Solid-phase synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrazoles, novel ligands for the estrogen receptor

Ir(iii)/Ag(i)-catalyzed directly C-H amidation of arenes with OH-free hydroxyamides as amidating agents

A versatile Ir(iii)-catalyzed C-H amidation of arenes by employing readily available and stable OH-free hydroxyamides as a novel amidation source. The reaction occurred with high efficiency and tolerance of a range of functional groups. A wide scope of aryl OH-free hydroxyzamides, including conjugated and challenging non-conjugated OH-free hydroxyzamides, were capable of this transformation and no addition of an external oxidant is required. This protocol provided a simple, straightforward and economic method to a variety N-(2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)alkyl)amide derivates with good to excellent yield. Mechanistic study demonstrated that reversible C-H bond functionalisation might be involved in this reaction.

Ring Opening of Pyrrolinium Ions Enabled Regioselective Synthesis of 4-Alkyl N-Arylpyrazoles

An unprecedented method for the regioselective synthesis of 1,3-diaryl 4-alkyl pyrazoles has been reported. A wide variety of 1,3-diaryl 4-alkyl pyrazoles were synthesized as a single regioisomer via a ring-opening cyclization reaction of unsaturated pyrrolinium ions in the presence of arylhydrazines. This method avoids using additional alkylation steps and hazardous oxidants that generally are essential for the synthesis of 4-alkyl N-arylpyrazoles.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Pyrazole Derivatives

Pyrazole and its derivatives have gained wide attention in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and biological fields as well as in industry. They exhibit various biological activities such as anti-pyretic, anti-microbial, anti- inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-histaminic, anti-convulsant, fungicidal, insecticidal, etc. In this review, we summarise the recent advances in the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives using various methodologies and covers literature from 2017-2020.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazole linked benzothiazole-β-naphthol derivatives as topoisomerase I inhibitors with DNA binding ability

A series of new pyrazole linked benzothiazole-β-naphthol derivatives were designed and synthesized using a simple, efficient and ecofriendly route under catalyst-free conditions in good to excellent yields. These derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on selected human cancer cell lines. Among those, the derivatives 4j, 4k and 4l exhibited considerable cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values ranging between 4.63 and 5.54 µM against human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). Structure activity relationship was elucidated by varying different substituents on benzothiazoles and pyrazoles. Further, flow cytometric analysis revealed that these derivatives induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and spectroscopic studies such as UV-visible, fluorescence and circular dichroism studies showed that these derivatives exhibited good DNA binding affinity. Additionally, these derivatives can effectively inhibit the topoisomerase I activity. Viscosity studies and molecular docking studies demonstrated that the derivatives bind with the minor groove of the DNA.

17-β Estradiol regulates proglucagon-derived peptide secretion in mouse and human α- and L cells

Clinical and experimental data indicate a beneficial effect of estrogens on energy and glucose homeostasis associated with improved insulin sensitivity and positive effects on insulin secretion. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of estrogens on proglucagon-producing cells, pancreatic α cells, and enteroendocrine L cells. The consequences of sexual hormone deprivation were evaluated in ovariectomized mice (ovx). Ovx mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), which was associated with decreased GLP-1 intestinal and pancreatic secretion and content, an effect that was reversed by estradiol (E2) treatment. Indeed, E2 increased oral glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion in vivo and GLP-1 secretion from primary culture of mouse and human α cells through the activation of all 3 estrogen receptors (ERs), whereas E2-induced GLP-1 secretion from mouse and human intestinal explants occurred only by ERβ activation. Underlying the implication of ERβ, its selective agonist WAY20070 was able to restore glucose tolerance in ovx mice at least partly through plasma GLP-1 increase. We conclude that E2 directly controls both α- and L cells to increase GLP-1 secretion, in addition to its effects on insulin and glucagon secretion, highlighting the potential beneficial role of the estrogenic pathway and, more particularly, of ERβ agonists to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Preparation of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles and isoxazoles from terminal alkynes, aldehydes, hydrazines, and hydroxylamine

The reaction of terminal alkynes with n-BuLi, and then with aldehydes, followed by the treatment with molecular iodine, and subsequently hydrazines or hydroxylamine provided the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles or isoxazoles in good yields with high regioselectivity, through the formations of propargyl secondary alkoxides and α-alkynyl ketones. The present reactions are one-pot preparation of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazoles from terminal alkynes, aldehydes, molecular iodine, and hydrazines, and 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles from terminal alkynes, aldehydes, molecular iodine, and hydroxylamine.

