A fundamental relationship between hydrophobic properties and biological activity for the duocarmycin class of DNA-alkylating antitumor drugs: Hydrophobic-binding-driven bonding

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm400665c

Two systematic series of increasingly hydrophilic derivatives of duocarmycin SA that feature the incorporation of ethylene glycol units (n = 1-5) into the methoxy substituents of the trimethoxyindole subunit are described. These derivatives exhibit progressively increasing water solubility along with progressive decreases in cell growth inhibitory activity and DNA alkylation efficiency with the incremental ethylene glycol unit incorporations. Linear relationships of cLogP with -log IC₅₀ for cell growth inhibition and -log AE (AE = cell-free DNA alkylation efficiency) were observed, with the cLogP values spanning the productive range of 2.5-0.49 and the -log IC₅₀ values spanning the range of 11.2-6.4, representing IC₅₀ values that vary by a factor of 10⁵ (0.008 to 370 nM). The results quantify the fundamental role played by the hydrophobic character of the compound in the expression of the biological activity of members in this class (driving the intrinsically reversible DNA alkylation reaction) and define the stunning magnitude of its effect.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/jm400665c

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Article
A Fundamental Relationship Between Hydrophobic Properties
and Biological Activity for the Duocarmycin Class of DNA
Alkylating Antitumor Drugs: Hydrophobic Binding-Driven-Bonding
Amanda L Wolfe, Katharine K Duncan, James P. Lajiness,
Kaicheng Zhu, Adam S. Duerfeldt, and Dale L. Boger
J. Med. Chem., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/jm400665c • Publication Date (Web): 14 Aug 2013
Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on August 16, 2013
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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry is published by the American Chemical Society. 1155
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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
A Fundamental Relationship Between Hydrophobic Properties and Biological Activity for the
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Duocarmycin Class of DNA Alkylating Antitumor Drugs: Hydrophobic Binding-Driven-Bonding
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Amanda L. Wolfe, Katharine K. Duncan, James P. Lajiness, Kaicheng Zhu, Adam S. Duerfeldt, and Dale L.
Boger*
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Contribution from the Department of Chemistry and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps
Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
Received: May 00, 2013; e-mail: boger@scripps.edu
ABSTRACT:
Two systematic series of increasingly hydrophilic derivatives of duocarmycin SA are described that feature
the incorporation of ethylene glycol units (n = 1–5) into the methoxy substituents of the trimethoxyindole
subunit. These derivatives exhibit progressively increasing water solubility, along with progressive decreases in
cell growth inhibitory activity and DNA alkylation efficiency with the incremental ethylene glycol unit
incorporations. A linear relationship between cLogP and –logIC50 for cell growth inhibition and –logAE (AE =
cell free DNA alkylation efficiency) is observed where cLogP values span the productive range of 2.5–0.49 and
–logIC50 values span the range of 11.2–6.4, representing IC50 values covering a 105 range (0.008 to 370 nM).
The results quantify a fundamental role the compound hydrophobic character plays in the expression of the
biological activity of members in this class, driving the intrinsically reversible DNA alkylation reaction, and
define the stunning magnitude of its effect.
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INTRODUCTION
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CC-1065 (1) and duocarmycin SA (2) represent the parent members of a class of antitumor compounds that
derive their biological activity from their ability to selectively alkylate duplex DNA (Figure 1).1–3 The study of
the natural products, their synthetic unnatural enantiomers,4 and key analogues has defined many of the
fundamental structural features that control their DNA alkylation selectivity, efficiency, rate, and catalysis,5
providing a detailed understanding of the relationships between structure, reactivity, and biological activity.3–5
Despite the extensive efforts conducted over the more than 30 years since the report of the initial member of
this of natural products, herein we report studies that define an additional previously unappreciated and
fundamental property integrated into the structure of this class of compounds that contributes to their DNA
alkylation properties and biological activity and the stunning magnitude of its impact.
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Figure 1. Representative natural products in class.
The alkylation subunits of the natural products contain a vinylogous amide, which confers stability to what
would otherwise be a reactive cyclopropane.6 Disruption of this key vinylogous amide occurs through a DNA
minor groove binding-induced conformational change, which brings the cyclopropane into conjugation with the
cyclohexadienone ring system and activates it for nucleophilic attack. Thus, the compounds are typically
unreactive, but they are selectively activated for adenine N3 alkylation upon target DNA binding.7,8 Pertinent to
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the work detailed herein, this reactivity is still attenuated,9 allowing selective capture by appropriately
positioned adenines within the preferred AT-rich non-covalent binding sites such that it is the non-covalent
binding selectivity of the compounds that controls the alkylation site selectivity.2,5
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An additional unique feature of this class of natural products is the observation that the seco phenol
synthetic precursors possess indistinguishable biological properties (DNA alkylation, in vitro cytotoxic activity,
in vivo antitumor activity) in comparison to the cyclopropane derivatives themselves. Such seco phenol
derivatives, like those disclosed herein, undergo facile in situ Ar-3´ spirocyclization with the displacement of an
appropriate leaving group to afford the cyclopropane found in the natural products.
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Figure 2. Top: PEG modified duocarmycin SA analogs (n = 1–5) and seco-duocarmycin SA (n = 0). Bottom:
Structure of duocarmycin SA bound to DNA (ref 12a) highlighting the disposition of the C5–C7 methoxy
groups.
In recent efforts,10,11 we became interested in the preparation of a series of more water soluble derivatives of
duocarmycin SA derived through the systematic incorporation of polyethylene glycol units into the
trimethoxyindole DNA binding subunit (Figure 2). The C6 and C7 sites are located on the face of the
trimethoxyindole that extends away from DNA minor groove and the two methoxy substituents located at these
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sites can be removed without significantly impacting the biological properties of duocarmycin SA.5 The C5
methoxy substituent lies at a peripheral site at the end of the drug-bound DNA complex.12 This site constitutes
one that is not only capable of accommodating substituents that enhance activity,13 but it represents a site
widely used to introduce large substituents including long linkers for antibody-drug conjugation.11 As a result,
all three positions (C5–C7) represent ideal sites for introduction of structural modifications. Herein, we describe
the synthesis and biological properties of a series of duocarmycin SA derivatives modified at these sites,
replacing all three methoxy substituents or just the central C6 methoxy group with a systematic series of
polyethylene glycol (PEG) substituents (Figure 2). Their examination revealed an additional and previously
unappreciated property of this class of compounds that contributes in a remarkably substantial and fundamental
way to their DNA alkylation capabilities and biological properties that likely has implications for other DNA
minor groove binding compounds.14
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Synthesis of 10a–e. The preparation of the derivatives began with the tosylation of the commercially
available alcohols 3a–e according to a published procedure15 to provide 4a–e in near quantitative yields
(Scheme 1). Without optimization, alkylation of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde with 4a–e afforded the desired
tri-alkylated products 5a–e as the precursors to the initial series. Treatment of the aldehydes 5a–e with methyl
2-azidoacetate and sodium methoxide provided the styryl azides 6a–e in high yield. Warming a solution of 6a–
e in xylenes initiated a Hemetsberger indole cyclization to afford 7a–e.16 The methyl esters of 7a–e were
hydrolyzed to provide the carboxylic acids 8a–e, which were subsequently coupled with the optically active
duocarmycin SA alkylation subunit 917 to provide the seco-duocarmycin SA derivatives 10a–e.
Scheme 1
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Water Solubility of 10a–e. The water solubility of the PEG modified duocarmycin SA analogs was
determined by treating samples of 10a–e with known volumes of distilled water and stirring for 40 h to ensure
saturated dissolution. The solutions were then filtered, concentrated, and the resulting samples were dried and
weighed to provide an accurate measurement of the dissolved sample (Figure 3). While the parent molecule
seco-duocarmycin SA exhibited low water solubility (0.46 mg/mL), the modified derivatives 10a–e showed
incrementally and much improved solubility. As anticipated, as the number of ethylene glycol units
incorporated into the molecules increased, the water solubility also increased. Although we were not able to
saturate an aqueous solution of 10d and 10e due to a limited supply of the products themselves, the solubility of
these compounds in water was determined to be greater than 19 mg/mL and 12 mg/mL respectively, and are
assuredly much higher due to the excellent solubility of 10c (80 mg/mL).
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Figure 3. Water solubility of seco-duocarmycin SA and 10a–e.
