Lead structures for applications in photodynamic therapy. Part 2: Synthetic studies for photo-triggered release systems of bioconjugate porphyrin photosensitizers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) selectivity and specificity can be improved by binding the photosensitizers to target receptors. One approach is to cross-link porphyrins to a biological target receptor via the photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl linker, where a controlled released of the porphyrin can be monitored upon irradiation. The synthetic pathways involved esterification of a porphyrin-carboxylic acid and a unit containing the o-nitrobenzyl alcohol moiety and the bioconjugate. Reactions of a model porphyrin and o-nitrobenzyl alcohol using the carbonyl activating carbodiimide reagent DCC gave a stable N-acyl urea porphyrin, whereas use of EDAC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride) gave the desired compounds. Further studies were carried out on the attachment of carbohydrates (i.e., potentially receptor binding ligands) through such a linker to porphyrins. Preliminary irradiation experiments of such a compound show that upon UV irradiation (350 nm) for 80 min, approximately 50% of the porphyrin was cleaved to release the carboxylic acid porphyrin photosensitizer indicating the utility of such systems as photosensitizers delivery systems.     

A new method for the cleavage of nitrobenzyl amides and ethers

A mild and efficient o- and p-nitrobenzyl cleavage protocol was developed. o- and p-nitrobenzyl groups were easily removed from a variety of substrates using 20% aqueous NaOH in methanol at 75 °C, presumably via oxidation at the benzylic position by oxygen dissolved in the solution. These easily introducible and removable nitrobenzyl groups can serve as valuable protecting groups for the synthesis of multifunctional, complex molecules.     

A photolabile protection strategy for terminal alkynes

We present a strategy for photolabile protection of terminal alkynes. Several photo-caged alcohols were synthesized via mild copper(II)-catalyzed substitution between tertiary propargylic alcohols and 2-nitrobenzyl alcohol to build up robust, base stable o-nitrobenzyl (NB) photo-cleavable compounds. We compare the new photolabile protecting group with the commonly used alkyne protecting group, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol and the results show that NB ethers are stable under the cleaving conditions for the cleavage of methylbutynol protected alkynes. Additionally, we present the synthesis of photo-cleavable NB derivatives containing thiol groups that can serve as agents for photoinduced surface functionalization reactions.     

A convenient strategy for synthesizing the Agelas alkaloids clathrodin,oroidin, and hymenidin and their (un)saturated linker analogs

A convenient strategy for the scalable synthesis of the 2-aminoimidazole alkaloids, clathrodin, oroidin, and hymenidin derived from marine Agelas species and their analogs possessing a saturated or unsaturated linker moiety is described. The key intermediates, 4-(3-aminopropyl)-1H-imidazol-2-amine and (E)-4-(3-aminoprop-1-en-1-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-amine were obtained through two different synthetic pathways starting from l-ornithine and benzyl 1,2-dihydropyridine-1-carboxylate respectively, using (i) an innovative combination of Weinreb amide strategy with di-Boc protection, and (ii) a modified pyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate based strategy. Convenient access to these 2-aminoimidazole amines is crucial for the synthesis of libraries of clathrodin, oroidin, and hymenidin analogs.     

First SNAr reaction using TDAE-initiated carbanions in quinazoline series

We report herein the first example of a S_NAr reaction using TDAE-initiated carbanions in quinazoline series. The o-nitrobenzyl carbanion, formed by the action of TDAE on o-nitrobenzyl chloride, reacts with 4-chloro-2-trihalomethylquinazolines 4 and 5 via a S_NAr mechanism. This enabled a new series of 4-benzyl-2-trihaloquinazoline derivatives to be synthesized in good yields under mild reaction conditions offering promising prospects for pharmacomodulation.     

