Patrick J. Connors

Initial Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of a Novel Series of Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-7-ones as GnRH Receptor Antagonists

Initial SAR studies on 1-aminomethyl-2-aryl-3-cyano-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-7-one-6-carboxylates as human GnRH receptor antagonists were discussed. 2-(2-Methylaminoethyl)pyridine was discovered to be a key feature for generating active compounds. The best compound from the series had 25 nM (K(i)) binding affinity to human GnRH receptor.

A novel synthesis of 7-aryl-8-fluoro-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-4-ones as potent, stable GnRH receptor antagonists

A new class of small molecule GnRH antagonists, the 7-aryl-8-fluoro-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-4-ones, was designed and a novel synthesis for these compounds was developed. The synthesis utilizes a base-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of fluoromethyl pyrimidone 5 to generate the bicyclic core. Amongst the compounds synthesized, we discovered some highly potent GnRH receptor antagonists (e.g., 12, K(i)=9 nM), which showed enhanced stability towards acidic physiological conditions compared to the des-fluoro analogues.

Synthesis and initial structure–Activity relationships of a novel series of imidazolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-5-ones as potent GnRH receptor antagonists

SAR studies of 2-arylimidazolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-5-ones 10a-m, which were derived from initial lead 3a, resulted in the discovery of a series of potent nonpeptide human GnRH receptor antagonists. Compounds with good potency (e.g., 10e, K(i)=7.5 nM) were prepared by introduction of a 2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl at the basic nitrogen and a 3-pentyl ester at the 6-position of the bicyclic core.

A Novel Synthesis of 2-Arylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-7-ones and Their Structure–Activity Relationships as Potent GnRH Receptor Antagonists

In the process of developing GnRH receptor antagonists, a novel base-catalyzed cyclization of compounds 5a-b was discovered, which led to the formation of the 2-aryl pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-7-one core structures 6a-b. These intermediates were further modified at positions 1, 2, 4 and 6 to afford a series of potent GnRH antagonists with low nanomolar K(i) values.

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel imidazolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-5-ones as potent GnRH receptor antagonists.

SAR studies of lead GnRH receptor antagonists 2a and 2b reported earlier resulted in the discovery of compound 10b which showed much higher potency (K(i)=4.6 nM, compared with 2b, K(i)=230 nM) in which the 7-position of the imidazolo[1,2-a]pyrimidone core was substituted with a methyl group, and the ester at the 6-position was replaced by the 3-methoxyphenyl group.

Quinoline-carboxylic acids are potent inhibitors that inhibit the binding of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) to IGF-binding proteins.

4-benzylquinolines 5, based on a series of isoquinolines 1, were prepared and tested as inhibitors of the IGF/IGFBP-3 complex based on their ability to displace IGF-I from its binding to IGF-binding protein-3. SAR studies on the 6,7-dihydroxy moiety of the quinoline 5a showed that the catecol moiety could be replaced with other functional groups. Computational modeling of the 5a/mini-IGFBP-5 complex revealed the possible binding site of 5a on IGFBP-5.

6,7-dihydroxyisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids are potent inhibitors on the binding of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) to IGF-binding proteins: optimization of the 1-position benzoyl side chain.

A series of 1-benzoyl isoquinolines, based on compound 1, was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to displace IGF-I from its complex with IGF-binding protein-3. Successful modifications of 1 included the replacement of the 3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl group with a substituted benzyl group. These alternations culminated in the discovery of compounds such as 7o which had excellent in vitro potency (K(i)=9.4 nM) but with one less of the labile catechol functionality of 1.