Investigations into the regioselective C‐deuteriation of enolates using a diisopropylammonium salt

Results are reported on the regioselective C‐deuteriation of 2‐methyl tetralone using a series of diisopropylamine derived D‐sources. The results presented further aid the understanding of kinetic deuteriation of both ‘base‐containing’ and ‘base‐free’ enolates. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations into the C‐deuteriation of aryl alkyl ketones using urea as a pro‐base in the presence of a deuterium donor

Results are reported on the regioselective C‐deuteriation of a series of enolates derived from the deprotonation of aryl alkyl ketones using dilithiated urea as the pro‐base in the presence of a suitable deuterium donor. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations into the regioselective C‐deuteriation of enolates derived from 2‐methyl tetralone using piperidine‐d11

Results are reported on the regioselective C‐deuteriation of 2‐methyl tetralone using piperidine‐d₁₁ as a deuterium source. The results presented further aid the understanding of kinetic deuteriation of amine–enolate complexes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations into the C‐deuteriation of enol acetates derived from aryl alkyl ketones

Results are reported on the regioselective C‐deuteriation of a series of enol acetates (derived from the aryl alkyl ketones) using molecular deuterium as the D‐source and palladium‐on‐barium sulphate as the mediator. The results presented highlight potential problems associated with the deuteriation of enol acetates. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of deuterium and 15N‐labelled 2,5‐Bis[5‐amidino‐2‐pyridyl]furan and 2,5‐Bis[5‐(methoxyamidino)‐2‐pyridyl]furan

The acetate salt of 2,5‐bis[5‐amidino‐2‐pyridyl]furan‐d₂/¹⁵N₂ ( 4) was synthesized from 2,5‐bis[5‐cyano‐2‐pyridyl]furan‐d₂ ( 2 ), through the bis‐O‐acetoxyamidoxime followed by hydrogenation. Compound 2 was obtained via a Stille coupling reaction of 6‐chloronicotinonitrile with 2,5‐bis[tri‐n‐butyltin]‐furan‐d₂ ( 1 ). 2,5‐bis[5‐amidino‐2‐pyridyl)furan‐d₆ ( 10) was synthesized from 2,5‐bis[5‐cyano‐2‐pyridyl)furan‐d₆ ( 9 ) via a direct reaction with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, followed by deprotection with ethanolic HCl. ¹⁵N and/or deuterium‐labelled methoxy‐amidines 5a ‐d₂/¹⁵N₂, 5b ‐d₈, 12 , 14 ‐d₆ were prepared in good yield via direct methylation of their respective diamidoximes with either dimethylsulfate‐d₀ or dimethylsulfate‐d₆ in DMF solution and using LiOH as a base. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of 2‐d‐acrylamide

2‐d‐Acrylamide was synthesized via the 2‐step procedure starting from acrylonitrile and deuterium oxide. This procedure affords 2‐d‐acrylamide in 99.9% chemical purity and 98.4% isotopic enrichment.     

An unusual detection of tert‐butyl‐4‐anilinopiperidine‐1‐carboxylate in seizures of falsified ‘Xanax’ tablets and in items in a suspected heroin seizure submitted by Irish law enforcement

The identification of tert‐butyl‐4‐anilinopiperidine‐1‐carboxylate (4‐anilinopiperdine‐t‐BOC or 4‐AP‐t‐BOC) in many seized falsified ‘Xanax’ tablets has been reported after being encountered in forensic casework in late 2019 and early 2020 in Ireland. This substance was also detected in a pink powder submitted for analysis in March 2020. The pink powder was part of a larger seizure comprising brown powders which contained morphine or diamorphine (heroin) or a type of counterfeit heroin or heroin adulterant (known as ‘bash’). Novel benzodiazepines and other substances are being detected as ingredients in falsified benzodiazepine tablets more frequently on the illicit market. The detection of 4‐AP‐t‐BOC in benzodiazepine tablets is noteworthy and 4‐AP‐t‐BOC is added to the list of adulterants found in benzodiazepine tablets emerging in Europe. The presence of 4‐AP‐t‐BOC in both falsified ‘Xanax’ and powdered seizures is unusual, and analytical data are presented to assist with the identification of this compound in suspected illicit substances. The presence of 4‐AP‐t‐BOC in the tablets was confirmed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses, and spectral fragmentation pathways were suggested. To the authors' best knowledge, information about the biological activity of 4‐AP‐t‐BOC is not available. The removal of the t‐BOC protecting group yields 4‐anilinopiperidine which has been reported to be involved in the synthesis of fentanyl.     