Biological Activity of 10a–e. Compounds 10a–e were tested for cell growth inhibition in a cytotoxic assay
traditionally used to compare members of this class, enlisting mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells (L1210, Figure
4). Incremental changes in activity were observed for compounds 10a–e, representing an approximately 10-fold
change in potency for each of the three-fold incorporations of an ethylene glycol unit into the DNA binding
subunit. Thus, compound 10a exhibited the most potent activity of the new series with an IC50 of 37 pM, being
approximately 5-fold less active than duocarmycin SA, whereas compounds 10d and 10e were the least potent
(IC50 = 35 and 370 nM, respectively). Through the series, a remarkably large 50,000-fold range in activity was
observed.
Figure 4. Cell growth inhibition activity (L1210), cLogP, and LiPE for seco-duocarmycin SA and 10a–e.
A plot of the incremental additions of the ethylene glycol units (n = 0–5) versus the –log IC50 (M) provides a
well-defined linear relationship (Figure 5). Moreover, the changes are of a remarkable magnitude, representing
10-fold changes in activity for each three-fold ethylene glycol unit introduction and a stunning 105-fold change
in IC50 values over the six compounds examined (n = 0–5).
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Figure 5. Plot of n (0–5) versus –log IC50, slope = –0.96, r2 = 0.996.
DNA Alkylation Properties of 10a–e. The reduced cell growth inhibitory activity of the compounds
against L1210 may be due to either a diminished interaction with their biological target (a reduced DNA
alkylation rate and efficiency) or the result of some other alteration of their properties. In order to define the
factors contributing to the reduced activity, the cell free DNA alkylation properties of 10a–e were examined
using procedures previously described in detail.18,19 Consistent with expectations, the DNA alkylation
selectivity observed with duocarmycin SA was unaltered by the structural modifications found in 10a–e.
However, 10a–e exhibited incrementally and substantially diminished rates and efficiencies of DNA alkylation
(2 > 10a > 10b > 10c > 10d > 10e) directly correlating with the diminished cell growth inhibition potency
(Supporting Information Figures S1 and S2). Moreover, the differences in the efficiency of cell free DNA
alkylation observed (ca. 10-fold between each derivative) are of a magnitude to suggest that they alone account
for the progressive 10-fold loss in biological activity in each iteration in the series (Figure 6).
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Figure 6. Relative DNA alkylation efficiency and binding affinity.
cLogP Correlations. Since it is unlikely that the systematic substituent changes sterically preclude DNA
minor groove binding or that they do so in such a defined incremental manner, the results suggest that it may be
the incremental increases in water solubility itself, or more appropriately compared as decreases in cLogP, that
decrease the efficiency of DNA alkylation. Presumably, this reduction is a consequence of progressively
diminished non-covalent DNA binding affinity of the derivatives, where they increasingly partition into the
aqueous buffer versus hydrophobic DNA minor groove. Although it is difficult to accurately experimentally
assess the non-covalent DNA binding properties of compounds that covalently alkylate DNA, especially those
whose range of affinities may be as large as those of 10a–e, the examination of 2, 10a, and 10b in a fluorescent
intercalator displacement (FID) assay20 provided results consistent with each displaying large incremental
differences in affinity for a typical five base-pair AT-rich alkylation site (Figure 6). It has often been observed
that the more insoluble DNA binding compounds in a series are the most effective, although we are not aware
of a study capable of systematically probing such a relationship. With the assumption that the PEG extensions
of C5–C7 methoxy substituents in duocarmycin SA do not sterically impede DNA binding incrementally, the
compounds 10a–e represent an ideal series on which to establish such a relationship. Beautifully, a direct linear
relationship between cLogP21 and –log IC50 is observed for the compounds in the series (Figure 7). Notably, the
cLogP values span the productive and perfectly acceptable range of 2.5–0.49 for seco-duocarmycin SA to 10e
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with incremental changes of approximately 0.4 and the corresponding –log IC50 values span the range of 11.2–
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6.4, representing IC50 values for the series covering a 105 range (0.008 to 370 nM).
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Figure 7. Plot of cLogP versus –log IC50, slope = 0.41, r2 = 0.998.
Another common measure used to assess the quality of compounds, to establish the extent to which the
hydrophobic properties of a compound is productively used, and to link a compound’s potency and lipophilicity
is the lipophilic efficiency (LiPE = –log IC50 – cLogP), sometimes referred to as ligand–lipophilicity efficiency
(LLE).22 By this measure, there is a clear indication of a well-defined, incrementally improved efficiency as the
lipophilic character of the compounds increase, quantifying the increasingly productive use of the hydrophobic
character of the molecules and its unmistakable magnitude (see Figure 4). Thus, the LiPE smoothly increases
across the series (10e to 2) where the –log IC50 is increasing more than the increases in cLogP. As reflected in
this LiPE measure and a feature that is especially notable in this series, the increase in cLogP in going from 10e
to 2 is not derived from added hydrophobic structure content, but rather from systematic removal of hydrophilic
components. In each stepwise removal of the hydrophilic components, the efficiency with which the
hydrophobic interactions are utilized in target engagement is increased. Moreover, this occurs within the
perfectly acceptable cLogP range of 0.49–2.5. Although there are additional parameters that also change across
this series of compounds including incremental changes in molecular weight, number of hydrogen-bond
acceptors, and polar surface area, they all also contribute to the overall composite property that make up the
cLogP.22 Since the correlation and its magnitude are also observed for the target DNA alkylation efficiency
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conducted under cell free conditions, the relationship does not appear to reflect a significant contribution from
the relative cell permeability of the compounds.23 Rather, the relationship can be accounted for and may be a
direct reflection of the compound’s interaction with the biological target itself. In fact, a plot of cLogP versus
Log (AE), where AE = the relative cell free DNA alkylation efficiency, provides an analogous linear
relationship that displays the same slope using either the data derived from densitometry measurements on the
unreacted full length DNA (Figure 8, data in Figure 6) or from the resulting cleavage band (Supporting
Information Figure S4). Just as significantly, a plot of –log IC50 versus Log (AE) displays a linear relationship
with a slope of 0.85 (r2 = 0.99, Supporting Information Figure S5), not only establishing this direct correlation
between functional activity and cell free target activity, but quantifying it as one that alone can account for
nearly all of the effects (slope of 0.85 vs 1) observed in the cell based functional assay. This is the case because
the target DNA alkylation effects are exceptionally large and outweigh any other effects of the structural
changes including the effects on permeability.23
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Figure 8. Plot of cLogP versus Log (AE), (AE = relative DNA alkylation efficiency, Fig. 6), slope = 0.48, r2 =
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Synthesis of 15a–e. As highlighted in Figure 2, the duocarmycin SA trimethoxyindole substituents at the
C6 and C7 positions extend away from DNA, indicating that modifications at these sites cannot sterically
impede target binding, whereas those at C5 lie at a peripheral site at the end of the drug-bound DNA complex.
Unlike the C6 and C7 sites, substituents or even additional DNA binding subunits attached at the C5 site impact
target binding and have been used to enhance, not diminish, DNA binding and biological potency. As a result,
the C5 PEG substitution in 10a–e would not be expected to sterically impede the behavior of the initial series
nor would they be expected to do so in an incremental manner. However and because the preceding results were
so stunning, we decided to establish whether the modifications at C5 in the 10a–e series were contributing to or
responsible for the observed effects. The series most easily accessible and ideal for the study is 15a–e, where
the systematic PEG modification is carried out at a single site (C6) central to the location of the three methoxy
groups. Not only is this the least intrusive of the three sites (C5–C7), but it is the easiest of the three sites to
selectively modify. Thus, alkylation of the symmetrical 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde with 4a–e
afforded the desired alkylated products 11a–e as the precursors to this second series (Scheme 2). Treatment of
aldehydes 11a–e with methyl 2-azidoacetate and sodium methoxide provided the cinnamate azides 12a–e,
which were subsequently warmed in xylenes to initiate the Hemetsberger indole cyclization to afford 13a–e.
The methyl esters were hydrolyzed to provide the carboxylic acids 14a–e, which were subsequently coupled
with the duocarmycin SA alkylation subunit 917 to provide the seco-duocarmycin SA derivatives 15a–e.
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Scheme 2
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Biological Activity of 15a–e. The series of compounds 15a–e was tested for cell growth inhibition,
enlisting mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells (L1210, Figure 9). Like the observations made with 10a–e,
incremental changes in activity were observed for compounds 15a–e, albeit representing smaller losses in
potency for the sequential incorporations of an ethylene glycol unit since each stepwise structural change is
much smaller. Compound 15a exhibited the most potent activity of the new series with an IC50 of 18 pM, being
approximately 2-fold less active than duocarmycin SA, whereas compound 15e was the least potent (IC50 = 250
pM), experiencing a 30-fold loss in activity.
