Design and synthesis of novel isoquinoline-3-nitriles as orally bioavailable Kv1.5 antagonists for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

Synthesis of functionalized 1-aminoisoquinolines through cascade three-component reaction of ortho-alkynylbenzaldoximes, 2H-azirines, and electrophiles

We have developed a new three-component approach using ortho-alkynylbenzaldoximes involving the formation of a cyclic nitrone in the presence of Br₂ or ICl for the synthesis of 1-aminoisoquinolines via cascade 6-endo-cyclization, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with 2H-azirines, and ring-opening reaction sequences. The broad range of structurally diverse products, good to high yields, high atom-economy and high bond-formation efficiency make this method an attractive alternative for the synthesis of 1-aminoisoquinolines.

Synthesis of Densely Substituted Pyridine Derivatives from 1-Methyl-1,3-(ar)enynes and Nitriles by a Formal [4+2] Cycloaddition Reaction

An attractive method for assembling densely substituted pyridine derivatives from 1-methyl-1,3-(ar)enynes and nitriles via a formal [4+2] cycloaddition has been established. The well-balanced affinities of two alkali metal salts enable C(sp³)-H bond activation and excellent chemo- and regioselectivities. Experimental studies revealed that nitrile functions only as a partial nitrogen source for pyridine synthesis, and the addition of a metalated imine intermediate to an intramolecular alkyne is the rate-limiting step.

Lithioarene Cycliacylation and Pd-Catalyzed Aminoethylation/Cyclization to Access Electronically Diverse Saturated Isoquinoline Derivatives

We report operationally facile methods for the synthesis of substituted dihydroisoquinolinones and tetrahydroisoquinolines from readily accessible o-bromobenzyl bromides and o-bromobenzaldehydes, respectively. While classical electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions are tailored to the construction of saturated isoquinolines derived from electron-rich precursors, we demonstrate efficient syntheses from electronically diverse substrates to produce cyclized products as single regioisomers.

Study of the Three-Component Reactions of 2-Alkynylbenzaldehydes, Aniline, and Dialkyl Phosphites-The Significance of the Catalyst System

New, practical approaches for the synthesis of α-amino (2-alkynylphenyl)-methylphosphonates and 1,2-dihydroisoquinolin-1-ylphosphonates were developed. By the propylphosphonic anhydride (T₃P^®)-mediated Kabachnik–Fields reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes, aniline, and dialkyl phosphites, α-amino (2-alkynylphenyl)-methylphosphonates were obtained selectively in high yields. The method developed is a simple operation and did not require a chromatographic separation since the products could be isolated from the reaction mixture by a simple extraction. At the same time, 2,3-disubstituted-1,2-dihydroisoquinolin-1-ylphosphonates could be prepared effectively from the same kinds of starting materials (2-alkynylbenzaldehydes, aniline, and dialkyl phosphites) at 60 °C in a short reaction time by changing the catalyst for CuCl. Therefore, it was proved that the catalyst system applied played a crucial role with respect to the reaction outcome.

Quinazolinone dimers as a potential new class of safer Kv1 inhibitors: Overcoming hERG, sodium and calcium channel affinities

The discovery of more selective and safer voltage-gated potassium channel blockers is an extremely demanding approach. Designing selective Kv1.5 inhibitors is very challenging as only limited data is available on this target due to a lacking crystal structure for this ion channel receptor. Herein, we synthesized a series of 21 novel quinazolinone dimers 3a-i, 5a-i and 10a-c. We tried to avoid structural features responsible for non-selectivity and for most potassium channel blockers' side effects in our design. In contrast to other works, which lack investigation over wide ranges of potassium and sodium channels, we screened the inhibitory activity of our synthesized compounds over multiple voltage-gated potassium channels, including six different human Kv1 channel subtypes Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.3, Kv1.4, Kv1.5 and Kv1.6 channels as well as Kv2.1, Kv3.1, Kv4.3, Kv7.2, Kv7.3, Kv10.1, hERG, and Shaker IR. Moreover, these compounds' selectivity was investigated on sodium channels Nav1.2, Nav1.4 and Nav1.5 and calcium channels Cav3.1-Cav3.3. The results revealed two compounds (3a and 3e) with low micromolar Kv1.5 inhibition activity with EC₅₀ values of 5.1 ± 0.9 µM and 12.5 ± 1.1 µM, respectively. However, at higher concentrations, they also showed inhibitory activity on Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 channels. This might be due to structural similarities between these three Kv1 channel isoforms. Compound 3a shows a slight preference for Kv1.5. Interestingly, they lack any activity on other potassium channels (including hERG), sodium channels, and calcium channels. Our findings recommend quinazolinone dimers with ethylene linker as a potential new class of safer Kv1 inhibitors and a good start for designing more selective and potent Kv1.5 inhibitors.