Investigations into the C‐deuteriation of silyl enol ethers derived from aryl alkyl ketones

Results are reported on the regioselective C‐deuteriation of a series of silyl enol ethers derived from aryl alkyl ketones using deuterium (D₂) gas as the deuterium source and palladium‐on‐barium sulfate as the mediator. These results highlight the numerous reaction pathways and different product types available from simple deuteriation of substituted enol precursors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of deuterium‐labelled 6‐[5‐(4‐amidinophenyl)furan‐2‐yl]nicotinamidine and N‐alkoxy‐6‐{5‐[4‐(N‐alkoxyamidino)phenyl]‐ furan‐2‐yl}‐nicotinamidines

6‐[5‐(4‐Amidinophenyl)furan‐2‐yl]nicotinamidine‐d₄ ( 5 ) was synthesized from 6‐[5‐(4‐cyanophenyl)furan‐2‐yl]nicotinonitrile‐d₄ ( 3 ), through the bis‐O‐acetoxy‐amidoxime followed by hydrogenation. Compound 3 was prepared from 6‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐nicotinonitrile by a Heck coupling reaction with 4‐bromobenzonitrile‐d₄, a product of selective cyanation reaction of 1,4‐dibromobenzene‐d₄ with Cu(1)CN. Deuterium‐labelled N‐methoxy‐6‐{5‐[4‐(N‐methoxy‐amidinophenyl]‐furan‐2‐yl}‐nicotinamidines were prepared via methylation of their respective amidoximes with dimethyl sulfate‐d₆ in aqueous sodium hydroxide in good yields. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The synthesis and structures of deuterium‐labeled 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles

The synthesis and crystal structures of deuterium‐labeled 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles, 5‐[²H₅]phenyl‐1H‐tetrazole (I), 5‐[²H₇]tolyl‐1H‐tetrazole (II), and 5‐[²H₇]benzyl‐1H‐tetrazole (III) are reported. All syntheses were carried out using simple, facile steps and the products were obtained in high yields. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unusual base‐catalyzed exchange in the synthesis of deuterated PF‐2413873a

The preparation of deuterated PF‐2413873 (4‐[3‐cyclopropyl‐1‐(methanesulfonylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]oxy‐2,6‐dimethylbenzonitrile, 1) is described for use as a bioanalytical standard in clinical trials. Two strategies were investigated. The sulfone‐containing substituent was labelled by base‐catalyzed exchange, but unacceptable deuterium loss was noted under assay conditions. Alternatively, labelling 4‐cyano‐3,5‐dimethylphenol was achieved by heating with deuterium oxide over platinum oxide. After building up the pyrazole ring we discovered that, during the subsequent alkylation to attach the methylthiomethyl group, the base, potassium t‐butoxide, caused unwanted scrambling of deuteriums on the aromatic portion and the methylthiomethyl group. Thus, it was necessary to remove all base‐labile hydrogens to prevent their exchange. This was accomplished by alkylating the pyrazole with per‐deuterated chloromethyl methylsulfide, oxidation to the sulfone, and selective removal of its deuteriums by treatment with sodium hydroxide. The unusual sensitivity and selectivity of these base‐promoted exchange reactions are discussed. Thus, 4‐[3‐cyclopropyl‐1‐(methanesulfonylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]oxy‐[²H₆]2,6‐dimethyl‐[3,5‐²H]benzonitrile (17) was obtained, labelled with eight deuterium atoms and an acceptable D₀/D₈ ratio. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of deuterium labeled standards of 5‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (5‐Meo‐DMT)

The Batcho‐Leimgruber strategy was employed to synthesize 5‐[²H₃]‐methoxy‐1 H‐indole 4 from commercially available 5‐hydroxy‐2‐nitrotoluene 1 and CD₃I. Compound 4 was treated with oxalyl chloride, dimethylamine and lithium aluminum hydride to yield 5‐[²H₃]‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine 6 . Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

