Chemistry and Pharmacology of Fluorinated Drugs Approved by the FDA (2016-2022)

Synthesis of Polyfluorinated Biaryls via Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling of Zinc Polyfluorobenzoates with Aryl Fluorosulfates

A palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling of zinc polyfluorobenzoates with aryl fluorosulfates, which proceeded efficiently via C-O bond cleavage to afford the corresponding polyfluorinated biaryls in moderate-to-good yields, was developed. The reactions exhibited both good substrate scope and broad functional group compatibility, and it could be scaled-up easily. The synthetic simplicity and practicability of the reaction was further demonstrated by one-pot manipulation by directly mixing polyfluorobenzoic acid and Zn(OH)2 in the coexistence of aryl fluorosulfate and a palladium catalyst in one flask. Further studies showed that aryl fluorosulfate is more robust than other aryl halides and pseudohalides as a arylating reagent, and zinc polyfluorobenzoate is a more effective decarboxylative polyfluoroarylating agent than their magnesium and potassium counterparts.

Toward an integrated omics approach for plant biosynthetic pathway discovery in the age of AI

Elucidating plant biosynthetic pathways is key to advancing a sustainable bioeconomy by enabling access to complex natural products through synthetic biology. Despite progress from genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic approaches, much multiomics data remain underutilized. This review highlights state-of-the-art multiomics strategies for discovering plant biosynthetic pathways, addressing challenges in data acquisition and interpretation with emerging computational tools. We propose an integrated workflow combining molecular networking, reaction pair analysis, and gene expression patterns to enhance data utilization. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches promise to revolutionize pathway discovery by streamlining data analysis and validation. Integrating multiomics data, chemical insights, and advanced algorithms can accelerate understanding of plant metabolism and bioengineering valuable natural products efficiently.

The influence of fluorine spin-diffusion on 13C solid-state NMR line shapes of CF3 groups

Indirect spin-spin couplings ("J-couplings") lead to well-known multiplet patterns in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra that are also observable in non-decoupled solid-state NMR spectra, if the J-coupling constant exceeds the linewidth. Such J-multiplet line shapes in the solid state might however be affected by spin diffusion (SD) on the passive nuclei. When the SD rate constant is fast compared to the J-coupling constant, the multiplet resolution can be lost due to a so-called "self-decoupling" mechanism as has been already reported in the context of decoupling and for proton SD in solid adamantane. We herein report on the influence of 19F SD on 13C-detected solid-state NMR spectra of a small organic molecule bearing a trifluoromethyl group. The target compound is the chiral α-(trifluoromethyl)lactic acid (TFLA). Enantiopure phases ((R) or (S), respectively) of TFLA are composed of homochiral dimers whereas the racemic phase consists of heterochiral dimers in the solid state. Despite their structural similarity, the 13C line shapes of the CF3 group in cross-polarization spectra recorded at slow to medium magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequencies - in the range between 14.0 kHz and 60.0 kHz - differ substantially. By combining experimental observations, analytical calculations based on the Bloch-McConnell equations, and numerical spin-dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that differences in the 19F SD rate constant between racemic and enantiopure TFLA-phases significantly affect the respective solid-state 13C NMR spectral line shapes. Slowing down SD by increasing the MAS frequency restores the quartet line shape for both phases of TFLA.

A Virtual Screening Approach to Evaluate the Multitarget Potential of a Chalcone Library with Binding Properties to Oligopeptidase B and Cysteine Proteinase B from Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis

Leishmaniasis remains a significant public health problem in Brazil, particularly due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, which is associated with severe dermatological syndromes. The current treatments are limited by toxicity and uncertain efficacy, highlighting the need for new compounds with pharmacological potential. This study investigates chalcones as multitarget binding agents for oligopeptidase B (OPB) and cysteine proteinase B (CPB), which are critical pathogenic determinants of L. (V.) braziliensis. The methodology involved replacing methoxy groups with aryl motifs at various positions within the chalcone structures and introducing specific functional groups at the C-4 position. This was followed by a virtual screening approach using molecular docking to assess interactions with the target proteinases. Several chalcones from the virtual library (n = 178) exhibited high binding affinities for OPB and CPB, outperforming control ligands. A total of 30 chalcones with multitarget potential were identified, with fluorinated compounds C-191 and C-135 emerging as promising inhibitors, distinguished by the best energy rankings for both enzymes. ADMET analyses confirmed the viability of these chalcones as drug candidates, with most adhering to Lipinski's rules. These data suggest that chalcones may provide new multitarget treatment options for leishmaniasis.

