Squaramide Derivatives Research Articles

Structural basis for CCR6 modulation by allosteric antagonists

The CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) is a potential target for chronic inflammatory diseases. Previously, we reported an active CCR6 structure in complex with its cognate chemokine CCL20, revealing the molecular basis of CCR6 activation. Here, we present two inactive CCR6 structures in ternary complexes with different allosteric antagonists, CCR6/SQA1/OXM1 and CCR6/SQA1/OXM2. The oxomorpholine analogues, OXM1 and OXM2 are highly selective CCR6 antagonists which bind to an extracellular pocket and disrupt the receptor activation network. An energetically favoured U-shaped conformation in solution that resembles the bound form is observed for the active analogues. SQA1 is a squaramide derivative with close-in analogues reported as antagonists of chemokine receptors including CCR6. SQA1 binds to an intracellular pocket which overlaps with the G protein site, stabilizing a closed pocket that is a hallmark of inactive GPCRs. Minimal communication between the two allosteric pockets is observed, in contrast to the prevalent allosteric cooperativity model of GPCRs. This work highlights the versatility of GPCR antagonism by small molecules, complementing previous knowledge of CCR6 activation, and sheds light on drug discovery targeting CCR6.

An Investigation on Linker Modifications of Cyanoguanidine-Based P2X7 Receptor Antagonists.

Despite their acknowledged significance in the inflammatory signalling cascade across a range of disease states, P2X7R antagonists have not yet proven to be effective in clinical trials. In this study, we present findings on P2X7 receptor antagonists that are based on a core adamantyl-cyanoguanidine-quinoline lead. To investigate the specific features of the cyanoguanidine moiety that influence compound potency we carried out a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. Compound potency was assessed using an in vitro dye-uptake assay measuring P2X7R pore formation. While none of the compounds displayed superior potency to the lead, we established key structural requirements for potent P2X7R antagonism. An additional SAR using different aryl groups was performed based on the promising activity displayed by the squaramide derivative.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Spiro Heterocyclic Compounds Using a Combination of Organocatalysis and Transition-Metal Catalysis.

Over the last ten years, the combination of organocatalysis with transition metal (TM) catalysis has become one of the most important toolboxes used for synthesizing optically pure compounds containing chiral quaternary centers, including spiro heterocyclic molecules. The dominant method in the enantioselective synthesis of spiro heterocyclic compounds based on synergistic catalysis includes chiral aminocatalysis and NHC catalysis, as already established covalent organocatalytic strategies. Another area of organocatalysis widely combined with TM catalysis producing enantiomerically enriched spiro heterocyclic compounds is non-covalent catalysis, dominated by chiral phosphoric acids, thiourea, and squaramide derivatives. This review article aims to summarize enantioselective methods used for constructing spirocyclic heterocycles based on a combination of organocatalysis and transition metal catalysis.

A bioisosteric approach to the discovery of novel N-aryl-N′-[4-(aryloxy)cyclohexyl]squaramide-based activators of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) phosphorylation

Inhibition of translation initiation has emerging implications for the development of mechanism-based anticancer therapeutics. Phosphorylation of eIF2α is recognized as a key target that regulates the translation initiation cascade. Based on the bioisosteric replacement of urea-derived eIF2α phosphorylation activator 1, a novel series of N-aryl-N′-[4-(aryloxy)cyclohexyl]squaramide derivatives was designed and synthesized; their effects on the activation of eIF2α phosphorylation was assessed systematically. A brief structure–activity relationship analysis was established by stepwise structural optimization of the squaramide series. Subsequently, the antiproliferative activities of the selected analogues were determined in human leukemia K562 cells. We then identified 10 potent eIF2α phosphorylation activators with considerable anticancer activity. The most promising analogues 19 and 40 possessed higher cancer cell selectivity (SI = 6.16 and 4.83, respectively) than parent 1 (SI = 2.20). Finally, protein expression analysis revealed that compounds 19 and 40 induced eIF2α phosphorylation and its downstream effectors ATF4 and CHOP.

Base-free enantioselective SN2 alkylation of 2-oxindoles via bifunctional phase-transfer catalysis.

