Phosphinic Esters Research Articles

Phosphinate Esters as Novel Warheads for Quenched Activity-Based Probes Targeting Serine Proteases.

Quenched activity-based probes (qABP) are invaluable tools to visualize aberrant protease activity. Unfortunately, most studies so far have only focused on cysteine proteases, and only a few studies describe the synthesis and use of serine protease qABPs. We recently used phosphinate ester electrophiles as a novel type of reactive group to construct ABPs for serine proteases. Here, we report on the construction of qABPs based on the phosphinate warhead, exemplified by probes for the neutrophil serine proteases. The most successful probes show sub-stoichiometric reaction with human neutrophil elastase, efficient fluorescence quenching, and rapid unquenching of fluorescence upon reaction with target proteases.

Solvent and solvation effects on reactivities and mechanisms of phospho group transfers from phosphate and phosphinate esters to nucleophiles.

Organophosphorus esters fulfil many industrial, agricultural, and household roles. Nature has deployed phosphates and their related anhydrides as energy carriers and reservoirs, as constituents of genetic materials in the form of DNA and RNA, and as intermediates in key biochemical conversions. The transfer of the phosphoryl (PO3) group is thus a ubiquitous biological process that is involved in a variety of transformations at the cellular level such as bioenergy and signals transductions. Significant attention has been paid in the last seven decades to understanding the mechanisms of uncatalyzed (solution) chemistry of the phospho group transfer because of the notion that enzymes convert the dissociative transition state structures in the uncatalyzed reactions into associative ones in the biological processes. In this regard, it has also been proposed that the rate enhancements enacted by enzymes result from the desolvation of the ground state in the hydrophobic active site environments, although theoretical calculations seem to disagree with this position. As a result, some attention has been paid to the study of the effects of solvent change, from water to less polar solvents, in uncatalyzed phospho transfer reactions. Such changes have consequences on the stabilities of the ground and the transition states of reactions which affect reactivities and, sometimes, the mechanisms of reactions. This review seeks to collate and evaluate what is known about solvent effects in this domain, especially their effects on rates of reactions of different classes of organophosphorus esters. The outcome of this exercise shows that a systematized study of solvent effects needs to be undertaken to fully understand the physical organic chemistry of the transfer of phosphates and related molecules from aqueous to substantially hydrophobic environments, since significant knowledge gaps exist.

Nickel-Catalyzed Sodium Hypophosphite-Participated Direct Hydrophosphonylation of Alkyne toward H-Phosphinates.

The traditional methods for the synthesis of phosphinate esters use phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) as the phosphorous source, resulting in procedures that are often highly polluting and energy intensive. The search for an alternative approach that is both mild and environmentally friendly is a challenging, yet highly rewarding task in modern chemistry. Herein, we use an inorganic phosphorous-containing species, NaH2PO2, to serve as the source of phosphorous that participates directly in the nickel-catalyzed selective alkyne hydrophosphonylation reaction. The transformation was achieved in a multicomponent fashion and at room temperature, and most importantly, the H-phosphinate product generated is an advanced intermediate which can be readily converted into diverse phosphinate derivatives, including those bearing new P-C, P-S, P-N, P-Se, and P-O bonds, thus providing a complimentary method to classic phosphinate ester synthesis techniques.

Furin-targeting activity-based probes with phosphonate and phosphinate esters as warheads.

Activity-based probes (ABPs) are covalent chemical tools that are widely used to target proteases in chemical biology. Here, we report a series of novel ABPs for the serine protease furin with phosphonate and phosphinate esters as reactive electrophiles. We show that these probes covalently label furin and have nanomolar potencies, because of proposed interactions with the different recognition pockets around the active site of furin.

The interconversion of phosphinic esters and amides

The change of the P-functionality in different organophosphorus compounds is an often occurring synthetic task. In this preliminary communication, we describe halogen-free, and hence environmentally- friendly ("green") transformations including the microwave-assisted conversion of phosphinates to phosphinic amides, and vica versa, the transformation of phosphinic amides to phosphinates.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction of alcohols with secondary phosphine oxides

A copper-catalyzed oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) strategy of secondary phosphine oxides and alcohols for the synthesis of various phosphinate esters was proposed. Under the mild reaction conditions (CuCl2·2H2O/K2S2O8, at room temperature for 3–12 h under air), a variety of substrates were well-tolerated and afforded the desirable compounds in moderate to excellent yields.

MW-assisted hydrolysis of phosphinates in the presence of PTSA as the catalyst, and as a MW absorber

Abstract The hydrolysis of phosphinic esters is an important transformation that may be performed under acidic or basic conditions on conventional heating. A series of cyclic phosphinates, 1-alkoxy-3-methyl or 3,4-dimethylphospholane oxides, has now been hydrolyzed under microwave (MW) conditions in the presence of 0.1 or 0.5 equivalents of p-toluenesulfonic acid that served not only as the catalyst but also as a MW absorber. The later phenomenon was proved separately. The pseudo-first-order rate constants for the hydrolyses performed by the new approach were determined and a reactivity order was setup. The model reactions investigated were transplanted into flow MW accomplishment.