Access to fluorinated dienes through hydrofluorination of 2-En-4-ynoates

The hydrofluorination of enynoates has been developed for the synthesis of fluorinated dienoates. Using a pyridinium tetrafluoroborate salt that is easily prepared on large scale, this approach enabled the direct conversion of these substrates to fluorinated targets through a vinyl cation mediated process. This approach was applied to a range of aryl-substituted enynoates to deliver the (Z)-configured products with high levels of stereo- and regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies were conducted to provide insights into the stereochemical outcome and reaction efficiency under different reaction conditions.

Fluoromethyl Triflate and Fluoromethyl Fluorosulfonate: Easily Accessible and Powerful Fluoromethylation Reagents

Fluoromethyl triflate (superfluoromethyl, SFM, FH2COSO2CF3) and fluoromethyl fluorosulfonate (magic fluoromethyl, MFM, FH2COSO2F) are two easily synthesized, highly effective and non-ozone depleting fluoromethylation reagents. They are analogous to the well-known and widely used methylation reagents H3COSO2CF3 and H3COSO2F. Both SFM and MFM have been fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 17O, 19F, 33S). Their structures have been determined in the solid state on in situ grown crystals by X-ray diffraction and in the gas phase by electron diffraction. The fluoromethylation efficiency of SFM and MFM was shown by reactions with chalcogen nucleophiles of differing nucleophilicity. All fluoromethylated products were isolated as pure compounds and characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, as well as in some cases by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

FluoBase: a fluorinated agents database

Organofluorine compounds, owing to their unique physicochemical properties, play an increasingly crucial role in fields such as medicine, pesticides, and advanced materials. Fluorinated reagents are indispensable for developing efficient synthetic methods for organofluorine compounds and serve as the cornerstone of organofluorine chemistry. Equally important are fluorinated functional molecules, which contribute specific properties necessary for applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science. However, information about these agents' structure, properties, and functions is scattered throughout vast literature, making it inconvenient for synthetic chemists to access and utilize them effectively. Recognizing the need for a dedicated and organized resource, we present FluoBase-a comprehensive fluorinated agents database designed to streamline access to key information about fluorinated agents. FluoBase aims to become the premier resource for information related to fluorine chemistry, serving the scientific community and anyone interested in the applications of fluorine chemistry and machine learning for property predictions. FluoBase is freely available at https://fluobase.siochemdb.com . Scientific contribution FluoBase is a database designed to provide comprehensive information on the structures, properties, and functions of fluorinated agents and functional molecules. FluoBase aims to become the premier resource for fluorine chemistry, serving the scientific community and anyone interested in the applications of fluorine chemistry and machine learning for property predictions.

Design, synthesis and investigation of biological activity and mechanism of fluoroaryl-substituted derivatives at the FL118 position 7

Addition of fluorine atoms into chemical compounds is a validated strategy to enhance their physical, chemical and biological properties. In this study, FL118, a novel camptothecin-related small molecule known for its unique mechanism of action and superior antitumor efficacy, was utilized as a foundational drug platform. By replacing the hydrogen atom at position 7 of FL118 with a fluoroaryl group, a diverse array of FL118 derivatives were synthesized. Our investigations revealed that the majority of these newly synthesized compounds exhibited improved cytotoxicity compared to FL118, with some demonstrating enhanced in vivo antitumor efficacy. Among these derivatives, compound 7h stood out and was subjected to detailed analysis. Compound 7h demonstrated a remarkable ability to inhibit colorectal cancer (CRC) cell colony formation and cell migration, while also promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and CRC cell apoptosis. Notably, our studies unveiled that the presence of DDX5 could modulate Topoisomerase I (Top1) activity, a process effectively reversed by a low concentration of 7h, but not SN38. Moreover, only 7h was able to decrease DDX5 expression, SN38 was not. Molecular docking studies further supported the binding of 7h to DDX5. Interestingly, although both 7h and SN38 exhibited similar inhibitory effects on Top1 activity, only 7h, and not SN38, could inhibit DDX5. These findings not only pave the way for deeper mechanistic explorations of FL118 and its derivatives in cancer research but also position the identified compound 7h as a promising candidate for further development.