Synthesis of organoselenyl isoquinolinium imides via iron(III) chloride-mediated tandem cyclization/selenation of N'-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides and diselenides

This report describes the synthesis of organoselenyl isoquinolinium imides through a tandem cyclization between N'-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides and diselenides. The reaction was carried out at room temperature under an ambient atmosphere using cheap iron(iii) chloride as the metallic source. The strategy shows good tolerance to a broad range of N'-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides and diselenides, and forms C-N and C-Se bonds in one step. The obtained product is further transformed into a bioactive H-pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline skeleton easily via a silver catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition.

Synthesis of 8-Alkoxy-5H-isochromeno[3,4-c]isoquinolines and 1-Alkoxy-4-arylisoquinolin-3-ols through Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization of Benzimidates with 4-Diazoisochroman-3-imines and 4-Diazoisoquinolin-3-ones

Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation of benzimidates with 4-diazoisochroman-3-imines furnished 8-alkoxy-5H-isochromeno[3,4-c]isoquinolines in moderate to excellent yields with a broad range of substrate scope. The reaction was carried out under mild reaction conditions and could be scaled up with practical usage. Similar reaction between benzimidates and 4-diazoisoquinolin-3-ones provided 1-alkoxy-4-arylisoquinolin-3-ols in excellent yields. Moreover, the synthesized products could be conveniently transformed to the corresponding heterocycles with a 1,8-naphthyridinone or isochromenopyridinone core, which are privileged structures in medicinal chemistry.

Palladium complexes with an annellated mesoionic carbene (MIC) ligand: catalytic sequential Sonogashira coupling/cyclization reaction for one-pot synthesis of benzofuran, indole, isocoumarin and isoquinolone derivatives

A Pd(ii) complex containing a mesoionic carbene and phosphine ligands is an efficient catalyst for tandem coupling/cyclization reaction.

Challenges Faced with Small Molecular Modulators of Potassium Current Channel Isoform Kv1.5

The voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.5, which mediates the cardiac ultra-rapid delayed-rectifier (IKur) current in human cells, has a crucial role in atrial fibrillation. Therefore, the design of selective Kv1.5 modulators is essential for the treatment of pathophysiological conditions involving Kv1.5 activity. This review summarizes the progress of molecular structures and the functionality of different types of Kv1.5 modulators, with a focus on clinical cardiovascular drugs and a number of active natural products, through a summarization of 96 compounds currently widely used. Furthermore, we also discuss the contributions of Kv1.5 and the regulation of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of synthetic Kv1.5 inhibitors in human pathophysiology. SAR analysis is regarded as a useful strategy in structural elucidation, as it relates to the characteristics that improve compounds targeting Kv1.5. Herein, we present previous studies regarding the structural, pharmacological, and SAR information of the Kv1.5 modulator, through which we can assist in identifying and designing potent and specific Kv1.5 inhibitors in the treatment of diseases involving Kv1.5 activity.

Tuneable access to isoquinolines via a transition-metal-free C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond cleavage rearrangement reaction

A novel divergent synthesis of multi-substituted isoquinolines via C(sp³)–C(sp³) bond cleavage rearrangement reactions was realized.

Copper-catalyzed cyclization of 2-cyanobenzaldehydes and 2-isocyanoacetates: an efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinolines

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of substituted 1-aminoisoquinoline has been developed.

Base-controlled [3+3] cycloaddition of isoquinoline N-oxides with azaoxyallyl cations

A base-controlled [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of isoquinoline N-oxides with azaoxyallyl cations is developed, leading to 1,11b-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazino[3,2-a]isoquinolin-2(3H)-ones and 2-(isoquinolin-1-yloxy)acetamides, respectively. This transformation proceeds through an azaoxyallyl cation generated in situ from α-bromohydroxamate.

Isoquinoline synthesis by heterocyclization of tosylmethyl isocyanide derivatives: total synthesis of mansouramycin B

A new method for the synthesis of isoquinolines through a catalytic acid-mediated cyclization of α-benzyl TosMIC derivatives has been developed. This methodology has been successfully applied to the total synthesis of mansouramycin B. This is the first total synthesis of this compound to be reported in the literature.

Synthesis of 2-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines via silver triflate-catalyzed or electrophile-mediated one-pot tandem reaction

An efficient one-pot tandem cyclization/[3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of N’-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)hydrazides with ethyl 4,4,4-trifluorobut-2-ynoate under silver triflate-catalyzed or electrophile-mediated conditions is described. Various trifluoromethylated pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines were afforded in moderate to excellent yield by this developed method.

