Boron containing compounds as protease inhibitors

Regio- and Stereo-Selective Isomerization of Borylated 1,3-Dienes Enabled by Selective Energy Transfer Catalysis

Configurationally-defined dienes are pervasive across the bioactive natural product spectrum, where they typically manifest themselves as sorbic acid-based fragments. These C5 motifs reflect the biosynthesis algorithms that facilitate their construction. To complement established biosynthetic paradigms, a chemical platform to facilitate the construction of stereochemically defined, functionalizable dienes by light-enabled isomerization has been devised. Enabled by selective energy transfer catalysis, a variety of substituted β-boryl sorbic acid derivatives can be isomerized in a regio- and stereo-selective manner (up to 97 : 3). Directionality is guided by a stabilizing nO→pB interaction in the product: this constitutes a formal anti-hydroboration of the starting alkyne. This operationally simple reaction employs low catalyst loadings (1 mol %) and is complete in 1 h. X-ray analysis supports the hypothesis that the nO→pB interaction leads to chromophore bifurcation: this provides a structural foundation for selective energy transfer.

Radical hydroboration for the synthesis of organoboron compounds

Organoboron compounds demonstrate diverse applications in the fields of organic synthesis, materials science, and medicinal chemistry. Compared to the conventional hydroboration reaction, radical hydroboration serves as an alternative approach for the synthesis of organoborons via different mechanisms. In radical hydroboration, a boryl radical is initially generated from homolytic cleavage of a B-H or a B-B bond, which is then added to an unsaturated double bond to deliver a carbon radical. Subsequent hydrogen atom transfer or reduction of the carbon radical to form a carbanion followed by protonation gave the final product. Over the past few years, numerous efforts have been made for efficient synthesis of boryl radicals and the expansion of substrate scope of the radical hydroboration reaction. Here, we discuss the recent advancement of radical hydroboration and its associated mechanisms. Numerous radical hydroboration strategies employing N-heterocyclic carbene borane, bis(pinacolato)diboron and pinacolborane as the boron source were illustrated. Thermochemical, photochemical and electrochemical strategies for the generation of boryl radicals were also discussed in detail.

Enantioselective α-Boryl Carbene Transformations

Carbenes, recognized as potent intermediates, enable unique chemical transformations, and organoborons are pivotal in diverse chemical applications. As a hybrid of carbene and the boryl group, α-boryl carbenes are promising intermediates for the construction of organoborons; unfortunately, such carbenes are hard to access and have low structural diversity with their asymmetric transformations largely uncharted. In this research, we utilized boryl cyclopropenes as precursors for the swift synthesis of α-boryl metal carbenes, a powerful category of intermediates for chiral organoboron synthesis. These α-boryl carbenes undergo a series of highly enantioselective transfer reactions, including B-H and Si-H insertion, cyclopropanation, and cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangement, catalyzed by a singular chiral copper complex. This approach opens paths to previously unattainable but easily transformable chiral organoborons, expanding both carbene and organoboron chemistry.

Achieving Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive C(sp2)-B Coupling of Bromoboranes via Reversing the Activation Sequence

Transition metal-catalyzed reductive cross-couplings to build C-C/Si bonds have been developed, but the reductive cross-coupling to create the C(sp2)-B bond has not been explored. Herein, we describe a nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling between aryl halides and bromoboranes to construct a C(sp2)-B bond. This protocol offers a convenient approach for the synthesis of a wide range of aryl boronate esters, using readily available starting materials. Mechanistic studies indicate that the key to the success of the reaction is the activation of the B-Br bond of bromoboranes with a Lewis base such as 2-MeO-py. The activation ensures that bromoboranes will react with the active nickel(I) catalyst prior to aryl halides, which is different from the sequence of the general nickel-catalyzed reductive C(sp2)-C/Si cross-coupling, where the oxidative addition of an aryl halide proceeds first. Notably, this approach minimizes the production of undesired homocoupling byproduct without the requirement of excessive quantities of either substrate.

The Rise of Boron-Containing Compounds: Advancements in Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, and Emerging Pharmacology

Boron-containing compounds (BCC) have emerged as important pharmacophores. To date, five BCC drugs (including boronic acids and boroles) have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer, infections, and atopic dermatitis, while some natural BCC are included in dietary supplements. Boron's Lewis acidity facilitates a mechanism of action via formation of reversible covalent bonds within the active site of target proteins. Boron has also been employed in the development of fluorophores, such as BODIPY for imaging, and in carboranes that are potential neutron capture therapy agents as well as novel agents in diagnostics and therapy. The utility of natural and synthetic BCC has become multifaceted, and the breadth of their applications continues to expand. This review covers the many uses and targets of boron in medicinal chemistry.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroboration of α-Substituted Acrylates