N-Protected oxindole derivatives of unprecedented malleability bearing ester moieties at C-3 have been shown to participate in enantioselective phase-transfer-catalysed alkylations promoted by ad-hoc designed quaternary ammonium salts derived from quinine bearing hydrogen-bond donating substituents. For the first time in such phase-transfer-catalysed enolate alkylations, the reactions were carried out under base-free conditions. It was found that urea-based catalysts outperformed squaramide derivatives, and that the installation of a chlorine atom adjacent to the catalyst’s quinoline moiety aided in avoiding selectivity-reducing complications related to the production of HBr in these processes. The influence of steric and electronic factors from both the perspective of the nucleophile and electrophile were investigated and levels of enantiocontrol up to 90% ee obtained. The synthetic utility of the methodology was demonstrated via the concise enantioselective synthesis of a potent CRTH2 receptor antagonist.

Asymmetric Dearomative (3+2)-Cycloaddition Involving Nitro-Substituted Benzoheteroarenes under H-Bonding Catalysis.

In our studies, the organocatalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between 2-nitrobenzofurans or 2-nitrobenzothiophene and N-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl-substituted isatin imines has been developed. The reaction has been realized by employing bifunctional organocatalysis, with the use of squaramide derivative being crucial for the stereochemical efficiency of the process. The usefulness of the cycloadducts obtained has been confirmed in selected transformations, including aromative and non-aromative removal of the nitro group.

Synthesis of cinchona squaramide polymers by Yamamoto coupling polymerization and their application in asymmetric Michael reaction

Yamamoto coupling polymerization has been used for the synthesis of polymeric chiral organocatalysts. Cinchona squaramide derivatives with dibromophenyl moiety were polymerized under the Yamamoto coupling conditions to afford the corresponding chiral polymers in good yields. Using this technique, novel cinchona alkaloid polymers containing the squaramide moiety were designed and successfully synthesized. In addition to the homopolymerization of cinchona squaramide monomers with a dibromophenyl group, achiral comonomers such as dibromobenzene were copolymerized with the cinchona monomers to yield chiral copolymers. These chiral polymers were successfully utilized as polymeric catalysts in asymmetric Michael addition reactions. Good to excellent enantioselectivities were observed for different types of asymmetric Michael reactions. Using the chiral homopolymer catalyst P4, almost perfect diastereoselectivity (>100:1) with 99% ee was obtained for the reaction between methyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate 25 and trans-β-nitrostyrene 17. The polymer catalysts developed in this study have robust structures and can be reused several times without a loss in their catalytic activities.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of diamino substituted cyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione derivatives for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) ATP synthase is an important target for treating drug-resistant infections and sterilizing the bacteria, spurring intensive efforts to develop new TB therapeutics based on this target. In this work, four novel series including furan-2(5H)-ketone (3, 4), maleimide (5) and squaramide (6) derivatives were designed, respectively, through the strategy of scaffold morphing and hydrogen-bond introduction, using the selective Mtb ATP synthase inhibitor compound 2 as the lead compound. The result demonstrated that diamino substituted cyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione compounds 6ab and 6ah displayed good to excellent invitro anti-TB activities (MIC 0.452-0.963μg/mL) with low cytotoxicity (IC50>64μg/mL). In addition, not only did compound 6ab show effective activity against clinically isolated resistant strains, it also revealed good druggability profiles including improved metabolic stability, no hERG channel inhibition potential, and acceptable oral bioavailability. The preliminary result of docking study and invitro anti-bedaquiline-resistant strain test compared to compound 2 suggested that Mtb ATP synthase is most likely the target of compound 6ab. The structure-activity relationship laid a good foundation for the identification of novel squaramides as a potential treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Highly Enantioselective, Hydrogen-Bond-Donor Catalyzed Additions to Oxetanes.

A precisely designed chiral squaramide derivative is shown to promote the highly enantioselective addition of trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr) to a broad variety of 3-substituted and 3,3-disubstituted oxetanes. The reaction provides direct and general access to synthetically valuable 1,3-bromohydrin building blocks from easily accessed achiral precursors. The products are readily elaborated both by nucleophilic substitution and through transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The enantioselective catalytic oxetane ring opening was employed as part of a three-step, gram-scale synthesis of pretomanid, a recently approved medication for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Heavy-atom kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies are consistent with enantiodetermining delivery of bromide from the H-bond-donor (HBD) catalyst to the activated oxetane. While the nucleophilicity of the bromide ion is expected to be attenuated by association to the HBD, overall rate acceleration is achieved by enhancement of Lewis acidity of the TMSBr reagent through anion abstraction.

