The discovery of a new variation on the Davis–Beirut reaction is described in which an atypical heterocyclic framework (the anthranil or benzo[c]isoxazole framework) is formed as the result of diversion of a key reactive intermediate away from its expected reactivity—a potentially general approach to reaction design and development. Experimental and computational support for the proposed mechanism and origins of altered reactivity are described.

Two operationally simple one-pot protocols have been developed for the synthesis of amino-functionalized benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and isoquinolino[3,4-b]quinoxalines. Optimization data and substrate scope for these atom-economical transformations, which engage commercially available o-phenylenediamines and o-cyanobenzaldehydes, are discussed.

A heterocycle-to-heterocycle strategy is presented for the preparation of highly fluorescent and solvatochromic dibenzonaphthyridinones (DBNs) via methodology that leads to the formation of a tertiary, spiro-fused carbon center. A linear correlation between the results of photophysical experiments and time dependent density functional theory calculations was observed for the λmax of excitation for DBNs with varying electronic character.

A transition metal-free, one-pot protocol has been developed for the synthesis of 11H-indolo[3,2-c]isoquinolin-5-amines via the atom economical annulation of ethyl (2-cyano-phenyl)carbamates and 2-cyanobenzyl bromides. This method proceeds via sequential N-alkylation and base-promoted cyclization. Optimization data, substrate scope, mechanistic insights, and photoluminescence properties are discussed.

Conformationally constrained bithiazoles were previously found to have improved efficacy over nonconstrained bithiazoles for correction of defective cellular processing of the ΔF508 mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. In this study, two sets of constrained bithiazoles were designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro using ΔF508–CFTR expressing epithelial cells. The SAR data demonstrated that modulating the constraining ring size between 7- versus 8-membered in these constrained bithiazole correctors did not significantly enhance their potency (IC50), but strongly affected maximum efficacy (Vmax), with constrained bithiazoles 9e and 10c increasing Vmax by 1.5-fold compared to benchmark bithiazole corr4a. The data suggest that the 7- and 8-membered constrained ring bithiazoles are similar in their ability to accommodate the requisite geometric constraints during protein binding.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) produces hypohalous acids as a key component of the innate immune response; however, release of these acids extracellularly results in inflammatory cell and tissue damage. The two-step, one-pot Davis–Beirut reaction was used to synthesize a library of 2H-indazoles and 1H-indazolones as putative inhibitors of MPO. A structure–activity relationship study was undertaken wherein compounds were evaluated utilizing taurine-chloramine and MPO-mediated H2O2 consumption assays. Docking studies as well as toxicophore and Lipinski analyses were performed. Fourteen compounds were found to be potent inhibitors with IC50 values <1 μM, suggesting these compounds could be considered as potential modulators of pro-oxidative tissue injury pertubated by the inflammatory MPO/H2O2/HOCl/HOBr system.

The most common mutation causing cystic fibrosis (CF) is deletion of phenylalanine residue 508 in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator conductance (CFTR) protein. Small molecules that are able to correct the misfolding of defective ΔF508-CFTR have considerable promise for therapy. Reported here are the design, preparation, and evaluation of five more hydrophilic bisazole analogs of previously identified bithiazole CF corrector 1. Interestingly, bisazole ΔF508-CFTR corrector activity was not increased by incorporation of more H-bond acceptors (O or N), but correlated best with the overall bisazole molecular geometry. The structure activity data, together with molecular modeling, suggested that active bisazole correctors adopt a U-shaped conformation, and that corrector activity depends on the molecule’s ability to access this molecular geometry.

Organic chemistry problems that interrelate and integrate synthesis with spectroscopy are presented. These synthesis–spectroscopy roadmap (SSR) problems uniquely engage second-year undergraduate organic chemistry students in the personal discovery of organic chemistry. SSR problems counter the memorize-or-bust strategy that many students tend to employ in the study of organic chemistry with an instructional strategy that fosters “seeing” connections, “hearing” what a problem has to say, and “feeling” the exhilaration that comes with discovery.Keywords: Inquiry-Based/Discovery Learning; IR Spectroscopy; Mass Spectrometry; NMR Spectroscopy; Organic Chemistry; Problem Solving/Decision Making; Reactions; Second-Year Undergraduate;