Even though metal-catalyzed enantioselective hydroborations of alkenes have attracted enormous attention, few preparatively useful reactions of α-alkyl acrylic acid derivatives are known, and most use rhodium catalysts. No examples of asymmetric hydroboration of the corresponding α-arylacrylic acid esters are known. In our continuing efforts to search for new applications of earth-abundant cobalt catalysts for broadly applicable organic transformations, we have identified 2-(2-diarylphosphinophenyl)oxazoline ligands and mild reaction conditions for efficient and highly regio- and enantioselective hydroboration of α-alkyl- and α-aryl- acrylates, giving β-borylated propionates. Since the C-B bonds in these compounds can be readily replaced by C-O, C-N, and C-C bonds, these intermediates could serve as valuable chiral synthons, some from feedstock carbon sources, for the synthesis of propionate-bearing motifs including polyketides and related molecules. Two-step syntheses of "Roche" ester from methyl methacrylate (79%; er 99:1), arguably the most widely used chiral fragment in polyketide synthesis, and tropic acid esters (∼80% yield; er ∼93:7), which are potential intermediates for several medicinally important classes of compounds, illustrate the power of the new methods. Mechanistic studies confirm the requirement of a cationic Co(I) species [(L)Co]+as the viable catalyst in these reactions and rule out the possibility of a [L]Co-H-initiated route, which has been well-established in related hydroborations of other classes of alkenes. A mechanism involving an oxidative migration of a boryl group to the β-carbon of an η4-coordinated acrylate-cobalt complex is proposed as a plausible route.

Cooperative Cu/Pd-Catalyzed 1,5-Boroacylation of Cyclopropyl-Substituted Alkylidenecyclopropanes

A Cu/Pd-cocatalyzed 1,5-boroacylation of cyclopropyl-substituted ACPs with B2pin2 and acid chlorides has been developed. Using cyclopropyl-substituted ACPs as the starting material, a broad range of 1,5-boroacylated products with multiple functional groups was prepared in good yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectively. Both aromatic and aliphatic acid chlorides were tolerated in this reaction.

Stable and effective eco-enzyme cocktails in powder and liquid form of Stachybotrys microspora used as detergent additives

Objective

The present work aims to optimize fermentation parameters for the simultaneous production of eco-enzymes: proteases, amylases, and endoglucanases from the same fungus Stachybotrys microspora, and to evaluate their stability in free form and formulated in lye as detergent additives.

Methods

Initially, enzyme cocktail production was assayed in a medium comprising inexpensive waste biomass. Using the best substrate, we investigated the effect of its different concentrations and the NaCl concentration on the three enzymes co-production. Next, we studied the effect of several additives on the storage stability of the lyophilized enzyme cocktail (powder in liquid forms) free and incorporated in commercial laundry detergent. Finally, the washing efficiency analysis of the newly formulated enzyme cocktail was evaluated on dirty tissue pieces with different stains.

Results

The highest enzymatic cocktail production was achieved at 30 °C for 96 h after adding 0.1% NaCl and 1.5% wheat bran as waste biomass in the basal culture medium. The effect of adding maltodextrin, sucrose, or polyethylene glycol 4000 during freeze-drying showed that maltodextrin is the best additive to protect the activities of proteases, amylases, and cellulases of liquid and powder enzyme form. Additionally, the liquid formulation of these enzymes showed excellent stability and compatibility with 1% maltodextrin and 10% glycerol. Interestingly, we have developed a new formulation of an enzyme cocktail (liquid and powder) stable and highly compatible with detergents. Comparing the washing performance of different formulations containing our enzyme cocktail to commercial ones showed significantly better removal of different types of stains.

Conclusions

This research shows a cost-effective approach to simultaneously produce proteases, amylases, and endoglucanases from Stachybotrys microspora that could be considered a compatible detergent additive in the green detergent industry.

Modular Synthesis of Complex Benzoxaboraheterocycles through Chelation-Assisted Rh-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition

Benzoxaboraheterocycles (BOBs) are moieties of increasing interest in the pharmaceutical industry; however, the synthesis of these compounds is often difficult or impractical due to the sensitivity of the boron moiety, the requirement for metalation-borylation protocols, and lengthy syntheses. We report a straightforward, modular approach that enables access to complex examples of the BOB framework through a Rh-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition using MIDA-protected alkyne boronic acids. The key to the development of this methodology was overcoming the steric barrier to catalysis by leveraging chelation assistance. We show the utility of the method through synthesis of a broad range of BOB scaffolds, mechanistic information on the chelation effect, intramolecular alcohol-assisted BMIDA hydrolysis, and linear/cyclic BOB limits as well as comparative binding affinities of the product BOB frameworks for ribose-derived biomolecules.

Copper-Metallized Porous N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligand Polymer-Catalyzed Regio- and Stereoselective 1,2-Carboboration of Alkynes

Alkenylboronates are highly versatile building blocks and valuable reagents in the synthesis of complex molecules. Compared with that of monosubstituted alkenylboronates, the synthesis of multisubstituted alkenylboronates is challenging. The copper-catalyzed carboboration of alkynes is an operationally simple and straightforward method for synthesizing bis/trisubstituted alkenylboronates. In this work, a series of copper-metallized N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) ligand porous polymer catalysts are designed and synthesized in accordance with the mechanism of carboboration. By using CuCl@POL-NHC-Ph as the optimal nanocatalyst, this study realizes the β-regio- and stereoselective (syn-addition) 1,2-carboboration of alkynes (regioselectivity up to >99:1) with satisfactory yields and a wide range of substrates. This work not only overcomes the selectivity of carboboration but also provides a new strategy for the design of nanocatalysts and their application in organic synthesis.

