Beispiel für die Evolution der Synthese eines Entwicklungsproduktes: Herstellung des als 5 HT2C/2B-Receptor-Antagonisten wirksamen Indolo-naphthyridin-Derivates SDZ SER-082 in enantiomerenreiner Form

cis-4,5,7a,8,9,10,11,11a-Octahydro-7H-10-methylindolo[1,7-bc][2,6]naphthyridine (rac-4) (SDZ SER-082) is a selective and potent 5-HT2C/2B receptor antagonist, exerting weak affinity towards the 5-HT2A receptor site. The compound 4 was found to be a potential development candidate in several CNS indications. The key step in the initial synthesis was the photocyclization of the indolyl tetrahydropyridino-carbamic acid ethyl ester 1 to afford the cis/trans-naphthyridine 2/3. This process turned out to be inefficient for a scale-up. Three alternative synthetic routes A, B and C are discussed: The 'Imino-Diels-Alder' reaction applying indoline/formaldehyde/cyclopentadiene (route A) and the intramolecular Heck cyclization of 7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-1-[(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-pyridyl)-carbonyl]-1H -indole (10) (route B) were surpassed in their synthetic efficiency by the Friedel-Crafts cyclization of 4-(2,3-dihydroindole-1-carbonyl)-1-methylpiperidin-3-one (16) (route C), followed by reduction to give rise to the racemic naphthyridine rac-4. It was subjected to resolution by applying a kg scale repetitive chromatography on a chiral stationary phase to give (+)-(7aS,11aR)-4 in over 90% yield and 99.9% enantiomeric purity

Asymmetric syntheses via heterocyclic intermediates. 22. Enantioselective synthesis of alpha-alkenyl glycine methyl esters and alphy-alkenyl glycines (beta,gamma-unsaturated amino acids)

Enantioselective syntheses of α-alkenyl glycines of type 10 and of type 23 are described that provide these uncommon ammo acids with predictable conf&uration and with ec-values of >95%. Both approaches are based on the bislactim ether method developed by SchBllkopf et al. As for 10: The lithiated his-lactim ether 6 of cyclo(t-val-gly) is reacted with 2-[(dimethyl t-butyl)silyl]alkanals 2 to give the addition products 7 with de> 95%. These on acid hydrolysis afford L-valinate 8 and the methyl (2R)-2-amino4(dimethyl t-butyl)silyl-3-hydroxyalkanoates 9 which are convertible into the (R)-α-alkenyl glycines of type 10. The scope of this synthesis is limited by the fact that the compounds 9 are thermolabile when disubstitued at C-4. As for 23: The lithiated bis-lactim ether 6 is reacted with thioketones 14 to give the addition products 15 with de>95%. The S-methyl compounds 16 undergo elimination to give regioselectively the olefins 18 when treated with Raney-Ni. Alternatively, the olefms 18 are obtained from the sulfonium salts 24 by dimethyl sulfide elimination, although this route is less regiospecific. The compounds 18 are cleaved by dilute hydrochloric acid, liberating L-valinate 8 and (R)-α-alkenyl glycine methvl esters 21. which on further hvdrolvsis vield (R)-α-alkenyl glycines 23. This synthesis is limited only by the availability of thioketones 14

Zur enantioselektiven Synthese von (2R)-Serin-methylestern oder (2R)-Serinen ausgehend vom Bislactimether von cyclo-(-L-Val-Gly-)

The lithiated bis(1actim) ether 8a furnishes with aldehydes and ketones in good yields the addition products 11 with (3R) configuration. The asymmetric inductions at C-3 of 11 (d.e. values) amount to more than 95% with ketones, with aldehydes they are somewhat smaller. With unsymmetrical ketones or aldehydes C-3' also becomes a chiral center. For the (3R)-major diastereomers the "second induction" at C-3' varies from about 4 to about 87% (for benzaldehyde or isobutyraldehyde, respectively), preferably the (3R,3'S) epimers are formed. - Acid hydrolysis of 11 yields (besides methyl L-valinate) the (2R)-serine methyl esters 26. Their e.e. values correspond with the d.e. values of 11. - Dehydratation of 11 furnishes the "Hofmann olefins" 32 and/or the "Saytzeff olefins" 33 which can be transformed in various ways into optically active amino acids

JN403, in vitro characterization of a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 selective agonist.