Figure 9. Cell growth inhibition activity (L1210), cLogP, and LiPE for 15a–e.
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cLogP Correlation Including 15a–e. The incorporation of the data for 15a–e into the plot of cLogP versus
–log IC50 revealed that the series conformed to its expectations, indicating the generality of the observations,
confirming that the C5 modifications to the original 10a–e series were not responsible for the observed trends,
and representing a target non-obtrusive series that experiences smaller incremental losses in activity with each
single ethylene glycol subunit introduction. These observations were further generalized by examination of
15a–e and 2 in a second tumor cell line, HCT116 (human colorectal cancer), where the series was found to
exhibit an analogous direct linear relationship between cLogP and –log IC50 (Supporting Information Table S1
and Figure S3, r2 = 0.98).
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Figure 10. Plot of cLogP versus –log IC50 including 15a–e (red), slope = 0.43, r2 = 0.98.
Finally and despite this iterative loss in activity in both series, it is worth noting that the compounds
examined are still extraordinarily potent. Up to six ethylene glycol units can be incorporated and still provide
derivatives with IC50 values of approximately 250 pM or less and the incorporation of nine ethylene glycol units
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can still provide derivatives with single digit nM IC50 values. Thus, such modifications can be used to alter
properties including solubility while still maintaining predictable and remarkable biological potencies.
Hydrophobic Binding-Driven-Bonding. As the properties of this class of molecules were first being
defined, we often referred to the DNA alkylation reaction by this class of molecules as “hydrophobic binding-
driven-bonding”,2h,24 reflecting a recognition of the dominance of the hydrophobic interactions in stabilizing
their non-covalent complex with DNA that in turn drives and stabilizes the potentially reversible alkylation
reaction that is not observed outside the structure of duplex DNA. Although the source of catalysis5 for the
DNA alkylation reaction was not recognized at the time and the reversibility of the reaction was only
demonstrated many years later,25 the results herein define and quantitate the fundamental role that the
hydrophobic character of the molecules plays in both driving the intrinsically reversible DNA alkylation
reaction and in the expression of their biological properties and establish the extraordinary magnitude of its
effect.
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Preceding studies have (1) shown that the DNA binding subunits control of the non-covalent minor groove
binding selectivity and defined its impact on the resulting DNA alkylation selectivity,2,5,26 (2) characterized the
importance of the vinylogous amide stabilization of the alkylation subunit and delineated the role that the DNA
binding subunits play in its DNA binding-induced disruption and catalysis of the alkylation reaction,5-7 (3)
identified alkylation subunit structural features that can markedly influence its intrinsic reactivity and impose
stereoelectronic control on its reaction regioselectivity,9,27 (4) discovered the subtle impact of strategically
placed substituents,28 and (5) delineated a fundamental relationship between the alkylation subunit intrinsic
reactivity and biological potency.29 Herein, we define yet another fundamental property that Nature has
integrated into their structures that profoundly influences their cell free DNA alkylation efficiency and
functional activity.
CONCLUSION
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A series of PEG-derivatized duocarmycin SA analogs were examined that demonstrated progressively
increasing and ultimately excellent water solubility, and progressively diminished cell growth inhibition and
DNA alkylation properties. The changes across the initial series examined (10a–e) are of a remarkable
magnitude, representing 10-fold reductions in biological activity for each three-fold ethylene glycol unit
introduction and providing an extraordinary 105-fold change in IC50 values over the series. A direct linear
relationship between cLogP and –log IC50 (cell growth inhibition) and –Log AE (AE = cell free DNA alkylation
efficiency) is observed for the compounds in the series where the cLogP values span the productive and
effective range of 2.5–0.49 with incremental changes of approximately 0.4, and the –log IC50 values span the
range of 11.2–6.4, representing IC50 values for the series covering a 105 range (0.008 to 370 nM). A second
series (15a–e), entailing smaller stepwise PEG incorporations at a single site incapable of sterically impeding an
interaction with the biological target, exhibit identical qualitative and quantitative trends, establish the
generality of the observations, and rule out substituent effects unique to substitution at the C5 site. The results
of the combined series define and quantitate a fundamental role that the hydrophobic character of the molecules
play in the expression of the biological activity of members in this class, driving the intrinsically reversible
DNA alkylation reaction (hydrophobic binding-driven-bonding), and define the stunning magnitude of its
effect. In addition to providing a predicable relationship on which to design duocarmycin analogs, the
implications of the observations likely extend to other classes of minor groove DNA binding compounds, and
the approach may represent a general design protocol by which to assess the importance of hydrophobic
properties in driving other small molecule/target interactions. Finally, it is remarkable to recognize that, more
than 30 years after the discovery of the initial member of this class of natural products and despite the extensive
efforts to date, there are still unrecognized fundamental structural features integrated in the natural product
structures that are integral to the expression of their biological properties.
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EXPERIMENTAL SECTION
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General. Reagents and solvents were purchased reagent-grade and used without further purification. THF
was freshly distilled from sodium benzophenone ketyl. All reactions were performed in oven-dried glassware
under an Ar atmosphere. Evaporation and concentration in vacuo was performed at 20 °C. TLC was conducted
using precoated SiO2 60 F254 glass plates from EMD with visualization by UV light (254 or 366 nm). Optical
rotations were determined on a Rudolf Research Analytical Autopol III Automatic Polarimeter (λ = 589 nm, 25
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13
°C). NMR (1H or C) were recorded on Bruker DRX-500 and DRX-600 NMP spectrophotometers at 298K.
Residual solvent peaks were used as an internal reference. Coupling constants (J) (H,H) are given in Hz.
Coupling patterns are designated as singlet (s), doublet (d), triplet (t), quadruplet (q), multiplet (m), or broad
singlet (br). IR spectra were recorded on a Thermo Scientific Nicolet 380 FT-IR spectrophotometer and
measured neat. High resolution mass spectral data were acquired on an Agilent Technologies high resolution
LC/MSD-TOF, and the detected masses are given as m/z with m representing the molecular ion. The purity of
each tested compound (>95%) was determined on an Agilent 1100 LC/MS instrument using a ZORBAX SB-
C18 column (3.5 mm, 4.6 mm × 50 mm, with a flow rate of 0.75 mL/min and detection at 220 and 254 nm)
with a 10−98% acetonitrile/water/0.1% formic acid gradient.
Compounds 4a–e.13 A solution of NaOH (686 mg, 17.2 mmol) and alcohol (3a, 12.0 mmol) in 1:1
THF:H2O (8 mL) at 0 °C was treated with a solution of TsCl (2.13 g, 11.2 mmol) in 4 mL of THF. The solution
was stirred at 0 °C for 8 h, after which the reaction mixture was poured into ice-water. The water mixture was
extracted with ethyl acetate (×2), and the combined organic extracts were washed with saturated aqueous NaCl,
1
dried (Na2SO4), and concentrated to provide 4a (1.94 g, 70%): H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.81 (d, J =
7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 4.15 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.55 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (s, 3H), 2.46 (s,
3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 146.8, 135.3, 131.8, 129.7, 71.5, 71.4, 59.7, 22.5; IR (film) max 2892,
1
1597 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 231.0690 (M+H+, C10H14O4S requires 231.0686). For 4b: (2.72 g, 83%); H
NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.81 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.65
13
(t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.51 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (t, J = 3.9 Hz, 2H), 3.26 (s, 3H), 2.46 (s, 3H); C NMR
(acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 146.7, 135.3, 131.8, 129.7, 73.5, 72.0, 71.6, 70.2, 59.8, 22.5; IR (film) max 2879, 1598
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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 275.0957 (M+H+, C12H18O5S requires 275.0948). For 4c: (3.34 g, 87%); H NMR
(acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.82 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.66 (t, J =
3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.53–3.50 (m, 6H), 3.45 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 2.46 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150
MHz) δ 146.7, 135.3, 131.8, 129.7, 73.6, 72.2, 72.1, 72.0, 71.6, 70.2, 59.8, 22.5; IR (film) max 2872, 1598 cm–
1
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1
1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 319.1217 (M+H+, C14H22O6S requires 319.1210). For 4d: (4.30 g, 99%); H NMR
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(acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.82 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.66 (t, J =
3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.56–3.50 (m, 10H), 3.46 (t, J = 3.0 Hz, 2H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 2.46 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150
MHz) δ 146.7, 135.3, 131.8, 129.7, 73.6, 72.21, 72.17, 72.1, 72.0, 71.7, 70.2, 59.7, 22.5; IR (film)
2874,
max
1
1597 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 363.1466 (M+H+, C16H26O7S requires 363.1472). For 4e: (4.81 g, 98%); H
NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.82 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 3.67
(t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.58–3.50 (m, 14H), 3.46 (t, J = 3.6 Hz, 2H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 2.46 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-
d6, 150 MHz) δ 146.7, 135.3, 131.8, 129.7, 73.6, 72.21, 72.16, 72.1, 72.0, 71.7, 70.2, 59.8, 22.5; IR (film)
max
2873, 1597 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 407.1732 (M+H+, C18H30O8S requires 407.1730).
