Andrea Sartori

Bifunctional Cinchona Alkaloid/Thiourea Catalyzes Direct and Enantioselective Vinylogous Michael Addition of 3‐Alkylidene Oxindoles to Nitroolefins

3-Alkylidene oxindoles (methyleneindolinones), be they natural or man-made substances, occupy a preeminent position among the various classes of chemically and medicinally relevant small-molecule scaffolds. Their plural functional architecture featuring a lactam carbonyl flanked by a highly substituted exocyclic double bond renders them enabling intermediates to be elaborated into a myriad of useful nitrogen heterocycles of varied complexity. For example, 3-alkylidene oxindoles can be viewed as electrophilic Michael acceptors, which react with carbon-centered anions to give bsubstituted oxindoles of type A (Scheme 1a). In addition, they can act as electron-poor components in synchronous (Scheme 1b) or stepwise (Scheme 1c) cycloadditive functionalizations, thus opening the way to a wide range of highly valuable 3,3-spirocyclic structures of type B or C. Whereas these protocols have been largely pursued and formed the basis of many synthetic achievements, an “umpolung” option could also be envisaged (Scheme 1d), and capitalizes on the vinylogous pro-nucleophilic character of the alkyl group attached at the b-position of the ylidene. By reacting with the proper acceptors, these nucleophiles furnish olefinic oxindoles of type D, which are functionalized at the most distant point of the molecule (Cγ).

Discovery of Subnanomolar Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate-Based αVβ3/αVβ5 Integrin Binders Embedding 4-Aminoproline Residues

The embodiment of 4-aminoproline residues (Amp) into the arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) sequence led to the discovery of a novel class of high-affinity alpha Vbeta 3/alpha Vbeta 5 integrin binders [IC 50 h (alpha Vbeta 3) 0.03-5.12 nM; IC 50 h (alpha Vbeta 5) 0.88-154 nM]. A total of eight cyclopeptides of type cyclo-[-Arg-Gly-Asp-Amp-], 5- 12, were assembled by a standard solid-phase peptide synthesis protocol that involved the C2-carboxyl and C4-amino functionalities of the proline scaffolds, leaving the N (alpha)-nuclear site untouched. Functionalization of this vacant proline site with either alkyl or acyl substituents proved feasible, with significant benefit to the integrin binding capabilities of the ligands. Notably, six out of eight cyclopeptide inhibitors, 5- 7 and 9- 11, showed moderate yet significant selectivity toward the alpha Vbeta 3 receptor. The three-dimensional structure in water was determined by NMR techniques and molecular dynamics calculations. Docking studies to the X-ray crystal structure of the extracellular segment of integrin alpha Vbeta 3 complexed with reference compound 1 were also performed on selected analogues to highlight the structural features required for potent ligand binding affinity.

Vicarious Silylative Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction: A Vinylogous Extension

A vinylogous, silylative, and direct variant of the venerable Mukaiyama aldol reaction has been developed. Exploiting N-Boc-pyrrol-2(5H)-one as the conjugate donor, several aldehyde and ketone acceptors were scrutinized under the guidance of suitable dual Lewis acid-Lewis base activators to provide a varied repertoire of functionality-rich alpha,beta-unsaturated-gamma-amino-delta-silyloxy carbonyl structures, in useful yields and often with an exquisite level of diastereoselection.

3-Alkenyl-2-silyloxyindoles in vinylogous Mannich reactions: synthesis of aminated indole-based scaffolds and products.

The first Lewis acid catalyzed vinylogous Mukaiyama-type Mannich addition of 3-alkenyl-2-silyloxyindoles to in situ generated N-Boc imines has been established, which affords chiral α-alkylidene-δ-amino-2-oxindole products with good efficiency and complete γ-site- and Z-selectivity. The reaction is wide in scope, as it can be applied with equal convenience to different silyloxyindole donors and aromatic or aliphatic aminal-derived aldimine acceptors. The utility of these scaffolds is demonstrated by their easy transformation into either spirocyclopropane oxindole or homotryptamine-like products, featuring nontraditional indole-based skeleton connections.

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Catalytic Vinylogous Mukaiyama-Mannich Reactions of Pyrrole-Based Silyl Dienolates with Alkyl-Substituted Aldehydes

A reliable, catalytic asymmetric vinylogous Mukaiyama-Mannich reaction of pyrrole-based silyl dienolates is introduced that is particularly apt for alkyl- and α-alkoxyalkyl-substituted aldehydes. The reaction course is effectively orchestrated by the Hoveyda-Snapper amino acid-based chiral ligand/silver(I) catalyst combination to produce valuable vicinal diamino carbonyl compounds in high yields, with virtually complete γ-site- and anti-selectivity and significant catalyst-to-product chirality transfer. The utility of the Mannich products can be seen in the synthesis of an unprecedented perhydrofuro[3,2-b]pyrrolone product, an aza-analogue of naturally occurring (+)-goniofufurone.