Precursor-driven selective synthesis of hexagonal chalcocite (Cu2S) nanocrystals: structural, optical, electrical and photocatalytic properties

A new single-source precursor, [Cu(mdpa)₂][CuCl₂], is used to prepare selectively high chalcocite (Cu₂S) with excellent photodegradation of Congo red (CR).

Cyclocondensation of arylhydrazines with 1,3-bis(het)arylmonothio-1,3-diketones and 1,3-bis(het)aryl-3-(methylthio)-2-propenones: synthesis of 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles with complementary regioselectivity

Two efficient highly regioselective routes for the synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles with complementary regioselectivity starting from active methylene ketones have been reported. In the first protocol, the newly synthesized 1,3-bis(het)aryl-monothio-1,3-diketone precursors (prepared by condensation of active methylene ketones with het(aryl) dithioesters in the presence of sodium hydride) were reacted with arylhydrazines in refluxing ethanol under neutral conditions, furnishing 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles 7, in which the het(aryl) moiety attached to the thiocarbonyl group of monothio-1,3-diketones is installed at the 3-position. In the second method, the corresponding 3-(methylthio)-1,3-bis(het)aryl-2-propenones (prepared in situ by base-induced alkylation of 1,3-monothiodiketones) were condensed with arylhydrazines in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide in refluxing tert-butyl alcohol, yielding 1-aryl-3,5-bis(het)arylpyrazoles 9 with complementary regioselectivity (method A). The efficiency of this protocol was further improved by developing a one-pot, three-component procedure for the synthesis of pyrazoles 9, directly from active methylene ketones, by reacting in situ generated 3-(methylthio)-1,3-bis(het)aryl-2-propenones with arylhydrazines in the presence of sodium hydride (instead of potassium tert-butoxide as base). The structures and regiochemistry of newly synthesized pyrazoles were confirmed from their spectral and analytical data along with X-ray crystallographic data of three pairs of regioisomers.

Synthesis and evaluation of 4-(substituted styryl/alkenyl)-3,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-isoxazoles as ligands for the estrogen receptor

A series of 3,5-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) isoxazoles bearing a styryl/alkyl vinyl group at the 4-position were prepared and evaluated as ligands for the estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα). The target compounds were prepared using the Suzuki reaction to couple an iodo-isoxazole intermediate with a series of styryl/alkenyl boronic acids, followed by O-demethylation. The products were evaluated for their estrogen receptor-α ligand binding domain (ERα-LBD) binding affinity using a competitive binding assay. The 4-(4-hydroxystyryl) derivative 4h displays binding properties similar to those of the previously described pyrazole class of ER ligands, indicating that the ERα-LBD tolerates the presence of the added vinyl group at the 4-position of the isoxazole ring.

Solid phase synthesis of 1,5-diarylpyrazole-4-carboxamides: discovery of antagonists of the CB-1 receptor

We have developed a solid phase synthesis route to 1,5-substituted pyrazole-4-carboxamides with three diversity points aimed at the discovery of new compounds as potential G-Protein coupled receptor (GPCR) ligands. The new chemistry involves acylation of a resin bound secondary amine with a β-ketoester via transamidation, conversion of the resulting β-ketoamide to the corresponding vinylogous amide, pyrazole formation upon reaction with a aryl hydrzine, and cleavage of the product from the resin. Using the reported methodology, we describe the syntheses of multiple arrays of pyrazoles that were used collectively to construct a library of more than 1000 analogues. Several members of this library displayed submicromolar antagonist activities at the cannabinoid subtype 1 (CB-1) receptor.

Michael-type addition of azoles of broad-scale acidity to methyl acrylate

An optimisation of Michael-type addition of azole derivatives of broad-scale acidity – ranging from 5.20 to 15.00 pK_a units – namely 4-nitropyrazole, 3,5-dimethyl-4-nitropyrazole, 4(5)-nitroimidazole, 4,5-diphenylimidazole, 4,5-dicyanoimidazole, 2-methyl-4(5)-nitroimidazole, 5(4)-bromo-2-methyl-4(5)-nitroimidazole and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole to methyl acrylate as an acceptor was carried out. The optimisation process involved the use of an appropriate basic catalyst (DBU, DIPEA, NaOH, NaH, TEDA), a donor/base/acceptor ratio and the reaction temperature. The reactions were performed in DMF as solvent. Target Michael adducts were obtained in medium to excellent yields. Importantly, for imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives, no corresponding regioisomers were obtained.