On the origins of SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors

In order to address the world-wide health challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3CL protease/SARS-CoV-2 main protease (SARS-CoV-2-Mpro) coded by its nsp5 gene became one of the biochemical targets for the design of antiviral drugs. In less than 3 years of research, 4 inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2-Mpro have actually been authorized for COVID-19 treatment (nirmatrelvir, ensitrelvir, leritrelvir and simnotrelvir) and more such as EDP-235, FB-2001 and STI-1558/Olgotrelvir or five undisclosed compounds (CDI-988, ASC11, ALG-097558, QLS1128 and H-10517) are undergoing clinical trials. This review is an attempt to picture this quite unprecedented medicinal chemistry feat and provide insights on how these cysteine protease inhibitors were discovered. Since many series of covalent SARS-CoV-2-Mpro inhibitors owe some of their origins to previous work on other proteases, we first provided a description of various inhibitors of cysteine-bearing human caspase-1 or cathepsin K, as well as inhibitors of serine proteases such as human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or the hepatitis C protein complex NS3/4A. This is then followed by a description of the results of the approaches adopted (repurposing, structure-based and high throughput screening) to discover coronavirus main protease inhibitors.

Genetically Encoded Photocatalysis Enables Spatially Restricted Optochemical Modulation of Neurons in Live Mice

Light provides high temporal precision for neuronal modulations. Small molecules are advantageous for neuronal modulation due to their structural diversity, allowing them to suit versatile targets. However, current optochemical methods release uncaged small molecules with uniform concentrations in the irradiation area, which lack spatial specificity as counterpart optogenetic methods from genetic encoding for photosensitive proteins. Photocatalysis provides spatial specificity by generating reactive species in the proximity of photocatalysts. However, current photocatalytic methods use antibody-tagged heavy-metal photocatalysts for spatial specificity, which are unsuitable for neuronal applications. Here, we report a genetically encoded metal-free photocatalysis method for the optochemical modulation of neurons via deboronative hydroxylation. The genetically encoded photocatalysts generate doxorubicin, a mitochondrial uncoupler, and baclofen by uncaging stable organoboronate precursors. The mitochondria, nucleus, membrane, cytosol, and ER-targeted drug delivery are achieved by this method. The distinct signaling pathway dissection in a single projection is enabled by the dual optogenetic and optochemical control of synaptic transmission. The itching signaling pathway is investigated by photocatalytic uncaging under live-mice skin for the first time by visible light irradiation. The cell-type-specific release of baclofen reveals the GABABR activation on NaV1.8-expressing nociceptor terminals instead of pan peripheral sensory neurons for itch alleviation in live mice.

Antimicrobial effects of a borate-based bioactive glass wound matrix on wound-relevant pathogens

OBJECTIVE

The antimicrobial effects of a borate-based bioactive glass matrix (BBBGM) on clinically relevant microorganisms was investigated for up to seven days in vitro.

METHOD

A total of 19 wound-relevant pathogens were studied using the in vitro AATCC 100 test method.

RESULTS

The reduction of viable Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts at days 4 and 7 post-culture on the BBBGM was significant (> 4log10) in most cases. Mould counts were reduced (<2log10) during the seven-day assessment, indicating that mould viability and reproduction was inhibited. The cell count of each organism was reduced at seven days indicating that the BBBGM not only reduced the viable cell count, but that the cell count did not recover during the seven-day period, indicating a sustained reduction in pathogenic activity.

CONCLUSION

Based on the present results, the use of a BBBGM as a pathogenic barrier should be considered as a tool for combating pathogenic colonisation and infection in acute and hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds.

Copper-Catalyzed Regio- and Enantioselective Hydroboration of Difluoroalkyl-Substituted Internal Alkenes

Catalytic asymmetric hydroboration of fluoroalkyl-substituted alkenes is a straightforward approach to access chiral small molecules possessing both fluorine and boron atoms. However, enantioselective hydroboration of fluoroalkyl-substituted alkenes without fluorine elimination has been a long-standing challenge in this field. Herein, a copper-catalyzed hydroboration of difluoroalkyl-substituted internal alkenes with high levels of regio- and enantioselectivities is reported. The native carbonyl directing group, copper hydride system, and bisphosphine ligand play crucial roles in suppressing the undesired fluoride elimination. This atom-economic protocol provides a practical synthetic platform to obtain a wide scope of enantioenriched secondary boronates bearing the difluoromethylene moieties under mild conditions. Synthetic applications including functionalization of biorelevant molecules, versatile functional group interconversions, and preparation of difluoroalkylated Terfenadine derivative are also demonstrated.

Covalent-reversible peptide-based protease inhibitors. Design, synthesis, and clinical success stories

Dysregulated human peptidases are implicated in a large variety of diseases such as cancer, hypertension, and neurodegeneration. Viral proteases for their part are crucial for the pathogens' maturation and assembly. Several decades of research were devoted to exploring these precious therapeutic targets, often addressing them with synthetic substrate-based inhibitors to elucidate their biological roles and develop medications. The rational design of peptide-based inhibitors offered a rapid pathway to obtain a variety of research tools and drug candidates. Non-covalent modifiers were historically the first choice for protease inhibition due to their reversible enzyme binding mode and thus presumably safer profile. However, in recent years, covalent-irreversible inhibitors are having a resurgence with dramatic increase of their related publications, preclinical and clinical trials, and FDA-approved drugs. Depending on the context, covalent modifiers could provide more effective and selective drug candidates, hence requiring lower doses, thereby limiting off-target effects. Additionally, such molecules seem more suitable to tackle the crucial issue of cancer and viral drug resistances. At the frontier of reversible and irreversible based inhibitors, a new drug class, the covalent-reversible peptide-based inhibitors, has emerged with the FDA approval of Bortezomib in 2003, shortly followed by 4 other listings to date. The highlight in the field is the breathtakingly fast development of the first oral COVID-19 medication, Nirmatrelvir. Covalent-reversible inhibitors can hipothetically provide the safety of the reversible modifiers combined with the high potency and specificity of their irreversible counterparts. Herein, we will present the main groups of covalent-reversible peptide-based inhibitors, focusing on their design, synthesis, and successful drug development programs.