Methods for the construction of thiazolo-, thiazino-, and thiazepino-2H-indazoles from o-nitrobenzaldehydes or o-nitrobenzyl bromides and S-trityl-protected 1°-aminothioalkanes are reported. The process consists of formation of the requisite N-(2-nitrobenzyl)(tritylthio)alkylamine, subsequent deprotection of the trityl moiety with TFA, and immediate treatment with aq. KOH in methanol under Davis–Beirut reaction conditions to deliver the target thiazolo-, thiazino-, or thiazepino-2H-indazole in good overall yield. Subsequent S-oxidation gives the corresponding sulfone.

A variety of N-aryl β-nitroenamines were effectively transformed into 3-nitroindoles in good yields and with complete regioselectivity via a rapid microwave (μW) assisted intramolecular arene–alkene coupling reaction. This report further demonstrates the versatility of this method by constructing 3-carboalkoxy- and 3-cyanoindoles. Optimization data, substrate scope, and applications are discussed.

An operationally simple, one-pot multicomponent reaction has been developed for the assembly of 9H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,2-d][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepines adorned with three diversification points via an atom-economical transformation incorporating α-diketones, o-azidobenzaldehydes, propargylic amines, and ammonium acetate. This process involves tandem InCl3-catalyzed cyclocondensation and intramolecular azide–alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions; optimization data, substrate scope, and mechanistic insights are discussed.

Increased concentrations of secreted phospholipase A2 type IIA (sPLA2-IIA), have been found in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It has been shown that sPLA2-IIA specifically binds to integrin αvβ3, and initiates a signaling pathway that leads to cell proliferation and inflammation. Therefore, the interaction between integrin and sPLA2-IIA could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of proliferation or inflammation-related diseases. Two one-bead-one-compound peptide libraries were constructed and screened, and seven target hits were identified. Herein we report the identification, synthesis, and biological testing of two pyrazolylthiazole-tethered peptide hits and their analogs. Biological assays showed that these compounds were able to suppress the sPLA2-IIA–integrin interaction and sPLA2-IIA-induced migration of monocytic cells and that the blockade of the sPLA2-IIA–integrin binding was specific to sPLA2-IIA and not to the integrin.

An operationally simple, one-pot, two-step cascade method has been developed to afford quinazolino[1,2,3]triazolo[1,4]benzodiazepines. This unique, atom-economical transformation engages five reactive centers (amide, aniline, carbonyl, azide, and alkyne) and employs environmentally benign iodine as a catalyst. The method proceeds via sequential quinazolinone-forming condensation and intramolecular azide–alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions. Substrate scope, multicomponent examples, and mechanistic insights are discussed.

Acid catalyzed Friedlander reactions of a number of 2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoxaline-1-ones with 2-aminobenzaldehyde yield, unexpectedly, 8H-indolo[3,2-a]phenazine and quinolino[2,3-c]cyclopentadienone[2,3-b]quinoxalines, the structures of derivatives of which were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Easy routes to novel quinoxaline-based indoles, quinolones, and quinoxaline-1,4-dioxides are reported, and proposed mechanisms for the unexpected products are discussed.

A one-pot–three-step method has been developed for the conversion of oxazolino-2H-indazoles into triazolotriazepinoindazolones with three points of diversity. Step one of this process involves a propargyl bromide-initiated ring opening of the oxazolino-2H-indazole (available by the Davis–Beirut reaction) to give an N1-(propargyl)-N2-(2-bromoethyl)-disubstituted indazolone, which then undergoes −CH2Br → −CH2N3 displacement (step two) followed by an uncatalyzed intramolecular azide–alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (step three) to form the target heterocycle. Employing 7-bromooxazolino-2H-indazole allows for further diversification through, for example, palladium-catalyzed coupling chemistry, as reported here.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. The most common CF-causing mutation, ΔF508-CFTR, produces CFTR loss-of-function by impairing its cellular targeting to the plasma membrane and its chloride channel gating. We recently identified cyanoquinolines with both corrector (“Co”, normalizing ΔF508-CFTR targeting) and potentiator (“Po”, normalizing ΔF508-CFTR channel gating) activities. Here, we synthesized and characterized 24 targeted cyanoquinoline analogues to elucidate the conformational requirements for corrector and potentiator activities. Compounds with potentiator-only, corrector-only, and dual potentiator–corrector activities were found. Molecular modeling studies (conformational search ⇒ force-field lowest energy assessment ⇒ geometry optimization) suggest that (1) a flexible tether and (2) a relatively short bridge between the cyanoquinoline and arylamide moieties are important cyanoquinoline-based CoPo features. Further, these CoPo’s may adopt two distinct π-stacking conformations to elicit corrector and potentiator activities.

