High-resolution X-ray structures of the complexes of HIV-1 protease (HIV-1PR) with peptidomimetic inhibitors reveal the presence of a structural water molecule which is hydrogen bonded to both the mobile flaps of the enzyme and the two carbonyls flanking the transition-state mimic of the inhibitors. Using the structure−activity relationships of C 2-symmetric diol inhibitors, computed-aided drug design tools, and first principles, we designed and synthesized a novel class of cyclic ureas that incorporates this structural water and preorganizes the side chain residues into optimum binding conformations. Conformational analysis suggested a preference for pseudodiaxial benzylic and pseudodiequatorial hydroxyl substituents and an enantiomeric preference for the RSSR stereochemistry. The X-ray and solution NMR structure of the complex of HIV-1PR and one such cyclic urea, DMP323, confirmed the displacement of the structural water. Additionally, the bound and “unbound” (small-molecule X-ray) ligands have similar conformations. The high degree of preorganization, the complementarity, and the entropic gain of water displacement are proposed to explain the high affinity of these small molecules for the enzyme. The small size probably contributes to the observed good oral bioavailability in animals. Extensive structure-based optimization of the side chains that fill the S2 and S2‘ pockets of the enzyme resulted in DMP323, which was studied in phase I clinical trials but found to suffer from variable pharmacokinetics in man. This report details the synthesis, conformational analysis, structure−activity relationships, and molecular recognition of this series of C 2-symmetry HIV-1PR inhibitors. An initial series of cyclic ureas containing nonsymmetric P2/P2‘ is also discussed.

Afoxolaner is an isoxazoline compound characterized by a good safety profile and extended effectiveness against fleas and ticks on dogs following a single oral administration. In vitro membrane feeding assay data and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies in dogs established an afoxolaner blood concentration of 0.1-0.2 μg/ml to be effective against both fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and ticks (Dermacentor variabilis). Pharmacokinetic profiles in dogs following a 2.5mg/kg oral dosage demonstrated uniform and predictable afoxolaner plasma concentrations above threshold levels required for efficacy for more than one month. Dose ranging and a 5-month multi-dose experimental study in dogs, established that the 2.5mg/kg oral dosage was highly effective against fleas and ticks, and produced predictable and reproducible pharmacokinetics following repeated dosing. Mode of action studies showed that afoxolaner blocked native and expressed insect GABA-gated chloride channels with nanomolar potency. Afoxolaner has comparable potency between wild type channels and channels possessing the A302S (resistance-to-dieldrin) mutation. Lack of cyclodiene cross-resistance for afoxolaner was confirmed in comparative Drosophila toxicity studies, and it is concluded that afoxolaner blocked GABA-gated chloride channels via a site distinct from the cyclodienes.

A highly enantioselective and practical synthesis of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz (1) is described. The synthesis proceeds in 62% overall yield in seven steps from 4-chloroaniline (6) to give efavirenz (1) in excellent chemical and optical purity. A novel, enantioselective addition of Li-cyclopropyl acetylide (4a) to p-methoxybenzyl-protected ketoaniline 3a mediated by (1R,2S)-N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine lithium alkoxide (5a) establishes the stereogenic center in the target with a remarkable level of stereocontrol.

Early researchers studying the condensation product of carbonyl compounds with N ‐substituted hydroxylamines elected to coin the term “nitrone” as a combination of the words “nitrogen” and “ketone.” This was done to emphasize the parallel between this newly discovered functionality and the already rich chemistry of the carbonyl group. For example, nitrones are capable of reacting with carbanions of various types, a consequence of the iminium species embedded in the nitrone that renders the functionality susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Thus C ‐phenyl‐ N ‐methylnitrone undergoes a Reformatsky reaction with ethyl bromoacetate in complete analogy with benzaldehyde. The intermediate zinc alkoxide cyclizes to 2‐methyl‐3‐phenylisoxazolidin‐5‐one, a type of compound that can also be prepared by the related nucleophilic addition of dialkyl malonates to nitrones. This chapter deals with a unique property of nitrones not shared by the corresponding carbonyl compounds, namely, a marked ability to undergo a [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction in the presence of a dipolarophile. The reactions of nitrones with substituted olefins, both intermolecular and intramolecular are addressed. This process yields isoxazolidines directly, affording products related to those obtained in the Reformatsky reaction but arising by a different reaction mode. The intent of the review presented in this chapter is to provide a thorough understanding of the nitrone–olefin [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction and to illustrate its power by describing some significant applications to complex synthetic problems. Various aspects have been reviewed. This documentation of the nitrone–olefin cycloaddition reaction begins with the preparation and stability of the nitrone component and is followed by mechanistic considerations. A presentation of the dipolarophile syntheses is beyond the scope of this chapter; however, the tabular survey provides leading references to specific examples. The important concepts of regio‐ and stereo‐selectivities are introduced next. Since the general rules of regiochemistry that apply in the intermolecular version of the reaction are often reversed in the intramolecular version, the latter are dealt with separately. Finally, important applications to the total synthesis of natural products are presented. The versatile utility of the nitrone–olefin cycloaddition reaction in the synthesis of natural products has been the major driving force in the development of this long‐neglected chemistry. An in‐depth understanding of the key transformations of the isoxazolidines afforded by the reaction will place this chemistry firmly within the arsenal of organic reactions.

No abstract

The β-amino alcohol 4β-morpholinocaran-3α-ol is prepared by addition of morpholine to α-3,4-epoxycarane utilizing anhydrous magnesium bromide as Lewis acid promoter. The enantiopure amino alcohol is uniquely effective as a chiral moderator for the addition of lithium cyclopropylacetylide to an unprotected N-acylketimine. This reaction provides an efficient route to the second generation NNRTI drug candidate DPC 963.

No abstract

The 1,2-addition of lithium phenylacetylide (PhCCLi) to quinazolinones was investigated using a combination of structural and rate studies. (6)Li, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectroscopies show that deprotonation of quinazolinones and phenylacetylene in THF/pentane solutions with lithium hexamethyldisilazide affords a mixture of lithium quinazolinide/PhCCLi mixed dimer and mixed tetramer along with PhCCLi dimer. Although the mixed tetramer dominates at high mixed aggregate concentrations and low temperatures used for the structural studies, the mixed dimer is the dominant form at the low total mixed aggregate concentrations, high THF concentrations, and ambient temperatures used to investigate the 1,2-addition. Monitoring the reaction rates using (19)F NMR spectroscopy revealed a first-order dependence on mixed dimer, a zeroth-order dependence on THF, and a half-order dependence on the PhCCLi concentration. The rate law is consistent with the addition of a disolvated PhCCLi monomer to the mixed dimer. Investigation of the 1,2-addition of PhCCLi to an O-protected quinazolinone implicates reaction via trisolvated PhCCLi monomers.