Design and synthesis of cinchona-based chiral hyperbranched polymers and their application in asymmetric reactions

Cinchona-based chiral hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) were designed and successfully synthesized via the Mizoroki-Heck (MH) coupling reaction. AB2 and A2B-type chiral monomers were prepared from cinchona squaramide derivatives, where A (vinyl) reacted only with B (iodophenyl) under MH reaction conditions. The chiral HBPs obtained by the MH polymerization contained cinchona squaramide moieties and demonstrated excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric Michael addition reactions of methyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate and trans-β-nitrostyrene. These newly designed HBPs were structurally robust and could be reused for further reaction without losing their catalytic activity.

Tripodal Squaramide Derivative as a Neutral Chloride Ionophore for Whole Blood and Sweat Chloride Measurement

AbstractA tripodal squaramide derivative was synthesized and characterized as a new neural ionophore for chloride ion. Squaramide based compounds are known to be better hydrogen bonding receptors than urea derivatives because they donate four hydrogen bonds to anions, while the tripodal structure provides a 3D geometry optimum for spherical anion complexation. The ionophore demonstrated high selectivity over salicylate and heparin that are major interferences for chloride measurement in biological samples with direct potentiometric method. The new ionophore based solid‐contact electrodes were fabricated and showed the measuring range of 10−5 to 1 M chloride ion in the presence of 1 mM of salicylate and heparin with near Nernstian slope of 55 mV/decade. The sensor was successfully applied for the chloride measurement in undiluted heparinized whole blood and artificial sweat samples with our clinical analyzer.

Synthesis, vibrational spectroscopy and X-ray structural characterization of novel NIR emitter squaramides.

Two new 2-naphthyl squaramides, 3-methoxy -4-(2-naphtalenylamino)-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione (SQ-NPh1) and bis-3,4-(2-naphtalenylamino)-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione (SQ-NPh2) were synthesized via condensation reaction between the dimethylsquarate and 2-naphthylamine. The spectrometric characterization by 13C NMR confirmed the obtaining of the squaramide derivative and nor the squaraine analog. This hypothesis was corroborated by Raman and Infrared spectroscopy since the characteristic vibrational bands related to the oxocarbon portion of both structures have been assigned, such as the ones for SQ-NPh1 and SQ-NPh2. The single-crystal X-ray crystallography for SQ-NPh1 crystal structures have been solved and the structure of SQ-NPh2 have been refined using Powder Diffraction state-of-art. The SQ-NPh1 crystallizes in monoclinic system in P2/c space group. Both squaramides present absorption in the ultra-visible (220-370 nm) and fluorescent emission in the near-infrared (780-800 nm), besides they also presented high thermal stability (around 570 °C). Generally, only squaraines are reported as NIR emitters, this is the first description of NIR emission for squaramides, and since the synthesis of squaramides is very easy and the rational design of small-molecule NIR fluorophores is of high priority and great value, these results are very promising for the development of novel NIR fluorescent dyes.

SA116Open Board

Cinchona-based chiral hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) were designed and successfully synthesized via the Mizoroki-Heck (MH) coupling reaction. AB2 and A2B-type chiral monomers were prepared from cinchona squaramide derivatives, where A (vinyl) reacted only with B (iodophenyl) under MH reaction conditions. The chiral HBPs obtained by the MH polymerization contained cinchona squaramide moieties and demonstrated excellent diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric Michael addition reactions of methyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate and trans-β-nitrostyrene. These newly designed HBPs were structurally robust and could be reused for further reaction without losing their catalytic activity.

