobic olefination of unactivated sp³ C-H bonds has been developed. Nitrogen-containing heterocycles act as directing groups and the products undergo reversible intramolecular Michael addition to form bicyclic nitrogen-containing scaffolds.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Aspidophylline A

We report the total synthesis of (±)-aspidophylline A, one of many complex furoindoline-containing alkaloids that has not been synthesized previously. Our route features a number of key transformations, including a Heck cyclization to assemble the [3.3.1]-bicyclic scaffold as well as a late-stage interrupted Fischer indolization to install the furoindoline and construct the natural product's pentacyclic framework.

Aerobic Pd-Catalyzed sp3 C−H Olefination: A Route to Both N-Heterocyclic Scaffolds and Alkenes

This communication describes a new method for the Pd/polyoxometalate-catalyzed aerobic olefination of unactivated sp(3) C-H bonds. Nitrogen heterocycles serve as directing groups, and air is used as the terminal oxidant. The products undergo reversible intramolecular Michael addition, which protects the monoalkenylated product from overfunctionalization. Hydrogenation of the Michael adducts provides access to bicyclic nitrogen-containing scaffolds that are prevalent in alkaloid natural products. Additionally, the cationic Michael adducts undergo facile elimination to release α,β-unsaturated olefins, which can be further elaborated via C-C and C-heteroatom bond-forming reactions.

Scaffold-Hopping Strategy: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 5,6-Fused Bicyclic Heteroaromatics To Identify Orally Bioavailable Anticancer Agents

Utilizing scaffold-hopping drug-design strategy, we sought to identify a backup drug candidate for BPR0L075 (1), an indole-based anticancer agent. For this purpose, 5,6-fused bicyclic heteroaromatic scaffolds were designed and synthesized through shuffling of the nitrogen from the N-1 position or by insertion of one or two nitrogen atoms into the indole core of 1. Among these, 7-azaindole core 12 showed potent in vitro anticancer activity and improved oral bioavailability (F = 35%) compared with 1 (F < 10%).

Chroman and tetrahydroquinoline ureas as potent TRPV1 antagonists

Novel chroman and tetrahydroquinoline ureas were synthesized and evaluated for their activity as TRPV1 antagonists. It was found that aryl substituents on the 7- or 8-position of both bicyclic scaffolds imparted the best in vitro potency at TRPV1. The most potent chroman ureas were assessed in chronic and acute pain models, and compounds with the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier were shown to be highly efficacious. The tetrahydroquinoline ureas were found to be potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, but replacement of bulky substituents at the nitrogen atom of the tetrahydroisoquinoline moiety with small groups such as methyl can minimize the inhibition.

ChemInform Abstract: One‐Pot Tandem Catalysis: A Concise Route to Fused Bicyclic Scaffolds from Acyclic β‐Ketoesters and Alkynyl Aldehydes.

AbstractA rapid and highly efficient route to fused polycyclic scaffolds from simple, readily available β‐ketoesters and alkynyl aldehydes is developed as a one‐pot reaction by combining three reactions, that is, the Knoevenagel condensation, Nazarov cyclization, and Conia‐ene reactions.

Synthesis and SAR of centrally active mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators based on an aryl acetylenic bicyclic lactam scaffold

This Letter describes the hit-to-lead progression and SAR of a series of biphenyl acetylene compounds derived from an HTS screening campaign targeting the mGlu(5) receptor. 'Molecular switches' were identified that modulated modes of pharmacology, and several compounds within this series were shown to be efficacious in reversal of amphetamine induced hyperlocomotion in rats after ip dosing, a preclinical model that shows similar positive effects with known antipsychotic agents.

Pyridoxine-derived bicyclic aminopyridinol antioxidants: synthesis and their antioxidant activities

A few facile synthetic pathways for bicyclic aminopyridinol antioxidants are presented. Attachment of a long alkyl chain to the bicyclic pyridinol scaffold was established using ester linkage. Non-substituted pyrrolopyridinols and 1,3-oxazine-fused pyridinols were also synthesized as novel antioxidant scaffolds. Antioxidant activities were measured by a radical clock method and new compounds prepared are comparable to the best bicyclic aminopyridinol antioxidants.

