Targeting the interfaces between proteins has huge therapeutic potential, but discovering small-molecule drugs that disrupt protein-protein interactions is an enormous challenge. Several recent success stories, however, indicate that protein-protein interfaces might be more tractable than has been thought. These studies discovered small molecules that bind with drug-like potencies to 'hotspots' on the contact surfaces involved in protein-protein interactions. Remarkably, these small molecules bind deeper within the contact surface of the target protein, and bind with much higher efficiencies, than do the contact atoms of the natural protein partner. Some of these small molecules are now making their way through clinical trials, so this high-hanging fruit might not be far out of reach.

Reaching for high-hanging fruit in drug discovery at protein–protein interfaces

Since the discovery of organic azides by Peter Griess more than 140 years ago, numerous syntheses of these energy-rich molecules have been developed. In more recent times in particular, completely new perspectives have been developed for their use in peptide chemistry, combinatorial chemistry, and heterocyclic synthesis. Organic azides have assumed an important position at the interface between chemistry, biology, medicine, and materials science. In this Review, the fundamental characteristics of azide chemistry and current developments are presented. The focus will be placed on cycloadditions (Huisgen reaction), aza ylide chemistry, and the synthesis of heterocycles. Further reactions such as the aza-Wittig reaction, the Sundberg rearrangement, the Staudinger ligation, the Boyer and Boyer-Aube rearrangements, the Curtius rearrangement, the Schmidt rearrangement, and the Hemetsberger rearrangement bear witness to the versatility of modern azide chemistry.

Organic Azides: An Exploding Diversity of a Unique Class of Compounds

One of the most exciting developments in the areas of catalysis, organometallic chemistry, and polymer science in recent years has been the intense exploration and commercialization of new polymerization technologies based on single-site and metallocene coordination olefin polymerization catalysts.1 The vast number of specifically designed/synthesized transition metal complexes (catalyst precursors) and main-group organometallic compounds (cocatalysts) allows unprecedented control over polymer microstructure, the generation of new polymer architectures, and the development of new polymerization reactions. Commercialization of new generations of single-site and metallocene catalyst-based technologies has provided the multibillion pound per year polyolefins industry with the ability to deliver a wide range of new and innovative olefin-based polymers having improved properties.2-4 The intense industrial activity in the field and the challenges to our basic understanding that have come to light have in turn 1391 Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 1391−1434

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Cocatalysts for Metal-Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: Activators, Activation Processes, and Structure−Activity Relationships

Sterically encumbered Lewis acid and Lewis base combinations do not undergo the ubiquitous neutralization reaction to form "classical" Lewis acid/Lewis base adducts. Rather, both the unquenched Lewis acidity and basicity of such sterically "frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs)" is available to carry out unusual reactions. Typical examples of frustrated Lewis pairs are inter- or intramolecular combinations of bulky phosphines or amines with strongly electrophilic RB(C(6)F(5))(2) components. Many examples of such frustrated Lewis pairs are able to cleave dihydrogen heterolytically. The resulting H(+)/H(-) pairs (stabilized for example, in the form of the respective phosphonium cation/hydridoborate anion salts) serve as active metal-free catalysts for the hydrogenation of, for example, bulky imines, enamines, or enol ethers. Frustrated Lewis pairs also react with alkenes, aldehydes, and a variety of other small molecules, including carbon dioxide, in cooperative three-component reactions, offering new strategies for synthetic chemistry.

Frustrated Lewis pairs: metal-free hydrogen activation and more.

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are combinations of Lewis acids and Lewis bases in solution that are deterred from strong adduct formation by steric and/or electronic factors. This opens pathways to novel cooperative reactions with added substrates. Small-molecule binding and activation by FLPs has led to the discovery of a variety of new reactions through unprecedented pathways. Hydrogen activation and subsequent manipulation in metal-free catalytic hydrogenations is a frequently observed feature of many FLPs. The current state of this young but rapidly expanding field is outlined in this Review and the future directions for its broadening sphere of impact are considered.

Frustrated Lewis pair chemistry: development and perspectives.

Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane: Synthesis, Properties, and Hydroboration Chemistry of a Highly Electrophilic Borane Reagent

The activity and stability of the p53 tumor suppressor are regulated by the human homologue of the mouse double minute 2 (Hdm2) oncoprotein. It has been hypothesized that small molecules disrupting the Hdm2:p53 complex would allow for the activation of p53 and result in growth suppression. We have identified small-molecule inhibitors of the Hdm2:p53 interaction using our proprietary ThermoFluor microcalorimetry technology. Medicinal chemistry and structure-based drug design led to the development of an optimized series of benzodiazepinediones, including TDP521252 and TDP665759. Activities were dependent on the expression of wild-type (wt) p53 and Hdm2 as determined by lack of potency in mutant or null p53-expressing cell lines or cells engineered to no longer express Hdm2 and wt p53. TDP521252 and TDP665759 inhibited the proliferation of wt p53-expressing cell lines with average IC50s of 14 and 0.7 μmol/L, respectively. These results correlated with the direct cellular dissociation of Hdm2 from wt p53 observed within 15 minutes in JAR choriocarcinoma cells. Additional activities of these inhibitors in vitro include stabilization of p53 protein levels, up-regulation of p53 target genes in a DNA damage–independent manner, and induction of apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Administration of TDP665759 to mice led to an increase in p21waf1/cip1 levels in liver samples. Finally, TDP665759 synergizes with doxorubicin both in culture and in an A375 xenograft model to decrease tumor growth. Taken together, these data support the potential utility of small-molecule inhibitors of the Hdm2:p53 interaction for the treatment of wt p53-expressing tumors. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(1):160–9]

https://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanther/5/1/160.full.pdf

Benzodiazepinedione inhibitors of the Hdm2:p53 complex suppress human tumor cell proliferation in vitro and sensitize tumors to doxorubicin in vivo

Bis(pentafluorphenyl)boran: Synthese, Eigenschaften und Hydroborierungschemie eines sehr elektrophilen Borans

Competing Pathways in the Reaction of Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane with Bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)dimethylzirconium: Methane Elimination versus Methyl–Hydride Exchange and an Example of Pentacoordinate Carbon

Mechanistic Aspects of the Thermal and Photochemical Interconversion of Permethylscandocene Tellurolates and Tellurides. X-ray Structures of (C5Me5)2ScTeCH2C6H5, [(C5Me5)2Sc]2(.mu.-Te), and [(C5Me5)2Sc]2(.mu.-Se)

Daniel J. Parks

Papers

Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane: Synthesis, Properties, and Hydroboration Chemistry of a Highly Electrophilic Borane Reagent

Benzodiazepinedione inhibitors of the Hdm2:p53 complex suppress human tumor cell proliferation in vitro and sensitize tumors to doxorubicin in vivo

Bis(pentafluorphenyl)boran: Synthese, Eigenschaften und Hydroborierungschemie eines sehr elektrophilen Borans

Competing Pathways in the Reaction of Bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane with Bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)dimethylzirconium: Methane Elimination versus Methyl–Hydride Exchange and an Example of Pentacoordinate Carbon

Mechanistic Aspects of the Thermal and Photochemical Interconversion of Permethylscandocene Tellurolates and Tellurides. X-ray Structures of (C5Me5)2ScTeCH2C6H5, [(C5Me5)2Sc]2(.mu.-Te), and [(C5Me5)2Sc]2(.mu.-Se)