Bisphospholane Josiphos-type Ligands in Rhodium Asymmetric Catalysis

Asymmetric catalysis has become a universal and powerful method for constructing chiral compounds. In rhodium asymmetric catalysis, bisphospholane Josiphos-type ligands and their rhodium complexes are receiving increasing attention. This review provides comprehensive information on the bisphospholane Josiphos-type ligands in rhodium asymmetric catalysis. The scope of the literature covers from 2013 to now. The application of bisphospholane Josiphos-type ligands in rhodium asymmetric catalysis is summarized as follows: (i) asymmetric addition to C(sp2 )-C(sp2 ) bonds, (ii) asymmetric addition to C(sp2 )-C(sp) bonds of allenes, (iii) asymmetric hydrogenation of C(sp2 )-N bonds, C(sp2 )-O bonds and pyridinium salts, and (iv) asymmetric silanization of C-H and O-H bonds.

Synthesis of α-Seleno Boronates via Diboration of Carbonyl Compounds

A method has been described for accessing α-seleno alkyl boronates. The selenoboration was achieved via the diboration of carbonyl compounds to give α-oxyl boronates, which then undergo 1,2-metalate rearrangement in the presence of lithium selenolates and trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA). A variety of structurally diverse substrates were compatible with this protocol and efficiently provides difunctionalized products from simple starting materials. The presence of the boronic ester in the resulting organoselenium compounds serves as a versatile synthetic handle for various functionalizations. Mechanistic studies revealed that the binding of selenium nucleophile to both the boron centers in α-oxyl boronate esters.

Covalent fragment approaches targeting non-cysteine residues

Covalent fragment approaches combine advantages of covalent binders and fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) for target identification and validation. Although early applications focused mostly on cysteine labeling, the chemistries of available warheads that target other orthosteric and allosteric protein nucleophiles has recently been extended. The range of different warheads and labeling chemistries provide unique opportunities for screening and optimizing warheads necessary for targeting non-cysteine residues. In this review, we discuss these recently developed amino-acid-specific and promiscuous warheads, as well as emerging labeling chemistries, which includes novel transition metal catalyzed, photoactive, electroactive, and noncatalytic methodologies. We also highlight recent applications of covalent fragments for the development of molecular glues and proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), and their utility in chemical proteomics-based target identification and validation.

Desulfurative Borylation of Small Molecules, Peptides, and Proteins

We introduce a direct conversion of alkyl thiols into boronic acids, facilitated by a water-soluble phosphine, 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane (PTA), in conjunction with tetrahydroxydiboron (B2(OH)4), acting as both a radical initiator and a boron source. This desulfurative borylation reaction has been successfully applied to various substrates, including cysteine residues in oligopeptides and small proteins, primary alkyl thiols found in pharmaceutical compounds, disulfides, and selenocysteine. Optimization of reaction conditions was undertaken to reduce the formation of unwanted reactions, such as the reduction of alanyl or other primary radicals, and to prevent deleterious reactions between the phosphine and N-terminal amine that lead to methylene adducts by utilizing a buffer containing glycine-glycine (GG) dipeptide. The developed method is characterized by its operational simplicity and robustness. Moreover, its compatibility with various functional groups present in peptides and proteins makes it a promising tool for late-stage functionalization, extending its potential application across a broad spectrum of chemical and biological targets.

Construction of α-Halogenated Boronic Esters via Visible Light-Induced C-H Bromination

α-Halogenated boronic esters are versatile building blocks that can be diversified into a wide variety of polyfunctionalized molecules. However, their synthetic potential has been hampered by limited preparation methods. Herein, we report a visible light-induced C-H bromination reaction of readily available benzyl boronic esters. This method features high yields, mild conditions, simple operation, and good functional group tolerance. The analogous chlorides and iodides can be accessed via Finkelstein reaction. Synthesis of halogenated geminal diborons has also been demonstrated.

Mechanism and Origins of Regio- and Stereoselective Alkylboration of Endocyclic Olefins Enabled by Nickel Catalysis

The Ni-catalyzed alkylboration of endocyclic olefins is a stereo- and regioselective approach for the synthesis of boron-containing compounds. We report a detailed density functional theory (DFT) study to elucidate the mechanism and origins of the stereo-, chemo-, and regioselectivity of alkylboration of endocyclic olefins enabled by nickel catalysis. The alkylboration proceeds via the migratory insertion of alkenes, β-H elimination of the Ni(II) complex, subsequent migratory insertion leading to a new Ni(II) complex, combined with an alkyl radical, and reductive eliminations. The electronic effects of the endocyclic olefins synergistically control the regioselectivity toward the C1- and C2-position boration. In C1-position boration, a more electron-deficient carbon atom tends to combine with an electron-rich -Bpin group and leads to C1-position boration products. The stereoselectivity is influenced by the solvent effect, and the interaction between the substrate and Ni-catalyzed groups, the low-polarity solvent 1,4-dioxane, and a favorable steric hindrance effect result in the cis-alkylboration product. Chemoselectivity toward 1,3-alkylboration results from the steric hindrance effects of the -Bpin group.