Compounds 5a–e. A solution of 4a (1.94 g, 8.42 mmol) and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde (433 mg, 2.81
mmol) in acetone (14 mL) was treated with K2CO3 (1.94 g, 14.0 mmol) and warmed at 65 °C for 40 h. The
reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with H2O and saturated aqueous NaCl, and dried
(Na2SO4). The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was purified by flash
1
chromatography (SiO2, 50% EtOAc/hexanes) to afford 5a as a colorless oil (205 mg, 22%): H NMR (acetone-
d6, 600 MHz) δ 9.87 (s, 1H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 4.26–4.20 (m, 6H), 3.76 (t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4H), 3.68 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H),
3.38 (s, 6H), 3.35 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 192.6, 155.0, 145.6, 133.8, 110.1, 74.1, 73.5,
72.6, 70.6, 59.9, 59.7; IR (film)
2929, 2882, 2820, 1690, 1582 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 329.1595
max
(M+H+, C16H24O7 requires 329.1595). For 5b: (344 mg, 23%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 9.87 (s, 1H),
7.26 (s, 2H), 4.27–4.23 (m, 6H), 3.86 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.78 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.68 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.65
13
(t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 3.51 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 4H), 3.48 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (s, 6H), 3.29 (s, 3H); C NMR
(acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 192.6, 155.0, 145.8, 133.8, 110.3, 74.3, 73.7, 72.3, 72.2, 72.0, 71.2, 70.8, 59.8; IR
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(film)
2875, 1690, 1582 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 461.2379 (M+H+, C22H36O10 requires 461.2381). For
max
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6
7
8
5c: (402 mg, 19%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 9.87 (s, 1H), 7.26 (s, 2H), 4.27–4.18 (m, 6H), 3.88–3.83
(m, 4H), 3.80–3.76 (m, 2H), 3.69–3.64 (m, 6H), 3.62–3.54 (m, 12H), 3.48–3.44 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); 13C NMR
(acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 192.6, 155.0, 144.9, 133.8, 110.3, 74.3, 74.2, 73.6, 72.4, 72.32, 72.30, 72.28, 72.21,
9
72.20, 72.07, 72.05, 71.4, 71.3, 70.8, 70.7, 59.8; IR (film)
2872, 1689, 1580 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z
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max
593.3165 (M+H+, C28H48O13 requires 593.3168). For 5d: (144 mg, 49%); H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ
9.87 (s, 1H), 7.27 (s, 2H), 4.28–4.19 (m, 6H), 3.89–3.83 (m, 4H), 3.81–3.76 (m, 2H), 3.69–3.64 (m, 6H), 3.63–
3.54 (m, 24H), 3.48–3.44 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 192.7, 155.0, 144.9, 133.8,
110.3, 74.5, 74.3, 74.2, 73.6, 72.4, 72.3, 72.24, 72.21, 72.1, 72.03, 71.97, 71.34, 71.26, 70.8, 70.7, 59.8; IR
(film) max 2870, 1689, 1581 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 725.3951 (M+H+, C34H60O16 requires 725.3954). For
5e: (149 mg, 39%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 9.88 (s, 1H), 7.27 (s, 2H), 4.28–4.19 (m, 6H), 3.89–3.83
(m, 4H), 3.81–3.77 (m, 2H), 3.70–3.65 (m, 6H), 3.64–3.55 (m, 36H), 3.47–3.44 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); 13C NMR
(acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 192.7, 155.0, 145.7, 133.8, 110.3, 74.3, 74.2, 73.6, 73.5, 72.4, 72.3, 72.2, 72.0, 71.9,
1
71.33, 71.26, 70.8, 70.7, 59.8; IR (film)
C40H72O19 requires 857.4740).
2871, 1688, 1579 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 857.4734 (M+H+,
max
Compounds 6a–e. A solution of 5a (105 mg, 0.320 mmol) and methyl 2-azidoacetate (0.312 mL, 3.20
mmol) in MeOH (6.0 mL) at 0 °C was treated with NaOMe (138 mg, 2.56 mmol). The solution was stirred for
4 h at 0 °C, after which the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with H2O and saturated
aqueous NaCl, and dried (Na2SO4). The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by flash
1
chromatography (SiO2, 100% EtOAc) to afford 6a as a colorless oil (84 mg, 62%): H NMR (acetone-d6, 600
MHz) δ 7.28 (s, 2H), 6.88 (s, 1H), 4.20–4.14 (m, 6H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.74 (t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4H), 3.66 (t, J = 4.4 Hz,
13
2H), 3.38 (s, 6H), 3.35 (s, 3H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 165.5, 154.3, 141.8, 130.3, 127.1, 126.2,
112.1, 74.0, 73.5, 72.7, 70.6, 60.0, 59.7, 54.2; IR (film)
2927, 2881, 1712, 1618, 1573 cm–1; ESI-TOF
max
HRMS m/z 426.1861 (M+H+, C19H27N3O8 requires 426.1871). For 6b: (265 mg, 64%); H NMR (acetone-d6,
1
600 MHz) δ 7.28 (s, 2H), 6.88 (s, 1H), 4.20–4.16 (m, 6H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.83 (t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4H), 3.76 (t, J = 4.4
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Hz, 2H), 3.69–3.64 (m, 6H), 3.52–3.47 (m, 6H), 3.30 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 165.5, 154.3,
141.8, 130.2, 127.1, 126.1, 112.2, 74.2, 73.7, 72.2, 72.0, 71.3, 70.8, 59.8, 54.2; IR (film) max 2874, 1712, 1618,
1573 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 558.2648 (M+H+, C25H39N3O11 requires 558.2657). For 6c: (140 mg, 30%);
1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.29 (s, 2H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 4.22–4.18 (m, 6H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.86–3.83 (m,
1
2
3
4
5
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7
8
9
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4H), 3.79–3.76 (m, 2H), 3.70–3.64 (m, 6H), 3.61–3.56 (m, 12H), 3.49–3.45 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); C NMR
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(acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 165.5, 154.3, 141.8, 130.2, 127.1, 126.1, 112.2, 74.2, 73.6, 72.4, 72.30, 72.28, 72.26,
72.2, 72.07, 72.06, 71.3, 70.8, 59.8, 54.2; IR (film)
2873, 1712, 1619, 1575 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z
max
690.3461 (M+H+, C31H51N3O14 requires 690.3444). For 6d: (26.5 mg, 38%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ
7.30 (s, 2H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 4.22–4.18 (m, 6H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.88–3.83 (m, 4H), 3.79–3.76 (m, 2H), 3.71–3.65
(m, 6H), 3.63–3.54 (m, 24H), 3.48–3.45 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 165.5, 154.3,
141.6, 130.3, 127.1, 126.2, 112.1, 74.2, 73.6, 72.4, 72.3, 72.24, 72.20, 72.17, 72.15, 72.11, 72.03, 72.02, 71.3,
70.7, 59.8, 54.2; IR (film)
2871, 1713, 1577 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 822.4229 (M+H+, C37H63N3O17
max
1
requires 822.4230). For 6e: (22.0 mg, 26%); H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 7.30 (s, 2H), 6.90 (s, 1H),
4.23–4.19 (m, 6H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.88–3.84 (m, 4H), 3.79–3.76 (m, 2H), 3.71–3.65 (m, 6H), 3.63–3.52 (m,
13
36H), 3.48–3.45 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 165.6, 154.3, 141.7, 130.2, 127.1,
126.2, 112.2, 74.2, 73.6, 72.4, 72.33, 72.28, 72.25, 72.23, 72.21, 72.0, 71.4, 70.8, 59.8, 54.2; IR (film)
max
2870, 1714, 1579 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 976.4808 (M+Na+, C43H75N3O20 requires 976.4836).
