Discovery of diphenylcarbamate derivatives as highly potent and selective IP receptor agonists: orally active prostacyclin mimetics. Part 3

Efficient access to aliphatic esters by photocatalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of alkenes with alkyloxalyl chlorides

Aliphatic esters are essential constituents of biologically active compounds and versatile chemical intermediates for the synthesis of drugs. However, their preparation from readily available olefins remains challenging. Here, we report a strategy to access aliphatic esters from olefins through a photocatalyzed alkoxycarbonylation reaction. Alkyloxalyl chlorides, generated in situ from the corresponding alcohols and oxalyl chloride, are engaged as alkoxycarbonyl radical fragments under photoredox catalysis. This transformation tolerates a broad scope of electron-rich and electron-deficient olefins and provides the corresponding β-chloro esters in good yields. Additionally, a formal β-selective alkene alkoxycarbonylation is developed. Moreover, a variety of oxindole-3-acetates and furoindolines are prepared in good to excellent yields. A more concise formal synthesis of (±)-physovenine is accomplished as well. With these strategies, a wide range of natural-product-derived olefins and alkyloxalyl chlorides are also successfully employed.

Aliphatic esters are essential constituents of biologically active compounds but their preparation from readily available olefins remains challenging. Here the authors show a strategy to access aliphatic esters from olefins through a unique photocatalyzed alkoxycarbonylation reaction.

Targeted Drugs for Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease that can lead to right ventricular failure and premature death. Although approved drugs have been shown to be safe and effective, PAH remains a severe clinical condition, and the long-term survival of patients with PAH is still suboptimal. Thus, potential therapeutic targets and new agents to treat PAH are urgently needed. In recent years, a variety of related pathways and potential therapeutic targets have been found, which brings new hope for PAH therapy. In this perspective, not only are the marketed drugs used to treat PAH summarized but also the recently developed novel pharmaceutical therapies currently in clinical trials are discussed. Furthermore, the advances in natural products as potential treatment for PAH are also updated.

Epoxide Syntheses and Ring-Opening Reactions in Drug Development

This review concentrates on success stories from the synthesis of approved medicines and drug candidates using epoxide chemistry in the development of robust and efficient syntheses at large scale. The focus is on those parts of each synthesis related to the substrate-controlled/diastereoselective and catalytic asymmetric synthesis of epoxide intermediates and their subsequent ring-opening reactions with various nucleophiles. These are described in the form of case studies of high profile pharmaceuticals spanning a diverse range of indications and molecular scaffolds such as heterocycles, terpenes, steroids, peptidomimetics, alkaloids and main stream small molecules. Representative examples include, but are not limited to the antihypertensive diltiazem, the antidepressant reboxetine, the HIV protease inhibitors atazanavir and indinavir, efinaconazole and related triazole antifungals, tasimelteon for sleep disorders, the anticancer agent carfilzomib, the anticoagulant rivaroxaban the antibiotic linezolid and the antiviral oseltamivir. Emphasis is given on aspects of catalytic asymmetric epoxidation employing metals with chiral ligands particularly with the Sharpless and Jacobsen–Katsuki methods as well as organocatalysts such as the chiral ketones of Shi and Yang, Pages’s chiral iminium salts and typical chiral phase transfer agents.

Piperidine derivatives as nonprostanoid IP receptor agonists 2

We searched for a strong and selective nonprostanoid IP agonist bearing piperidine and benzanilide moieties. Through optimization of substituents on the benzanilide moiety, the crucial part of the agonist, 43 (2-((1-(2-(N-(4-tolyl)benzo[d][1,3]dioxole-5-carboxamido)ethyl)piperidin-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid monohydrate monohydrochloride) was discovered and exhibited strong platelet aggregation inhibition (IC50=21nM) and 100-fold selectivity for IP receptor over other PG receptors. The systemic exposure level and bioavailability after oral administration of 43 were also good in dog.

Piperidine derivatives as nonprostanoid IP receptor agonists

The discovery of a new class of nonprostanoid prostaglandin I2 receptor (IP receptor) agonists is reported. Among them, the unique piperidine derivative 31b (2-((1-(2-(N-(4-tolyl)benzamido)ethyl)piperidin-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid) was a good IP receptor agonist and was 50-fold more selective for the human IP receptor than for other human prostanoid receptors. This compound showed good pharmacokinetic properties in dog.