Novel anticancer drug discovery efforts targeting glycosylation: the emergence of fluorinated monosaccharides analogs

INTRODUCTION

Glycosylation is an essential enzymatic process of building glycan structures that occur mainly within the cell and gives rise to a diversity of cell surface and secreted glycoconjugates. These glycoconjugates play vital roles, for instance in cellcell adhesion, interaction and communication, activation of cell surface receptors, inflammatory response and immune recognition. This controlled and wellcoordinated enzymatic process is altered in cancer, leading to the biosynthesis of cancerassociated glycans, which impact glycandependent biological roles.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors discuss the importance of targeting cancerassociated glycans through potent glycan biosynthesis inhibitors. It focuses on the use of analogs, providing an overview of findings involving these in cancer. The highly explored fluorinated monosaccharide analogs targeting aberrant glycosylation are described, aiming to inspire advances in the field.

EXPERT OPINION

Altered glycosylation, such as increased sialylation and fucosylation, is a feature in cancer and has been shown to play key roles in several malignant properties of cancer cells. Strategies aiming at remodeling cancer cells´ glycome are emerging and present a huge potential for cancer therapy. Fluorinated monosaccharides have been gathering promising preclinical results as novel cancer drugs. Nevertheless, cancer specific targeting strategies must be considered to avoid significant sideeffects.

Expanding the scope of copper artificial metalloenzymes: A potential fluorinase?

Biocatalysts for fluorination are rare, and thus of great interest for artificial enzyme design. Biohybrid catalysts including Cu-based DNAzymes and dinucleotide catalysts can catalyse enantioselective electrophilic fluorination of β-ketoesters. Here we report the investigation of Cu-based artificial metalloenzymes as catalysts for electrophilic fluorination reactions. A library of artificial copper proteins was prepared by bioconjugation of bidentate and tridentate nitrogen ligands to cysteine variants of the Sterol Carrier Protein 2 L (SCP-2 L) and subsequent addition of Cu(II) salts. The resulting copper proteins were screened for activity for the fluorination of β-ketoesters using Selectfluor. Under aqueous acidic conditions it was observed that the designed catalysts did not outcompete the uncatalysed background reaction. This work highlights that careful consideration of substrate reactivity and background reactions is needed when considering potential reactions for artificial metalloenzyme catalysis.

Ground-state flavin-dependent enzymes catalyzed enantioselective radical trifluoromethylation

The introduction of fluoroalkyl groups into pharmaceutical compounds has the potential to enhance their therapeutic properties. Nevertheless, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure C(sp³)-CF₃ compounds poses a significant challenge. Biocatalysis offers precise stereochemical control, however, the scarcity of fluorine-containing natural products makes it difficult to find enzymes capable of incorporating fluoroalkyl groups. Herein, we develop a ground-state flavin-dependent enzyme-catalyzed strategy for the radical-mediated enantioselective trifluoromethylation. Two engineered flavin-dependent enzymes are successfully developed to catalyze stereoselective hydrotrifluoromethylation and trifluoromethyl-alkyl cross-electrophile coupling reactions using trifluoromethyl thianthrenium triflate as a radical donor. Experimental investigations and computational simulations demonstrate that the reaction is initiated through single-electron transfer from the ground state flavin hydroquinone (FMNhq) and quenched through hydrogen atom transfer by flavin semiquinone (FMNsq). This strategy provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between biocatalysis and organic fluorides but also introduces an alternative approach to address challenging stereoselective fluoroalkylation reactions in organic synthesis.