An efficient 2·3-component reaction (2·3CR; a 2-component reaction followed, in one pot, by a3-component reaction) is presented for the synthesis of isoxazolino-β-ketoamides. This 2·3CR proceeds by (i) a Meldrum’s acid-generated acyl ketene, which is trapped by an amine to form a β-ketoamide intermediate in a 2CR followed, in one pot, by (ii) a Mannich reaction followed by elimination of dimethyl amine·HCl to generate an α,β-unsaturated β-ketoamide dipolarophile that reacts in a nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. This one-pot 2·3CR process delivers the targeted isoxazolino-β-ketoamide product. A total of 72 compounds are presented, all of which have been submitted to the NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository for high-throughput biological screening.Keywords: 2·3-component reaction; isoxazolino-β-ketoamide product; isoxazolino-β-ketoamides; one pot

Practical and efficient methods have been developed for the diversity-oriented synthesis of isoxazolodihydropyridinones via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides onto 2,4-dioxopiperidines. A select few of these isoxazolodihydropyridinones were further elaborated with triazoles by copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions. A total of 70 compounds and intermediates were synthesized and analyzed for drug likeness. Sixty-four of these novel compounds were submitted to the NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository for high-throughput biological screening.Keywords: 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition; Cu(I)-catalyzed azide−alkyne cycloaddition; heterocycle; isoxazole; triazole

Copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) chemistry is reported for the construction of previously unknown 5-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-4,5′-bithiazoles from 2-bromo-1-(thiazol-5-yl)ethanones. These novel triazolobithiazoles are shown to have cystic fibrosis (CF) corrector activity and, compared to the benchmark bithiazole CF corrector corr-4a, improved log P values (4.5 vs 5.96).

19F-modified bithiazole correctors and phenylglycine potentiators of the ΔF508-CFTR chloride channel were synthesized and their function assayed in cells expressing human ΔF508-CFTR and a halide-sensitive fluorescent protein. Fluorine was incorporated into each scaffold using prosthetic groups for future biodistribution imaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET). The ΔF508-CFTR corrector and potentiator potencies of the fluorinated analogs were comparable to or better than those of the original compounds.

A number of (1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzo[d]thiazoles were synthesized utilizing a versatile Cu-catalyzed azide–alkyne click reaction (CuAAC) on tautomeric benzo[4,5]thiazolo[3,2-d]tetrazole (1) and 2-azidobenzo[d]thiazole (2) starting materials. Moreover, one of the resulting products of this investigation, triazolbenzo[d]thiazole 22, was found to possess significant neuroprotective activity in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells.

The Davis–Beirut reaction, which provides an efficient synthesis of 2H-indazoles and, subsequently, indazolones, is shown to proceed rapidly from o-nitrosobenzaldehyde and primary amines under both acid and base catalysis. Experimental and theoretical evidence in support of a reaction mechanism is provided in which o-nitrosobenzylidine imine is a pivotal intermediate in this N,N-bond forming heterocyclization reaction. The Davis–Beirut reaction is also shown to effectively synthesize a number of novel 3-amino-2H-indazole derivatives.

A variety of electrophiles (anhydrides, acid chlorides, carbonochloridates, sulfonyl chlorides, and alkyl bromides) react with 3-methoxy-2H-indazole (1a), benzoxazin[3,2-b]indazole (1d), and oxazolino[3,2-b]indazole (1e) — substrates available by the Davis–Beirut reaction — to yield a diverse set of N1,N2-disubstituted-1H-indazolones. With certain electrophiles, an AERORC (Addition of the Electrophile, Ring Opening, and Ring Closure) process on indazole 1d results in indazoloindazolone formation. An intriguing aspect of these N1,N2-disubstituted-1H-indazolones is that they are poised for diversification through, for example, azide–alkyne cycloaddition chemistry reported here.

