Direct Synthesis of 4-Arylpiperidines via Palladium/Copper(I)-Cocatalyzed Negishi Coupling of a 4-Piperidylzinc Iodide with Aromatic Halides and Triflates

Photoredox Promoted Barbier-Type Reaction of Alkyl Iodides with N-Alkyl and N-Aryl Imines

The reaction of organozinc reagents with unactivated imines is accelerated when performed in the presence of a photocatalyst under blue light irradiation. Coordination between Lewis acidic zinc iodide and the imine is a key factor responsible for the reaction efficiency. The method can be carried out using alkyl iodides under Barbier conditions.

Visible-Light Enabled C(sp3)-C(sp2) Cross-Electrophile Coupling via Synergistic Halogen-Atom Transfer (XAT) and Nickel Catalysis

We herein report the first visible-light-mediated cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl iodides with aryl bromides through synergistic halogen atom transfer (XAT) and nickel catalysis. This simple protocol operates under mild reaction conditions and tolerates a variety of functional groups affording C(sp³)-C(sp²) cross-coupling products in good to moderate yields.

Modular Functionalization of Arenes in a Triply Selective Sequence: Rapid C(sp2 ) and C(sp3 ) Coupling of C-Br, C-OTf, and C-Cl Bonds Enabled by a Single Palladium(I) Dimer

Full control over multiple competing coupling sites would enable straightforward access to densely functionalized compound libraries. Historically, the site selection in Pd0 -catalyzed functionalizations of poly(pseudo)halogenated arenes has been unpredictable, being dependent on the employed catalyst, the reaction conditions, and the substrate itself. Building on our previous report of C-Br-selective functionalization in the presence of C-OTf and C-Cl bonds, we herein complete the sequence and demonstrate the first general arylations and alkylations of C-OTf bonds (in <10 min), followed by functionalization of the C-Cl site (in <25 min), at room temperature using the same air- and moisture-stable PdI dimer. This allowed the realization of the first general and triply selective sequential C-C coupling (in 2D and 3D space) of C-Br followed by C-OTf and then C-Cl bonds.

Cobalt-Catalyzed (Hetero)arylation of Saturated Cyclic Amines with Grignard Reagents

(Hetero)aryl substituted saturated cyclic amines are ubiquitous scaffolds in biologically active molecules. Metal-catalyzed cross-couplings between halogeno N-heterocycles and organometallic species are efficient and modular reactions to access these attractive scaffolds. An overview of our work concerning the cobalt-catalyzed arylation of iodo-substituted cyclic amines is presented.

Synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrazoles containing pyridinyl substituents

A synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrazoles containing two, three or four pyridinyl substituents is described. Hence, the reaction of 1,3-dipyridinyl-1,3-propanediones with 2-hydrazinopyridine or phenylhydrazine, respectively, affords the corresponding 1,3,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles. Iodination at the 4-position of the pyrazole nucleus by treatment with I2/HIO3 gives the appropriate 4-iodopyrazoles which served as starting materials for different cross-coupling reactions. Finally, Negishi cross-coupling employing organozinc halides and Pd catalysts turned out to be the method of choice to obtain the desired tetrasubstituted pyrazoles. The formation of different unexpected reaction products is described. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N) were undertaken with all products prepared. Moreover, the structure of a condensation product was confirmed by crystal structure analysis.

Efficient cross-coupling of aryl/alkenyl triflates with acyclic secondary alkylboronic acids

Efficient cross-coupling between aryl/alkenyl triflates and acyclic secondary alkylboronic acids is realized by employing P,PO ligand L1/L2, providing a series of sterically congested acyclic secondary alkyl arenes/olefins in good to excellent yields. The method has enabled a concise and 4-step synthesis of a gossypol intermediate.

Cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling of 3- and 4-iodopiperidines with Grignard reagents

A cobalt-catalyzed cross-coupling between 3- and 4-iodopiperidines and Grignard reagents is disclosed. The reaction is an efficient, cheap, chemoselective, and flexible way to functionalize piperidines. This coupling was used as the key step to realize a short synthesis of (±)-preclamol. Some mechanistic investigations were conducted that highlight the formation of radical intermediates.

Discovery of clinical candidate 1-(4-(3-(4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-carbonyl)phenoxy)pyrazin-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)ethanone (AMG 579), a potent, selective, and efficacious inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A)

We report the identification of a PDE10A clinical candidate by optimizing potency and in vivo efficacy of promising keto-benzimidazole leads 1 and 2. Significant increase in biochemical potency was observed when the saturated rings on morpholine 1 and N-acetyl piperazine 2 were changed by a single atom to tetrahydropyran 3 and N-acetyl piperidine 5. A second single atom modification from pyrazines 3 and 5 to pyridines 4 and 6 improved the inhibitory activity of 4 but not 6. In the in vivo LC-MS/MS target occupancy (TO) study at 10 mg/kg, 3, 5, and 6 achieved 86-91% occupancy of PDE10A in the brain. Furthermore, both CNS TO and efficacy in PCP-LMA behavioral model were observed in a dose dependent manner. With superior in vivo TO, in vivo efficacy and in vivo PK profiles in multiple preclinical species, compound 5 (AMG 579) was advanced as our PDE10A clinical candidate.

Synthesis of sulfones from organozinc reagents, DABSO, and alkyl halides

Organozinc reagents react with the SO2 surrogate DABSO, and the resulting zinc sulfinate salts are alkylated in situ to afford sulfones. This transformation has a broad scope and is compatible with a wide range of structural motifs of medicinal chemistry relevance including nitrile, secondary carbamates, and nitrogen-containing heterocycles.

Cross-coupling of ArX with ArMgBr catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbene-based nickel complexes

N-Heterocyclic carbene-based pincer nickel complexes were synthesized and characterized. These complexes efficiently catalyze cross-coupling of aryl Grignard reagents with aryl chlorides or fluorides under mild conditions.

[Pd(Cl)2{P(NC5H10)(C6H11)2}2]--a highly effective and extremely versatile palladium-based Negishi catalyst that efficiently and reliably operates at low catalyst loadings

[Pd(Cl)(2){P(NC(5)H(10))(C(6)H(11))(2)}(2)] (1) has been prepared in quantitative yield by reacting commercially available [Pd(cod)(Cl)(2)] (cod=cyclooctadiene) with readily prepared 1-(dicyclohexylphosphanyl)piperidine in toluene under N(2) within a few minutes at room temperature. Complex 1 has proved to be an excellent Negishi catalyst, capable of quantitatively coupling a wide variety of electronically activated, non-activated, deactivated, sterically hindered, heterocyclic, and functionalized aryl bromides with various (also heterocyclic) arylzinc reagents, typically within a few minutes at 100 °C in the presence of just 0.01 mol% of catalyst. Aryl bromides containing nitro, nitrile, ether, ester, hydroxy, carbonyl, and carboxyl groups, as well as acetals, lactones, amides, anilines, alkenes, carboxylic acids, acetic acids, and pyridines and pyrimidines, have been successfully used as coupling partners. Furthermore, electronic and steric variations are tolerated in both reaction partners. Experimental observations strongly indicate that a molecular mechanism is operative.

Structure based design of novel irreversible FAAH inhibitors

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has attracted significant attention due to its promise as an analgesic target. This has resulted in the discovery of numerous chemical classes as inhibitors of this potential therapeutic target. In this paper we disclose a new series of novel FAAH irreversible azetidine urea inhibitors. In general these compounds illustrate potent activity against the rat FAAH enzyme. Our SAR studies allowed us to optimize this series resulting in the identification of compounds 13 which were potent inhibitors of both human and rat enzyme. This series of compounds illustrated good hydrolase selectivity along with good PK properties.