The Pharmaceutical Industry in 2024: An Analysis of the FDA Drug Approvals from the Perspective of Molecules

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized 50 new drugs in 2024, which matches the average figure for recent years (2018-2023). The approval of 13 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) sets a new record, with these molecules accounting for more than 25% of all drugs authorized this year. Three proteins have been added to the list of biologics, and with the inclusion of four TIDES (two oligonucleotides and two peptides), only one in three approved drugs this year is a small molecule. As of 2023, no antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have reached the market this year. Two deuterated drugs have been approved, bringing the total approvals for this class of compounds to four. This year saw the authorization of two more PEGylated drugs-both peptides-highlighting a renewed interest in this strategy for extending drug half-life, despite the setback caused by the withdrawal of peginesatide from the market in 2014 due to adverse side effects. N-aromatic heterocycles and fluorine atoms are present in two-thirds of all the small molecules approved this year. Herein, the 50 new drugs authorized by the FDA in 2024 are analyzed exclusively on the basis of their chemical structure. They are classified as the following: biologics (antibodies, proteins), TIDES (oligonucleotides and peptides), combined drugs, natural products, F-containing molecules, nitrogen aromatic heterocycles, aromatic compounds, and other small molecules.

Repurposing fluvoxamine as an inhibitor for NUDT5 in breast cancer cell: an in silico and in vitro study

Drug repurposing is necessary to accelerate drug discovery and meet the drug needs. This study investigated the possibility of using fluvoxamine to inhibit the cellular metabolizing enzyme NUDT5 in breast cancer. Computational and experimental techniques were used to evaluate the structural flexibility, binding stability, and chemical reactivity of the drugs. These findings indicated that fluvoxamine effectively suppressed the activity of NUDT5, as evidenced by a binding score of - 8.514 kcal/mol. Furthermore, the binding positions of fluvoxamine and NUDT5 were optimized. Fluvoxamine attachment to the active sites of Trp28, Trp46, Glu47, Arg51, Arg84, and Leu98 in NUDT5 has been shown to alter the metabolism of ADPr. These alterations play a role in ATP production in the breast cancer cells. In addition, an MTT assay conducted on the MCF-7 cell line using fluvoxamine revealed an IC50 value of 53.86 ± 0.05 µM. Fluvoxamine-induced apoptosis was confirmed as evidenced by AO/EtBr and DAPI staining.

Graphical abstract

Effect of fluvoxamine on breast cancer cells.

Synthetic approaches and application of representative clinically approved fluorine-enriched anti-cancer medications

Fluorine possesses distinctive chemical characteristics, such as its strong electron-withdrawing ability and small atomic size, which render it an invaluable asset in the design and optimization of pharmaceuticals. The utilization of fluorine-enriched medications for combating cancer has emerged as a prominent approach in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, offering improved clinical outcomes and enhanced pharmacological properties. This comprehensive review explores the synthetic approaches and clinical applications of approved 22 representative fluorinated anti-cancer drugs from 2019 to present, shedding light on their historical development, brand names, drug target activity, mechanism of action, preclinical pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and toxicity. Additionally, the review provides an extensive analysis of the representative synthetic techniques employed. Overall, this review emphasizes the significance of incorporating fluorine chemistry into anti-cancer drug research while highlighting promising future prospects for exploring compounds enriched with fluorine in the battle against cancer.