This report describes the in vitro features of a novel selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) alpha7 agonist, JN403, (S)-(1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-carbamic acid (S)-1-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl ester. JN403 was evaluated in a number of in vitro systems of different species, at recombinant receptors using radioligand binding, signal transduction and electrophysiological studies. When using [(125)I] alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX) as a radioligand, JN403 has high affinity for human recombinant nAChR alpha7 (pK(D)=6.7). Functionally, JN403 is a partial and potent agonist at human nAChR alpha7. The compound stimulates calcium influx in GH3 cells recombinantly expressing the human nAChR with an pEC(50) of 7.0 and an E(max) of 85% (compared to the full agonist epibatidine). In Xenopus oocytes expressing human nAChR alpha7 JN403 induces inward currents with an pEC(50) of 5.7 and an E(max) of 55%. In both recombinant systems JN403 is a partial agonist and the agonistic effects are blocked after pre-administration of methyllycaconitine (MLA, 100nM), a nAChR alpha7 antagonist. In functional calcium influx assays, JN403 displays a significantly lower potency for other subtypes of human nAChRs like alpha4beta2, alpha3beta4, alpha1beta1gammadelta as well as 5HT(3) receptors when tested functionally as an antagonist (pIC(50)<4.8) and is devoid of agonistic activity (pEC(50)<4). Similarly, JN403 shows low binding activity at a wide panel of neurotransmitter receptors. Thus, JN403 is a potent and selective nAChR alpha7 agonist and will be a useful tool for the characterization of nAChR alpha7 mediated effects both in vitro and in vivo

Exploring subtype selectivity and metabolic stability of a novel series of ligands for the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor

A novel series of agonists at the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABAA receptor was prepared by functionalizing a known template. Adding substituents to the pyrazolone-oxygen of CGS-9896 led to a number of compounds with selectivities for either α2- or α1-containing GABAA receptor subtypes offering an entry into indications such as anxiety and insomnia. In this communication, structure-activity relationship and efforts to increase in vitro stabilities are discussed

Coupling of human nicotinic acetylcholine receptors alpha 7 to calcium channels in GH3 cells.

The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 (nAChR alpha7) may be involved in cognitive deficits in Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. A fast pharmacological characterization of homomeric alpha7 receptors is mostly hampered by their low functional expression levels in heterologous expression systems. In the present study expression of homomeric nAChR alpha7 was achieved in GH3 rat pituitary cells. Alpha7 subunits were heterologously expressed as components of [125I]-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding nAChRs (Bmax: 1.2 pmol/mg protein). Function of the expressed alpha7 ion channels was assessed by patch-clamp recording and calcium imaging. While acetylcholine-induced currents desensitized within much less than 1 s, calcium-sensitive fluorescence transients peaked after 5-10 s and returned to background levels within 30 s only. The fluorescence signal was blocked by isradipine and removal of extracellular sodium indicated that in these cells opening of rapidly desensitizing alpha7 nAChR triggers calcium influx via voltage-gated, DHP-sensitive calcium channels. In this cellular system, agonists revealed the following rank order of potency: epibatidine>anatoxin A>AAR17779>ABT-594>DMPP>nicotine>GTS-21>cytisine>ABT-418>acetylcholine>choline>ABT-089. All of the signals were inhibited by the alpha7 antagonists alpha-bungarotoxin (pIC50: 7.4) and methyllycaconitine (pIC50: 7.8). Further, marketed antidepressants showed antagonistic activity with the following rank order of potency: fluoxetine>imipramine>paroxetine>sertraline. These data illustrate that coupling to voltage-gated calcium channels allows a rapid and reliable functional examination of nAChR alpha7

Coupling of human nicotinic acetylcholine receptors alpha 7 to calcium channels in GH3 cells

The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha7 (nAChR alpha7) may be involved in cognitive deficits in Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. A fast pharmacological characterization of homomeric alpha7 receptors is mostly hampered by their low functional expression levels in heterologous expression systems. In the present study expression of homomeric nAChR alpha7 was achieved in GH3 rat pituitary cells. Alpha7 subunits were heterologously expressed as components of [125I]-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding nAChRs (Bmax: 1.2 pmol/mg protein). Function of the expressed alpha7 ion channels was assessed by patch-clamp recording and calcium imaging. While acetylcholine-induced currents desensitized within much less than 1 s, calcium-sensitive fluorescence transients peaked after 5-10 s and returned to background levels within 30 s only. The fluorescence signal was blocked by isradipine and removal of extracellular sodium indicated that in these cells opening of rapidly desensitizing alpha7 nAChR triggers calcium influx via voltage-gated, DHP-sensitive calcium channels. In this cellular system, agonists revealed the following rank order of potency: epibatidine>anatoxin A>AAR17779>ABT-594>DMPP>nicotine>GTS-21>cytisine>ABT-418>acetylcholine>choline>ABT-089. All of the signals were inhibited by the alpha7 antagonists alpha-bungarotoxin (pIC50: 7.4) and methyllycaconitine (pIC50: 7.8). Further, marketed antidepressants showed antagonistic activity with the following rank order of potency: fluoxetine>imipramine>paroxetine>sertraline. These data illustrate that coupling to voltage-gated calcium channels allows a rapid and reliable functional examination of nAChR alpha7

Gamma-lactams--a novel scaffold for highly potent and selective alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists.

A novel class of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists has been discovered through high-throughput screening. The cis gamma-lactam scaffold has been optimized to reveal highly potent and selective alpha7 nAChR agonists with in vitro activity and selectivity and with good brain penetration in mice