Steroids Bearing Heteroatom as Potential Drugs for Medicine

Heteroatom steroids, a diverse class of organic compounds, have attracted significant attention in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The biological profiles of heteroatom steroids are of considerable interest to chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and the pharmaceutical industry. These compounds have shown promise as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Moreover, the incorporation of heteroatoms has led to the development of targeted drug delivery systems, prodrugs, and other innovative pharmaceutical approaches. Heteroatom steroids represent a fascinating area of research, bridging the fields of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology. The exploration of their chemical diversity and biological activities holds promise for the discovery of novel drug candidates and the development of more effective and targeted treatments.

Facile Borylation of Alkenes, Alkynes, Imines, Arenes and Heteroarenes with N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Boranes and a Heterogeneous Semiconductor Photocatalyst

Although the development of radical chain and photocatalytic borylation reactions using N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-borane as boron source is remarkable, the persistent problems, including the use of hazardous and high-energy radical initiators or the recyclability and photostability issues of soluble homogeneous photocatalysts, still leave great room for further development in a sustainable manner. Herein, we report a conceptually different approach toward highly functionalized organoborane synthesis by using recoverable ultrathin cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanosheets as a heterogeneous photocatalyst, and a general and mild borylation platform that enables regioselective borylation of a wide variety of alkenes (arylethenes, trifluoromethylalkenes, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and nitriles), alkynes, imines and electron-poor aromatic rings with NHC-borane as boryl radical precursor. Mechanistic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that both photogenerated electrons and holes on the CdS fully perform their own roles, thereby resulting in enhancement of photocatalytic activity and stability of CdS.

Nickel-catalyzed Nucleophilic C-Borylation of Imines

Application of bioisostere plays an important role in drug discovery. α-Aminoboronic acid is the familiar bioisostere of α-amino acid. Developing reactions for the synthesis of a wide variety of α-aminoboronic acid is one important task for synthetic chemistry. Herein, we report the development of nucleophilic C-borylation chemistry for N-arylimines catalyzed by nickel. The reaction proceeds through the insertion of a borylnickel species into the C=N bond to afford the corresponding α-aminoboronate, which was isolated as acetamide after trapping with acetic anhydride. N-Benzyl imine is also tolerated by the developed reaction.

Decoupling of catalysis and transition state analog binding from mutations throughout a phosphatase revealed by high-throughput enzymology

Using high-throughput microfluidic enzyme kinetics (HT-MEK), we measured over 9,000 inhibition curves detailing impacts of 1,004 single-site mutations throughout the alkaline phosphatase PafA on binding affinity for two transition state analogs (TSAs), vanadate and tungstate. As predicted by catalytic models invoking transition state complementary, mutations to active site and active-site-contacting residues had highly similar impacts on catalysis and TSA binding. Unexpectedly, most mutations to more distal residues that reduced catalysis had little or no impact on TSA binding and many even increased tungstate affinity. These disparate effects can be accounted for by a model in which distal mutations alter the enzyme's conformational landscape, increasing the occupancy of microstates that are catalytically less effective but better able to accommodate larger transition state analogs. In support of this ensemble model, glycine substitutions (rather than valine) were more likely to increase tungstate affinity (but not more likely to impact catalysis), presumably due to increased conformational flexibility that allows previously disfavored microstates to increase in occupancy. These results indicate that residues throughout an enzyme provide specificity for the transition state and discriminate against analogs that are larger only by tenths of an Ångström. Thus, engineering enzymes that rival the most powerful natural enzymes will likely require consideration of distal residues that shape the enzyme's conformational landscape and fine-tune active-site residues. Biologically, the evolution of extensive communication between the active site and remote residues to aid catalysis may have provided the foundation for allostery to make it a highly evolvable trait.

Divergent Synthesis of 1,1-Carbonyl Amino Alkyl Borons from Indoles

α-Boryl carbonyl species and α-boryl amino compounds are valuable and important frameworks in organic synthesis. However, the strategies that could merge the two scaffolds into one compound, named 1,1-carbonyl amino alkyl boron, are elusive and underdeveloped. Herein, we present an efficient method that could address this gap and produce 1,1-carbonyl amino alkyl borons from readily accessible indoles via oxidation by m-CPBA or oxone. This reaction features operational simplicity, divergent synthesis, broad substrate scope, and valuable products.