A number of novel benzo-1,3-dioxolo-, benzothiazolo-, pyrido-, and quinolino-fused 5H-benzo[d]pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]-oxazines and 1H-pyrazoles were synthesized utilizing an easy and effective N,N-bond forming heterocyclization reaction. In so doing, the substrate scope of this heterocyclization reaction, which starts with o-nitroheterocyclic aldehydes, was expanded to provide several unique heterocyclic compounds for biological screening. This work further demonstrates the versatility of this simple, base-mediated, one-pot heterocyclization method in the construction of novel heterocycles.

We previously reported the identification and structure–activity analysis of bithiazole-based correctors of defective cellular processing of the cystic fibrosis-causing CFTR mutant, ΔF508-CFTR. Here, we report the synthesis and uptake of a functional, fluorescently labeled bithiazole corrector. Following synthesis and functional analysis of four bithiazole–fluorophore conjugates, we found that 5, a bithazole-based BODIPY conjugate, had low micromolar potency for correction of defective ΔF508-CFTR cellular misprocessing, with comparable efficacy to benchmark corrector corr-4a. Intravenous administration of 5 to mice established its stability in extrahepatic tissues for tens of minutes. By fluorescence imaging of whole-body frozen slices, fluorescent corrector 5 was visualized strongly in gastrointestinal organs, with less in lung and liver. Our results provide proof-of-concept for mapping the biodistribution of a ΔF508-CFTR corrector by fluorophore labeling and fluorescence imaging of whole-body slices.

A course entitled “Careers in Chemistry” has been developed and implemented in the chemistry curriculum. This seminar-style class exposes students to a full spectrum of career options available to chemists by hosting outside speakers. The workings and logistics of this course and its positive impact on students are described. Survey results suggest that implementation of a similar course or seminar series at other institutions may be beneficial in exposing students to career options in chemistry.Keywords: Applications of Chemistry; Curriculum; Graduate Education/Research; Professional Development; Student/Career Counseling; Upper-Division Undergraduate;

Routes to structurally unique spiro-fused pyrazolidoylisoxazolines are reported. These methods start with monosubstituted hydrazines or hydrazides and utilize the nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to generate the targeted spiro-fused bis-heterocycles. Molecular shape space diversity analyses were performed on these pyrazolidoylisoxazolines showing that manipulation of the appended R groups significantly changes the molecular shape.

We report the alkoxylation of methyl-substituted quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnolines to give acetals and orthoesters in high yields. Routes to the precursors of this alkoxylation reaction as well as other quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnoline and their 5-oxide derivatives are reported. Most of these quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnolines were prepared by cyclization of the corresponding 2-amino-3-(2-nitrophenyl)quinoxaline, which, in turn, result from an unusual Beirut reaction from benzofurazan oxides plus 2-nitrobenzylcyanides. Mechanistic explanations for these intriguing reactions are presented.

A variety of nucleophiles, thiolates, alkoxides, amines, iodide, and cyanide, react with oxazino-, oxazolino-, and benzoxazin[3,2-b]indazoles under microwave conditions to yield a diverse set of 2-substituted 1H-indazolones. The synthetic utility of these indazoles is further demonstrated by ANRORC (addition of the nucleophile, ring-opening, and ring closure) reactions to yield isomeric pyrazoloindazolones by a process wherein iodide acts first as a nucleophile and subsequently as a leaving group.

A diastereoselective organocatalytic aldol/oxa-Michael reaction has been developed to efficiently deliver medicinally relevant 2,3-ring-substituted chromanones. Development of this synthetic strategy revealed an unexpected kinetic anti-Saytzeff elimination; an origin for the observed selectivity is suggested on the basis of the results of quantum chemical calculations. This unusual kinetic selectivity necessitated an isomerization protocol that in turn led to the discovery of an intriguing Pd-mediated isomerization/intramolecular Friedel−Crafts-type alkylation.

