Multivalent pyrrolidines acting as pharmacological chaperones against Gaucher disease

A concise asymmetric synthesis of clickable enantiomeric pyrrolidines was achieved using Crabbé-Ma allenation. The synthesized iminosugars were grafted by copper-free strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition onto phosphorus dendrimers. The hexavalent and dodecavalent pyrrolidines were evaluated as β-glucocerebrosidase inhibitors. The level of inhibition suggests that monofluorocyclooctatriazole group may contribute to the affinity for the protein leading to potent multivalent inhibitors. Docking studies were carried out to rationalize these results. Then, the iminosugars clusters were evaluated as pharmacological chaperones in Gaucher patients' fibroblasts. An increase in β-glucocerebrosidase activity was observed with hexavalent and dodecavalent pyrrolidines at concentrations as low as 1 µM and 0.1 µM, respectively. These iminosugar clusters constitute the first example of multivalent pyrrolidines acting as pharmacological chaperones against Gaucher disease.

Phenyl dialkynylcarbinols, a Bioinspired Series of Synthetic Antitumor Acetylenic Lipids

A series of 25 chiral anti-cancer lipidic alkynylcarbinols (LACs) were devised by introducing an (hetero)aromatic ring between the aliphatic chain and the dialkynylcarbinol warhead. The resulting phenyl-dialkynylcarbinols (PACs) exhibit enhanced stability, while retaining cytotoxicity against HCT116 and U2OS cell lines with IC50 down to 40 nM for resolved eutomers. A clickable probe was used to confirm the PAC prodrug behavior: upon enantiospecific bio-oxidation of the carbinol by the HSD17B11 short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR), the resulting ynones covalently modify cellular proteins, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress, ubiquitin-proteasome system inhibition, and apoptosis. Insights into the design of LAC prodrugs specifically bioactivated by HSD17B11 vs its paralogue HSD17B13 were obtained. The HSD17B11/HSD17B13-dependent cytotoxicity of PACs was exploited to develop a cellular assay to identify specific inhibitors of these enzymes. A docking study was performed with the HSD17B11 AlphaFold model, providing a molecular basis of the SDR substrates mimicry by PACs. The safety profile of a representative PAC was established in mice.

Phosphorus Dendrimers for Metal-Free Ligation: Design of Multivalent Pharmacological Chaperones against Gaucher Disease

The first phosphorus dendrimers built on a cyclotriphosphazene core and decorated with six or twelve monofluorocyclooctyne units were prepared. A simple stirring allowed the grafting of N-hexyl deoxynojirimycin inhitopes onto their surface by copper-free strain promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition click reaction. The synthesized iminosugars clusters were tested as multivalent inhibitors of the biologically relevant enzymes β-glucocerebrosidase and acid α-glucosidase, involved in Gaucher and Pompe lysosomal storage diseases, respectively. For both enzymes, all the multivalent compounds were more potent than the reference N-hexyl deoxynojirimycin. Remarkably, the final dodecavalent compound proved to be one of the best β-glucocerebrosidase inhibitors described to date. These cyclotriphosphazene-based deoxynojirimycin dendrimers were then evaluated as pharmacological chaperones against Gaucher disease. Not only did these multivalent constructs cross the cell membranes but they were also able to increase β-glucocerebrosidase activity in Gaucher cells. Notably, dodecavalent compound allowed a 1.4-fold enzyme activity enhancement at a concentration as low as 100 nM. These new monofluorocyclooctyne-presenting dendrimers may further find numerous applications in the synthesis of multivalent objects for biological and pharmacological purposes.

SDR enzymes oxidize specific lipidic alkynylcarbinols into cytotoxic protein-reactive species