An update on the discovery and development of reversible covalent inhibitors

Small molecule drugs that covalently bind irreversibly to their target proteins have several advantages over conventional reversible inhibitors. They include increased duration of action, less-frequent drug dosing, reduced pharmacokinetic sensitivity, and the potential to target intractable shallow binding sites. Despite these advantages, the key challenges of irreversible covalent drugs are their potential for off-target toxicities and immunogenicity risks. Incorporating reversibility into covalent drugs would lead to less off-target toxicity by forming reversible adducts with off-target proteins and thus reducing the risk of idiosyncratic toxicities caused by the permanent modification of proteins, which leads to higher levels of potential haptens. Herein, we systematically review electrophilic warheads employed during the development of reversible covalent drugs. We hope the structural insights of electrophilic warheads would provide helpful information to medicinal chemists and aid in designing covalent drugs with better on-target selectivity and improved safety.

Graphical Abstract

Selective Electroreductive Hydroboration of Olefins with B2pin2

Organoboron showed great potential in the synthesis of various high-value chemical compounds. Direct hydroboration of olefins has been witnessed over time as a mainstream method for the synthesis of organoboron compounds. In this work, an electroreductive anti-Markovnikov hydroboration approach of olefins with readily available B₂pin₂ to synthesize valuable organoboron compounds with high chemo- and regioselectivities under metal catalyst-free conditions was reported. This protocol exhibited broad substrate scope and good functional-group tolerance on styrenes and heteroaromatic olefins, providing synthetically useful alkylborons with high efficiency and even various deuterium borylation products with good D-incorporation when CD₃CN was employed as solvent. Furthermore, gram-scale reactions and extensive functional derivatization further highlighted the potential of this method.

In Vitro and In Vivo Development of a β-Lactam-Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitor: Targeting Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales

β-lactams are the most prescribed class of antibiotics due to their potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities. However, alarming rates of antimicrobial resistance now threaten the clinical relevance of these drugs, especially for the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales expressing metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). Antimicrobial agents that specifically target these enzymes to restore the efficacy of last resort β-lactam drugs, that is, carbapenems, are therefore desperately needed. Herein, we present a cyclic zinc chelator covalently attached to a β-lactam scaffold (cephalosporin), that is, BP1. Observations from in vitro assays (with seven MBL expressing bacteria from different geographies) have indicated that BP1 restored the efficacy of meropenem to ≤ 0.5 mg/L, with sterilizing activity occurring from 8 h postinoculation. Furthermore, BP1 was nontoxic against human hepatocarcinoma cells (IC₅₀ > 1000 mg/L) and exhibited a potency of (K_iapp) 24.8 and 97.4 μM against Verona integron-encoded MBL (VIM-2) and New Delhi metallo β-lactamase (NDM-1), respectively. There was no inhibition observed from BP1 with the human zinc-containing enzyme glyoxylase II up to 500 μM. Preliminary molecular docking of BP1 with NDM-1 and VIM-2 sheds light on BP1's mode of action. In Klebsiella pneumoniae NDM infected mice, BP1 coadministered with meropenem was efficacious in reducing the bacterial load by >3 log₁₀ units' postinfection. The findings herein propose a favorable therapeutic combination strategy that restores the activity of the carbapenem antibiotic class and complements the few MBL inhibitors under development, with the ultimate goal of curbing antimicrobial resistance.

N-sulfonyl peptide-hybrids as a new class of dengue virus protease inhibitors

Dengue virus (DENV) from the Flaviviridae family causes an epidemic disease that seriously threatens human life. The viral serine protease NS2B-NS3 is a promising target for drug development against DENV and other flaviviruses. We here report the design, synthesis, and in-vitro characterization of potent peptidic inhibitors of DENV protease with a sulfonyl moiety as N-terminal cap, thereby creating sulfonamide-peptide hybrids. The in-vitro target affinities of some synthesized compounds were in the nanomolar range, with the most promising derivative reaching a K_i value of 78 nM against DENV-2 protease. The synthesized compounds did not have relevant off-target activity nor cytotoxicity. The metabolic stability of compounds against rat liver microsomes and pancreatic enzymes was remarkable. In general, the integration of sulfonamide moieties at the N-terminus of peptidic inhibitors proved to be a promising and attractive strategy for further drug development against DENV infections.

Capturing the free energy of transition state stabilization: insights from the inhibition of mandelate racemase

Mandelate racemase (MR) catalyses the Mg²⁺-dependent interconversion of (R)- and (S)-mandelate. To effect catalysis, MR stabilizes the altered substrate in the transition state (TS) by approximately 26 kcal mol^-1 (-ΔG_tx), such that the upper limit of the virtual dissociation constant of the enzyme-TS complex is 2 × 10^-19 M. Designing TS analogue inhibitors that capture a significant amount of ΔG_tx for binding presents a challenge since there are a limited number of protein binding determinants that interact with the substrate and the structural simplicity of mandelate constrains the number of possible isostructural variations. Indeed, current intermediate/TS analogue inhibitors of MR capture less than or equal to 30% of ΔG_tx because they fail to fully capitalize on electrostatic interactions with the metal ion, and the strength and number of all available electrostatic and H-bond interactions with binding determinants present at the TS. Surprisingly, phenylboronic acid (PBA), 2-formyl-PBA, and para-chloro-PBA capture 31-38% of ΔG_tx. The boronic acid group interacts with the Mg²⁺ ion and multiple binding determinants that effect TS stabilization. Inhibitors capable of forming multiple interactions can exploit the cooperative interactions that contribute to optimum binding of the TS. Hence, maximizing interactions with multiple binding determinants is integral to effective TS analogue inhibitor design. This article is part of the theme issue 'Reactivity and mechanism in chemical and synthetic biology'.