System‐centred tobacco management: From ‘whole‐person’ to ‘whole‐system’ change

Patient‐centred tobacco management is a pragmatic approach for helping smokers achieve their goals in terms of either cessation or harm reduction. However, the success of the approach is dependent on clinicians embracing and delivering it as intended. There are a number of structural and systemic organisational barriers which are limiting clinician‐delivered patient‐centred tobacco dependence. In response, ‘whole system’ approaches which help support clinicians in the delivery of patient‐centred tobacco management are required. Health system changes to support clinicians and facilitate the delivery of patient‐centred tobacco management are worth further investigation, particularly in settings where tobacco smoking rates are high. [Bonevski B. System‐centred tobacco management: From ‘whole‐person’ to ‘whole‐system’ change. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:99–101]     

Dermorphin‐based potential affinity labels for µ‐opioid receptors*

Abstract: Dermorphin and [Lys⁷]dermorphin, selective µ‐opioid receptor ligands originating from amphibian skin, have been modified with various electrophiles in either the ‘message’ or ‘address’ sequences as potential peptide‐based affinity labels for µ‐receptors. Introduction of the electrophilic isothiocyanate and bromoacetamide groups on the para position of Phe³ and Phe⁵ was accomplished by incorporating Fmoc‐Phe(p‐NHAlloc) into the peptide followed by selective deprotection and modification. The corresponding amine‐containing peptides were also prepared. The pure peptides were evaluated in radioligand binding experiments using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing µ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors. In dermorphin, introduction of the electrophilic groups in the ‘message’ domain lowered the binding affinity by > 1000‐fold; only [Phe(p‐NH₂)³]dermorphin retained nanomolar affinity for µ‐receptors. Modifications in the ‘address’ region of both dermorphin and [Lys⁷]dermorphin were relatively well tolerated. In particular, [Phe(p‐NH₂)⁵,Lys⁷]dermorphin showed similar affinity to dermorphin, with almost 2‐fold higher selectivity for µ‐receptors. [Phe(p‐NHCOCH₂Br)⁵]‐ and [Phe(p‐NHCOCH₂Br)⁵,Lys⁷]dermorphin exhibited relatively high affinity (IC₅₀ = 27.7 and 15.1 nm , respectively) for µ‐receptors. However, neither of these peptides inhibited [³H]DAMGO binding in a wash‐resistant manner.     

An overview of radio or stable isotope‐labeled cis‐neonicotinoid analogs

To support the metabolism and toxicology study of cis‐neonicotinoids, radio or stable isotope was introduced into different sites of the key intermediate 2‐chloro‐5‐((2‐(nitromethylene)imidazolidin‐1‐yl)methyl)pyridine (6‐Cl‐PMNI). [³H₂]‐ and [¹⁴C]‐label were successively prepared from initial materials NaB³H₄ and [¹⁴C]‐nitromethane, respectively. Similarly, [D₂]‐6‐Cl‐PMNI was prepared from NaBD₄ in four steps, with 52.6% overall isotopic yield, and dual‐labeled [D₂, ¹³C]‐target was obtained from NaBD₄ and [¹³C]‐nitromethane, affording overall isotopic yield of 42.5%. Moreover, [¹⁴C₂] was introduced from [U‐¹⁴C]‐ethylenediamine dihydrochloride in three steps, with a 58.3% overall chemical yield. Finally, typical labeled cis‐neonicotinoids paichongding and cycloxaprid were prepared and characterized. The methods were proved to have good generality in the synthesis of other cis‐neonicotinoids, and all results would be useful in metabolism studies of new cis‐neonicotinoids. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A rapid one‐step radiosynthesis of the β‐amyloid imaging radiotracer N‐methyl‐[11C]2‐(4′‐methylaminophenyl)‐6‐hydroxybenzothiazole ([11C]‐6‐OH‐BTA‐1)

The promising β‐amyloid PET imaging agent, [¹¹C]‐6‐OH‐BTA‐1, has been radiolabelled in one step using [¹¹C]‐methyl triflate. No protection of the 6‐hydroxy group is required, greatly simplifying the synthetic method. The reaction may be carried out in solution or by the captive solvent ‘loop’ method. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syntheses of halogen derivatives of L‐tryptophan,L‐tyrosine and L‐phenylalanine labeled with hydrogen isotopes