Hundreds of cytotoxic natural or synthetic lipidic compounds contain chiral alkynylcarbinol motifs, but the mechanism of action of those potential therapeutic agents remains unknown. Using a genetic screen in haploid human cells, we discovered that the enantiospecific cytotoxicity of numerous terminal alkynylcarbinols, including the highly cytotoxic dialkynylcarbinols, involves a bioactivation by HSD17B11, a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) known to oxidize the C-17 carbinol center of androstan-3-alpha,17-beta-diol to the corresponding ketone. A similar oxidation of dialkynylcarbinols generates dialkynylketones, that we characterize as highly protein-reactive electrophiles. We established that, once bioactivated in cells, the dialkynylcarbinols covalently modify several proteins involved in protein-quality control mechanisms, resulting in their lipoxidation on cysteines and lysines through Michael addition. For some proteins, this triggers their association to cellular membranes and results in endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response activation, ubiquitin-proteasome system inhibition and cell death by apoptosis. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, we show that generic lipidic alkynylcarbinols can be devised to be bioactivated by other SDRs, including human RDH11 and HPGD/15-PGDH. Given that the SDR superfamily is one of the largest and most ubiquitous, this unique cytotoxic mechanism-of-action could be widely exploited to treat diseases, in particular cancer, through the design of tailored prodrugs.

Fragment-Based Ligand Discovery Applied to the Mycolic Acid Methyltransferase Hma (MmaA4) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Crystallographic and Molecular Modelling Study

The mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway represents a promising source of pharmacological targets in the fight against tuberculosis. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mycolic acids are subject to specific chemical modifications introduced by a set of eight S-adenosylmethionine dependent methyltransferases. Among these, Hma (MmaA4) is responsible for the introduction of oxygenated modifications. Crystallographic screening of a library of fragments allowed the identification of seven ligands of Hma. Two mutually exclusive binding modes were identified, depending on the conformation of residues 147–154. These residues are disordered in apo-Hma but fold upon binding of the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cofactor as well as of analogues, resulting in the formation of the short η1-helix. One of the observed conformations would be incompatible with the presence of the cofactor, suggesting that allosteric inhibitors could be designed against Hma. Chimeric compounds were designed by fusing some of the bound fragments, and the relative binding affinities of initial fragments and evolved compounds were investigated using molecular dynamics simulation and generalised Born and Poisson–Boltzmann calculations coupled to the surface area continuum solvation method. Molecular dynamics simulations were also performed on apo-Hma to assess the structural plasticity of the unliganded protein. Our results indicate a significant improvement in the binding properties of the designed compounds, suggesting that they could be further optimised to inhibit Hma activity.

Isolation and identification of ten new sildenafil derivatives in an alleged herbal supplement for sexual enhancement

A sexual enhancer dietary supplement in pre-commercialization phase was analyzed. It contained the two phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) sildenafil and methisosildenafil as major adulterants. Fourteen more sildenafil derivatives were detected and after isolation, their structures were elucidated thanks to NMR, high resolution and tandem mass spectrometry, and UV spectroscopy. Ten of them were never described. All these compounds are probably by-products of different reaction steps during the synthesis of the two PDE-5i that were not properly eliminated during the purification procedure. The total amount of sildenafil-related compounds was estimated at 68 mg per capsule, sildenafil and methisosildenafil accounting for 20 mg and 38 mg respectively.

Concise asymmetric synthesis of new enantiomeric C-alkyl pyrrolidines acting as pharmacological chaperones against Gaucher disease

A concise and asymmetric synthesis of the enantiomeric pyrrolidines 2 and ent-2 are herein reported. Both enantiomers were assessed as β-GCase inhibitors. While compound ent-2 acted as a poor competitive inhibitor, its enantiomer 2 proved to be a potent non-competitive inhibitor. Docking studies were carried out to substantiate their respective protein binding mode. Both pyrrolidines were also able to enhance lysosomal β-GCase residual activity in N370S homozygous Gaucher fibroblasts. Notably, the non-competitive inhibitor 2 displayed an enzyme activity enhancement comparable to that of reference compounds IFG and NN-DNJ. This work highlights the impact of inhibitors chirality on their protein binding mode and shows that, beyond competitive inhibitors, the study of non-competitive ones can lead to the identification of new relevant parmacological chaperones.

