Heterocycles constitute the largest and the most diverse family of organic compounds Among them, aromatic heterocycles represent structural motifs found in a great number of biologically active natural and synthetic compounds, drugs, and agrochemicals Moreover, aromatic heterocycles are widely used for synthesis of dyes and polymeric materials of high value 1 There are numerous reports on employment of aromatic heterocycles as intermediates in organic synthesis 2

Although, a variety of highly efficient methodologies for synthesis of aromatic heterocycles and their derivatives have been reported in the past, the development of novel methodologies is in cuntinious demand Particlularly, development of new synthetic approaches toward heterocycles, aiming at achieving greater levels of molecular complexity and better functional group compatibilities in a convergent and atom economical fashions from readily accessible starting materials and under mild reaction conditions, is one of a major research endeavor in modern synthetic organic chemistry Transition metal-catalyzed transformations, which often help to meet the above criteria, are among the most attractive synthetic tools

Several excellent reviews dealing with transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of heterocyclic compounds have been published in literature during recent years Many of them highlighted the use of a particular transition metal, such as gold,3 silver,4 palladium,5 copper,6 cobalt,7 ruthenium,8 iron,9 mercury,10 rare-earth metals,11 and others Another array of reviews described the use of a specific kind of transformation, for instance, intramolecular nucleophilic attack of heteroatom at multiple C–C bonds,12 Sonogashira reaction,13 cycloaddition reactions,14 cycloisomerization reactions,15 C–H bond activation processes,16 metathesis reactions,17 etc Reviews devoted to an application of a particular type of starting materials have also been published Thus, for example, applications of isocyanides,18 diazocompounds,19 or azides20 have been discussed In addition, a significant attention was given to transition metal-catalyzed multicomponent syntheses of heterocycles21 Finally, syntheses of heterocycles featuring formation of intermediates, such as nitrenes,22 vinylidenes,23 carbenes, and carbenoids24 have also been reviewed

The main focus of the present review is a transition metal-catalyzed synthesis of aromatic monocyclic heterocycles The organization of the review is rather classical and is based on a heterocycle, categorized in the following order: (a) ring size of heterocycle, (b) number of heteroatoms, (c) type of heterocycle, and (d) a class of transformation involved A brief mechanistic discussion is given to provide information about a possible reaction pathway when necessary The review mostly discusses recent literature, starting from 200425 until the end of 2011, however, some earlier parent transformations are discussed when needed

Transition Metal-Mediated Synthesis of Monocyclic Aromatic Heterocycles

Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1562&context=patents

Immunostimulatory nucleic acid molecules

Certain C8-substituted and N7, C8-disubstituted guanine ribonucleosides comprise a class of small molecules with immunostimulatory activity. In a variety of animal models, these agents stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses. The antiviral actions of these guanosine analogs have been attributed to their ability to induce type I IFNs. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the guanosine analogs potentiate immune responses are not known. Here, we report that several guanosine analogs activate Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7). 7-Thia-8-oxoguanosine, 7-deazaguanosine, and related guanosine analogs activated mouse immune cells in a manner analogous to known TLR ligands, inducing cytokine production in mouse splenocytes (IL-6 and IL-12, type I and II IFNs), bone marrow-derived macrophages (IL-6 and IL-12), and in human peripheral blood leukocytes (type I IFNs, tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-12). The guanosine congeners also up-regulated costimulatory molecules and MHC I/II in dendritic cells. Genetic complementation studies in human embryonic kidney 293 cells confirmed that the guanosine analogs activate cells exclusively via TLR7. The stimulation of TLR7 by the guanosine analogs in human cells appears to require endosomal maturation because inhibition of this process with chloroquine significantly reduced the downstream activation of NF-kappaB. However, TLR8 activation by R-848 and TLR2 activation by [S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2-RS)-propyl]-N-palmitoyl-R-Cys-S-Ser-Lys4-OH, trihydrochloride)] were not inhibited by chloroquine, whereas TLR9 activation by CpG oligodeoxynucleotides was abolished. In summary, we present evidence that guanosine analogs activate immune cells via TLR7 by a pathway that requires endosomal maturation. Thus, the B cell-stimulating and antiviral activities of the guanosine analogs may be explained by their TLR7-activating capacity.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/100/11/6646.full.pdf

Molecular basis for the immunostimulatory activity of guanine nucleoside analogs: activation of Toll-like receptor 7

The catalytic reaction pathways in enzymes synthetic systems were investigated. In this regard, the electron transfer, proton transfer, and charge flow to energetics and structural transformations were discussed. The quantum chemical studies of the reaction mechanisms of the metalloenzymes revealed the intermediates and transition states for the enzymes. The mechanisms of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) and hammerhead ribozyme chemistry were also presented.

Quantum chemical studies of intermediates and reaction pathways in selected enzymes and catalytic synthetic systems.