The pyrrolidine-mediated reactions of 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazines with cyclobutanone lead to cyclopenta[b]pyrroles, which can be derivatized into hydrazones and oximes. The cyclopenta[b]pyrrole ring system likely arises through a tandem [4 + 2] cycloaddition/cycloreversion/ring rearrangement reaction. In contrast, 3,6-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazines undergo a simple nucleophilic 1,4-addition with cyclobutanone to give 1:1 adducts.

Deletion of phenylalanine residue 508 (ΔF508) in the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) is a major cause of CF. Small molecule “correctors” of defective ΔF508-CFTR cellular processing hold promise for CF therapy. We previously identified and characterized bithiazole CF corrector 1 and s-cis-locked bithiazole 2. Herein, we report the regiodivergent synthesis of Nγ and Nβ isomers of thiazole-tethered pyrazoles with improved hydrophilicity compared to bithiazoles. We synthesized a focused library of 54 pyrazolylthiazoles 3, which included examples of both regioisomers 4 and 5. The thiazole-tethered pyrazoles allowed incorporation of property-modulating functionality on the pyrazole ring (ester, acid, and amide) while retaining ΔF508-CFTR corrector activity (EC50) of under 1 μM. The most active pyrazolylthiazole (14h) has an experimentally determined log P of 4.1, which is 1.2 log units lower than bithiazole CF corrector 1.

Chorismate-utilizing enzymes are attractive antimicrobial drug targets due to their absence in humans and their central role in bacterial survival and virulence. The structural and mechanistic homology of a group of these inspired the goal of discovering inhibitors that target multiple enzymes. Previously, we discovered seven inhibitors of 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase (ADCS) in an on-bead, fluorescent-based screen of a 2304-member one-bead-one-compound combinatorial library. The inhibitors comprise PAYLOAD and COMBI stages, which interact with active site and surface residues, respectively, and are linked by a SPACER stage. These seven compounds, and six derivatives thereof, also inhibit two other enzymes in this family, isochorismate synthase (IS) and anthranilate synthase (AS). The best binding compound inhibits ADCS, IS, and AS with Ki values of 720, 56, and 80 μM, respectively. Inhibitors with varying SPACER lengths show the original choice of lysine to be optimal. Lastly, inhibition data confirm the PAYLOAD stage directs the inhibitors to the ADCS active site.

The solution-phase parallel synthesis of a 136-member library of isoxazol(in)e-CH2-pyrazoles is described. X-ray crystallographic structure determination verified the regioselectivities of the N-alkylation and nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition steps. The construction of these pharmaceutically relevant heterocycles on solid support under microwave irradiation is also demonstrated. The resulting library of drug-like compounds has been added to the National Institutes of Health repository (∼10 mg of each with ≥90% purity) for pilot-scale biomedical studies with bioassay data available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information PubChem database. A subset of these compounds has been broadly screened by Dow AgroSciences for herbicidal, fungicidal, and insecticidal activity.

A developing therapy of cystic fibrosis caused by the ΔF508 mutation in CFTR employs correction of defective CFTR chloride channel gating by a ‘potentiator’ and of defective CFTR protein folding by a ‘corrector’. Based on SAR data for phenylglycine-type potentiators and bithiazole correctors, we designed a hybrid molecule incorporating an enzymatic hydrolysable linker to deliver the potentiator (PG01) fragment 2 and the corrector (Corr-4a) fragment 13. The hybrid molecule 14 contained PG01-OH and Corr-4a–linker–CO2H moieties, linked with an ethylene glycol spacer through an ester bond. The potentiator 2 and corrector 13 fragments (after cleavage) had low micromolar potency for restoration of ΔF508-CFTR channel gating and cellular processing, respectively. Cleavage of hybrid molecule 14 by intestinal enzymes under physiological conditions produced the active potentiator 2 and corrector fragments 13, providing proof-of-concept for small-molecule potentiator–corrector hybrids as a single drug therapy for CF caused by the ΔF508 mutation.

The novel heterocycle 2,3-dihydrooxazolo[3,2-b]indazole has been synthesized and utilized to provide easy access to 1H-indazolones, particularly the previously unreported 2-(2-alkoxyethyl)-1H-indazol-3(2H)-ones. Mechanistic as well as optimization and reaction scope studies are reported.

