An Approach to the Synthesis of a Hepatitis C Virus Inhibitor through a Proline-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Using Acrolein

An efficient and easy protocol for performing 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition using azomethine ylides and acrolein is presented. The reaction catalyzed by d-proline allows the synthesis of C-3 unsubstituted pyrrolidines. The application of this methodology to the synthesis of an advanced intermediate in the preparation of a Hepatitis C virus inhibitor is presented. Final attempts to complete the synthesis of the target inhibitor results in the preparation of its C-4 epimer in good overall yield.

Molecular Docking and Virtual Screening of an Influenza Virus Inhibitor That Disrupts Protein–Protein Interactions

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus, but few drugs are available for its treatment. Consequently, researchers have been engaged in efforts to discover new antiviral mechanisms that can lay the foundation for novel anti-influenza drugs. The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is an enzyme that plays an indispensable role in the viral infection process, which is directly linked to the survival of the virus. Methods of inhibiting PB1–PB2 (basic polymerase 1–basic polymerase 2) interactions, which are a key part of RdRp enzyme activity, are integral in the design of novel antiviral drugs, a specific PB1–PB2 interactions inhibitor has not been reported. We have screened Enamine’s database and conducted a parallel screening of multiple docking schemes, followed by simulations of molecular dynamics to determine the structure of a stable ligand—PB1 complex. We also calculated the free energy of binding between the screened compounds and PB1 protein. Ultimately, we screened and identified a potential PB1–PB2 inhibitor using the ADMET prediction model.

Synthesis of a Potent Pan-Serotype Dengue Virus Inhibitor Having a Tetrahydrothienopyridine Core

A synthesis of the first-in-class pan-serotype dengue virus inhibitor NITD-688 is presented. The Gewald reaction of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-6,6-dimethylpiperidin-3-one with malononitrile and sulfur in the presence of l-proline as a catalyst gave tert-butyl 2-amino-3-cyano-6,6-dimethyl-6,7-dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridine-5(4H)-carboxylate. This was coupled with [4-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl]acetic acid by using propane­phosphonic acid anhydride. A subsequent reductive alkylation with cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde gave NITD-688. Preliminary results of our attempts to control the regioselectivity of the Gewald synthesis of the 2-amino-3-cyanothiophene core are also presented.