Novel 9a,11-bridged azalides: One-pot synthesis of N′-substituted 2-imino-1,3-oxazolidines condensed to an azalide aglycone

An efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of novel 9a,11-bridged 15-membered 9a-aza-9-deoxo-9a-homoerythromycin A and its 6-O-methyl analogue has been developed. The novel bicyclic azalide scaffold is characterized by an N′-substituted-2-imino-1,3-oxazolidine moiety bound to a macrolactone ring between positions 9a and 11. Removal of the cladinose sugar from the starting compounds allows easy preparation of a small series of such bicyclic 3-keto and 3,6-hemiketal azalide derivatives. A mechanism for the formation of N′-substituted-2-imino-1,3-oxazolidines is discussed. Antibacterial properties of the prepared compounds were evaluated.

Discovery of a 1,5-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4-dione series of inhibitors of HIV-1 capsid assembly

The discovery of a 1,5-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4-dione series of inhibitors of HIV-1 capsid assembly is described. Synthesis of analogs of the 1,5-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]diazepine-2,4-dione hit established structure–activity relationships. Replacement of the enamine functionality of the hit series with either an imidazole or a pyrazole ring led to compounds that inhibited both capsid assembly and reverse transcriptase. Optimization of the bicyclic benzodiazepine scaffold to include a 3-phenyl substituent led to lead compound 48, a pure capsid assembly inhibitor with improved antiviral activity.

Palladium‐Catalyzed Coupling of Aldehyde‐Derived Hydrazones: Practical Synthesis of Triazolopyridines and Related Heterocycles

The palladium-catalyzed intermolecular coupling of aldehyde-derived hydrazones with chloroazines, followed by oxidative cyclization under mild conditions afforded access to a broad variety of bicyclic heterocyclic scaffolds (see scheme) that have potential for use in drug discovery.

Novel Pyridylmethylamines as Highly Selective 5-HT1A Superagonists

To further improve the maximal serotonergic efficacy and better understand the configurational requirements for 5-HT(1A) binding and activation, we generated and biologically investigated structural variants of the lead structure befiradol. For a bioisosteric replacement of the 3-chloro-4-fluoro moiety, a focused library of 63 compounds by solution phase parallel synthesis was developed. Target binding of our compound collection was investigated, and their affinities for 5-HT(2), α(1), and α(2)-adrenergic as well as D(1)-D(4) dopamine receptors were compared. For particularly interesting test compounds, intrinsic activities at 5-HT(1A) were examined in vitro employing a GTPγS assay. The investigation guided us to highly selective 5HT(1A) superagonists. The benzothiophene-3-carboxamide 8bt revealed almost exclusive 5HT(1A) recognition with a K(i) value of 2.7 nM and a maximal efficacy of 124%. To get insights into the bioactive conformation of our compound collection, we synthesized conformationally constrained bicyclic scaffolds when SAR data indicated a chair-type geometry and an equatorially dispositioned aminomethyl substituent for the 4,4-disubstituted piperidine moiety.

One‐Pot Tandem Catalysis: A Concise Route to Fused Bicyclic Scaffolds from Acyclic β‐Ketoesters and Alkynyl Aldehydes

“Quick-step” synthesis: A rapid and highly efficient route to fused polycyclic scaffolds from simple, readily available β-ketoesters and alkynyl aldehydes was developed (see scheme) as a one-pot reaction by combining three fundamental reactions, that is, the Knoevenagel condensation, Nazarov cyclization, and Conia-ene reactions. Piperidinium acetate was found to be a tandem catalyst in these one-pot reactions.

Synthesis of 6- and 7-membered cyclic enaminones: scope and mechanism.

Six- and seven-membered cyclic enaminones can be prepared using common, environmentally benign reagents. Amino acids are used as synthetic precursors allowing diversification and the incorporation of chirality. The key reaction in this multistep process involves deprotection of Boc-amino ynones and subsequent treatment with methanolic K(2)CO(3) to induce cyclization. A β-amino elimination side reaction was identified in a few labile substrates that led to either loss of stereochemical purity or degradation. This process can be mitigated in specific cases using mild deprotection conditions. NMR and deuterium-labeling experiments provided valuable insight into the workings and limitations of this reaction. Although disguised as a 6-endo-dig cyclization, the reagents employed in the transformation play a direct role in bond-making and bond-breaking, thus changing the mode of addition to a 6-endo-trig cyclization. This method can be used to construct an array of monocyclic and bicyclic scaffolds, many of which are found in well-known natural products (e.g., indolizidine, quinolizidine, and Stemona alkaloids).