Compounds 7a–e. A solution of 6a (84 mg, 0.197 mmol) in xylenes (10 mL) was warmed at 140 °C for 6
h, then loaded directly onto a silica gel column. The xylenes was eluted with hexanes, and then the residue was
purified (100% EtOAc) to afford 7a (73.6 mg, 94%): 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 10.66 (s, 1H), 7.06 (s,
1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 4.32 (m, 2H), 4.19 (m, 2H), 4.14 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.75 (m, 4H), 3.70 (m, 2H), 3.50 (s,
13
3H), 3.39 (s, 3H), 3.38 (s, 3H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.4, 151.0, 142.5, 140.2, 129.5, 129.0,
125.1, 110.1, 102.0, 75.1, 74.7, 73.7, 73.5, 72.8, 70.6, 59.9, 59.7, 52.9; IR (film)
2927, 2880, 1707, 1536
max
cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 398.1809 (M+H+, C19H27NO8 requires 398.1809). For 7b: (250 mg, 99%); 1H NMR
(acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 10.42 (s, 1H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 4.36 (m, 2H), 4.22 (m, 2H), 4.15 (m, 2H),
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3.87 (s, 3H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 3.82–3.78 (m, 4H), 3.74 (m, 2H), 3.68-3.63 (m, 6H), 3.51 (m, 4H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.30
(s, 6H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.4, 151.1, 142.4, 140.1, 129.6, 129.0, 125.1, 110.3, 101.8, 75.0,
1
2
3
4
5
6
74.8, 73.72, 73.70, 73.4, 72.2, 72.1, 72.03, 72.01, 71.4, 70.7, 59.82, 59.78, 52.9; IR (film)
2877, 1711,
max
7
8
9
1536 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 530.2588 (M+H+, C25H39NO11 requires 530.2596). For 7c: (129 mg, 96%); 1H
NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 10.48 (s, 1H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 4.37 (m, 2H), 4.23 (m, 2H), 4.16 (m,
2H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.86 (m, 2H), 3.81 (m, 2H), 3.74 (m, 4H), 3.72–3.66 (m, 4H), 3.62-3.56 (m, 12H), 3.46 (m,
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45
46
47
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59
60
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6H), 3.28 (s, 9H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.4, 151.1, 142.4, 140.1, 129.6, 129.0, 125.1, 110.2,
101.9, 75.0, 74.8, 73.7, 73.6, 72.43, 72.40, 72.33, 72.31, 72.29, 72.2, 72.1, 72.04, 72.00, 71.4, 70.8, 59.8, 59.7,
52.9; IR (film)
2875, 1710, 1536 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 662.3360 (M+H+, C31H51NO14 requires
max
662.3382). For 7d: (22.6 mg, 88%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 10.53 (s, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H),
4.37 (m, 2H), 4.24 (m, 2H), 4.17 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.86 (m, 2H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.75 (m, 4H), 3.72–3.66 (m,
13
4H), 3.62–3.54 (m, 24H), 3.46 (m, 6H), 3.27 (s, 9H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.4, 151.1, 142.4,
140.1, 129.6, 129.0, 125.1, 110.2, 101.8, 75.1, 74.8, 73.62, 73.59, 72.41, 72.38, 72.32, 72.29, 72.24, 72.20,
72.17, 72.15, 72.1, 72.03, 72.00, 71.4, 70.7, 59.8, 59.7, 52.9; IR (film)
2872, 1710, 1582 cm–1; ESI-TOF
max
1
HRMS m/z 794.4159 (M+H+, C37H63NO17 requires 794.4169). For 7e: (20.0 mg, 93%); H NMR (acetone-d6,
600 MHz) δ 10.54 (s, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 4.37 (m, 2H), 4.24 (m, 2H), 4.17 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H),
3.86 (m, 2H), 3.81 (m, 2H), 3.75 (m, 4H), 3.72–3.66 (m, 4H), 3.62–3.52 (m, 36H), 3.46 (m, 6H), 3.28 (s, 9H);
13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.4, 151.1, 142.4, 140.1, 129.6, 129.0, 125.1, 110.2, 101.8, 75.1, 74.8,
73.6, 72.41, 72.39, 72.32, 72.30, 72.27, 72.24, 72.21, 72.16, 72.03, 72.00, 71.4, 70.7, 59.8, 59.7, 52.9; IR (film)
max 2872, 1711, 1584 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 926.4936 (M+H+, C43H75NO20 requires 926.4955).
Compounds 8a–e. A solution of 7a (78 mg, 0.197 mmol) in 3:2:1 THF:MeOH:H2O (4.0 mL) was treated
with LiOH (23.6 mg, 0.985 mmol) and was stirred for 16 h at room temperature. The reaction mixture was
diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with 0.1 M HCl, H2O, and saturated aqueous NaCl, and dried (Na2SO4). The
1
solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford 8a as a white solid (66.4 mg, 88%): H NMR
(acetone-d6, 500 MHz) δ 10.66 (s, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 4.33 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 4.22–
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4.18 (m, 4H), 4.15 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 3.77–3.73 (m, 6H), 3.71 (t, J = 5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.49 (s, 3H), 3.40 (s, 3H),
1
2
3
13
3.38 (s, 3H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 125 MHz) δ 163.8, 151.0, 142.4, 140.1, 129.6, 129.5, 125.3, 110.1, 102.1,
4
5
6
7
8
9
75.1, 74.7, 73.7, 73.5, 72.8, 72.7, 70.6, 59.9, 59.7; IR (film) max 3407, 2927, 1676, 1537 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS
m/z 384.1650 (M+H+, C18H25NO8 requires 384.1653). For 8b: (219 mg, 89%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 500 MHz)
δ 10.54 (s, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 4.37 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 4.23 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t,
J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 3.87–3.83 (m, 2H), 3.81 (t, J = 5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.74–3.67 (m, 4H), 3.63–3.56 (m, 6H), 3.48–3.44
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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22
23
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28
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37
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45
46
47
48
49
50
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52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
13
(m, 4H), 3.282 (s, 3H), 3.280 (s, 3H), 3.26 (s, 3H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 125 MHz) δ 163.9, 150.9, 142.2,
140.1, 129.7, 129.5, 125.2, 110.3, 101.9, 74.9, 74.8, 73.62, 73.55, 72.4, 72.3, 72.24, 72.19, 72.04, 72.00, 71.9,
71.4, 70.8, 59.8, 59.7; IR (film)
3420, 2875, 1701, 1538 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 516.2440 (M+H+,
max
C24H37NO11 requires 516.2439). For 8c: (120 mg, 92%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 10.60 (s, 1H), 7.08
(d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 4.37 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.23 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H),
3.87–3.83 (m, 2H), 3.81 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.76–3.66 (m, 10H), 3.63–3.55 (m, 12H), 3.48–3.44 (m, 4H), 3.29
(s, 3H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 3.26 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.9, 150.9, 142.1, 140.0, 129.7, 129.5,
125.2, 110.2, 101.8, 74.9, 74.8, 73.6, 73.5, 72.4, 72.33, 72.25, 72.24, 72.21, 72.16, 72.14, 72.02, 71.99, 71.97,
71.9, 71.4, 71.3, 71.2, 70.8, 59.8, 59.7; IR (film)
3390, 2874, 1701, 1539 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z
max
1
648.3232 (M+H+, C30H49NO14 requires 648.3226). For 8d: (21 mg, 97%); H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ
10.47 (s, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 4.38 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.23 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J
= 4.2 Hz, 2H), 3.87–3.81 (m, 4H), 3.74–3.68 (m, 4H), 3.63–3.54 (m, 24H), 3.48–3.44 (m, 4H), 3.28 (s, 6H),
13
3.27 (s, 3H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 165.0, 150.9, 142.1, 140.1, 129.4, 129.3, 125.3, 110.0, 101.9,
75.0, 74.8, 73.6, 73.5, 72.40, 72.38, 72.33, 72.30, 72.29, 72.20, 72.15, 72.12, 72.09, 72.03, 71.93, 70.8, 59.8; IR
(film)
3408, 2874, 1692, 1539 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 780.3996 (M+H+, C36H61NO17 requires
max
780.4012). For 8e: (19.7 mg, 98%); 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 10.50 (s, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H),
6.96 (s, 1H), 4.38 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.25 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 3.87–3.83 (m, 4H), 3.74–
13
3.68 (m, 4H), 3.63–3.55 (m, 36H), 3.47–3.44 (m, 4H), 3.2 (s, 9H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 164.8,
150.8, 142.3, 140.1, 129.31, 129.3, 125.3, 110.3, 101.9, 75.0, 74.4, 73.6, 73.5, 72.41, 72.39, 72.3, 72.24, 72.21,
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72.14, 72.13, 72.09, 72.07, 72.03, 71.98, 71.9, 71.5, 71.4, 71.34, 71.28, 70.8, 59.8; IR (film)
1582 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 912.4777 (M+H+, C42H73NO20 requires 780.4012).
