The synthesis and biological activity of a new series of LpxC inhibitors represented by pyridone methylsulfone hydroxamate 2a is presented. Members of this series have improved solubility and free fraction when compared to compounds in the previously described biphenyl methylsulfone hydroxamate series, and they maintain superior Gram-negative antibacterial activity to comparator agents.

In this paper, we present the synthesis and SAR as well as selectivity, pharmacokinetic, and infection model data for representative analogues of a novel series of potent antibacterial LpxC inhibitors represented by hydroxamic acid.

Herein we describe the structure-aided design and synthesis of a series of pyridone-conjugated monobactam analogues with in vitro antibacterial activity against clinically relevant Gram-negative species including Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Escherichia coli . Rat pharmacokinetic studies with compound 17 demonstrate low clearance and low plasma protein binding. In addition, evidence is provided for a number of analogues suggesting that the siderophore receptors PiuA and PirA play a role in drug uptake in P. aeruginosa strain PAO1.

The Aurora family of highly related serine/threonine kinases plays a key role in the regulation of mitosis. Aurora1 and Aurora2 play important but distinct roles in the G 2 and M phases of the cell cycle and are essential for proper chromosome segregation and cell division. Overexpression and amplification of Aurora2 have been reported in different tumor types, including breast, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, and gastric cancer. PF-03814735 is a novel, potent, orally bioavailable, reversible inhibitor of both Aurora1 and Aurora2 kinases that is currently in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. In intact cells, the inhibitory activity of PF-03814735 on the Aurora1 and Aurora2 kinases reduces levels of phospho-Aurora1, phosphohistone H3, and phospho-Aurora2. PF-03814735 produces a block in cytokinesis, resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation and the formation of polyploid multinucleated cells. Although PF-03814735 produces significant inhibition of several other protein kinases, the predominant biochemical effects in cellular assays are consistent with inhibition of Aurora kinases. Once-daily oral administration of PF-03814735 to mice bearing human xenograft tumors produces a reduction in phosphohistone H3 in tumors at doses that are tolerable and that result in significant inhibition of tumor growth. The combination of PF-03814735 and docetaxel in xenograft mouse tumor models shows additive tumor growth inhibition. These results support the clinical evaluation of PF-03814735 in cancer patients.Mol Cancer Ther; 9(4); 883-94. ©2010 AACR.

The methylenation of β-lactones 5 with dimethyltitanocene provides a versatile, reliable, and highly chemoselective entry to 2-methyleneoxetanes 7. The conversion proceeds selectively in the presence of alkenes, unprotected alcohols, and a variety of other carbonyl moieties. A study of conditions for the optimization of this reaction is delineated. In addition, the first X-ray structure of a 2-methyleneoxetane, which shows its similarity to related β-lactones, is reported. Reactivity studies of 2-methyleneoxetanes are presented in which it is demonstrated that these compounds are attacked at C-4 with a nucleophile; then, subsequently, the resultant enolate reacted with an electrophile. An interesting dichotomy of reactivity was observed when methyleneoxetane 7c was treated with electrophiles. Reaction of 7c with acetic acid gave acetoxyoxetane 19. When 7c was exposed to bromine, dibromoketone 20 resulted.