Second-Generation Pharmacological Chaperones: Beyond Inhibitors

Protein misfolding induced by missense mutations is the source of hundreds of conformational diseases. The cell quality control may eliminate nascent misfolded proteins, such as enzymes, and a pathological loss-of-function may result from their early degradation. Since the proof of concept in the 2000s, the bioinspired pharmacological chaperone therapy became a relevant low-molecular-weight compound strategy against conformational diseases. The first-generation pharmacological chaperones were competitive inhibitors of mutant enzymes. Counterintuitively, in binding to the active site, these inhibitors stabilize the proper folding of the mutated protein and partially rescue its cellular function. The main limitation of the first-generation pharmacological chaperones lies in the balance between enzyme activity enhancement and inhibition. Recent research efforts were directed towards the development of promising second-generation pharmacological chaperones. These non-inhibitory ligands, targeting previously unknown binding pockets, limit the risk of adverse enzymatic inhibition. Their pharmacophore identification is however challenging and likely requires a massive screening-based approach. This review focuses on second-generation chaperones designed to restore the cellular activity of misfolded enzymes. It intends to highlight, for a selected set of rare inherited metabolic disorders, the strategies implemented to identify and develop these pharmacologically relevant small organic molecules as potential drug candidates.

N,O-Dialkyl deoxynojirimycin derivatives as CERT START domain ligands

Dysregulation of the ceramide transport protein CERT is associated to diseases such as cancer. In search for new CERT START domain ligands, N-dodecyl-deoxynojirimycin (N-dodecyl-DNJ) iminosugar was found to display, as a ceramide mimic, significant protein recognition. To reinforce the lipophilic interactions and strengthen this protein binding, a docking study was carried out in order to select the optimal position on which to introduce an additional O-alkyl chain on N-dodecyl-DNJ. Analysis of the calculated poses for three different regioisomers indicated an optimal calculated interaction pattern for N,O3-didodecyl-DNJ. The two most promising regioisomers were prepared by a divergent route and their binding to the CERT START domain was evaluated with fluorescence intensity (FLINT) binding assay. N,O3-didodecyl-DNJ was confirmed to be a new binder prototype with level of protein recognition in the FLINT assay comparable to the best known ligands from the alkylated HPA-12 series. This work opens promising perspectives for the development of new inhibitors of CERT-mediated ceramide trafficking.

Enantioselective Stereodivergent Synthesis of Jaspine B and 4-epi-Jaspine B from Axially Chiral Allenols

A short enantioselective synthetic route to the cytotoxic marine natural product jaspine B has been developed. A chiral non-racemic primary α-allenol, obtained from pentadecanal, gave access to an enantioenriched 2-tetradecyl-2,5-dihydrofuran as key intermediate. A stereodivergent functionalization of this dihydrofuran allowed access in a few steps to jaspine B and its 4-epimer.

Alkyne-Tagged Analogue of Jaspine B: New Tool for Identifying Jaspine B Mode of Action

The first biologically relevant clickable probe related to the antitumor marine lipid jaspine B is reported. The concise synthetic route to both enantiomers relied on the supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) enantiomeric resolution of racemic materials. The eutomeric dextrogyre derivative represents the first jaspine B analogue with enhanced cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ down to 30 nm. These enantiomeric probes revealed a chiralitydependent cytoplasmic imaging of U2OS cancer cells by in situ click labeling.

From Natural to Artificial Antitumor Lipidic Alkynylcarbinols: Asymmetric Synthesis, Enzymatic Resolution, and Refined SARs

Among acetylenic natural products, chiral lipidic alkynylcarbinol (LAC) metabolites, mostly extracted from marine sponges, have revealed a broad spectrum of biological activities, in particular, remarkable antitumor cytotoxicity. With reference to one of the simplest natural representatives, [(S)-eicos-(4E)-en-1-yn-3-ol], and a given cancer cell line (HCT116), combined extensive efforts in chemical synthesis (relying on the use of a large chemical toolbox) and biological analysis (in vitro tests), have provided systematic structure–activity relationships (SARs) where the initially selected four structural parameters appear as independent principal components: (i) and (ii) the sp/sp2 content and extent of the terminal and internal unsaturations adjacent to the carbinol center, (iii) the absolute configuration of the latter, (iv) the length of the n-aliphatic backbone. Two key criteria have also been established regarding the functional alkynylcarbinol pharmacophore: the alkynylcarbinol unit must be both secondary and terminal (i.e., substituted by a short ethynyl or ethenyl C2 group). This review is intended to provide a further illustration of the value of a simple rational approach for drug design, and to act as a benchmark for future optimization of LACs as antitumor agents.