Transferrin Receptor-Mediated Cellular Uptake of Fluorinated Chlorido[N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine]iron(III) Complexes

Fluorinated chlorido[salophene]iron(III) complexes (salophene = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine) are promising anticancer agents. Apoptosis and necrosis induction have already been described as part of their mode of action. However, the involvement of ferroptosis in cell death induction, as confirmed for other chlorido[salophene]iron(III) complexes, has not yet been investigated. Furthermore, the mechanism of cellular uptake of these compounds is unknown. Therefore, the biological activity of the fluorescent chlorido[salophene]iron(III) complexes with a fluorine substituent at positions 3, 4, 5, or 6 at the salicylidene moieties (C1-C4) was evaluated in malignant and nonmalignant cell lines with focus on the involvement of the transferrin receptor-1 (TfR-1) in cellular uptake, the influence of the complexes on mitochondrial function, and the analysis of the molecular mechanism of cell death. All complexes significantly decreased the metabolic activity in the tested ovarian cancer (A2780, A2780cis), breast cancer (MDA-MB 231), and leukemia (HL-60) cell lines, while the nonmalignant human stroma cell line HS-5 at a concentration of 0.5 μM, which represents the IC50 of the complexes in most of the used tumorigenic cell lines, was not affected. The mitochondrial function was impaired, as evidenced by a reduced mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm and decreased mitochondrial activity. Besides apoptosis and necroptosis, ferroptosis was identified as part of the mode of action. It was further demonstrated for the first time that fluorinated chlorido[salophene]iron(III) complexes downregulate TfR-1 expression, comparable to ferristatin II, an iron transport inhibitor that acts via TfR-1 degradation. FerroOrange staining further indicated that the complexes strongly increased the intracellular iron(II) level as a driving force to induce ferroptosis. In conclusion, these fluorinated chlorido[salophene]iron(III) complexes are potent, tumor cell-specific chemotherapeutic agents, with the potential to treat various types of cancers.

Divergent functionalization of alkenes enabled by photoredox activation of CDFA and α-halo carboxylic acids

Herein we present our studies on the solvent-controlled difunctionalization of alkenes utilizing chlorodifluoroacetic acid (CDFA) and α-halo carboxylic acids for the synthesis of γ-lactones, γ-lactams and α,α-difluoroesters. Mechanistic insights revealed that photocatalytic reductive mesolytic cleavage of the C-X bond delivers elusive α-carboxyl alkyl radicals. In the presence of an olefin molecule, this species acts as a unique bifunctional intermediate allowing for stipulated formation of C-O, C-N and C-H bonds on Giese-type adducts via single electron transfer (SET) or hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) events. These protocols exhibit great efficiency across a broad spectrum of readily available α-halo carboxylic acids and are amenable to scalability in both batch and flow. To demonstrate the versatility of this concept, the synthesis of (±)-boivinianin A, its fluorinated analog and eupomatilone-6 natural products was successfully accomplished.

The rat acute oral toxicity of trifluoromethyl compounds (TFMs): a computational toxicology study combining the 2D-QSTR, read-across and consensus modeling methods

All areas of the modern society are affected by fluorine chemistry. In particular, fluorine plays an important role in medical, pharmaceutical and agrochemical sciences. Amongst various fluoro-organic compounds, trifluoromethyl (CF3) group is valuable in applications such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and industrial chemicals. In the present study, following the strict OECD modelling principles, a quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) modelling for the rat acute oral toxicity of trifluoromethyl compounds (TFMs) was established by genetic algorithm-multiple linear regression (GA-MLR) approach. All developed models were evaluated by various state-of-the-art validation metrics and the OECD principles. The best QSTR model included nine easily interpretable 2D molecular descriptors with clear physical and chemical significance. The mechanistic interpretation showed that the atom-type electro-topological state indices, molecular connectivity, ionization potential, lipophilicity and some autocorrelation coefficients are the main factors contributing to the acute oral toxicity of TFMs against rats. To validate that the selected 2D descriptors can effectively characterize the toxicity, we performed the chemical read-across analysis. We also compared the best QSTR model with public OPERA tool to demonstrate the reliability of the predictions. To further improve the prediction range of the QSTR model, we performed the consensus modelling. Finally, the optimum QSTR model was utilized to predict a true external set containing many untested/unknown TFMs for the first time. Overall, the developed model contributes to a more comprehensive safety assessment approach for novel CF3-containing pharmaceuticals or chemicals, reducing unnecessary chemical synthesis whilst saving the development cost of new drugs.