Silver(I) and copper(I) cocatalyzed tandem reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoximes with aldehydes or alcohols: approach to 4-carboxylated isoquinolines

A novel and efficient route for the preparation of 4-carboxylated isoquinolines via a Ag(I) and Cu(I) cocatalyzed tandem reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoximes with aldehydes or alcohols in moderate to good yields is described. The reaction proceeds smoothly to produce C-N and C-O bonds in a one-pot procedure with structural complexity and molecular diversity.

On water: silver-catalyzed domino approach for the synthesis of benzoxazine/oxazine-fused isoquinolines and naphthyridines from o-alkynyl aldehydes

An operationally simple domino approach for the silver-catalyzed synthesis of oxazine/benzoxazine-fused isoquinolines 5a-q and naphthyridines 6a-v by the reaction of o-alkynyl aldehydes 3a-aa with amines having embedded nucleophiles 4a-d under mild reaction condition in water is described. The reaction shows selective C-N bond formation on the more electrophilic alkynyl carbon resulting in the formation of 6-endo-dig cyclized product. The competitive experiments show the viability of an intramolecular nucleophilic attack over an intermolecular attack of the external nucleophile. This methodology accommodates wide functional group variation, which proves to be useful for structural and biological assessment.

One-pot syntheses of isoquinolin-3-ones and benzo-1,4-diazepin-2,5-diones utilizing Ugi-4CR post-transformation strategy

One-pot and efficient syntheses of structurally diverse isoquinolin-3-ones and isoquinolin-3-one-based benzo-1,4-diazepin-2,5-diones have been developed. The notable features of the process include the Ugi condensation of monomasked phthalaldehydes with amines, carboxylic acids, and isonitriles, followed by HClO4-mediated intramolecular condensation of the carbonyl with amide.

Symmetric kv1.5 blockers discovered by focused screening

Guided by computational methods, a set of 1920 compounds were selected from the AstraZeneca corporate collection and screened for Kv1.5 activity. To facilitate rapid generation of structure-activity relationships, special attention was given to selecting subsets of structurally similar molecules by using a maximum common substructure similarity-based procedure. The focused screen hit rate was relatively high (12%). More importantly, a structural series featured by the symmetric 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine substructure was identified as potent Kv.1.5 blockers. The property profile for the series is shown to meet stringent lead-optimization criteria, providing a springboard for the development of a new and safe treatment for atrial fibrillation.

Generation of diverse 1-imidazolylisoquinolines via silver triflate-catalyzed reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoxime with imidazole

Diverse 1-imidazolylisoquinolines are generated through a silver triflate-catalyzed cascade reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoxime with imidazole or benzoimidazole using parallel diversity-oriented synthesis. A small library of 1-imidazolylisoquinolines can be constructed efficiently under mild conditions. A plausible mechanism is proposed. We discovered that the presence of silver triflate and bromotrispyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBroP) is essential for the reaction transformation. In the reaction process, treatment of 2-alkynylbenzaldoxime with silver triflate affords isoquinoline-N-oxide. Then, isoquinoline-N-oxide acts as a nucleophile to attack PyBroP to replace the bromide. Subsequently, an intermolecular nucleophilic addition of imidazole and further deprotonation take place to produce the desired 1-imidazolylisoquinolines. A range of great diversity could be easily introduced under the standard conditions during the reaction process.

1-(isoquinolin-1-yl)urea library generation via three-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoxime, carbodiimide, with electrophile

A novel and highly efficient three-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldoxime, carbodiimide, with electrophile (bromine or iodine monochloride) is disclosed, which generates 1-(4-haloisoquinolin-1-yl)ureas in good yields under mild conditions. Subsequent palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction is introduced, leading to the diverse 1-(isoquinolin-1-yl)ureas.

Structure-based virtual screening and electrophysiological evaluation of new chemotypes of K(v)1.5 channel blockers

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent nonfatal cardiac rhythm disorder associated with an increased risk of heart failure and stroke. Considering the ventricular side effects induced by anti-arrhythmic agents in current use, K(v)1.5 channel blockers have attracted a great deal of deliberation owing to their selective actions on atrial electrophysiology. Herein we report new chemotypes of K(v)1.5 channel blockers that were identified through a combination of structure-based virtual screening and in silico druglike property prediction including six scoring functions, as well as electrophysiological evaluation. Among them, five of the 18 compounds exhibited >50 % blockade ratio at 10 microM, and have structural features different from conventional K(v)1.5 channel blockers. These novel scaffolds could serve as hits for further optimization and SAR studies for the discovery of selective agents to treat AF.