1 Introduction

2 2C2-Unsaturated Pharmacophore Candidates

2.1 Alkenylalkynylcarbinols (AACs)

2.2 Dialkynylcarbinols (DACs or DACys)

2.3 Alkynylalkenylcarbinols (iso-AACs) and Dialkenylcarbinols (DACes)

2.4 Oxidation-Protected Dialkynylcarbinols and Dialkynylketones

2.5 Fluorophore-Labeled Lipidic Dialkynylcarbinols

3 C2/C3-Unsaturated Pharmacophore Candidates

3.1 Cyclopropylalkynylcarbinols (CACs)

3.2 Allenylalkynylcarbinols (AllACs)

4 C2/C4- and 3C2-Unsaturated Pharmacophore Candidates

4.1 Butadiynylalkynylcarbinols (BACs)

4.2 Trialkynylcarbinols (TACs)

5 Double-AC-Headed Pharmacophore Candidates

6 Screening on the Lipidic Chain Length

7 Conclusion

Skeletal Optimization of Cytotoxic Lipidic Dialkynylcarbinols

In line with a recent study of the pharmacological potential of bioinspired synthetic acetylenic lipids, after identification of the terminal dialkynylcarbinol (DAC) and butadiynyl alkynylcarbinol (BAC) moieties as functional antitumor pharmacophoric units, this work specifically addresses the issue of carbon backbone length. A systematic variation of the aliphatic chain length was thus carried out in both the DAC and BAC series. The critical impact of the length of the lipidic skeleton was first confirmed in the racemic series, with the highest cytotoxic activity observed for C₁₇ to C₁₈ backbones. Enantiomerically enriched samples were prepared by asymmetric synthesis of the optimal C₁₈ DAC and C₁₇ BAC derivatives. Samples with upgraded enantiomeric purity were alternatively produced by enzymatic kinetic resolution. Eutomers possessing the S configuration displayed cytotoxicity IC₅₀ values as low as 15 nm against HCT116 cancer cells, the highest level of activity reached to date in this series.

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tartrate chiral ionic liquids: preparation, characterization and opportunities thereof

Eight tartrate-based imidazolium salts were obtained as synthetically useful chiral ionic liquids with chirality-dependent physico-chemical properties.

Iminosugar-based ceramide mimicry for the design of new CERT START domain ligands

The enigmatical dichotomy between the two CERT/GPBP protein isoforms, their vast panel of biological implications and the scarcity of known antagonist series call for new ligand chemotypes identification. We report the design of iminosugar-based ceramide mimics for the development of new START domain ligands potentially targeting either protein isoforms. Strategic choice of (i) an iminoxylitol core structure and (ii) the positioning of two dodecyl residues led to an extent of protein binding comparable to that of the natural cargo lipid ceramide or the archetypical inhibitor HPA-12. Molecular docking study evidenced a possible mode of protein binding fully coherent with the one observed in crystalline co-structures of known ligands. The present study thus paves the way for cellular CERT inhibition studies en route to the development of pharmacological tools aiming at deciphering the respective function and therapeutic potential of the two CERT/GPBP protein isoforms.

Ethynylogation approach in antitumor lipid pharmacochemistry: from dialkynyl-carbinols to trialkynyl-carbinols

A recently proposed "ethynylogation" pharmacochemical approach, first envisaged in the series of anticancer lipidic dialkynylcarbinols (DACs) H–C≡C–CH(OH)–C≡C–R at the levels of the H–C⋮ and ⋮C–R bonds for R = n-C12H25, is completed here at the level of the (HO)C–H bond. The so-devised mono-lipidic trialkynylcarbinol (TAC) target (HC≡C)2C(OH)–C≡CR and its bis-lipidic counterpart HC≡C–C(OH)(C≡CR)2 were synthesized in 4 steps and with 33 % and 23 % overall yield, respectively. Their antitumor cytotoxicity has been evaluated towards HCT116 cells: while the latter TAC is totally inactive, the former DAC-ethynylogous TAC still exhibits a significant toxicity with an IC50 of 10 µM.