Preparation and sorption studies of polyester microsphere copolymers containing β-Cyclodextrin

Polyester copolymer sorbent materials that incorporate β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) were prepared using water-in-oil (w/o) micro-emulsion conditions at variable β-CD: cross linker mole ratios; where the cross linker units were sebacoyl chloride (SCl) and terephthaloyl chloride (TCl). The copolymers were characterized using TGA, nitrogen adsorption, and NMR/IR spectroscopy. The dye-based sorption properties of the copolymers with p-nitrophenol (PNP) in aqueous solution were evaluated at pH 4.6 and 295 K using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The uptake of PNP varied from 0.221 to 0.352 mmol/g, according to the nature of the cross linker and the copolymer mole ratio. The sorption capacity of SCl-based copolymers exceed that for TCl-based copolymers, and correlate with the relative swelling properties and hydrated surface areas of the sorbent frameworks. ¹H NMR spectroscopy of copolymers with low levels of linker content (i.e. SCl or TCl) indicate dual sorption sites for PNP (i.e. β-CD inclusion sites and non-inclusion (interstitial) linker domains). The existence of dual sorption sites is similarly concluded for copolymers containing higher levels of cross linker. Inclusion complexes are firstly formed between PNP and the β-CD inclusion sites of the copolymer; thereafter, PNP is adsorbed onto the linker domains of the copolymer sorbent framework.     

Intercalating nucleic acids (INAs) containing insertions of 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline

6H-Indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline was studied as a covalently bound heteroaromatic intercalator. Six monomers were synthesized and incorporated into DNA oligonucleotides. Through a study of linker length dependence it was concluded that the linker between the oligo and the intercalator must consist of at least five C atoms in order to stabilize a DNA duplex. An intercalator with a 2′-deoxy-d-riboside linker to the oligo could also stabilize a DNA/RNA duplex, while (S)-4-(6-methylindolo[2,3-b]quinoxalin-3-ylmethoxy)-butane-1,2-diol was able to stabilize both DNA/DNA, DNA/RNA and a DNA/LNA duplex. Mismatch studies revealed a huge sensitivity to the C-C mismatch at the 5′-site of the intercalator.     

Tricine as a convenient scaffold for the synthesis of C-terminally branched collagen-model peptides

A novel and convenient method for the synthesis of C-terminally branched collagen-model peptides has been achieved using tricine (N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]glycine) as a branching scaffold and 1,2-diaminoethane or 1,4-diaminobutane as a linker. The peptide sequence was incorporated directly onto the linker and scaffold during solid-phase synthesis without additional manipulations. The resulting branched triple-helical peptides exhibited comparable thermal stabilities to the parent, unbranched sequence, and served as substrates for matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). The tricine-based branch reported herein represents the simplest synthetic scaffold for the convenient synthesis of covalently linked homomeric collagen-model triple-helical peptides.     

Solid-phase synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines

The synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives by condensation between an α-bromoketone bound to solid support and various 2-aminopyridine or 2-aminopyrimidine derivatives was described. Either an acid labile linker or a base labile linker was used in this study.     

An improved and general synthesis of monomers for incorporating trityl linker groups into polystyrene synthesis supports

A straightforward synthesis of trityl alcohols in which one of the aryl rings is substituted with a vinyl group is presented. The synthesis of the alcohols involves the direct addition of the Grignard reagent prepared from 4-bromostyrene to substituted benzophenones. These compounds are used to incorporate trityl linker groups into polystyrene-based organic synthesis supports. Both non-cross-linked and cross-linked (JandaJel™) polystyrene have been prepared using these monomers.     

Nitrobenzylation of α-carbonyl ester derivatives using TDAE approach

A series of 2-hydroxy-propionic acid ethyl ester derivatives was prepared in good yields by reaction of o- and p-nitrobenzyl chlorides (1, 8) with various α-carbonyl esters in presence of tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE). This reaction was generalized to α-ketolactam and α-ketomalonate.     

Simple formylacetal (CH2) as a novel linker for saccharide synthesis on soluble-polymer support

Described herein is a new formylacetal (CH₂) linker for immobilization of small molecules onto a soluble-polymer support, poly(ethylene glycol) ω-monomethyl ether (MPEG), and its application to saccharide synthesis. This small linker allows immobilization of a hindered hydroxy group such as the 4-hydroxy group of glucose onto MPEG. The linker is stable under several reaction conditions including glycosylation. Removal of this support was found to be achieved through cleavage of the CH₂ linker either by a Lewis acid (TMSI or Ce(OTf)_x) or a Brønsted acid (trifluoroacetic acid) in moderate to good yields. In combination with solid acid catalyst, simpler operations became possible during the working-up and purification processes.     