C-H bonds as ubiquitous functionality: a general approach to complex arylated pyrazoles via sequential regioselective C-arylation and N-alkylation enabled by SEM-group transposition

Pyrazoles are important azole heteroarenes frequently found in pharmaceuticals and protein ligands, and there has been a growing interest in new synthetic methods for their preparation. We report the first catalytic intermolecular C-H arylation of pyrazoles, namely SEM-protected pyrazoles and N-alkylpyrazoles, which lays the foundation for a new approach to the synthesis of complex arylated pyrazoles, where new arene rings are directly attached to predetermined positions of the heteroarene nucleus ("topologically obvious synthesis"). Through a systematic search, we identified a palladium-pivalate catalytic system as the most effective protocol and mapped the reactivity of all three C-H bonds of the pyrazole (C-5 > C-4 >> C-3). To circumvent the low reactivity of the C-3 position, we developed a "SEM switch", which transposes the SEM-protecting group from one nitrogen to the other in one step, and in the process transforms the unreactive C-3 position to the reactive C-5 position. The SEM switch thus enables sequential arylation of C-5 and C-3 position, providing rapid access to protected or free 3,4,5-triarylpyrazoles (the C-4 arene ring is readily introduced by bromination and Suzuki coupling). Furthermore, N-alkylation of SEM-protected pyrazoles allows for regioselective introduction of the amine substituent, addressing the low regioselectivity of N-alkylation of pyrazoles lacking sufficient steric bias. Thus, the catalytic C-H arylation combined with the protecting group transposition and N-alkylation provides a rapid route to fully substituted pyrazoles with complete regiocontrol of all substituents. The particular strength of this strategy is the ability to commence the synthesis from either the parent pyrazole or practically any pyrazole intermediate.

Solid-phase synthesis of 5-amino-1-(substituted thiocarbamoyl)pyrazole and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives via dithiocarbazate linker

A general method is reported for the parallel solid-phase synthesis of 5-amino-1-(substituted thiocarbamoyl)pyrazole and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives based on the cyclization of polymer-bound dithiocarbazate 3 with various electrophiles, such as 3-ethoxyacrylonitriles 8 and cyanocarboimidates 9. The polymer-bound dithiocarbazate 3, produced by nucleophilic reaction with carbon disulfide and Fmoc-hydrazine on the Merrifield resin, served as the key intermediate for subsequent heterocycle diversification. Further nucleophilic substitution on these polymer-bound 5-amino-1-dithiocarboxypyrazoles 4 and 1,2,4-triazoles 6 with various amines under thermal cleavage condition produced the desired 5-amino-1-(substituted thiocarbamoyl)pyrazoles 5 and 1,2,4-triazoles 7. The progress of reactions could be monitored as polymer-bound intermediates by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy on single bead. The final compounds, obtained in good four-step overall yields and high purities upon cleavage from the resins, were characterized by LC/MS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Regioselective Synthesis of 1-Aryl-3,4-substituted/annulated-5-(methylthio)pyrazoles and 1-Aryl-3-(methylthio)-4,5-substituted/annulated Pyrazoles

[reaction: see text] Highly efficient and regioselective synthesis of 1-aryl-3,4-substituted/annulated-5-(methylthio)pyrazoles and 1-aryl-3-(methylthio)-4,5-substituted/annulated pyrazoles has been reported via cyclocondensation of arylhydrazines with either alpha-oxoketene dithioacetals or beta-oxodithioesters.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of peptides with estrogen-like activity

Currently used antiestrogenic drugs against hormone-dependent breast cancer, and estrogenic drugs used in treatment of osteoporosis, are associated with risk factors. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop selective estrogen receptor modulators with better tissue selectivity. In a recent study (Peptides, 2002, Vol. 3, 573-580), we used a monoclonal antibody to estradiol (mAb-E2) to screen a phage-display peptide library. We identified a 15-mer peptide (peptide H5) that recognizes mAb-E2 (IC(50) 1 microM) and estrogen receptor (ER)alpha (IC(50) 500 microM) but not ERbeta, and displays estrogen-like activity in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we designed and prepared peptides based on peptide H5, which possess improved estrogenic activity, by evaluating their binding to mAb-E2 and to ERs. Initially, we determined the minimal binding sequence of peptide H5 capable of binding mAb-E2 and ER. Subsequently, systematic single-residue replacements of the minimal sequence, followed by multiple-residue replacements, yielded hexa- and heptapeptides with increased affinities to mAb-E2 and to ER. The most promising peptides, VSWFFE (EMP-1) and VSWFFED (EMP-2) (EMP: estrogen-mimetic peptide), bind mAb-E2 with high affinity (IC(50) of 6 and 30 nM, respectively), recognize ERs with increased affinity (IC(50) of 100 microM for ERalpha, and 100-250 microM for ERbeta), and possess estrogenic activity in vivo. The short peptides described in this study may be used as potential lead compounds for developing new ER ligands.

