N-Aryl Isoleucine Derivatives as Angiotensin II AT(2) Receptor Ligands

A novel series of ligands for the recombinant human AT(2) receptor has been synthesized utilizing a fast and efficient palladium-catalyzed procedure for aminocarbonylation as the key reaction. Molybdenum hexacarbonyl [Mo(CO)(6)] was employed as the carbon monoxide source, and controlled microwave heating was applied. The prepared N-aryl isoleucine derivatives, encompassing a variety of amide groups attached to the aromatic system, exhibit binding affinities at best with K-i values in the low micromolar range versus the recombinant human AT(2) receptor. Some of the new nonpeptidic isoleucine derivatives may serve as starting points for further structural optimization. The presented data emphasize the importance of using human receptors in drug discovery programs

Synthesis, radiosynthesis, in vitro and first in vivo evaluation of a new matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor based on γ-fluorinated α-sulfonylaminohydroxamic acid

Abstract Background To study MMP activity in vivo in disease, several radiolabeled MMP inhibitors functioning as radiotracers have been evaluated by means of SPECT and PET. Unfortunately, most of them suffer from metabolic instability, mainly hepatobiliary clearance and insufficient target binding. The introduction of a fluorine atom into MMPIs could contribute to target binding, enhance the metabolic stability and might shift the clearance towards more renal elimination. Recently developed α-sulfonylaminohydroxamic acid based γ-fluorinated inhibitors of MMP-2 and -9 provide promising fluorine interactions with the enzyme active site and high MMP inhibition potencies. The aim of this study is the (radio)synthesis of a γ-fluorinated MMP-2 and -9 inhibitor to evaluate its potential as a radiotracer to image MMP activity in vivo. Results Two new fluorine-containing, enantiomerically pure inhibitors for MMP-2 and -9 were synthesized in a six step sequence. Both enantiomers exhibited equal inhibition potencies in the low nanomolar and subnanomolar range. LogD value indicated better water solubility compared to the CGS 25966 based analog. The most potent inhibitor was successfully radiofluorinated. In vivo biodistribution in wild type mice revealed predominantly hepatobiliary clearance. Two major radioactive metabolites were found in different organs. Defluorination of the radiotracer was not observed. Conclusion (Radio)synthesis of a CGS based γ-fluorinated MMP inhibitor was successfully accomplished. The (S)-enantiomer, which normally shows no biological activity, also exhibited high MMP inhibition potencies, which may be attributed to additional interactions of fluorine with enzyme’s active site. Despite higher hydrophilicity no significant differences in the clearance characteristics compared to non-fluorinated MMPIs was observed. Metabolically stabilizing effect of the fluorine was not monitored in vivo in wild type mice

Extent determination of stent heating in MPI

MPI offers a huge potential for cardiovascular imaging and interventional guidance. Especially, stent lumen imaging is an advantageous feature of MPI. Due to the presence of oscillating magnetic fields some metallic objects show temperature increase during MPI scans. Regarding first available human size MPI scanners and thus, future clinical application, the extent of stent heating becomes an important safety issue which could limit the application of MPI for specific patient groups. In this work, the temperature increase of stents with large diameters was investigated to determine the extent of stent heating in MPI

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Desulfitative Synthesis of Aryl Ketones from Sodium Arylsulfinates and Nitriles: Scope, Limitations, and Mechanistic Studies

A fast and efficient protocol for the palladium­(II)-catalyzed production of aryl ketones from sodium arylsulfinates and various organic nitriles under controlled microwave irradiation has been developed. The wide scope of the reaction has been demonstrated by combining 14 sodium arylsulfinates and 21 nitriles to give 55 examples of aryl ketones. One additional example illustrated that, through the choice of the nitrile reactant, benzofurans are also accessible. The reaction mechanism was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. The desulfitative synthesis of aryl ketones from nitriles was also compared to the corresponding transformation starting from benzoic acids. Comparison of the energy profiles indicates that the free energy requirement for decarboxylation of 2,6-dimethoxybenzoic acid and especially benzoic acid is higher than the corresponding desulfitative process for generating the key aryl palladium intermediate. The palladium­(II) intermediates detected by ESI-MS and the DFT calculations provide a detailed understanding of the catalytic cycle