The mechanism by which zinc(II) catalyzes the union of an azide ion with organic nitriles to form tetrazoles is investigated by means of density functional theory using the hybrid functional B3LYP. The calculations indicate that coordination of the nitrile to the zinc ion is the dominant factor affecting the catalysis; this coordination substantially lowers the barrier for nucleophilic attack by azide. Relative reaction rates of catalyzed and uncatalyzed tetrazole formation also provide experimental support for this conclusion.

Why is tetrazole formation by addition of azide to organic nitriles catalyzed by zinc(II) salts

A series of 6-benzoxazinylpyridazin-3-ones was prepared and evaluated for inhibition of cardiac phosphodiesterase (PDE) fraction III in vitro and for positive inotropic activity in vivo. 6-[3,4-Dihydro-3-oxo-1,4(2H)-benzoxazin-7-yl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5 - methylpyridazin-3-one (bemoradan) was found to be an extremely potent and selective inhibitor of canine PDE fraction III and a long-acting, potent, orally active inotropic vasodilator agent in various canine models. Additional benzoxazin-6-yl and -8-yl compounds were also prepared. Altering the pyridazinone substitution from the 6-position to the 7-position produced a 14-fold increase in the iv cardiotonic potency (ED50) from 77 to 5.4 micrograms/kg while substitution at the 8-position reduced potency. Methyl substitution at various sites in the molecule was also examined. Positive inotropic activity was maintained for between 8 and 24 h after a single oral dose (100 micrograms/kg) of bemoradan in dogs, thus making it one of the most potent and long-acting orally effective inotropes yet described. Bemoradan is currently under development as a cardiotonic agent for use in the management of congestive heart failure.

6-Benzoxazinylpyridazin-3-ones: potent, long-acting positive inotrope and peripheral vasodilator agents.

A series of 7,8-disubstituted guanosine derivatives was designed and prepared as potential B-cell-selective activators of the humoral immune response. These compounds were evaluated for their ability to act as B-cell mitogens and to augment the antibody response of B cells to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) challenge (adjuvanticity). In addition, they were tested for their ability to stimulate the natural killer (NK) cell response in murine in vitro cell assays. Certain of the compounds demonstrated in vivo activity when administered either intravenously, subcutaneously, or orally. Analogues with a medium-length alkyl chain (2-4 carbons, 5-7) on the 7-position of 7-alkyl-8-oxoguanosines were found to be particularly potent. Compounds bearing hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, or substituted aminoalkyl substituents on this 7-position were weakly active. However, benzyl groups, including those substituted with heteroatoms (e.g., p-nitrobenzyl, 14), were active. Oxo, thioxo, and seleno groups on C-8 of the guanosine ring all imparted strong activity, whereas other larger substituents did not (e.g., N = CN). Stereochemical inversion of the 2'-hydroxyl on the ribose ring in this series, giving arabinose analogue 70, lessened activity. However, removal of the 2'-hydroxyl, either with (64) or without (73) removal of the 3'-hydroxyl, resulted in excellent activity and improved solubility; 64 also displayed good oral in vivo activity as well. A series of ketals involving the 2',3'-hydroxyls were prepared; certain of the nonpolar ketals (e.g., 48) were remarkably active, pointing to an ancillary hydrophobic binding region that can augment activity. 5'-Phosphate derivative 57 was fairly active, and acyclovir analogue 90 displayed good NK-selective activity: other N-9 sugar mimetics were also active (97-104), although this activity did not carry over into the human B-cell assay. A total of 80 compounds were prepared and evaluated for their immunostimulating activity. Within this group, compounds could be divided into those that were active in all three assays, those that displayed some measure of selectivity for the adjuvanticity assay, and those that preferentially activated NK responses. Because of its overall biological profile and ease of synthesis, 7-allyl-8-oxoguanosine (6; loxoribine, RWJ-21757) was chosen for further development. It is among the most potent compounds evaluated in the three biological assays.

Small-Molecule Immunostimulants. Synthesis and Activity of 7,8-Disubstituted Guanosines and Structurally Related Compounds

N-(aminophenyl)oxamic acids and esters as potent, orally active antiallergy agents.

5-Tetrazolecarboxamides and their salts: new orally active antiallergy agents

The compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which R is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyl, nitro or cyano; and R 2 is ═O, ═S, H 2 , --SCH 3 , or an amino group; with the proviso that when R is chloro in 8-position, R 2 must be other than oxygen or sulfur; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Dieter H. Klaubert

Papers

6-Benzoxazinylpyridazin-3-ones: potent, long-acting positive inotrope and peripheral vasodilator agents.

Small-Molecule Immunostimulants. Synthesis and Activity of 7,8-Disubstituted Guanosines and Structurally Related Compounds

N-(aminophenyl)oxamic acids and esters as potent, orally active antiallergy agents.

5-Tetrazolecarboxamides and their salts: new orally active antiallergy agents

Antiinflammatory 5H-tetrazolo (5,1-c)(1,4)benzodiazepine derivatives