Current cancer chemotherapeutic agents clinically deployed today are designed to be indiscriminately cytotoxic, however, achieving selective targeting of cancer malignancies would allow for improved diagnostic and chemotherapeutic tools. Integrin α4β1, a heterodimeric cell surface receptor, is believed to have a low-affinity conformation in resting normal lymphocytes and an activated high-affinity conformation in cancerous cells, specifically T- and B-cell lymphomas. This highly attractive yet poorly understood receptor has been selectively targeted with the bisaryl urea peptidomimetic antagonist 1. However, concerns regarding its preliminary pharmacokinetic (PK) profile provided an impetus to change the pharmacophore from a bisaryl urea to a 2-arylaminobenzothiazole moiety, resulting in an analogue with improved physicochemical properties, solubility, and kidney:tumor ratio while maintaining potency (6; IC50 = 53 pM). The results presented herein utilized heterocyclic and solid-phase chemistry, cell adhesion assay, and in vivo optical imaging using the cyanine dye Cy5.5 conjugate.

A collection of 91 3-(arylthiomethyl)isoxazole-4,5-dicarboxamides was prepared starting from dimethyl 3-(chloromethyl)isoxazole-4,5-dicarboxylate. The thioether moieties in these compounds were subsequently oxidized to give the corresponding 3-(arylsulfonylmethyl)isoxazole-4,5-dicarboxamides. By carefully controlling stoichiometry and reaction conditions, the C4 and C5 carbomethoxy groups could be differentially derivatized to carboxamides. A total of 182 trisubstituted isoxazoles are reported and deposited in the National Institutes of Health Molecular Repository; an 80 compound subset was evaluated for insecticidal activity.

The first examples of thiazolo[4,5-e]benzoisoxazoles are obtained from bromination of dihydrobenzo[d]isoxazol-4(5H)-one followed by cyclocondensation with thiourea, in the presence of DDQ. Analogously, cyclocondensation with thioamides provided 7,8-dihydrothiazolo[4,5-e]benzoisoxazoles. A 55-member library of these heterocycles is reported.

Acid hydrazides were coupled with acrylic acid derivatives and cyclodehydration gave 1,3,4-oxadiazoles. Lastly, in-situ nitrile oxide formation from aryl oximes treated with sodium hypochlorite, and subsequent 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to the exomethylene moiety delivered 2-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles. This library was evaluated in a high-throughput screen at Dow AgroSciences. Several compounds were active against fungal pathogens and pest insects.

N-(5-(2-(5-Chloro-2-methoxyphenylamino)thiazol-4-yl)-4-methylthiazol-2-yl)pivalamide 1 (compound 15Jf) was found previously to correct defective cellular processing of the cystic fibrosis protein ΔF508-CFTR. Eight C4′−C5 C,C-bond-controlling bithiazole analogues of 1 were designed, synthesized, and evaluated to establish that constraining rotation about the bithiazole-tethering has a significant effect on corrector activity. For example, constraining the C4′-C5 bithiazole tether in the s-cis conformation [N-(2-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenylamino)-7,8-dihydro-6H-cyclohepta[1,2-d:3,4-d′]bithiazole-2′-yl)pivalamide, 29] results in improved corrector activity. Heteroatom placement in the bithaizole core is also critical as evidenced by the decisive loss of corrector activity with s-cis constrained N-(2-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenylamino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-cyclohepta[1,2-d:3,4-d′]bithiazole-2′-yl)pivalamide 33. In addition, computational models were utilized to examine the conformational preferences for select model systems. Following our analysis, the “s-cis-locked” cycloheptathiazolothiazole 29 was found to be the most potent bithiazole corrector, with an IC50 of ∼450 nM.

A library of novel, propeller-shaped dispirotriheterocyclic isoxazolinopiperidinochromanones is reported. Each rigid dispirotriheterocycle was prepared in five linear steps from commercially available tert-butyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate and various derivatives of 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone, benzaldehyde oxime, and carboxylic acids. Computational chemistry was employed to analyze the three-dimensional geometries of these dispirotriheterocycles, as well as to generate chemoinformatic bioavailability data. X-ray crystallographic structure determination verified the regioselectivity of the nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The resulting library of compounds has been added to the National Institutes of Health repository (∼10 mg of each with ≥90% purity) for pilot-scale biomedical studies with bioassay data available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information PubChem database.

