Jonathan Edward Green

Mitsunobu Approach to the Synthesis of Optically Active α,α-Disubstituted Amino Acids

Chiral tertiary alpha-hydroxy esters of known stereochemical configuration were transformed to alpha-azido esters by Mitsunobu reaction with HN3. Optimization of this reaction was shown to proceed at room temperature with high chemical yield using 1,1-(azodicarbonyl)dipiperidine (ADDP) and trimethylphosphine (PMe3). Complete inversion of configuration was observed at the alpha-carbon. Several alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acids were synthesized in high overall chemical yield and optical purity.

2-Chloro-4-[[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-cyclopentyl]amino]-3-methyl-benzonitrile: A Transdermal Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) for Muscle Atrophy.

A transdermal SARM has a potential to have therapeutic benefit through anabolic activity in muscle while sparing undesired effects of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and liver-mediated decrease in HDL-C. 2-Chloro-4-[(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-cyclopentyl)amino]-3-methyl-benzonitrile 6 showed the desired muscle and prostate effects in a preclinical ORX rat model. Compound 6 had minimal effect on HDL-C levels in cynomolgus monkeys and showed human cadaver skin permeability, thus making it an effective tool for proof-of-concept studies in a clinical setting.