Stephen Lau

CRTH2 Antagonist MK-7246: A Synthetic Evolution from Discovery through Development

In this paper, we report the development of different synthetic routes to MK-7246 (1) designed by the Process Chemistry group. The syntheses were initially designed as an enabling tool for Medicinal Chemistry colleagues in order to rapidly explore structure-activity relationships (SAR) and to procure the first milligrams of diverse target molecules for in vitro evaluation. The initial aziridine opening/cyclodehydration strategy was also directly amenable to the first GMP deliveries of MK-7246 (1), streamlining the transition from milligram to kilogram-scale production needed to support early preclinical and clinical evaluation of this compound. Subsequently a more scalable and cost-effective manufacturing route to MK-7246 (1) was engineered. Highlights of the manufacturing route include an Ir-catalyzed intramolecular N-H insertion of sulfoxonium ylide 41 and conversion of ketone 32 to amine 31 in a single step with excellent enantioselectivity through a transaminase process. Reactions such as these illustrate the enabling impact and efficiency gains that innovative developments in chemo- and biocatalysis can have on the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant target molecules.

Concise and Protective Group-Free Syntheses of (±)-Hamigeran B and (±)-4-Bromohamigeran B†

Concise and protective group free syntheses of (±)-hamigeran B and (±)-4-bromohamigeran B are reported. The key reactions include an enone migration and a Diels-Alder cyclization to provide the requisite tricyclic skeleton.

Synthesis and applications of (R)- and (S)-7,7′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthalene

Abstract The synthesis of (R)- and (S)-7,7′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthalene 5a and 5b is described. The phosphorus atoms in (S)-(−)-5b are shown to be slightly more basic than the phosphorus atoms in (S)-BINAP by comparing the magnitude of the 1J (31P–77Se) coupling constant in their respective diselenide derivatives. (S)-(−)-5b behaved similarly to (S)-BINAP in asymmetric Heck reactions.

A Practical Synthesis of Renin Inhibitor MK-1597 (ACT-178882) via Catalytic Enantioselective Hydrogenation and Epimerization of Piperidine Intermediate

A practical enantioselective synthesis of renin inhibitor MK-1597 (ACT-178882), a potential new treatment for hypertension, is described. The synthetic route provided MK-1597 in nine steps and 29% overall yield from commercially available p-cresol (7). The key features of this sequence include a catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of a tetrasubstituted ene-ester, a highly efficient epimerization/saponification sequence of 4 which sets both stereocenters of the molecule, and a short synthesis of amine fragment 2.

Practical Synthesis of a Renin Inhibitor via a Diastereoselective Dieckmann Cyclization

A scalable synthesis of a potent renin inhibitor (1) is described. The absolute stereochemistry is set via an unprecedented diastereoselective Dieckmann cyclization directed by a remote chiral protecting group. This transformation enables preparation of chiral 1,3-[3.3.1]-diazabicyclononenes by desymmetrization of alkyl-esters, with selectivities ranging from 4 to 17:1.