Dearomative triple elementalization of quinolines driven by visible light

Organoboron and organosilicon compounds are used not only as synthetic building blocks but also as functional materials and pharmaceuticals, and compounds with multiple boryl and silyl groups are beginning to be used for these purposes. Especially in drug discovery, methodology providing easy stereoselective access to aliphatic nitrogen heterocycles bearing multiple boryl or silyl groups from readily available aromatic nitrogen heterocycles would be attractive. However, such transformations remain challenging, and available reactions have been mostly limited to dearomative hydroboration or hydrosilylation reactions. Here, we report the dearomative triple elementalization (carbo-sila-boration) of quinolines via the addition of organolithium followed by photo-boosted silaboration, affording the desired products with complete chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. The reaction proceeds via the formation of silyl radicals instead of silyl anions. We also present preliminary studies to illustrate the potential of silaboration products as synthetic platforms.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Remote Borylation of Alkynes and Vinylboronates

Remote functionalization involving a fascinating chain-walking process has emerged as a powerful strategy for the rapid access to value-added functional molecules from readily available feedstocks. However, the scope of current methods is predominantly limited to mono- and di-substituted alkenes. The remote functionalization of multi- and heteroatom-substituted alkenes is challenging, and the use of alkynes in the chain walking is unexplored. We herein report a rhodium catalyzed remote borylation of internal alkynes, offering an unprecedented reaction mode of alkynes for the preparation of synthetically valuable 1,n-diboronates. The regioselective distal migratory hydroboration of sterically hindered tri- and tetra-substituted vinylboronates is also demonstrated to furnish various multi-boronic esters. Synthetic utilities are highlighted through the selective manipulation of the two boryl groups in products such as the regioselective cross coupling, oxidation, and amination.

A small molecule inhibitor prevents gut bacterial genotoxin production

The human gut bacterial genotoxin colibactin is a possible key driver of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Understanding colibactin's biological effects remains difficult owing to the instability of the proposed active species and the complexity of the gut microbiota. Here, we report small molecule boronic acid inhibitors of colibactin biosynthesis. Designed to mimic the biosynthetic precursor precolibactin, these compounds potently inhibit the colibactin-activating peptidase ClbP. Using biochemical assays and crystallography, we show that they engage the ClbP binding pocket, forming a covalent bond with the catalytic serine. These inhibitors reproduce the phenotypes observed in a clbP deletion mutant and block the genotoxic effects of colibactin on eukaryotic cells. The availability of ClbP inhibitors will allow precise, temporal control over colibactin production, enabling further study of its contributions to CRC. Finally, application of our inhibitors to related peptidase-encoding pathways highlights the power of chemical tools to probe natural product biosynthesis.

Dual-Boronic Acid Reagents That Combine Dynamic and Covalent Bioconjugation

Boronic acids and boronate esters find appreciable use in chemical biology. Molecules containing orthogonal boronic acid pairs can be utilized for sequential metal-catalyzed cross-couplings for facile preparation of complex bioconjugates including protein-protein conjugates. In this paper, we expand bis-boronic acid reagents for tandem covalent and dynamic bioconjugation. Sequential cross-coupling of 2-nitroarylboronic acid with cysteine residues and condensation of phenylboronic acid with salicylhydroxamic acids (SHA) readily afforded bioconjugates under physiological conditions with dual covalent and dynamic linkages. Both small molecule- and macromolecule-protein conjugates were amenable with this approach and reversible upon addition of excess unfunctionalized SHA or reactive oxygen species. These investigations provide new insights into the kinetic stability of SHA adducts.

Fighting antibiotic resistance-strategies and (pre)clinical developments to find new antibacterials

Antibacterial resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health. The development of new therapeutics against bacterial pathogens has slowed drastically since the approvals of the first antibiotics in the early and mid-20^th century. Most of the currently investigated drug leads are modifications of approved antibacterials, many of which are derived from natural products. In this review, we highlight the challenges, advancements and current standing of the clinical and preclinical antibacterial research pipeline. Additionally, we present novel strategies for rejuvenating the discovery process and advocate for renewed and enthusiastic investment in the antibacterial discovery pipeline.

Visible-light-driven PhSSPh-catalysed regioselective hydroborylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with NHC-boranes

A photo-induced transition-metal-free regioselective hydroborylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is developed. The PhSSPh reagent was employed as the photocatalyst, and NHC-BH₃ was used as the boron source. This transformation shows a broad substrate scope and provides a wide range of α-borylcarbonyl molecules in good to excellent yields.

Palladium-catalyzed solid-state borylation of aryl halides using mechanochemistry

This study describes the solid-state palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling between aryl halides and bis(pinacolato)diboron using ball milling. The reactions were completed within 10 min for most aryl halides to afford a variety of synthetically useful arylboronates in high yields. Notably, all experimental operations could be performed in air, and did not require the use of large amounts of dry and degassed organic solvents. The utility of this method was further demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis under solvent-free, mechanochemical conditions.