Negishi coupling of secondary alkylzinc halides with aryl bromides and chlorides

An efficient palladium-catalyzed process has been developed for Negishi coupling of secondary alkylzinc halides with a wide range of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides. A palladium catalyst composed of a new biaryldialkylphosphine ligand, CPhos, effectively promotes the rate of the reductive elimination step relative to the rate of the undesired beta-hydride elimination. The broad substrate scope and excellent ratio of the desired secondary to the undesired primary coupling product make this method a powerful and reliable tool for C(sp(3))-C(sp(2)) bond formation.

Synthesis and biological activity of anticoccidial agents: 2,3-diarylindoles

Novel 2,3-diarylindoles bearing an amine substituent at the indole 5- and 6-positions have been synthesized and evaluated as anticoccidial agents in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Both subnanomolar in vitro activity and broad spectrum in vivo potency were detected for several compounds, particularly compound 27.

Efficient Negishi coupling reactions of aryl chlorides catalyzed by binuclear and mononuclear nickel-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

We describe the first nickel-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reaction of a variety of unactivated aryl chlorides, heterocyclic chlorides, aryl dichlorides, and vinyl chloride. The mononuclear and binuclear nickel-NHC complexes supported by heteroarene-functionalized NHC ligands are found to be highly efficient for the coupling of unactivated aryl chlorides and organozinc reagents, leading to biaryls and terphenyls in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. For all aryl chlorides, the binuclear nickel catalysts show activities higher than those of mononuclear nickel complexes because of possible bimetallic cooperative effect.

Efficient Cross-Coupling of Aryl Chlorides with Arylzinc Reagents Catalyzed by Amido Pincer Complexes of Nickel

The nickel-catalyzed Negishi cross-coupling reaction of aryl chlorides with arylzinc compounds was investigated. The nickel complexes with the amido pincer type of ligands exhibited high catalytic activity and good functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of 4-Arylpiperidines from 1-Benzyl-4-piperidone: Application of the Shapiro Reaction and Alkenylsilane Cross-Coupling

[reaction: see text] 1-Benzyl-3,4-unsaturated-4-piperidinyl benzyldimethylsilane has been prepared and observed to readily undergo palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with a variety of aryl iodides and aryl bromides to generate 3,4-unsaturated 4-arylpiperidines, often at ambient temperature.

Synthesis of a Naphthyridone p38 MAP Kinase Inhibitor

Compound 1 is a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor potentially useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. A novel six-step synthesis suitable for large-scale preparation was developed in support of a drug development program at Merck Research Laboratories. The key steps include a tandem Heck-lactamization, N-oxidation, and a highly chemoselective Grignard addition of 4-(N-tert-butylpiperidinyl)magnesium chloride to a naphthyridone N-oxide. The N-oxide exerted complete chemoselectivity via chelation in directing the Grignard addition to the alpha position as opposed to 1,4-addition on the ene-lactam. The dihydropyridyl adduct was in situ aromatized with isobutylchloroformate followed by heating in pyridine. Syntheses of Grignard precursor, N-tert-butyl-4-chloro-piperidine, were accomplished via transamination with a quaternary ammonium piperidone or via addition of methylmagnesium chloride to an iminium ion. Utilizing this chemistry, multi-kilogram preparation of compound 1 was successfully demonstrated.

Convenient preparation of aryl-substituted nortropanes by Suzuki–Miyaura methodology

The synthesis of a new bicyclic vinyl boronate (5) was accomplished from N-Boc-nortropinone (6) in two steps. The Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of 5 to a variety of aryl bromides and triflates afforded 3-aryl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-enes in good yields by adjusting the substrate and (or) reaction conditions. Reduction to the 3-aryl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes was achieved by hydrogenation. Interestingly, the coupling was also successful with benzyl bromides, providing entry into another group of intermediates.Key words: nortropane, Suzuki–Miyaura, boronate, piperidine, GPCR, benzyl bromide.