Resin-Bound 4H-1,3-Oxazine-Masked β-Diketones for Functionalizing Cleavage Strategy

Resin-bound 4H-1,3-oxazines are synthesized by the stepwise condensation of an amide resin, an aldehyde, and an alkyne. Upon DDQ activation, oxazines are converted into oxazinium salts. When treated with hydrazines, these resin-bound beta-diketone equivalents yield pyrazoles through a functionalizing release process. This multicomponent capture strategy, tedious to handle in classical synthesis in solution, is well-suited to solid-supported chemistry. It facilitates the handling of sensitive and unstable intermediates, such as N-alpha-methoxyalkylamides and 1,3-oxazinium salts.

Synthesis and evaluation of 17alpha-20E-21-(4-substituted phenyl)-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17beta-diols as probes for the estrogen receptor alpha hormone binding domain

As part of our program to develop probes for the hormone binding domain of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), we prepared a series of 4-para-substituted phenylvinyl estradiol derivatives using a combination of solution and solid-phase Pd(0)-catalyzed methods. The compounds 5a-j were evaluated for their binding affinity using the ERalpha hormone binding domain (HDB) isolated from transfected BL21 cells. The results indicated that although the new compounds were somewhat lower in relative binding affinity (RBA at 25 degrees C is 1-60%) than estradiol (100%), most had higher affinity than the unsubstituted parent phenylvinyl estradiol (RBA = 9%). Because the substituents did not generate a structure-activity relationship directly based on physicochemical properties, the series was evaluated using molecular modeling and molecular dynamics to determine key interactions between the ligand, especially the para substituent, and the protein. The results suggest that the observed relative binding affinities are directly related to the calculated binding energies and that amino acids juxtaposed to the para position play a significant but not dominant role in binding. In conclusion, we have identified the 17alpha-E-(4-substituted phenyl)vinyl estradiols as a class of ligands that retain significant affinity for the ERalpha-HBD. In particular, 4-substitution tends to increase receptor affinity compared to the unsubstituted analogue, as exemplified by 5e (4-COCH(3)), which had the highest RBA value (60%) of the series. Palladium(0)-catalyzed coupling reactions on solid support or in solution using suitably substituted iodo arenes and 17alpha-E-tributylstannylvinyl estradiols offer a flexible approach to their preparation. Molecular modeling studies of the receptor suggest that there exists additional ligand accessible regions within the ERalpha-HBD to generate interactions that may enhance receptor affinity or modify efficacy in developing new therapeutic agents. Studies to undertake modification in the properties and/or position of the aryl substituents in subsequent series to further define that role are in progress.

Cellulose beads: a new versatile solid support for microwave- assisted synthesis. Preparation of pyrazole and isoxazole libraries

The synthesis of libraries of substituted pyrazoles and isoxazoles has been developed via in situ generation of polymer-bound enaminones. The synthetic protocol makes use of commercially available aniline cellulose, a low-cost and versatile biopolymer, under very mild conditions. This new support allowed us to carry out reactions in polar solvents under both conventional heating and MW irradiation without degradation of the polymer. The reaction between cellulose-bound enaminone and hydroxylamine or hydrazines to afford the target heterocycles in high yields directly in solution is the key step. The support can be conveniently recycled.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a fluorine-18 labeled estrogen receptor-alpha selective ligand: [18F] propyl pyrazole triol

The two estrogen receptor subtypes, ERalpha and ERbeta, play important roles in breast cancer. To develop an ERalpha imaging agent, we synthesized fluoropropyl pyrazole triol (FPPT, 2), an analog of our ERalpha-selective ligand PPT. FPPT retains the high ERalpha binding selectivity of its parent PPT. We prepared [(18)F]FPPT ((18)F-2) in high specific activity, but estrogen target tissue uptake in female rats was minimal and was not displaceable by unlabeled estradiol, probably because of the lipophilicity and triphenolic nature of FPPT.