HFIP-Promoted Divergent Cycloadditions of Difluoroenoxysilanes with 2-Indolylmethanols: Synthesis of Fluoro 2H-Pyrano[3,4-b]indoles and gem-Difluoro Cyclopenta[b]indoles

An oxa-6π-electrocyclization of difluoroenoxysilanes with diaryl 2-indolylmethanols has been developed. In addition, a rarely reported C3-nucleophilic [3+2] cycloaddition of difluoroenoxysilanes with dialkyl 2-indolylmethanols has been disclosed. This divergent cycloaddition approach affording readily available difluoroenoxysilanes as three-atom and C2 synthons provides rapid access to fluoro 2H-pyrano[3,4-b]indoles and gem-difluoro cyclopenta[b]indoles in good to excellent yields with good functional group tolerance. The metal-free and mild conditions using only HFIP as the solvent without any external acid catalyst illuminate practical and environmentally benign advantages.

Molecular docking based comparative study of antiviral compounds on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

The urgent need for effective therapeutic interventions against SARS-CoV-2 has prompted extensive exploration of potential drug candidates. Among the viral proteins, the spike (S) protein presents an attractive target due to its critical role in viral entry and infection. In this study, we employed molecular docking techniques to investigate the binding affinities and interaction profiles of a panel of active compounds against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Utilising computational simulations, we assessed the binding properties of these compounds within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and other key regions of the spike protein. Our comparative analysis elucidates the differential binding patterns and identifies promising lead compounds with high binding affinity and favourable interaction profiles. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of these findings for the development of potential therapeutics targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Using molecular docking and the Lipinski five rule, this study illustrates possible compounds with strong binding affinities, their molecular interactions, for both naturally occurring and man-made drugs. Computational approach is applied, and it is concluded that, drugs like Withanolide, Dihydroergocristine, Fenebrutinib, and Ergotamine shows binding energies between -8.3 and -9.1 kcal/mol, and are possible candidate for anti covid drug.

Fluorine in the pharmaceutical industry: Synthetic approaches and application of clinically approved fluorine-enriched anti-infectious medications

The strategic integration of fluorine atoms into anti-infectious agents has become a cornerstone in the field of medicinal chemistry, owing to the unique influence of fluorine on the chemical and biological properties of pharmaceuticals. This review examines the synthetic methodologies that enable the incorporation of fluorine into anti-infectious drugs, and the resultant clinical applications of these fluorine-enriched compounds. With a focus on clinically approved medications, the discussion extends to the molecular mechanisms. It further outlines the specific effects of fluorination, which contribute to the heightened efficacy of anti-infective therapies. By presenting a comprehensive analysis of current drugs and their developmental pathways, this review underscores the continuing evolution and significance of fluorine in advancing anti-infectious treatment options. The insights offered extend valuable guidance for future drug design and the development of next-generation anti-infectious agents.

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (3Z)-4-[(4-amino-1,2,5-oxa-diazol-3-yl)amino]-3-bromo-1,1,1-tri-fluoro-but-3-en-2-one

In the title compound, C6H4BrF3N4O2, the oxa-diazole ring is essentially planar with a maximum deviation of 0.003 (2) Å. In the crystal, mol-ecular pairs are connected by N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, forming dimers with an R 2 2(8) motif. The dimers are linked into layers parallel to the (10) plane by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In addition, C-O⋯π and C-Br⋯π inter-actions connect the mol-ecules, forming a three-dimensional network. The F atoms of the tri-fluoro-methyl group are disordered over two sites in a 0.515 (6): 0.485 (6) ratio. The inter-molecular inter-actions in the crystal structure were investigated and qu-anti-fied using Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Liquid Chromatographic Enantioseparation of Newly Synthesized Fluorinated Tryptophan Analogs Applying Macrocyclic Glycopeptides-Based Chiral Stationary Phases Utilizing Core-Shell Particles