A long wavelength colourimetric chemosensor for fluoride

A family of chemosensors based on the squaramidoquinoxaline moiety (cyclobuta[b]quinoxaline-1,2(3H,8H)-dione) (1–3) have been assembled by a simple room temperature one step synthesis. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 2 demonstrated both strong hydrogen bond donor ability and tendency to π stack in the solid state. Moreover, Compound 2, with its strongly electron withdrawing nitro-substituent, showed an obvious F− selective colour change (when measured against other halides) clearly visible to the naked eye from pink to green in DMSO solution. Further addition of F− led to a second colour change from green to yellow. Using TD-DFT, UV/Vis and NMR analysis we conclude that the observed colour changes are likely to be due to a two-step process involving two NH deprotonation steps. Colour changes of 1 and 3 were not as apparent in the presence of F− owing to the reduced acidity of the NH functionality of the squaramidoquinoxaline. The results of this study again demonstrate the use of squaramide derivatives as valuable building blocks in the field of anion recognition and demonstrate that the electron withdrawing aryl substituent is directly related to the sensing ability/acidity of the squaramide protons and can be used to tune their anion recognition behavior.

Investigating the effects of structure on sulfate recognition by neutral dipeptide receptors

A small library of neutral peptide-based anion receptors was synthesised, where changes were made to the scaffold structure to investigate the effect these structural features have on the anion binding ability of these receptors. These changes included shortening the peptide side chain lengths, increasing the number of electron withdrawing substituents present on the squaramide phenyl substituents and increasing the length and flexibility of the peptide backbone. An effort was also made to increase the aqueous solubility of these receptors by functionalising the N-terminus of the peptide with a hydrophilic moiety. All the receptors displayed strong affinity and selectivity for sulfate in 20% v/v H2O/DMSO-d6 and a 5-fold increase in the affinity of the thiourea receptors was observed upon shortening the side chains by one methylene unit. Overall, the squaramide derivatives displayed much stronger association, in this competitive media, than the thiourea based receptors.

Removal of Au3+ and Ag+ from aqueous media with magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with squaramide derivatives.

New magnetic hybrid nanoparticles of Fe3O4 coated with organosulfur-squaramide compounds are prepared. The modified-nanoparticles show a good coordination for Ag+ and Hg2+ cations in water, and present a high affinity for Au3+ ions. The behaviour of the squaramide-coated nanoparticles differs significantly from that previously reported for nanoparticles used as Au3+ scavengers. In the presence of organosulfur-squaramide, the Au3+ salt is reduced to gold nanoparticles that are deposited upon Fe3O4 nanoparticles. For the first time, the coordination capacity of the carbonyl squaramide groups with the gold cation, based on purely electrostatic cation–dipole interactions, is proved.

Synthesis and properties of a lysosome-targeting fluorescent ionophore based on coumarins and squaramides.

In this paper we present the first example of a lysosome-targeting fluorescent ionophore. Specifically, we synthesized a squaramide derivative bearing a coumarin fluorophore and a morpholinyl group, and found that it was able to target and efficiently deacidify lysosomes. In contrast, an analogue without a morpholinyl group exhibits much lower ability to localize in lysosomes and is much less active in regulating the lysosomal pH.

Macrocyclic squaramides: anion receptors with high sulfate binding affinity and selectivity in aqueous media.

A number of macrocyclic squaramide-containing receptors (MSQs) have been designed and synthesised and their interaction with a range of inorganic anions was studied in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy and ESI-HRMS. The binding data revealed remarkable binding of sulfate in aqueous mixtures from 0.5 to 50% v/v H2O/DMSO-d6. The larger [3]-MSQs were found to better match the size and shape of the sulfate ion than the [2]-MSQs, providing high affinity and selectivity for sulfate while other tetrahedral divalent anions such as selenate, phosphate species and chromate have substantially lower binding affinities. In mixtures of anions mimicking the composition of either nuclear waste or plasma, the [3]-MSQs were still able to bind sulfate ions with high affinity.

Turning on catalysis: incorporation of a hydrogen-bond-donating squaramide moiety into a Zr metal-organic framework.

Herein, we demonstrate that the incorporation of an acidic hydrogen-bond-donating squaramide moiety into a porous UiO-67 metal-organic framework (MOF) derivative leads to dramatic acceleration of the biorelevant Friedel-Crafts reaction between indole and β-nitrostyrene. In comparison, it is shown that free squaramide derivatives, not incorporated into MOF architectures, have no catalytic activity. Additionally, using the UiO-67 template, we were able to perform a direct comparison of catalytic activity with that of the less acidic urea-based analogue. This is the first demonstration of the functionalization of a heterogeneous framework with an acidic squaramide derivative.

Squaramide Derivatives and Their Applications in Ion Recognition

Squaramide Derivatives and Their Applications in Ion Recognition