Palladium-catalyzed coupling of lactams with bromobenzenes

The scope and limitations of deuteration mediated by Crabtree's catalyst

A potent, selective glucagon receptor antagonist 9m, N-[(4-{(1S)-1-[3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethyl}phenyl)carbonyl]-β-alanine, was discovered by optimization of a previously identified lead. Compound 9m is a reversible and competitive antagonist with high binding affinity (IC(50) of 6.6 nM) and functional cAMP activity (IC(50) of 15.7 nM). It is selective for glucagon receptor relative to other family B GPCRs, showing IC(50) values of 1020 nM for GIPR, 9200 nM for PAC1, and >10000 nM for GLP-1R, VPAC1, and VPAC2. Compound 9m blunted glucagon-induced glucose elevation in hGCGR mice and rhesus monkeys. It also lowered ambient glucose levels in both acute and chronic mouse models: in hGCGR ob/ob mice it reduced glucose (AUC 0-6 h) by 32% and 39% at 3 and 10 mpk single doses, respectively. In hGCGR mice on a high fat diet, compound 9m at 3, and 10 mpk po in feed lowered blood glucose levels by 89% and 94% at day 10, respectively, relative to the difference between the vehicle control and lean hGCGR mice. On the basis of its favorable biological and DMPK properties, compound 9m (MK-0893) was selected for further preclinical and clinical evaluations.

Discovery of a novel glucagon receptor antagonist N-[(4-{(1S)-1-[3-(3, 5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethyl}phenyl)carbonyl]-β-alanine (MK-0893) for the treatment of type II diabetes.

Mild Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective Direct Arylation of Azoles Promoted by Tetrabutylammonium Acetate

An efficient solvent-free synthesis of NH-pyrazoles from β-dimethylaminovinylketones and hydrazine on grinding

Unsymmetrical pyrazoles with alkyl, aryl, nitro and carboxyl substituents at C3 or C5 have been methylated with dimethyl sulfate in methanol, dimethyl sulfate in basic medium, and with diazomethane. The ratios of the isomeric N-methylpyrazoles have been determined by N.M.R. and g.l.c. analysis. The modified Ullmann phenylation has also been applied to these pyrazoles. Explanations for the observed product orientations involve considerations of electronic and steric effects, the possible intermediacy of quaternary salts, and, in some instances, the likelihood that the dominant tautomer is reacting.

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Papers

The N-Alkylation and N-Arylation of Unsymmetrical Pyrazoles