Induction of intrinsic apoptosis pathway in colon cancer HCT-116 cells by novel 2-substituted-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives

2-Acetyl tetralin (1) reacted with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA) to afford the enaminone 3. The reaction of 3 with piperidine and morpholine afforded the trans enaminone 5a,b, respectively. Compound 3 was treated with primary aromatic amines to give secondary enaminones 6a-e. The enaminone 3 reacted with acetylglycine and hippuric acid to yield pyranones 10a, b, respectively. The reaction of enaminone 3 with 1,4-benzoquinone and 1,4-naphthoquinone gave benzofuranyl tetralin derivatives 14a,b, respectively. Also, when 3 reacted with 5-amino-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole 15a and 5-amino-1,2,3-triazole 15b, it afforded the new pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine 17a and 1,2,3-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine 17b, respectively. While the reaction of 3 with pyrimidines 18a, b resulted in the formation of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives 20a, b, respectively. Investigations of the cytotoxic effect of those compounds against different human cell lines indicated that some compounds showed high selective cytotoxicity against colon cancer HCT-116 cells. Some of these compounds led to DNA damaging and fragmentation that was associated with the induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway. This pathway is initiated by the impairment of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm) and in response to that the mitochondria released cytochrome c increased, that in turn activated caspase-9 and caspase-3 and induced apoptosis. Compounds 17b and 20b were promising anti-cancer agents that induced intrinsic apoptosis pathway in colon cancer cells.

Molecular mechanisms regulating the vascular prostacyclin pathways and their adaptation during pregnancy and in the newborn

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is a member of the prostanoid group of eicosanoids that regulate homeostasis, hemostasis, smooth muscle function and inflammation. Prostanoids are derived from arachidonic acid by the sequential actions of phospholipase A(2), cyclooxygenase (COX), and specific prostaglandin (PG) synthases. There are two major COX enzymes, COX1 and COX2, that differ in structure, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and function. COX1 is largely constitutively expressed, whereas COX2 is induced at sites of inflammation and vascular injury. PGI(2) is produced by endothelial cells and influences many cardiovascular processes. PGI(2) acts mainly on the prostacyclin (IP) receptor, but because of receptor homology, PGI(2) analogs such as iloprost may act on other prostanoid receptors with variable affinities. PGI(2)/IP interaction stimulates G protein-coupled increase in cAMP and protein kinase A, resulting in decreased [Ca(2+)](i), and could also cause inhibition of Rho kinase, leading to vascular smooth muscle relaxation. In addition, PGI(2) intracrine signaling may target nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and regulate gene transcription. PGI(2) counteracts the vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregation effects of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)), and both prostanoids create an important balance in cardiovascular homeostasis. The PGI(2)/TXA(2) balance is particularly critical in the regulation of maternal and fetal vascular function during pregnancy and in the newborn. A decrease in PGI(2)/TXA(2) ratio in the maternal, fetal, and neonatal circulation may contribute to preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), respectively. On the other hand, increased PGI(2) activity may contribute to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns. These observations have raised interest in the use of COX inhibitors and PGI(2) analogs in the management of pregnancy-associated and neonatal vascular disorders. The use of aspirin to decrease TXA(2) synthesis has shown little benefit in preeclampsia, whereas indomethacin and ibuprofen are used effectively to close PDA in the premature newborn. PGI(2) analogs have been used effectively in primary pulmonary hypertension in adults and have shown promise in PPHN. Careful examination of PGI(2) metabolism and the complex interplay with other prostanoids will help design specific modulators of the PGI(2)-dependent pathways for the management of pregnancy-related and neonatal vascular disorders.

Structure–activity studies on diphenylpyrazine derivatives: A novel class of prostacyclin receptor agonists

To develop nonprostanoid prostacyclin receptor agonists with a high degree of metabolic resistance and an extended duration of action, a novel series of diphenylpyrazine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their inhibition of ADP-induced human platelet aggregation. Structure-activity relationship studies on the side chain containing the carboxylic acid moiety of the lead compound 5c showed that the length of the linker and the presence of the concatenating nitrogen atom adjacent to the pyrazine ring are critical for the antiaggregatory activity. This study led to the discovery of 2-amino-5,6-diphenylpyrazine derivatives 8c, 15a, and 15b, which showed potent inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC(50) values of 0.2 microM. Among these compounds, 15b is an orally available and long-lasting prostacyclin receptor agonist which is promising for the treatment of various vascular diseases.

Metabolism investigation leading to novel drug design 2: Orally active prostacyclin mimetics. Part 5

A metabolism study of FK788 (2) led to the discovery of new diphenylcarbamoyl derivatives as prostacyclin mimetics without the PG skeleton. We designed and evaluated PGI(2) mimetics based on blocking the main metabolic pathway of FK788. The new compound 7c was found to be equipotent to FK788 towards PGI(2) agonist activity and metabolically more stable than FK788.

Replacing the cyclohexene-linker of FR181157 leading to novel IP receptor agonists: Orally active prostacyclin mimetics. Part 6

The synthesis and biological activity of novel derivatives of our previously reported IP receptor agonist FR181157 is described. SAR studies to replace the cyclohexene-linker of FR181157 led to the discovery of compound 1i (FR207845) as a potent non-prostanoid PGI2 mimetic with good oral bioavailability.