Enantioselective Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydroboration of Ketone-Derived Silyl Enol Ethers

Catalytic asymmetric hydroboration of alkenes is a powerful tool for the synthesis of natural products, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals via the versatile transformations of chiral alkyl boronic esters. However, the scope of available alkenes is limited to styrenes, activated alkenes, and compounds with directing groups. The catalytic enantioselective hydroboration of heteroatom-substituted alkenes is rarely explored and those catalyzed by earth-abundant metals are yet to be reported. Herein, we report a cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric hydroboration of ketone-derived silyl enol ethers and provide a convenient approach to access valuable enantiopure β-hydroxy boronic esters. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). This approach was applied in the successful synthesis of salmeterol and albuterol, demonstrating its potential to streamline complex molecule synthesis.

Discovery of potent benzoxaborole inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 main and dengue virus proteases

The RNA viruses SARS-CoV-2 and dengue pose a major threat to human health worldwide and their proteases (M^pro; NS2B/NS3) are considered as promising targets for drug development. We present the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel benzoxaborole inhibitors of these two proteases. The most active compound achieves single-digit micromolar activity against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro in a biochemical assay. The most active substance against dengue NS2B/NS3 protease has submicromolar activity in cells (EC₅₀ 0.54 μM) and inhibits DENV-2 replication in cell culture. Most benzoxaboroles had no relevant cytotoxicity or significant off-target inhibition. Furthermore, the class demonstrated passive membrane penetration and stability against the evaluated proteases. This compound class may contribute to the development of antiviral agents with activity against DENV or SARS-CoV-2.

Small molecule NS5B RdRp non-nucleoside inhibitors for the treatment of HCV infection: A medicinal chemistry perspective

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become a global health problem with enormous risks. Nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is a component of HCV, which can promote the formation of the viral RNA replication complex and is also an essential part of the replication complex itself. It plays a vital role in the synthesis of the positive and negative strands of HCV RNA. Therefore, the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting NS5B RdRp is of great value for treating HCV infection-related diseases. Compared with NS5B RdRp nucleoside inhibitors, non-nucleoside inhibitors have more flexible structures, simpler mechanisms of action, and more predictable efficacy and safety of drugs in humans. Technological advances over the past decade have led to remarkable achievements in developing NS5B RdRp inhibitors. This review will summarize the non-nucleoside inhibitors targeting NS5B RdRp developed in the past decade and describe their structure optimization process and structure-activity relationship.

Copper catalyzed borocarbonylation of benzylidenecyclopropanes through selective proximal C-C bond cleavage: synthesis of γ-boryl-γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds

A copper catalyzed borocarbonylation of BCPs via proximal C-C bond cleavage for the synthesis of γ-boryl-γ,δ-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been developed. Using substituted benzylidenecyclopropanes (BCPs) and chloroformates as starting material, a broad range of γ-boryl-γ,δ-unsaturated esters were prepared in moderate to excellent yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. Besides, when aliphatic acid chlorides were used in this reaction, γ-boryl-γ,δ-unsaturated ketones could be produced in excellent yields. When substituted BCPs were used as substrates, the borocarbonylation occurred predominantly at the proximal C-C bond trans to the phenyl group in a regio- and stereoselective manner, which leads to the Z-isomers as the products. This efficient methodology involves the cleavage of a C-C bond and the formation of a C-C bond as well as a C-B bond, and provides a new method for the proximal C-C bond difunctionalization of BCPs.

Recent Developments to Cope the Antibacterial Resistance via β-Lactamase Inhibition

Antibacterial resistance towards the β-lactam (BL) drugs is now ubiquitous, and there is a major global health concern associated with the emergence of new β-lactamases (BLAs) as the primary cause of resistance. In addition to the development of new antibacterial drugs, β-lactamase inhibition is an alternative modality that can be implemented to tackle this resistance channel. This strategy has successfully revitalized the efficacy of a number of otherwise obsolete BLs since the discovery of the first β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI), clavulanic acid. Over the years, β-lactamase inhibition research has grown, leading to the introduction of new synthetic inhibitors, and a few are currently in clinical trials. Of note, the 1, 6-diazabicyclo [3,2,1]octan-7-one (DBO) scaffold gained the attention of researchers around the world, which finally culminated in the approval of two BLIs, avibactam and relebactam, which can successfully inhibit Ambler class A, C, and D β-lactamases. Boronic acids have shown promise in coping with Ambler class B β-lactamases in recent research, in addition to classes A, C, and D with the clinical use of vaborbactam. This review focuses on the further developments in the synthetic strategies using DBO as well as boronic acid derivatives. In addition, various other potential serine- and metallo- β-lactamases inhibitors that have been developed in last few years are discussed briefly as well. Furthermore, binding interactions of the representative inhibitors have been discussed based on the crystal structure data of inhibitor-enzyme complex, published in the literature.

Remote Site-Selective Asymmetric Protoboration of Unactivated Alkenes Enabled by Bimetallic Relay Catalysis

A remote C(sp³ )-H bond asymmetric borylation of unactivated alkenes was achieved by bimetallic relay catalysis. The reaction proceeded through reversible and consecutive β-H elimination/olefin insertion promoted by CoH species generated in situ, followed by copper-catalyzed asymmetric protoboration. The use of this synergistic Co/Cu catalysis protocol allowed the enantioselective protoboration of various unactivated terminal alkenes and internal alkenes, as well as an unrefined mixture of olefin isomers, at the distal less-reactive β-position to a functional group, leading to chiral organoboronates.