Synthesis of Adamantyl H‐Phosphinate Esters

AbstractAdamantyl H‐phosphinate esters have been described by Leclaire, Giordano, and coworkers as “universal precursors of P‐stereogenic compounds” after resolution by chiral HPLC, because these esters resist racemization during displacement with organometallics. In that work, the racemic esters were prepared from phosphorus trichloride or dichlorophosphines (RPCl2). We decided to investigate alternative methods for the preparation of these important precursors. Esterification methods included EDC, PivCl, and T3P. A protocol to avoid chromatographic purification was also developed and used for multigram‐scale synthesis. Finally, adamantyl hypophosphite 1‐AdOP(O)H2 was also prepared and used in the synthesis adamantyl H‐phosphinate esters, thereby providing an alternative to the esterification of H‐phosphinic acids, although 1‐AdOP(O)H2 was much less reactive than other hypophosphite esters.

Phosphinate esters as novel warheads for activity-based probes targeting serine proteases.

Activity-based protein profiling enables the specific detection of the active fraction of an enzyme and is of particular use for the profiling of proteases. The technique relies on a mechanism-based reaction between small molecule activity-based probes (ABPs) with the active enzyme. Here we report a set of new ABPs for serine proteases, specifically neutrophil serine proteases. The probes contain a phenylphosphinate warhead that mimics the P1 amino acid recognized by the primary recognition pocket of S1 family serine proteases. The warhead is easily synthesized from commercial starting materials and leads to potent probes which can be used for fluorescent in-gel protease detection and fluorescent microscopy imaging experiments.

Decreasing HepG2 Cytotoxicity by Lowering the Lipophilicity of Benzo[d]oxazolephosphinate Ester Utrophin Modulators.

Utrophin modulation is a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that would be applicable to all patient populations. To improve the suboptimal profile of ezutromid, the first-in-class clinical candidate, a second generation of utrophin modulators bearing a phosphinate ester moiety was developed. This modification significantly improved the physicochemical and ADME properties, but one of the main lead molecules was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity. In this work we describe how less lipophilic analogues retained utrophin modulatory activity in a reporter gene assay, upregulated utrophin protein in dystrophic mouse muscle cells, but also had improved physicochemical and ADME properties. Notably, ClogP was found to directly correlate with pIC50 in HepG2 cells, hence leading to a potentially safer toxicological profiles in this series. Compound 21 showed a balanced profile (H2K EC50: 4.17 μM, solubility: 477 μM, mouse hepatocyte T 1/2 > 240 min) and increased utrophin protein 1.6-fold in a Western blot assay.

Recent Advances in Microwave Promoted C-P Cross-coupling Reactions

: Organophosphorous compounds are of potential importance in diverse fields. They are often used as intermediates for making functionalized phosphine ligands as well as find vast applications in the areas of industrial, agricultural and biological chemistry. The microwave-assisted synthesis of C-P bonds has become increasingly popular because of its various advantages over conventional heating in the perspectives of green chemistry. : This review article has primarily focused on the synthesis of various organophosphorous molecules via microwave promoted C-P cross-coupling reactions under metal-catalyzed or metal–free conditions over the last two decades. The synthesis of phosphine ligands on 4,4′-bisquinolone structural framework, disubstituted phosphinic acid esters, vinyl phosphines, aryl- and vinylphosphonates, sugar and nucleoside phosphonates, aminobisphosphonates, triphenyl phosphines, water-soluble tertiary phosphine oxides and many other potentially useful organophosphorous compounds have been illustrated critically. The Hirao reaction, Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction and Sandmeyer type of reactions are generally involved in creating C-P bonds. The role of various metal catalysts, solvents, bases, additives and temperature in different literatures are carefully discussed.

2-Arylbenzo[d]oxazole Phosphinate Esters as Second-Generation Modulators of Utrophin for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Utrophin modulation is a promising therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which should be applicable to all patient populations. Following on from ezutromid, the first-generation utrophin modulator, we describe the development of a second generation of utrophin modulators, based on the bioisosteric replacement of the sulfone group with a phosphinate ester and substitution of the metabolically labile naphthalene with a haloaryl substituent. The improved physicochemical and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, further reflected in the enhanced pharmacokinetic profile of the most advanced compounds, 30 and 27, led to significantly better in vivo exposure compared to ezutromid and alleviation of the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice. While 30 was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity, 27 and its enantiomers exhibited limited off-target effects, resulting in a safe profile and highlighting their potential utility as next-generation utrophin modulators suitable for progression toward a future DMD therapy.

New Developments on the Hirao Reactions, Especially from "Green" Point of View.