Condensation of 3-chloropentane-2,4-dione with thioamides gives 1-(thiazol-5-yl)ethanones and subsequent Wittig olefination, followed by nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to the resulting prop-1-en-2-yl moiety, delivers racemic 5-(thiazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles. When this thiazole and isoxazoline diheterocyclic scaffold has a carboethoxy substituent at C2 of the thiazole ring, aminolysis provides for effective diversification. A 50-member library of various 5-(thiazol-5-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles is reported.

The synthesis and ΔF508-CFTR corrector activity of a 148-member methylbithiazole-based library are reported. Synthetic routes were devised and optimized to generate methylbithiazole analogs in four steps. Corrector potency and efficacy were assayed using epithelial cells expressing human ΔF508-CFTR. These structure–activity data establish that the bithiazole substructure plays a critical function; eight novel methylbithiazole correctors were identified with low micromolar potencies.

Parallel solution phase methods for the preparation of a 72-membered 3-aryl-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-5-carboxamide library is reported. The reaction order (nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition followed by amide formation, or vice versa) was investigated both experimentally and computationally to determine which route would result in the highest yields, minimize purification efforts, and give higher 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition regioselectivity. Automated preparative HPLC was used to purify the final products to ≥90% purity on a 10+ mg scale.

The synthesis of a small collection of sulfamoyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamides is described for use as correctors of defective gating of the ΔF508-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. Several compounds with submicromolar potency were obtained. N-Ethyl 6-(ethylphenylsulfamoyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide (7b) was found to be the most effective sulfonamide corrector of defective ΔF508-CFTR gating.Evaluation and synthesis of sulfamoyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxamide correctors of defective gating of the ΔF508-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel are reported.

An enzyme labeling and screening strategy for the discovery of ligands selective in binding two structurally similar members of the aldo-keto reductase family of enzymes is reported. The resulting fluorescence microscope data obtained by screening a 74,088 member library led to the identification of selective ligands for aldose reductase (ALR2) and aldehyde reductase (ALR1). Resynthesis results validate the selectivity of these ligands.

Our previous screen of flavones and related heterocycles for the ability to activate the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel indicated that UCCF-029, a 7,8-benzoflavone, was a potent activator. In the present study, we describe the synthesis and evaluation, using cell-based assays, of a series of benzoflavone analogues to examine structure–activity relationships and to identify compounds having greater potency for activation of both wild type CFTR and a mutant CFTR (G551D-CFTR) that causes cystic fibrosis in some human subjects. Using UCCF-029 as a structural guide, a panel of 77 flavonoid analogues was prepared. Analysis of the panel in FRT cells indicated that benzannulation of the flavone A-ring at the 7,8-position greatly improved compound activity and potency for several flavonoids. Incorporation of a B-ring pyridyl nitrogen either at the 3- or 4-position also elevated CFTR activity, but the influence of this structural modification was not as uniform as the influence of benzannulation. The most potent new analogue, UCCF-339, activated wild-type CFTR with a Kd of 1.7 μM, which is more active than the previous most potent flavonoid activator of CFTR, apigenin. Several compounds in the benzoflavone panel also activated G551D-CFTR, but none were as active as apigenin. Pharmacophore modeling suggests a common binding mode for the flavones and other known CFTR activators at one of the nucleotide-binding sites, allowing for the rational development of more potent flavone analogues.Graphic

A novel class of activators for chloride conductance in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein has been identified. These 3-(2-benzyloxyphenyl)isoxazoles and 3-(2-benzyloxyphenyl)isoxazolines were synthesized employing the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with various alkene and alkyne dipolarophiles. Utilizing a fluorescence cell-based assay of halide transport, the best compounds increased CFTR-dependent chloride transport with half-maximal stimulation at 20–50 μM.A novel class of activators for chloride conductance in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator is reported.

4-Hydroxy-3-(2′-pyridyl)coumarins (4) (R = 6-Cl, H, 6-NO2, 8-NO2) were prepared in moderate to good yields by the intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of β-ketoesters (I) in refluxing xylenes; evidence for the reversible formation of benzo[c]quinolizinium III from I (X = 4-Cl), with eventual formation of 4 (R = 6-Cl), is also presented.