Sally Dixon

Small molecule agonists of the orphan nuclear receptors steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, NR5A1) and liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1, NR5A2).

The crystal structure of LRH-1 ligand binding domain bound to our previously reported agonist 3-(E-oct-4-en-4-yl)-1-phenylamino-2-phenyl-cis-bicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-ene 5 is described. Two new classes of agonists in which the bridgehead anilino group from our first series was replaced with an alkoxy or 1-ethenyl group were designed, synthesized, and tested for activity in a peptide recruitment assay. Both new classes gave very active compounds, particularly against SF-1. Structure-activity studies led to excellent dual-LRH-1/SF-1 agonists (e.g., RJW100) as well as compounds selective for LRH-1 (RJW101) and SF-1 (RJW102 and RJW103). The series based on 1-ethenyl substitution was acid stable, overcoming a significant drawback of our original bridgehead anilino-substituted series. Initial studies on the regulation of gene expression in human cell lines showed excellent, reproducible activity at endogenous target genes.

Synthesis of dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: the revised structure of lawsonicin

Structural revision of lawsonicin, a natural product of Lawsonia alba, is reported based upon comparison of its spectral data with that of the naturally occurring dihydrobenzo[b]furan neolignan (rac)-trans-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, which is found to be identical. A concise synthesis of dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, via Rh(2)[S-DOSP](4)-catalysed intramolecular C-H insertion, is described.

Selective binding of L-glutamate derivative in aqueous solvents

A chiral bisguanidinium macrocycle binds N-Boc-L-glutamate in a 1 : 1 stoichiometry with significant selectivity in competitive solvent (DMSO-H(2)O).

Tandem Insertion of Halocarbenoids and Lithium Acetylides into Zirconacycles: A Novel Rearrangement to Zirconium Alkenylidenates by β‐Addition to an Alkynyl Zirconocene

Tandem insertion of 1,1-dihalo-1-lithio species (halocarbenoids) and lithium alkynides into zirconacyclopentenes and zirconcyclopentanes affords carbocyclic products in high yields via an unusual rearrangement that probably involves addition of an organolithium species to the β-position of a zirconium-alkyne complex to give an alkenylidene-zirconate species. A wide variety of cyclopentanoid organic structures are rapidly assembled in good yield using this multicomponent coupling. The main side reaction, which becomes exclusive in some cases, is β-hydride elimination of an intermediate cyclopentyl- or cyclopentenyl zirconocene.

A biaryl cross-coupling strategy for functionalisation of benzocrown ethers

Preparation of (di)benzocrown-substituted aryl-zinc or -boron reagents and their palladium-catalysed cross-coupling with functionalised aryl halides is described for convenient synthesis of novel crown ether systems.