Orexins are a family of neuropeptides that regulate sleep/wakefulness, acting on two G-protein-coupled receptors, orexin receptors 1 (OX1R) and 2 (OX2R). Genetic and pharmacologic evidence suggests that orexin receptor agonists, especially OX2R agonist, will be useful for mechanistic therapy of the sleep disorder narcolepsy/cataplexy. We herein report the discovery of a potent (EC50 on OX2R is 0.023 μM) and OX2R-selective (OX1R/OX2R EC50 ratio is 70) agonist, 4'-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-3'-[N-(3-{[2-(3-methylbenzamido)ethyl]amino}phenyl)sulfamoyl]-(1,1'-biphenyl)-3-carboxamide 26.

Various alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were coordinated with aluminum tris(2,6-diphenylphenoxide) (ATPH) to give the corresponding Lewis acid-base complexes in a distinctive coordination fashion (selective coordination). ATPH recognizes carbonyl substrates and subsequently orients itself as it forms a stable complex through selective coordination with the carbonyl oxygen. Selective coordination also confers a conformational preference to each carbonyl compound under the steric and electronic influence of ATPH, which enables the vinylogous aldol reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to give the corresponding gamma-aldol products with different regio- and stereoselectivities.

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