Due to the favorable features obtained through the incorporation of fluorine atom(s), fluorinated drugs are a group with emerging pharmaceutical importance. As their commercial availability is still very limited, to expand the range of possible candidates, new fluorinated tryptophan analogs were synthesized. Control of enantiopurity during the synthesis procedure requires that highly efficient enantioseparation methods be available. In this work, the enantioseparation of seven fluorinated tryptophans and tryptophan was studied and compared systematically to (i) develop analytical methods for enantioselective separations and (ii) explore the chromatographic features of the fluorotrytophans. For enantioresolution, macrocyclic glycopeptide-based selectors linked to core-shell particles were utilized, applying liquid chromatography-based methods. Application of the polar-ionic mode resulted in asymmetric and broadened peaks, while reversed-phase conditions, together with mobile-phase additives, resulted in baseline separation for all studied fluorinated tryptophans. The marked differences observed between the methanol and acetonitrile-containing eluent systems can be explained by the different solvation abilities of the bulk solvents of the applied mobile phases. Among the studied chiral selectors, teicoplanin and teicoplanin aglycone were found to work effectively. Under optimized conditions, baseline separations were achieved within 6 min. Ionic interactions were semi-quantitatively characterized and found to not influence enantiorecognition. Interestingly, fluorination of the analytes does not lead to marked changes in the chromatographic characteristics of the methanol-containing eluents, while larger differences were noticed when the polar but aprotic acetonitrile was applied. Experiments conducted on the influence of the separation temperature indicated that the separations are enthalpically driven, with only one exception. Enantiomeric elution order was found to be constant on both teicoplanin and teicoplanin aglycone-based chiral stationary phases (L < D) under all applied chromatographic conditions.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Newly Synthesized Cinnamide-Fluorinated Containing Compounds as Bioactive Anticancer Agents

A new series of cinnamide-fluorinated derivatives has been synthesized and characterized by using different spectroscopic and elemental microanalyses methods. All of the prepared p-fluorocinnamide derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the HepG2 liver cancerous cell line. The imidazolone derivative 6, which bears N-(N-pyrimidin-2-ylbenzenesulphamoyl) moiety, displayed antiproliferative activity against HepG2 liver cancerous cells with an IC50 value of 4.23 μM as compared to staurosporin (STU) (IC50 = 5.59 μM). In addition, compound 6 experienced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitory activity comparable to palatinib. The cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry indicated that compound 6 arrested the cellular cycle of HepG2 cells at the G1 phase. Additionally, as demonstrated by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technique, compound 6 increased both early and late apoptotic ratios compared to control untreated HepG2 cells. Moreover, imidazolone compound 6 induced apoptosis via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by decreasing the level of mitochondrial membrane polarization (MMP) compared to untreated HepG2 cells. Therefore, the new N-(N-pyrimidin-2-ylbenzenesulphamoyl)imidazolone derivative 6 could be considered a potential platform for further optimizing an antitumor agent against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Design, Synthesis, and Activity Evaluation of Fluorine-Containing Scopolamine Analogues as Potential Antidepressants

This study aimed to develop novel rapid-acting antidepressants with sustained efficacy and favorable safety profiles. We designed and synthesized a series of fluorine-containing scopolamine analogues and evaluated their antidepressant potential. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that most of these compounds exhibited minimal toxicity against neuronal and non-neuronal mammalian cell lines (IC50 > 100 μM). The antidepressant activities of the compounds were evaluated using the tail suspension test, and S-3a was identified as a lead compound with potent and sustained antidepressant effects. Behaviorally, S-3a alleviated depressive symptoms in mice and displayed a higher cognitive safety margin than scopolamine. Toxicological assessments confirmed S-3a's safety, while pharmacokinetics showed a rapid clearance (half-life: 16.6 min). Mechanistically, S-3a antagonized M1 receptors and elevated BDNF levels, suggesting its potential as an antidepressant for further exploration.

Mild Pd-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling of Zinc(II) Polyfluorobenzoates with Aryl Bromides and Nonaflates: Access to Polyfluorinated Biaryls

We developed a Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling of zinc polyfluorobenzoates, which were used as precursors for producing zinc reagents in situ, with aryl bromides and nonaflates, providing a mild and efficient pathway for the synthesis of polyfluorinated biaryls. This protocol exhibits a broad substrate scope and excellent functional tolerance. Moreover, the versatility of this approach was demonstrated by the straightforward late-stage modification of drugs, biologically active molecules, and pesticides, indicating its potential significance in drug discovery.

