4-CF3-ezetimibe analogs: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of cholesterol absorption inhibitions

Trifluoromethylated lactams: promising small molecules in the search for effective drugs

Lactams are a crucial class of compounds with broad therapeutic applications, including in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases. Functionalised lactams are essential core structures in numerous alkaloids and pharmaceuticals. The introduction of fluorine-containing groups, such as a trifluoromethyl (CF3) group, into organic molecules significantly alters their physical and chemical properties. This review highlights the primary biological targets, as well as the most important synthetic pathways, associated with trifluoromethylated β-lactams (four-atom rings), γ-lactams (five-atom rings), δ-lactams (six-atom rings), and ε-lactams (seven atom rings). Furthermore, we analyze the most common lactam scaffolds, evaluating their potential for future chemical synthesis and emphasizing those that merit attention despite having limited reported analogues. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the importance of trifluoromethylated lactams in drug discovery and design.

Photochemical Access to Substituted β-Lactams and β-Lactones via the Zimmerman-O'Connell-Griffin Rearrangement

A photomediated protocol giving facile access to substituted β-lactam and β-lactones is presented. The method realizes, for the first time, the use of the Zimmerman-O'Connell-Griffin (ZOG) rearrangement in [2 + 2] cycloaddition. Products are obtained in high yield with excellent diastereoselectivity under visible light irradiation and under mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis and Modeling of Ezetimibe Analogues

Ezetimibe is a well-known drug that lowers blood cholesterol levels by reducing its absorption in the small intestine when joining to Niemann-Pick C1-like protein (NPC1L1). A ligand-based study on ezetimibe analogues is reported, together with one-hit synthesis, highlighted in the study. A convenient asymmetric synthesis of (2S,3S)-N-α-(R)-methylbenzyl-3-methoxycarbonylethyl-4-methoxyphenyl β-lactam is described starting from Baylis-Hillman adducts. The route involves a domino process: allylic acetate rearrangement, stereoselective Ireland-Claisen rearrangement and asymmetric Michael addition, which provides a δ-amino acid derivative with full stereochemical control. A subsequent inversion of ester and acid functionality paves the way to the lactam core after monodebenzylation and lactam formation. It also shows interesting results when it comes to a pharmacophore study based on ezetimibe as the main ligand in lowering blood cholesterol levels, revealing which substituents on the azetidine-2-one ring are more similar to the ezetimibe skeleton and will more likely bind to NPC1L1 than ezetimibe.

Synthetic methods for compounds containing fluoro-lactam units

In recent years, considerable attention has been devoted to the exploration of novel synthetic methods for fluoro-lactams due to their significant biological and pharmaceutical activities. This review summarizes recently established strategies for synthesizing fluorine-substituted lactams, including fluoro-β-lactams, fluoro-γ-lactams, and fluoro-δ-lactams. Additionally, the reaction scopes, limitations, and mechanisms are discussed.

Synthesis of Chiral β-Fluoroalkyl β-Amino Acid Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Hydrogenation

An enantioselective palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation of β-fluoroalkyl β-amino acrylic acid derivatives has been successfully developed, providing the corresponding chiral β-fluoroalkyl β-amino acid derivatives in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. In addition, chiral γ-fluoroalkyl γ-amino alcohol could be synthesized by a simple reduction of the corresponding hydrogenated product. The mechanism of the reaction was explored by deuterium-labeling experiments.

Direct Access to Substituted 4-CF3 β-Lactams at the C-3 Position

Mono- and disubstituted 4-CF₃ β-lactams at the C-3 position have been obtained stereoselectively under basic conditions. A wide range of function such as alcohols, alkyls, aryls, esters, and double and triple bonds have been introduced.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new fluconazole β-lactam conjugates linked via 1,2,3-triazole

Novel fluconazole conjugates with potent antifungal activity are reported here. They were also found to be non-hemolytic and non-cytotoxic.

Design for carbon–carbon bond forming reactions under ambient conditions

The carbon–carbon (C–C) bond forms the ‘backbone’ of nearly every organic molecule, and lies at the heart of the chemical sciences! Let us explore designing of carbon–carbon frameworks at ambient conditions.

Cascade reaction for the construction of CF3 containing tetrasubstituted furan ring

Activated olefins are well known nucleophiles, but proton abstraction from the substituted α-methyl group in nitroolefin is rare.

Trifluoromethyl nitrogen heterocycles: synthetic aspects and potential biological targets

The synthetic methodologies and the potential biological targets of α-trifluoromethylated nitrogen heterocycles are presented.