Chemistry and Biology of HPAs: A Family of Ceramide Trafficking Inhibitors

In 2001, two years before the disclosure of the CERT-associated Cer transfer machinery, N-(3-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylpropyl)alkanamides (HPAs) were described as the first, and to date unique, family of intracellular Cer trafficking inhibitors. The dodecanamide derivative, HPA-12, turned out to be a benchmark as a cellular inhibitor of CERT-mediated de novo sphingomyelin biosynthesis. In only 15 years after its first disclosure, this compound has prompted a growing number of biological and chemical studies. Its initial chemical development closely paralleled the study of the CERT protein. It was only after its structural revision in 2011 that HPA-12 received broad attention from the synthetic chemistry community, leading to novel analogues with enhanced protein binding. This Minireview aims at presenting an exhaustive report of the syntheses of HPA-12 and analogues. Biological activities of this CERT inhibitor and structure-activity relationships are also presented to afford a comprehensive overview of the chemistry and biology of the HPA series.

Peptide Synthesis in Ionic Liquids (PEPSIL): All You Need is in the Toolbox!

This personal account describes our studies regarding peptide synthesis in ionic liquids (PEPSIL). In addition, we summarize our experiments in which the use of ionic liquids gives simple and promising access to unnatural amino acids in an enantiomerically enriched form. Extension of PEPSIL method to complex structures such as cyclopeptides is also discussed. Some of these cyclopeptides are the direct precursors of bioactive and pharmaceutical compounds.

A novel jaspine B-ceramide hybrid modulates sphingolipid metabolism

A new sphingolipid hybrid molecule was designed to assemble, within a tail-to-tail double-chain structure, the ceramide hydrophilic moiety and the tetrahydrofuran pharmacophore of jaspine B, a natural product known to interfere with sphingolipid metabolism. This compound was prepared through acylation of sphingosine with a jaspine B derivative bearing a COOH group in the terminal position of the aliphatic backbone. This new hybrid molecule was evaluated for its capacities to affect melanoma cell viability and sphingolipid metabolism. While retaining the cytotoxicity of ceramide itself, this compound was shown to lower the sphingomyelin cellular levels and significantly enhance the production of sphingosine-1-phosphate, thus representing a novel sphingolipid metabolism modulator.

The CERT antagonist HPA-12: first practical synthesis and individual binding evaluation of the four stereoisomers

The first unified synthetic route to the four enantiopure HPA-12 stereoisomers in multi-gram scale is reported based on Crystallization-Induced Asymmetric Transformation (CIAT) technology. This preparative stereoselective synthesis allowed the unprecedented comparative evaluation of HPA-12 stereoisomers regarding their interaction with the CERT START domain. In vitro binding assay coupled to in silico docking approach indicate a possible interaction for the four derivatives. The first TR-FRET homogeneous-phase assay was developed to quantify their binding to the START domain, allowing complete determination of HPA-12 EC₅₀. Results indicate that not only the (1R,3S) lead to the strongest binding, but that both 1R and 3S stereocenters similarly contribute to extent of recognition This automated homogenous assay further opens up promising prospect for the identification of novel potential CERT antagonist by means of high throughput screening.

Development of a CERT START Domain-Ceramide HTRF Binding Assay and Application to Pharmacological Studies and Screening

Sphingomyelin (SM) metabolism deregulation was recently associated with cell metastasis and chemoresistance, and several pharmacological strategies targeting SM metabolism have emerged. The ceramide (Cer) generated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is transferred to the Golgi apparatus to be transformed into SM. CERamide Transfer (CERT) protein is responsible for the nonvesicular trafficking of Cer to Golgi. Blocking the CERT-mediated ER-to-Golgi Cer transfer is an interesting antioncogenic therapeutic approach. Here, we developed a protein-lipid interaction assay for the identification of new CERT-Cer interaction inhibitors. Frequently used for protein-protein interaction by enzymatic and analyte dosage assays, homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence technology was adapted for the first time to a lipid-protein binding assay. This test was developed for high-throughput screening, and a library of 672 molecules was screened. Seven hits were identified, and their inhibitory effect quantified by EC50 measurements showed binding inhibition three orders of magnitude more potent than that of HPA12, the unique known CERT antagonist to date. Each compound was tested on an independent test, confirming its high affinity and pharmacological potential.