Halogenated, labeled with tritium and doubly with deuterium and tritium, derivatives of L ‐tryptophan, i.e. 5′‐bromo‐[2‐³H]‐, 5′‐bromo‐[2‐²H/³H]‐, 5′‐fluoro‐[2‐³H]‐5′‐fluoro‐[2‐²H/³H]‐, 6′‐fluoro‐[2‐³H]‐, 6′‐fluoro‐[2‐²H/³H]‐L ‐tryptophan, as well as, L ‐tyrosine, i.e. 3′‐fluoro‐[2‐³H]‐, 3′‐fluoro‐[2‐²H/³H]‐, 3′‐chloro‐[2‐³H]‐, and 3′‐chloro‐[2‐²H/³H]‐L ‐tyrosine, and also L ‐phenylalanine, i.e. 2′‐fluoro‐[(3S)‐³H]‐, 2′‐fluoro‐[(3S)‐²H/³H]‐, 2′‐chloro‐[(3S)‐³H]‐, 2′‐chloro‐[(3S)‐²H/³H]‐, 4′‐chloro‐[(3S)‐³H]‐, and 4′‐chloro‐[(3S)‐²H/³H]‐L ‐phenylalanine were synthesized using enzymatic methods. Isotopomers of L ‐tryptophan were synthesized by coupling of halogenated indoles with S‐methyl‐L ‐cysteine carried out in deuteriated or tritiated incubation media. Labeled halogenated derivatives of L ‐tyrosine were obtained by the enzymatically supported exchange between halogenated L ‐tyrosine and isotopic water. Labeled halogenated isotopologues of L ‐Phe were synthesized by the enzymatic addition of ammonia to halogenated cinnamic acid. As a source of hydrogen tritiated water (HTO) and heavy water (D₂O) with addition of HTO were used.     

A rapid one‐step radiosynthesis of [11C]‐d‐threo‐methylphenidate

Carbon‐11 labelled d‐threo‐methylphenidate ([¹¹C]‐(1)), a radiopharmaceutical commonly used to image the dopamine transporter, has been labelled in one step using [¹¹C]‐methyl triflate. No protection of the nitrogen atom on the piperidine ring of d‐threo‐ritalinic acid·HCl was required, as O‐methylation was favored over N‐methylation by performing the methylation in buffered solutions which effectively protonate and protect the amine functionality. The reaction was effectively carried out at room temperature in solution by captive solvent ‘LOOP’ methods or using conventional glass vials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of deuterium labelled 2‐bromobenzylamine by directed ortho‐metalation chemistry

Directed ortho‐metalation (DoM) strategy has been applied for the development of a short procedure for the regiospecific synthesis of [phenyl‐²H₄]‐2‐bromo‐benzylamine 6 starting from commercially available [phenyl‐²H₅]‐benzoyl chloride 1 . A strong isotope effect was observed during the ortho‐substitution. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of highly potent lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1 antagonists labeled with carbon‐14 and with stable isotopes,part 3

The drug candidates ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) are highly potent LFA‐1 inhibitors. They were efficiently prepared labeled with carbon‐14 using a palladium‐catalyzed carboxylation of an iodo‐precursor ( 5 ) and sodium formate‐¹⁴C to afford acid [¹⁴C]‐( 6 ), which was coupled via an amide bond to chiral amines ( 7 ) and ( 8 ) in 52% and 48% overall yield, respectively, and with specific activities higher than 56 mCi/mmol and radiochemical purities of 99%. For stable isotopes synthesis, the amine [²H₈]‐( 7 ) was synthesized in three steps from 2‐cyanopyridine‐²H₄ using Kulinkovich‐Szymonik aminocyclopropanation, followed by coupling to L ‐alanine‐2,3,3,3‐²H₄‐N‐t‐BOC, and then removal of the BOC‐protecting group. Amide bond formation with acid ( 6 ) gave [²H₈]‐( 2 ) in 36% overall yield. The amine [¹³C₄,¹⁵N]‐( 8 ) was obtained in two steps using L‐threonine‐¹⁴C₄,¹⁵N and then coupled to acid [¹³C]‐( 6 ) to give [¹³C₅,¹⁵N]‐( 3 ) in 56% overall yield.