3400, 2874,
max
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Compounds 10a–e. A solution of 8a (33.2 mg, 0.0866 mmol), 9 (38.5 mg, 0.0866 mmol), and EDCI (49.8
mg, 0.260 mmol) in DMF (2.0 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was diluted
with ethyl acetate, washed with aqueous 1 M HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO3, H2O, and saturated aqueous
NaCl, and dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by
flash chromatography (SiO2) to provide 10a as a yellow solid (22.8 mg, 41%): 1H NMR (acetone-d6, 500 MHz)
δ 10.69 (s, 1H), 10.53 (s, 1H), 8.92 (s, 1H), 8.04 (s, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.01
(s, 1H), 4.78 (t, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J = 11, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 4.36 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 4.21–4.15 (m, 6H), 3.91
(t, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.78–3.71 (m, 6H), 3.54 (s, 3H), 3.41 (s, 3H), 3.39 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-
d6, 125 MHz) δ 163.3, 161.2, 150.8, 145.5, 142.1, 140.9, 140.0, 133.0, 130.4, 128.1, 127.8, 126.3, 125.9, 115.3,
107.8, 107.6, 103.1, 102.3, 75.2, 74.7, 73.7, 73.6, 72.9, 70.7, 60.1, 60.0, 59.8, 56.7, 53.1, 49.0, 44.8; IR (film)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
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27
28
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31
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33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
3228, 2923, 2882, 1711, 1587 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 646.2153 (M+H+, C31H36ClN3O10 requires
max
1
646.2162). For 10b: (26.1 mg, 43%); H NMR (acetone-d6, 500 MHz) δ 10.70 (s, 1H), 10.28 (s, 1H), 8.93 (s,
1H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (s, 1H), 4.77 (t, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.59
(dd, J = 11, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 4.39 (t, J = 4.5 Hz, 2H), 4.24–4.14 (m, 6H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.86 (t, J = 5.0 Hz, 2H), 3.81
(q, J = 5.5 Hz, 4H), 3.75 (t, J = 5.5 Hz, 2H), 3.72–3.64 (m, 6H), 3.54–3.51 (m, 4H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.30 (s, 3H),
13
3.28 (s, 3H); C NMR (acetone-d6, 125 MHz) δ 163.3, 161.3, 150.9, 145.5, 142.0, 140.8, 139.9, 133.0, 130.4,
128.1, 127.8, 126.3, 125.7, 115.3, 107.8, 107.6, 103.1, 102.1, 75.1, 74.8, 73.7, 73.5, 72.23, 72.17, 72.13, 72.07,
71.5, 70.8, 59.8, 56.8, 53.1, 49.0, 44.8; IR (film) max 3239, 2922, 2883, 1714, 1612 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z
1
800.2770 (M+Na+, C37H48ClN3O13 requires 800.2768). For 10c: (64.6 mg, 45%); H NMR (acetone-d6, 600
MHz) δ 10.77 (s, 1H), 10.37 (s, 1H), 9.05 (s, 1H), 8.04 (s, 1H), 7.26 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J = 2.4 Hz,
1H), 7.00 (s, 1H), 4.76 (t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.57 (dd, J = 10.2, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 4.39 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.24–4.13
(m, 6H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.87–3.79 (m, 7H), 3.76 (m, 2H), 3.69 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.65–3.57 (m, 14H), 3.48 (t, J
= 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.30 (s, 3H), 3.29 (s, 3H), 3.22 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.3, 161.3, 150.8,
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145.5, 141.9, 140.8, 139.8, 132.9, 130.3, 128.1, 127.8, 126.2, 125.7, 115.3, 107.8, 107.7, 103.1, 102.0, 75.1,
74.8, 73.64, 73.63, 73.5, 72.4, 72.29, 72.26, 72.2, 72.07, 72.06, 72.04, 71.96, 71.4, 70.8, 59.8, 56.7, 53.1, 48.9,
44.7; IR (film) max 3256, 2924, 2878, 1713, 1613 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 910.3701 (M+H+, C43H60ClN3O16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
requires 910.3735). For 10d: (4.5 mg, 14%); H NMR (acetone-d6, 600 MHz) δ 11.00 (s, 1H), 10.37 (s, 1H),
9
9.16 (br s, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.27 (s, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 4.79 (t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J =
10.2, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 4.40 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.26–4.16 (m, 6H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.87–3.79 (m, 7H), 3.76–3.70 (m,
6H), 3.65–3.55 (m, 26H), 3.47 (m, 4H), 3.29 (s, 3H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 3.22 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (acetone-d6, 150
MHz) δ 163.4, 161.2, 150.7, 145.6, 141.8, 140.8, 139.9, 133.1, 130.3, 128.1, 127.9, 126.2, 125.8, 115.1, 107.7,
107.6, 103.1, 102.1, 75.2, 74.9, 73.6, 73.5, 72.7, 72.6, 72.4, 72.3, 72.22, 72.19, 72.04, 71.97, 71.9, 71.8, 71.42,
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
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23
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25
26
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38
39
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41
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47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
71.37, 71.2, 70.8, 59.8, 56.7, 53.1, 49.0, 44.8; IR (film)
3260, 2921, 2874, 1716, 1617 cm–1; ESI-TOF
max
HRMS m/z 1042.4492 (M+H+, C49H72ClN3O19 requires 1042.4521). For 10e: (3.0 mg, 12%); 1H NMR (acetone-
d6, 600 MHz) δ 11.06 (s, 1H), 10.37 (s, 1H), 9.32 (br s, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.27 (s, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 7.04 (s,
1H), 4.79 (t, J = 9.6 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J = 10.2, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 4.40 (t, J = 4.2 Hz, 2H), 4.27–4.16 (m, 6H), 3.90
(s, 3H), 3.86–3.79 (m, 7H), 3.71–3.54 (m, 44H), 3.45 (m, 4H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 3.25 (s, 3H); 13C NMR
(acetone-d6, 150 MHz) δ 163.4, 161.3, 150.7, 145.7, 141.8, 140.8, 139.9, 133.0, 130.3, 128.1, 127.9, 126.2,
125.8, 115.1, 107.7, 107.6, 103.1, 102.1, 75.1, 74.9, 73.6, 73.5, 72.36, 72.35, 72.34, 72.30, 72.28, 72.26, 72.25,
72.21, 72.19, 72.18, 72.16, 72.15, 72.10, 72.06, 72.02, 72.00, 71.9, 71.4, 70.8, 59.8, 56.7, 53.0, 49.0, 44.8; IR
(film)
1174.5307).
3245, 2869, 1712, 1617 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 1174.5289 (M+H+, C55H84ClN3O22 requires
max
Compounds 11a-e. A solution of 4a (277 mg, 1.20 mmol) and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde
(182 mg, 1.00 mmol) in DMF (3.3 mL) was treated with Cs2CO3 (326 mg, 1.00 mmol) and the reaction mixture
was warmed at 160 °C for 20 min under microwave irradiation. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured
into water, extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with saturated aqueous NaCl and dried over Na2SO4. The
solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was purified by flash
1
chromatography (SiO2)to afford 11a as a colorless oil (187 mg, 78%): H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.85 (s,
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1H), 7.11 (s, 2H), 4.21 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.90 (s, 6H), 3.71 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3,
100 MHz) δ 190.6, 153.3, 142.0, 131.4, 106.1, 71.7, 71.3, 58.4, 55.7; IR (film) νmax 2934, 1691, 1588, 1462,
1329, 1120, 1035 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 241.1080 (M+H+, C12H16O5 requires 241.1076). For 11b: (220
mg, 73%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.85 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 2H), 4.25 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.90 (s, 6H), 3.81
(t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.69 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.54 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.35 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz)
δ 190.7, 153.3, 142.2, 131.4, 106.2, 71.9, 71.5, 70.1, 70.0, 58.6, 55.8; IR (film) νmax 2941, 1691, 1587, 1462,
1423, 1328, 1126, 1038 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 285.1335 (M+H+, C14H20O6 requires 285.1333). For 11c:
(230 mg, 83%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.80 (s, 1H), 7.04 (s, 2H), 4.17 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.90 (s, 6H),
3.81 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.73 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.64 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.54–3.60 (m, 4H), 3.46 (t, J = 4.8 Hz,
2H), 3.29 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 190.9, 153.5, 142.4, 131.5, 106.4, 72.1, 71.6, 70.4, 70.3, 70.2,
70.1, 58.7, 56.0; IR (film) νmax 2872, 1688, 1496, 1459, 1422, 1325, 1118, 1033 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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23
24
25
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27
28
29
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31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
1
329.1584 (M+H+, C16H24O7 requires 329.1595). For 11d: (580 mg, 78%); H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.78
(s, 1H), 7.04 (s, 2H), 4.16 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.83 (s, 6H), 3.73 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.62 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H),
13
3.52-3.60 (m, 8H), 3.44 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.27 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 190.9, 153.5, 142.4,
131.5, 106.4, 72.1, 71.6, 70.4, 70.3, 70.2, 70.1, 58.8, 56.0; IR (film) νmax 2870, 1689, 1584, 1460, 1422, 1325,
1229, 1119, 1033 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 373.1865 (M+H+, C18H28O8 requires 373.1857). For 11e: (280
mg, 72%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.84 (s, 1H), 7.09 (s, 2H), 4.22 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.89 (s, 6H), 3.79
13
(t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.68 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.58–3.66 (m, 12H), 3.52 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H); C
NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 191.0, 153.7, 142.6, 131.7, 106.6, 72.3, 71.8, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 58.9, 56.2; IR
(film) νmax 2869, 1689, 1585, 1496, 1460, 1326, 1119, 1034 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 417.2123 (M+H+,
C20H32O9 requires 417.2119).