Chiral alkynylcarbinols from marine sponges: asymmetric synthesis and biological relevance

Covering: up to March 2014. Previous review on the topic: B. W. Gung, C. R. Chim., 2009, 12, 489-505. Chiral α-functional lipidic propargylic alcohols extracted from marine sponges, in particular of the pacific genus Petrosia, constitute a class of acetylenic natural products exhibiting remarkable in vitro biological activities, especially anti-tumoral cytotoxicity. These properties, associated to functionalities that are uncommon among natural products, have prompted recent projects on asymmetric total synthesis. On the basis of a three-sector structural typology, three main sub-types of secondary alkynylcarbinols (with either alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl as the second substituent) can be identified as the minimal pharmacophoric units. Selected natural products containing these functionalities have been targeted using previously known or on purpose-designed procedures, where the stereo-determining step can be: (i) a C-C bond forming reaction (e.g. the Zn-mediated addition of alkynyl nucleophiles to aldehydes in the presence of chiral aminoalcohols), (ii) a functional layout (e.g. the asymmetric organo- or metallo-catalytic reduction of ynones), or (iii) an enantiomeric resolution (e.g. a lipase-mediated kinetic resolution via acetylation). The promising medicinal importance of these targets is finally surveyed, and future investigation prospects are proposed, such as: (i) further total synthesis of known or future extraction products; (ii) the synthesis of non-natural analogues, with simpler lipophilic environments of the alkynylcarbinol-based pharmacophoric units; (iii) the variation and optimization of both the pharmacophoric units and their lipophilic environment; and (iv) investigations into the biological mode of action of these unique structures.

On terminal alkynylcarbinols and derivatization thereof

The chemistry of three prototypes of secondary alkynylcarbinols (ACs), recently highlighted as challenging targets in anti-tumoral medicinal chemistry, is further documented by results on n-alkyl, alkynyl and alkenyl representatives. The N-naphthyl carbamate of an n-butyl-AC is thus characterized by X-ray crystallography. A novel dialkynylcarbinol (DAC) with synthetic potential is described, namely the highly dissymmetrical triisopropylsilyl-protected version of diethynylmethanol. The latter is shown to act as a dipolarophile in a selective Huisgen reaction with benzyl azide under CuAAC click conditions, giving an alkenyl-AC, where the alkene unsaturation is embedded in a 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole ring, as confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Origin of the enantioselectivity in organocatalytic Michael additions of β-ketoamides to α,β-unsaturated carbonyls: a combined experimental, spectroscopic and theoretical study

The organocatalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of secondary β-ketoamides to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is reported. Use of bifunctional Takemoto's thiourea catalyst allows enantiocontrol of the reaction leading either to simple Michael adducts or spirocyclic aminals in up to 99 % ee. The origin of the enantioselectivity has been rationalised based on combined DFT calculations and kinetic analysis. This study provides a deeper understanding of the reaction mechanism, which involves a predominant role of the secondary amide proton, and clarifies the complex interactions occurring between substrates and the catalyst.

Identification of chiral alkenyl- and alkynylcarbinols as pharmacophores for potent cytotoxicity

Illumination by acetylene: Systematic structural variations in a series of archetypal acetylenic lipids derived from the naturally occurring (S,E)-icos-4-en-1-yn-3-ol allowed the discovery of a series of 3R-like 1,4-di-unsaturated carbinol units with a significant and systematic enantiomeric effect on cytotoxicity.

Synthesis of chiral ionic liquids by ion cross-metathesis: en route to enantioselective water-ionic liquid extraction (EWILE), an eco-friendly variant of the ELLE process

From two initial ILs two other ILs are obtained by simultaneous ion exchange. The hydrophobic ions unite in the hydrophobic layer, whereas the hydrophilic ions gather in water. This protocol is explored as a variant of the ELLE process, in which an enantiomer of a racemic mixture is preferentially extracted with water.

Substrate-directable Heck reactions with arenediazonium salts. The regio- and stereoselective arylation of allylamine derivatives and applications in the synthesis of naftifine and abamines

The palladium-catalyzed, substrate-directable Heck-Matsuda reaction of allylamine derivatives with arenediazonium salts is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions, with excellent regio- and stereochemical control as a function of coordinating groups present in the allylamine substrate. The distance between the olefin moiety and the carbonylic system seems to play a key role regarding the regiocontrol. The method presents itself as robust, as simple to carry out, and with wide synthetic scope concerning the allylic substrates and the type of arenediazonium employed. The synthetic potential of the method is illustrated by the short total syntheses of the bioactive compounds naftifine, abamine, and abamine SG.