Virtual screening of the corporate compound collection yielded compound 1 as a subtype selective muscarinic M 1 receptor agonist hit. Initial optimization of the N-capping group of the central piperidine ring resulted in compounds 2 and 3 with significantly improved potency and selectivity. Subsequent optimization of substituents on the phenyl ring of the benzimidazolone moiety led to the discovery of novel muscarinic M 1 receptor agonists 4 and 5 with excellent potency, general and subtype selectivity, and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties including good central nervous system (CNS) penetration and oral bioavailability. Compound 5 showed robust in vivo activities in animal models of cognition enhancement. The combination of high potency, excellent selectivity, and good PK properties makes compounds 4 and 5 valuable tool compounds for investigating and validating potential therapeutic benefits resulting from selective M 1 activation.

A mild, diastereoselective synthesis of fused lactone-pyrrolidinones using an oxidative radical cyclization is reported. The methodology is demonstrated in a formal synthesis of (-)-salinosporamide A.

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