Catalytic, Asymmetric Hypervinylogous Mukaiyama Aldol Reactions of Extended Furan-Based Silyl Enolates

Virtually perfect transmittal of the enolate reactivity up to five conjugated double bonds from the origin allows a series of furan-based silyloxypolyenes to add to aldehyde carbonyls at the most distant point of the molecule. Denmarks axially chiral bisphosphoramide/SiCl(4) combination catalyzes these scantly precedented, long-range Mukaiyama-type vinylogous aldol reactions efficiently, providing a palette of extended γ-alkylidene butenolide carbinols with complete ω-site selectivity and good to excellent levels of enantioselectivity.

Organocatalytic, Asymmetric Eliminative [4+2] Cycloaddition of Allylidene Malononitriles with Enals: Rapid Entry to Cyclohexadiene-Embedding Linear and Angular Polycycles†

A direct aminocatalytic synthesis has been developed for the chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective construction of densely substituted polycyclic carbaldehydes containing fused cyclohexadiene rings. The chemistry utilizes, for the first time, remotely enolizable π-extended allylidenemalononitriles as electron-rich 1,3-diene precursors in a direct eliminative [4+2] cycloaddition with both aromatic and aliphatic α,β-unsaturated aldehydes. The generality of the process is demonstrated by approaching 6,6-, 5,6-, 7,6-, 6,6,6-, and 6,5,6-fused ring systems, as well as biorelevant steroid-like 6,6,6,6,5- and 6,6,6,5,6-rings. A stepwise reaction mechanism for the key [4+2] addition is proposed as a domino bis-vinylogous Michael/Michael/retro-Michael reaction cascade. The utility of the malononitrile moiety as traceless activating group of the dicyano nucleophilic substrates is demonstrated.

Calix[4]arene Anion Receptors Bearing 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol Groups at The Upper Rim

Several di- and tetrafunctionalized anion receptors have been synthesized by attaching 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol binding groups at the upper rim of cone calix[4]arenes using two different synthetic procedures. The best results were obtained by treating calix[4]arene formyl derivatives with trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane and tetrabutylammonium fluoride in dry THF. The bis- trifluoroethanol calix[4]arene receptors are able to bind anions showing selectivity for carboxylates and dihydrogenphosphate but at a lower efficiency compared to analogous receptors bearing urea, sulfonamide or activated amide binding groups. The conformational properties of the free ligands and their acetate complexes have been investigated by Dynamic 1H NMR, Molecular Modeling and in one case, by X-ray crystallography. Calix[4]arenes bearing cation coordinating groups at the lower rim and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol moieties at the upper rim behave as ditopic receptors, since they bind simultaneously cation and anion and extracts ion pairs in organic media. In one case evidence was obtained that coordination of sodium metal ion at the lower rim enhances the binding of acetate anion at the upper rim (positive allosteric effect).

Enhancement of the Uptake and Cytotoxic Activity of Doxorubicin in Cancer Cells by Novel cRGD-Semipeptide-Anchoring Liposomes

Novel liposemipeptides hanging cyclic azabicycloalkane-RGD or aminoproline-RGD terminals were synthesized and incorporated into liposomal nanoparticles cAba/cAmpRGD-LNP5 3C/3D. Liposomes with similar composition and lacking semipeptide conjugates were constructed for comparison (LNP, 3A), and physical encapsulation of the anticancer doxorubicin drug in both targeted and untargeted liposomes was accomplished. Microstructural analysis performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) revealed that the conjugated nanoparticles presented an average size of 80 nm and were constituted by 5 nm thick unilamellar liposome bilayer. Flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy studies showed that 3C-DOXO and 3D-DOXO efficiently delivered the drug into the nuclei of both quiescent and proliferating cells even in a high serum concentration environment. The uptake of doxorubicin when carried by liposomes was faster than that of the free drug, and 30 min incubation was sufficient to load cell nuclei with doxorubicin. Targeted liposomes significantly induced cell death of human breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cells (IC50 = 144 nM, 3C-DOXO; IC50 = 274 nM, 3D-DOXO), about 2- to 6-fold more potent than free doxorubicin or 3A-DOXO controls (IC50 = 527 and 854 nM, respectively). These results suggest that cAba/cAmpRGD liposomal nanoparticles hold promise for the rapid and efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to αVβ3-expressing tumor cells.

Synthesis of Novel c(AmpRGD)−Sunitinib Dual Conjugates as Molecular Tools Targeting the αvβ3 Integrin/VEGFR2 Couple and Impairing Tumor-Associated Angiogenesis

On the basis of a previously discovered anti-αVβ3 integrin peptidomimetic (c(AmpRGD)) and the clinically approved antiangiogenic kinase inhibitor sunitinib, three novel dual conjugates were synthesized (compounds 1-3), featuring the covalent and robust linkage between these two active modules. In all conjugates, the ligand binding competence toward αVβ3 (using both isolated receptors and αVβ3-overexpressing endothelial progenitor EP cells) and the kinase inhibitory activity (toward both isolated kinases and EPCs) remained almost untouched and comparable to the activity of the single active units. Compounds 1-3 showed interesting antiangiogenesis properties in an in vitro tubulogenic assay; furthermore, dimeric-RGD conjugate 3 strongly inhibited in vivo angiogenesis in Matrigel plug assays in FVB mice. These results offer proof-of-concept of how the covalent conjugation of two angiogenesis-related small modules may result in novel and stable molecules, which impair tumor-related angiogenesis with equal or even superior ability as compared to the single modules or their simple combinations.