Compounds 13a-e. A solution of 11a (132 mg, 0.55 mmol) and methyl 2-azidoacetate (632 mg, 5.50
mmol) in MeOH (2.75 mL) at 0 °C was treated with NaOMe (4.4 M in MeOH, 1.0 ml, 4.4 mmol). The solution
was stirred for 3 h at 0 °C, after which the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with water
and saturated aqueous NaCl, and dried over Na2SO4. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to
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afford crude 12a. The crude material 12a was dissolved in xylenes (10 mL), warmed at 140 °C for 12 h, then
1
2
3
loaded directly onto a silica gel column. The xylenes was eluted with hexane, and then the residue was purified
4
5
6
1
by flash chromatography to afford 13a as a colorless oil (93 mg, 55%): H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.09 (s,
7
8
1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 4.20 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 3.92 (s, 3H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.75 (t, J = 4.8
9
13
Hz, 2H), 3.46 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 162.1, 150.2, 139.3, 139.1, 126.7, 126.5, 123.1, 108.7,
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
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36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
97.5, 72.6, 71.7, 61.2, 58.9, 56.1, 51.8; IR (film) νmax 3302, 2932, 1701, 1570, 1493, 1300, 1220, 1198, 1110,
1058 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 310.1295 (M+H+, C15H19NO6 requires 310.1291). For 13b: (120 mg, 51%); 1H
NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 8.98 (s, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 4.21 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.08 (s, 3H), 3.91
(s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.83 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.72 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.58 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.38 (s, 3H); 13C
NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 162.1, 150.2, 139.2, 139.1, 126.7, 126.5, 123.0, 108.7, 97.5, 72.7, 71.9, 70.4, 70.3,
61.3, 59.0, 56.1, 51.8; IR (film) νmax 3305, 2934, 1702, 1537, 1496, 1302, 1223, 1196, 1108, 1055 cm–1; ESI-
1
TOF HRMS m/z 354.1549 (M+H+, C17H23NO7 requires 354.1547). For 13c: (89 mg, 58%); H NMR (CDCl3,
400 MHz) δ 9.01 (s, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 4.19 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (s, 3H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.84 (s,
3H), 3.81 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.72 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.68 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.64 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (t, J
13
= 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.35 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 162.0, 150.2, 139.3, 139.0, 126.7, 126.5, 123.0,
108.7, 97.6, 72.7, 71.8, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 61.2, 58.9, 56.1, 51.8; IR (film) νmax 3307, 2873, 1707, 1536,
1436, 1302, 1222, 1092, 1053 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 398.1802 (M+H+, C19H27NO8 requires 398.1809). For
13d: (319 mg, 61%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.02 (s, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 6.80 (s, 1H), 4.19 (t, J = 4.8 Hz,
2H), 4.07 (s, 3H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.82 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.71 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.60–3.68 (m,
13
8H), 3.56 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 162.0, 150.2, 139.3, 139.1, 126.7,
126.4, 123.1, 108.8, 97.6, 72.8, 71.9, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 61.3, 59.0, 56.1, 51.9; IR (film) νmax 3304, 2884,
1710, 1538, 1436, 1254, 1222, 1113, 1057 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 442.2077 (M+H+, C21H31NO9 requires
442.2071). For 13e: (130 mg, 59%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 8.94 (s, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 6.80 (s, 1H), 4.20
(t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 3.92 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.82 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.72 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H),
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3.68 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.60–3.66 (m, 10H), 3.57 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100
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MHz) δ 162.0, 150.2, 139.2, 139.0, 126.6, 126.4, 123.0, 108.7, 97.5, 72.7, 71.8, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 70.2, 61.2,
58.9, 56.1, 51.8; IR (film) νmax 3321, 2873, 1710, 1538, 1462, 1303, 1228, 1196, 1113, 1057 cm–1; ESI-TOF
HRMS m/z 486.2330 (M+H+, C23H35NO10 requires 486.2334).
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Compounds 14a-e. A solution of 13a (100 mg, 0.32 mmol) in 3:2:1 THF:MeOH:H2O (6.4 mL) was treated
with LiOH (39 mg, 1.62 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 h at room temperature. The reaction
mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with aqueous 0.1 M HCl, water, saturated aqueous NaCl, and
dried over Na2SO4. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford 14a as a white solid (80 mg,
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83%): H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.06 (s, 1H), 7.24 (s, 1H), 6.83 (s, 1H), 4.20 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.11 (s,
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3H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.76 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.47 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 166.2, 150.4, 139.8,
139.1, 127.2, 125.9, 123.2, 110.7, 97.7, 72.7, 71.8, 61.4, 58.9, 56.2; IR (film) νmax 3286, 2938, 1679, 1548,
1302, 1260, 1115, 1057 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 296.1141 (M+H+, C14H17NO6 requires 296.1129). For 14b:
(105 mg, 87%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.19 (s, 1H), 7.22 (s, 1H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 4.22 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H),
4.10 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.84 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.74 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.60 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.40 (s,
13
3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 165.9, 150.3, 139.6, 139.1, 127.1, 126.2, 123.2, 110.4, 97.6, 72.8, 71.9,
70.4, 61.3, 59.0, 56.1; IR (film) νmax 3270, 2940, 1686, 1540, 1302, 1225, 1113, 1057 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS
1
m/z 340.1405 (M+H+, C16H21NO7 requires 340.1391). For 14c: (45 mg, 89%); H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ
9.28 (s, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 4.20 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.08 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.83 (t, J = 4.8 Hz,
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2H), 3.74 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.65–3.70 (m, 4H), 3.55 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100
MHz) δ 165.6, 150.2, 139.6, 139.0, 127.0, 126.4, 123.2, 110.2, 97.6, 72.8, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 70.2, 61.3,
58.9, 56.1; IR (film) νmax 3274, 2932, 1692, 1498, 1301, 1220, 1112, 1056 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 384.1650
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(M+H+, C18H25NO8 requires 384.1653). For 14d: (110 mg, 88%); H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.28 (s, 1H),
7.19 (s, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 4.20 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.08 (s, 3H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.84 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.72 (t, J
= 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.62–3.70 (m, 8H), 3.55 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ 165.5,
150.2, 139.5, 139.0, 127.0, 126.2, 123.1, 110.2, 97.6, 72.7, 71.8, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 70.2, 61.3, 58.9, 56.1; IR
(film) νmax 3273, 2934, 1699, 1498, 1462, 1301, 1220, 1114, 1057 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 428.1910 (M+H+,
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1
C20H29NO9 requires 428.1915). For 14e: (80 mg, 91%); H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 9.14 (s, 1H), 7.21 (s,
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1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 6.81 (s, 1H), 4.22 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.07 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.83 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.73
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(t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.63–3.70 (m, 12H), 3.55 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.38 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz) δ
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165.3, 150.2, 139.5, 139.0, 127.0, 126.4, 123.1, 110.1, 97.6, 72.7, 71.8, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 61.3, 58.9, 56.1; IR
(film) νmax 3273, 2875, 1700, 1540, 1461, 1301, 1219, 1113, 1057 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 472.2180 (M+H+,
C22H33NO10 requires 472.2177).