Synthesis and anti-tubulin evaluation of chromone-based analogues of combretastatins

Twenty new hybrid compounds with both combretastatin and flavone moieties were synthesized. These derivatives are classified according to the position of the trimethoxyphenyl ring at C-2 or C-3 of the chromone and presence or absence of a carbonyl as a linker between C-3 and the aryl ring. Most of these compounds were prepared from hesperidin or naringin, two natural and abundant Citrus flavonoids. Seven of these combretastatin analogues revealed anti-tubulin activity but in a medium range.     

Wavelength-selective cleavage of o-nitrobenzyl and polyheteroaromatic benzyl protecting groups

Evaluation of the wavelength-selective cleavage of five photolabile protecting groups from two different families has been performed. Alanine, as a model bifunctional target molecule was masked at the amino terminal with o-nitrobenzyl group and at the carboxylic terminal with benzyl-type nitrogen and oxygen polyheteroaromatics, namely acridine, (thioxo)benzocoumarin and a coumarin built on the julolidine nucleus. The photosensitivity of the corresponding alanine conjugates was studied at selected wavelengths with HPLC/UV and ¹H NMR monitoring. The release of the fully deprotected molecule could be achieved by sequential irradiation in variable irradiation times, which were dependent on the heteroaromatic group used.     

A new flexible strategy for the synthesis of gem-difluoro-bisarylic derivatives and heterocyclic analogues

A new strategy has been designed for the preparation of gem-difluoro-bisarylic derivatives. It starts from easily accessible and reactive gem-difluoro-propargylic intermediates and elaborates the aromatic rings by a Diels-Alder-aromatization sequence. Heterocyclic systems can be also obtained by 1,3 dipolar cycloadditions, affording mixed aromatic/heteroaromatic derivatives with CF₂ as a linker. Since this motif is a bioisostere of O and CO, corresponding bisarylic scaffolds could be of use to prepare chemical libraries of fluorinated analogues of bioactive natural products and/or drugs.     

A new set of orthogonal-protecting groups for oligosaccharide synthesis on a polymeric support

The hydroxyl-protecting groups, levulinoyl (Lev) and 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), and the amino-protecting group 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl (Troc), offer an ideal set of orthogonal-protecting groups which are compatible with oligosaccharide synthesis on a methylpolyethyleneglycol (MPEG) support using a p-alkyloxybenzyl-type linker.     

Solid-phase synthesis of hydroxypiperazine derivatives using phenethylamine linker by oxidation-Cope elimination

A general method is reported for the parallel solid-phase synthesis of hydroxypiperazine derivatives based on the oxidation-Cope elimination of polymer-bound phenethylamine linker with m-CPBA. The key intermediate of phenethylamine N-oxide resins was separable on solid-phase for subsequent β-elimination, from which the desired hydroxypiperazine products could be obtained in high purities and yields without any significant contamination at 90 °C for 2 h. The utility of the methodology for solid-phase synthesis of general hydroxylamines was also investigated using the same linker. The progress of reactions could be monitored on polymer bound intermediates by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy on single bead. The desired products were obtained in good six-step overall yields upon cleavage from the resins and were characterized by LC/MS, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

3-(4-Hydroxymethylphenylsulfanyl)propanoic acid (HMPPA) as a new safety catch linker in solid phase peptide synthesis

A new safety catch linker, 3-(4-hydroxymethylphenylsulfanyl)propanoic acid (HMPPA), is described for use in solid phase peptide synthesis. The linker is readily synthesized from commercially available chemicals in a more cost efficient way compared to similar reported linkers. The HMPPA linker is easily attached to an amino derivatized solid support followed by on-resin oxidation of the thioether to sulfoxide, thereby making the linker very stable towards strong acid treatment. Final resin cleavage is performed by reductive acidolysis.     

Optimization of spiroimidazolidinone derivatives synthesis on solid phase using SynPhase™ Lanterns

We report the synthesis of 1,4,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decan-2-one derivatives from N-benzyl-4-piperidone and N-protected amino acid amides on solid support. We have translated the chemistry from solution to solid phase using a backbone amide linker (BAL) mimic. Using a parallel combinatorial approach, we performed the optimization of the synthesis on SynPhase™ Lanterns.