Jeffrey T. Kuethe

Omarigliptin (MK-3102): A Novel Long-Acting DPP-4 Inhibitor for Once-Weekly Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

In our effort to discover DPP-4 inhibitors with added benefits over currently commercially available DPP-4 inhibitors, MK-3102 (omarigliptin), was identified as a potent and selective dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor with an excellent pharmacokinetic profile amenable for once-weekly human dosing and selected as a clinical development candidate. This manuscript summarizes the mechanism of action, scientific rationale, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetic properties, and human efficacy data for omarigliptin, which is currently in phase 3 clinical development.

A Practical, One-Pot Synthesis of Sulfonylated Pyridines

A concise and efficient one-pot synthesis of functionalized sulfonylated pyridines via an S(N)Ar reaction of readily available pyridines and sodium sulfinate salts in the presence of tetrabutylammonium chloride is presented.

Synthesis of Vaniprevir (MK-7009): Lactamization To Prepare a 22-Membered Macrocycle

Development of a practical synthesis of MK-7009, a 20-membered [corrected] macrocycle, is described. A variety of ring-closing strategies were evaluated, including ring-closing metathesis, intermolecular palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings, and macrolactamization. Ring closure via macrolactamization was found to give the highest yields under relatively high reaction concentrations. Optimization of the ring formation step and the synthesis of key intermediates en route to MK-7009 are reported.

Expedient Synthesis of 3-Alkoxymethyl- and 3-Aminomethyl-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines

An effective strategy has been developed for the preparation of 3-alkoxymethyl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines, compounds that are currently not readily accessible by existing synthetic methods. Further manipulation of these compounds allows for access to 3-alkoxymethyl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines with a variety of substitution patterns as well as 3-aminomethyl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines.

One-Pot Iodination of Hydroxypyridines

A one-pot, high-yielding iodination of hydroxypyridines and hydroxyquinolines is described. The iodination proceeds under mild conditions, and the products are obtained in high yield without the need for chromatographic purification. In addition, the iodination works on both 2- and 4-hydroxypyridines and -hydroxyquinolines.

Reactive resin facilitated preparation of an enantiopure fluorobicycloketone

A facile preparation of enantiopure ethyl (1S,5S,6S)-6-fluoro-2-oxobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-6-carboxylate is described. The key feature of the synthesis involves copper-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation of a diazoketone to form endo-fluorocyclopropane in a single operation. Removal of a problematic chloroketone impurity using a reactive resin treatment enabled a high throughput enantiopurity upgrade by chiral HPLC. The development of a scalable synthesis of is presented, including details of the selection of catalyst and ligand optimization, incorporation of a reactive resin treatment and selection of chiral HPLC media and conditions.

Development of a practical, asymmetric synthesis of the hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor MK-5172.

The development of a practical, asymmetric synthesis of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor MK-5172 (1), an 18-membered macrocycle, is described.

Magnetically Driven Agitation in a Tube Mixer Affords Clog-Resistant Fast Mixing Independent of Linear Velocity

An economical and simple flow mixer based on magnetically driven agitation in a tube (MDAT) is reported. Mixing via MDAT compared favorably to both Tee and multilaminar mixers at low flow and was successfully used to screen and optimize two challenging organometallic reactions at low temperature without clogging or the need for high dilution.

Asymmetric aza-Diels–Alder reactions of indole 2-carboxaldehydes

Abstract The aza-Diels–Alder reaction of substituted indole 2-carboxaldehydes with Danishefskys diene has been investigated. The reaction proceeds with a high degree of diastereoselectivity providing highly functionalized 2-(2-piperidyl)indoles which are further elaborated into novel polycyclic heterocycles.

Aza-Diels–Alder/intramolecular Heck cyclization approach to the tetrahydro-β-carboline skeleton of the ajmaline/sarpagine alkaloids

Abstract The aza-Diels–Alder reactions of 2-iodo-3-indoleacetaldehydes in the presence of zinc triflate provides 2-(2-iodoindolylmethyl)-4-pyridones in high yield. Palladium-mediated intramolecular Heck cyclization gives access to the tetracyclic tetrahydro-β-carboline framework of the ajmaline/sarpagine alkaloids.