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Compounds 15a-e. A solution of 14a (21 mg, 0.070 mmol), 9 (15.5 mg, 0.035 mmol), and EDCI (20 mg,
0.105 mmol) in DMF (0.6 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with
ethyl acetate, washed with aqueous 1 M HCl, saturated aqueous NaHCO3, water and saturated aqueous NaCl,
and dried over Na2SO4. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash
1
chromatography (SiO2) to provide 15a as a yellow solid (13.1 mg, 62%): H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 10.59
(s, 1H), 9.43 (s, 1H), 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.02 (s, 1H), 6.94 (s, 1H), 6.83 (s, 1H), 4.64 (t, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H), 4.61 (dd, J
= 10.0, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 4.21 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.07 (s, 3H), 3.92–3.96 (m, 1H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.80–
13
3.85 (m, 1H), 3.75 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (t, J = 10.4 Hz, 1H), 3.45 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 150 MHz) δ
161.7, 159.9, 152.5, 150.2, 145.6, 142.0, 139.2, 132.5, 129.8, 125.6, 125.5, 123.6, 123.3, 113.9, 106.3, 105.9,
97.6, 87.9, 72.7, 71.8, 61.3, 58.9, 56.2, 55.0, 52.6, 46.5, 42.8; IR (film) νmax 3212, 2937, 1733, 1702, 1616,
1459, 1312, 1220, 1149, 1107 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 558.1650 (M+H+, C27H28ClN3O8 requires 558.1638),
[α]20D +8.0 (c 0.5, CHCl3). For 15b: (14.6 mg, 57%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ 10.59 (s, 1H), 9.43 (s, 1H),
8.02 (s, 1H), 7.02 (s, 1H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 4.63 (t, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J = 10.0, 4.0 Hz, 1H),
4.23 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 3.90–3.96 (m, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.85 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H),
3.79–3.83 (m, 1H), 3.74 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.60 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.51 (t, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H), 3.40 (s, 3H); 13C
NMR (CDCl3, 150 MHz) δ 161.8, 159.9, 152.5, 150.2, 145.7, 142.1, 139.2, 132.6, 129.8, 125.6, 125.5, 123.6,
123.3, 113.9, 106.2, 105.9, 97.4, 87.9, 72.7, 72.0, 70.5, 70.4, 61.3, 59.1, 56.2, 55.0, 52.6, 46.5, 42.9; IR (film)
νmax 3214, 2937, 1730, 1702, 1617, 1460, 1311, 1220, 1150, 1107 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 602.1899 (M+H+,
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C29H32ClN3O9 requires 602.1900); [α]20D +5.8 (c 0.6, CHCl3). For 15c: (10.1 mg, 47%); H NMR (CDCl3, 600
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MHz) δ 10.59 (s, 1H), 9.40 (s, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H), 7.03 (s, 1H), 6.94 (s, 1H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 4.63 (t, J = 10.2 Hz,
1H), 4.60 (dd, J = 10.2, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 4.23 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 3.90–3.96 (m, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.88
(s, 3H), 3.85 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.80–3.84 (m, 1H), 3.75 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.70 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.67 (t, J
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= 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.56 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (s, 3H); C NMR (CDCl3, 150 MHz) δ
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161.7, 159.9, 152.6, 150.2, 145.7, 142.2, 139.2, 132.6, 129.9, 125.7, 125.5, 123.7, 123.4, 113.9, 106.2, 105.9,
97.5, 87.9, 72.9, 71.9, 70.7, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4, 61.3, 59.0, 56.2, 55.0, 52.6, 46.5, 42.9; IR (film) νmax 3213, 2925,
1732, 1700, 1617, 1460, 1313, 1257, 1150, 1107 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 646.2144 (M+H+, C31H36ClN3O10
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requires 646.2162); [α]20D +5.6 (c 0.3, CHCl3). For 15d: (11.2 mg, 44%); H NMR (CDCl3, 600 MHz) δ 10.60
(s, 1H), 9.41 (s, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H), 7.03 (s, 1H), 6.94 (s, 1H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 4.63 (t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J
= 10.2, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 3.90–3.96 (m, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.85 (t,
J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.80–3.84 (m, 1H), 3.74 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.62–3.72 (m, 8H), 3.55 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.51
(t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.38 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3, 150 MHz) δ 161.7, 159.9, 152.5, 150.1, 145.6, 142.0,
139.1, 132.5, 129.8, 125.6, 125.4, 123.6, 123.3, 113.9, 106.2, 105.9, 97.4, 87.9, 72.8, 71.8, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4,
70.3, 61.3, 59.0, 56.2, 55.0, 52.6, 46.5, 42.8; IR (film) νmax 3193, 2875, 1732, 1700, 1617, 1459, 1310, 1218,
1147, 1108 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z 690.2423 (M+H+, C33H40ClN3O11 requires 690.2424); [α]20 +15.4 (c
D
0.4, CHCl3). For 15e: (12.4 mg, 57%); 1H NMR (CDCl3, 600 MHz) δ 10.60 (s, 1H), 9.41 (s, 1H), 8.03 (s, 1H),
7.03 (s, 1H), 6.94 (s, 1H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 4.63 (t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J = 10.2, 3.6 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (t, J = 4.8
Hz, 2H), 4.09 (s, 3H), 3.90–3.96 (m, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.85 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.80-3.84 (m, 1H),
3.74 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.62-3.72 (m, 8H), 3.55 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.51 (t, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.38 (s, 3H); 13C
NMR (CDCl3, 150 MHz) δ 161.7, 159.9, 152.5, 150.2, 145.7, 142.1, 139.2, 132.6, 129.9, 125.7, 125.5, 123.6,
123.3, 113.9, 106.2, 105.9, 97.6, 87.9, 72.8, 71.9, 70.6, 70.5, 70.4, 70.3, 61.3, 59.0, 56.2, 55.0, 52.5, 46.5, 42.9;
IR (film) νmax 3230, 2890, 1731, 1701, 1617, 1459, 1312, 1258, 1219, 1148, 1108 cm–1; ESI-TOF HRMS m/z
734.2653 (M+H+, C35H44ClN3O12 requires 734.2686); [α]20D +12.6 (c 0.6, CHCl3).
Water Solubility Measurements. Compounds 10a–e and the natural enantiomer of seco-duocarmycin SA
were treated with distilled water and stirred at 23 °C for 40 h. The solutions were taken up in a 1 mL syringe
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Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
and filtered through a micro filter into a tared vial. The water was removed under a stream of nitrogen and the
resulting residues were azeotroped with toluene (×3). This material was then dried under vacuum for 72 h to
ensure complete dryness before weighing the sample present.
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Cell Growth Inhibition Assay. Compounds were tested for their cell growth inhibition of L1210 (ATCC
CCL-219) mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells or HCT116 (ATCC #CCL-247, human colorectal carcinoma)
cells. A population of cells (>1 × 106 cells/mL as determined with a hemocytometer) was diluted with an
appropriate amount of Dulbecco-modified Eagle Medium (DMEM, Gibco) containing 10% fetal bovine serum
(FBS, Gibco) to a final concentration of 30,000 cells/mL. To each well of a 96-well plate (Corning Costar), 100
μL of the cell-media solution was added with a multichannel pipette. The cultures were incubated at 37 °C in an
atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% humidified air for 24 h. The test compounds were added to the plate as
follows: test substances were diluted in DMSO to a concentration of 1 mM and 10-fold serial dilutions were
performed on a separate 96-well plate. Fresh culture medium (100 μL) was added to each well of cells to
constitute 200 μL of medium per well followed by 2 μL of each test agent. Compounds were tested in duplicate
(>2–6 times) at six concentrations between 0–100 nM or 0–1000 nM. Following addition, cultures were
incubated for an additional 72 h.
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A phosphatase assay was used to establish the IC50 values as follows: the media in each cell was removed
and 100 μL of phosphatase solution (100 mg phosphatase substrate in 30 mL 0.1 M NaOAc, pH 5.5, 0.1%
Triton X-100 buffer) was added to each well. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for either 5 min (L1210) or 15
min (HCT116). After the given incubation time, 50 μL of 0.1 N NaOH was added to each well and the
absorption at 405 nm was determined using a 96 well plate reader. As the absorption is directly proportional to
the number of living cells, the IC50 values were calculated and the reported values represent of the average of >4
determinations (SD +10%).
DNA Alkylation Studies. See reference 18a for full details of the DNA alkylation procedure. DNA
alkylation was conducted at 25 °C for 2 h with 5’-32P-end-labeled w794 DNA containing a single alkylation
site. Quantitation of the consumption of full length radiolableled DNA was measured by densitometry of the
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