Background: The Hirao reaction discovered ca. 35 years ago is an important P–C coupling protocol between dialkyl phosphites and aryl halides in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4 as the catalyst and a base to provide aryl phosphonates. Then, the reaction was extended to other P-reagents, such as secondary phosphine oxides and H-phosphinates and to other aryl and hetaryl derivatives to afford also phosphinic esters and tertiary phosphine oxides. Instead of the Pd(PPh3)4 catalyst, Pd(OAc)2 and Ni-salts were also applied as catalyst precursors together with a number of mono- and bidentate P-ligands.Objective: In our review, we undertook to summarize the target reaction with a special stress on the developments attained in the last 6 years, hence this paper is an update of our earlier reviews in a similar topic.Conclusions: “Greener” syntheses aimed at utilizing phase transfer catalytic and microwave-assisted approaches, even under “P-ligand-free. or even solvent-free conditions are the up-to date versions of the classical Hirao reaction. The mechanism of the reaction is also in the focus these days.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of phosphonic and phosphinic esters and phosphine oxides by the Hirao reaction

Phosphinic- and phosphonic esters, as well as phosphine oxides can be easily obtained by P–C coupling reactions of aryl- and vinyl halides with dialkyl phosphites, H-phosphinates and secondary phosphine oxides in the presence of mostly Pd catalysts. The use of the microwave (MW) technique allows the realization of the Hirao reaction more efficiently, economically and environmentally-friendly.

Development and Scale-Up of a Manufacturing Route for the Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor GSK2248761A (IDX-899): Synthesis of an Advanced Key Chiral Intermediate

A new and improved synthetic route to an intermediate in the synthesis of the phosphinate ester GSK2248761A is described. In the key step, we describe the first process-scale example of a palladium-catalyzed phosphorus–carbon coupling to give the entire backbone of GSK2248761A in one telescoped stage in 65% average yield on a 68 kg scale. This unusual chemistry enabled the route to be reduced from six chemistry stages to four and eliminated a number of environmentally unfriendly reagents and solvents.

Organocatalytic Phosphonylation of in Situ Formed o-Quinone Methides.

A new class of Brønsted acid catalysts based on N-heterocyclic phosphorodiamidic acids (NHPAs) has been developed. The NHPA catalyst promotes phospha-Michael addition reaction of trialkylphosphites to in situ generated ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs) for the construction of diaryl phosphonates in moderate to excellent yields with 1.5 mol % catalyst. Diastereoselective synthesis of P-chiral phosphinate esters is achieved with the use of dialkyl phenylphosphonites.

ChemInform Abstract: Manganese(III) Acetate‐Promoted Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Benzothiazole/Thiazole Derivatives with Organophosphorus Compounds under Ball‐Milling Conditions.

The first solvent-free manganese(III) acetate-promoted reaction of benzothiazole/thiazole derivatives with organophosphorus compounds including phosphine oxides, phosphinate ester, and phosphonate diester has been efficiently developed under ball-milling conditions, providing a highly efficient and green protocol to structurally diverse C2-phosphonylated benzothiazole/thiazole derivatives with remarkable functional group tolerance and excellent yields.

Capture-Tag-Release: A Strategy for Small Molecule Labeling of Native Enzymes.

A strategy for labeling native enzymes in a manner that preserves their activity is reported: capture-tag-release (CTR). Key to this approach is the small molecule CTR probe that contains an enzyme inhibitor, benzophenone crosslinker, and aryl phosphine ester. After UV-derived capture of the enzyme, addition of an azide-containing tag triggers a Staudinger ligation that labels the enzyme. A further consequence of the Staudinger ligation is fragmentation of the CTR probe, thus releasing the inhibitor and restoring enzymatic activity. As a proof-of-principle, the CTR strategy was applied to the hydrolase β-galactosidase. The enzyme was efficiently labeled with biotin, and the kinetic data for the biotinylated enzyme were comparable to those for unlabeled β-galactosidase. The CTR probe exhibits excellent targeting specificity, as it selectively labeled β-galactosidase in a complex protein mixture.

Manganese(III) Acetate-Promoted Cross-Coupling Reaction of Benzothiazole/Thiazole Derivatives with Organophosphorus Compounds under Ball-Milling Conditions.

The first solvent-free manganese(III) acetate-promoted reaction of benzothiazole/thiazole derivatives with organophosphorus compounds including phosphine oxides, phosphinate ester, and phosphonate diester has been efficiently developed under ball-milling conditions, providing a highly efficient and green protocol to structurally diverse C2-phosphonylated benzothiazole/thiazole derivatives with remarkable functional group tolerance and excellent yields.

General synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds: the menthyl phosphinate approach.

Easily prepared menthyl phosphinates of high diastereoisomeric purity provide versatile intermediates for the synthesis of P-stereogenic compounds. Previous efforts starting about fifty years ago have been hampered by a lack of generality so the menthyl route has been nearly abandoned. Herein we provide a general solution to this long-standing problem and describe a general synthesis of menthyl H-phosphinate and disubstituted phosphinate esters. The method to prepare these versatile precursors relies on a simple and inexpensive process avoiding the use of phosphorus trichloride, Grignard reagents, and complicated cryogenic crystallizations. Established protocols can then be employed to synthesize P-stereogenic secondary and tertiary phosphine oxides and therefore P-stereogenic phosphine ligands.