Karen Marcantonio

A simple, modular method for the synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted pyrazoles.

A modular approach for the regiocontrolled preparation of pyrazoles bearing substituents on all three carbon atoms is described. Central to this method is the use of a switchable metal-directing group (MDG) to enable sequential direct lithiation of the 3- and 5-positions of the pyrazole ring. Pyrazole boronic esters obtained from these lithiated intermediates can undergo efficient Suzuki cross-coupling under the developed nonaqueous conditions, which minimize undesirable protolytic deboronation. Halogenation of the 4-position provides the means for substitution at the remaining carbon atom.

Practical synthesis of a highly functionalized thiazole ketone

Abstract Compound 1 is a uniquely substituted ketone prepared via addition of a thiazole anion to an aromatic nitrile in good overall yield. An exploration into the generality of the addition of thiazole anions to nitriles allowed us to make a variety of thiazole ketones in good to excellent yields. The non-odorous thiolate-mediated demethylation reaction used in the synthesis of 1 is also presented.

Practical routes toward the synthesis of 2-halo- and 2-alkylamino-4-pyridinecarboxaldehydes

Abstract We recently required an efficient synthesis of 2-halo- and 2-alkylamino-4-pyridinecarboxaldehydes. Several routes to these compounds were investigated resulting in efficient and practical procedures from readily available and inexpensive starting materials.

A practical preparation of 5-(ketoaryl)thiazoles

Abstract This article describes a facile synthesis of 2-substituted-5-(ketoaryl)thiazoles, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. A variety of 2-substituted thiazole anions were added to aryl nitriles to provide the desired ketones after aqueous hydrolysis.

Discovery of MK-8831, A Novel Spiro-Proline Macrocycle as a Pan-Genotypic HCV-NS3/4a Protease Inhibitor.

We have been focused on identifying a structurally different next generation inhibitor to MK-5172 (our Ns3/4a protease inhibitor currently under regulatory review), which would achieve superior pangenotypic activity with acceptable safety and pharmacokinetic profile. These efforts have led to the discovery of a novel class of HCV NS3/4a protease inhibitors containing a unique spirocyclic-proline structural motif. The design strategy involved a molecular-modeling based approach, and the optimization efforts on the series to obtain pan-genotypic coverage with good exposures on oral dosing. One of the key elements in this effort was the spirocyclization of the P2 quinoline group, which rigidified and constrained the binding conformation to provide a novel core. A second focus of the team was also to improve the activity against genotype 3a and the key mutant variants of genotype 1b. The rational application of structural chemistry with molecular modeling guided the design and optimization of the structure-activity relationships have resulted in the identification of the clinical candidate MK-8831 with excellent pan-genotypic activity and safety profile.

Design and evaluation of novel tetracyclic benzofurans as palm site allosteric inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase is a prime target for the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. Several novel and potent HCV NS5B non-nucleoside inhibitors with unique tetracyclic bezonfuran-based structures were prepared and evaluated. Similar to clinical developmental compound MK-8876, N-linked (compounds 1 and 2) and C-linked (compounds 3 and 4) tetracyclic structures maintained broad spectrum anti-replicon potency profiles and demonstrated moderate to excellent oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters across the three preclinical animal species. To better understand the importance of tetracyclic structures related to pan genotypic potency profiles especially against clinically relevant GT1a variants, the teracycles with different ring size were prepared and in vitro evaluations suggested compounds with six number ring have better overall potency profiles.