Design, Synthesis, and In vitro Anti-cervical Cancer Activity of a Novel MDM2-p53 Inhibitor Based on a Chalcone Scaffold

OBJECTIVE

Several novel fluorinated chalcone derivatives were synthesized, and their in vitro anticervical cancer activity and mechanism of action were investigated using the parent nucleus of licorice chalcone as the lead compound backbone and MDM2-p53 as the target.

METHODS

In this study, 16 novel chalcone derivatives (3a-3r) were designed and synthesized by molecular docking technology based on the licorice chalcone parent nucleus as the lead compound scaffold and the cancer apoptosis regulatory target MDM2-p53. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HR-ESI-MS. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on the proliferation of three human cervical cancer cell lines (SiHa, HeLa, and C-33A) and two normal cell lines (H8 and HaCaT) were determined by MTT assay, and the initialstructure-activity relationship was analyzed. Transwell and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the effects of target compounds on the inhibition of cancer cell migration and invasion, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle arrest. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the effects of candidate compounds on mRNA, p53, and Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein expression. The binding characteristics of the target compounds to the MDM2 protein target in the p53-MDM2 pathway were evaluated by molecular docking technology.

RESULTS

The target compounds had considerable inhibitory activity on the proliferation of three cervical cancer cell lines. Among them, compound 3k (E)-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-2-methyl-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one) showed the highest activity against HeLa cells (IC50=1.08 μmol/L), which was better than that of the lead compound Licochalcone B, and 3k showed lower toxicity to both normal cells. Compound 3k strongly inhibited the migration and invasion of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, compound 3k upregulated the expression of p53 and BAX and downregulated the expression of MDM2, MDMX, and BCL2. Moreover, molecular docking results showed that compound 3k could effectively bind to the MDM2 protein (binding energy: -9.0 kcal/mol). These results suggest that the compounds may activate the p53 signaling pathway by inhibiting MDM2 protein, which prevents cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a new effective and low-toxicity drug candidate from licochalcone derivatives for treating cervical cancer.

Monofluoromethylation of N-Heterocyclic Compounds

The review focuses on recent advances in the methodologies for the formation or introduction of the CH2F moiety in N-heterocyclic substrates over the past 5 years. The monofluoromethyl group is one of the most versatile fluorinated groups used to modify the properties of molecules in synthetic medical chemistry. The review summarizes two strategies for the monofluoromethylation of N-containing heterocycles: direct monofluoromethylation with simple XCH2F sources (for example, ICH2F) and the assembly of N-heterocyclic structures from CH2F-containing substrates. The review describes the monofluoromethylation of pharmaceutically important three-, five- and six-membered N-heterocycles: pyrrolidines, pyrroles, indoles, imidazoles, triazoles, benzothiazoles, carbazoles, indazoles, pyrazoles, oxazoles, piperidines, morpholines, pyridines, quinolines and pyridazines. Assembling of 6-fluoromethylphenanthridine, 5-fluoromethyl-2-oxazolines, C5-monofluorinated isoxazoline N-oxides, and α-fluoromethyl-α-trifluoromethylaziridines is also shown. Fluoriodo-, fluorchloro- and fluorbromomethane, FCH2SO2Cl, monofluoromethyl(aryl)sulfoniummethylides, monofluoromethyl sulfides, (fluoromethyl)triphenylphosphonium iodide and 2-fluoroacetic acid are the main fluoromethylating reagents in recent works. The replacement of atoms and entire functional groups with a fluorine atom(s) leads to a change and often improvement in activity, chemical or biostability, and pharmacokinetic properties. The monofluoromethyl group is a bioisoster of -CH3, -CH2OH, -CH2NH2, -CH2CH3, -CH2NO2 and -CH2SH moieties. Bioisosteric replacement with the CH2F group is both an interesting task for organic synthesis and a pathway to modify drugs, agrochemicals and useful intermediates.