KRAS is vulnerable to reversible switch-II pocket engagement in cells

Current small molecule inhibitors of KRAS (G12C) bind irreversibly in the switch-II pocket, exploiting the strong nucleophilicity of the acquired cysteine as well as the preponderance of the GDP-bound form of this mutant. Nevertheless, many oncogenic KRAS mutants lack these two features, and it remains unknown whether targeting the switch-II pocket is a practical therapeutic approach for KRAS mutants beyond G12C. Here we use NMR spectroscopy and a novel cellular KRAS engagement assay to address this question by examining a collection of SII-P ligands from the literature and from our own laboratory. We show that the switch-II pockets of many GTP hydrolysis-deficient KRAS hotspot (G12, G13, Q61) mutants are accessible using non-covalent ligands, and that this accessibility is not necessarily coupled to the GDP state of KRAS. The results we describe here emphasize the switch-II pocket as a privileged drug binding site on KRAS and unveil new therapeutic opportunities in RAS-driven cancer.

Synthesis of Phosphonates, Phosphinates and Tertiary Phosphine Oxides by Pd- or Ni-Catalyzed Microwave-Assisted P–C Coupling Reactions without the Addition of Conventional Ligands

Microwave (MW)-assistance may be a powerful tool also in the Hirao P–C coupling reactions of vinyl/aryl halides with dialkyl phosphites in the presence of Pd-catalysts/P-ligands elaborated forty years ago. This review surveys the development of this reaction by showing the expansion of the reagents and catalysts, as well as the information accumulated. The stress was laid on the “green” aspects, the simplification of the catalyst systems, and the reliable mechanistic details in order to be able to establish the optimum conditions. The best protocol involves the use of some excess of the >P(O)H reagent to ensure the PdII→Pd0 reduction and, via its trivalent tautomeric form (>POH) also the P-ligand. The overall rate is the result of two factors, the activity of the catalyst complex formed, and the reactivity of the reactants in the P–C coupling reactions. Both components are influenced by the nature of the aryl substituents in Ar2P(O)H. NiII salts may also be used as the catalyst precursor, however, despite the PdII→Pd0→PdII route, in this case, a NiII→NiIV→NiII sequence was proved.

Asymmetric Copper–Catalyzed Propargylic Amination with Amine Hydrochloride Salts

The highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed propargylic amination of propargylic esters with amine hydrochloride salts has been realized for the first time using copper salts with chiral N,N,P-ligands. This method features a...

Desymmetrizing Heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Compounds: Effects on Structural and Photophysical Properties, and Solution Dynamic Behavior

The preparation, characterization and electrochemical and photophysical properties of a series of desymmetrized heteroleptic [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] compounds are reported. The complexes incorporate the chelating P^P ligands bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl)ether (POP) and (9,9-dimethyl-9H-xanthene-4,5-diyl)bis(diphenylphosphane) (xantphos), and 6-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) derivatives with functional groups attached by –(CH2)n– spacers: 6-(2,2′-bipyridin-6-yl)hexanoic acid (1), 6-(5-phenylpentyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (2) and 6-[2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3,triazol-1-yl)ethyl]-2,2′-bipyridine (3). [Cu(POP)(1)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(1)][PF6], [Cu(POP)(2)][PF6], [Cu(xantphos)(2)][PF6], and [Cu(xantphos)(3)][PF6] have been characterized in solution using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the single crystal structure of [Cu(xantphos)(3)][PF6].0.5Et2O was determined. The conformation of the 6-[2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3,triazol-1-yl)ethyl]-substituent in the [Cu(xantphos)(3)]+ cation is such that the α- and β-CH2 units reside in the xanthene ‘bowl’ of the xantphos ligand. The 6-substituent desymmetrizes the structure of the [Cu(P^P)(N^N)]+ cation and this has consequences for the interpretation of the solution NMR spectra of the five complexes. The NOESY spectra and EXSY cross-peaks provide insight into the dynamic processes operating in the different compounds. For powdered samples, emission maxima are in the range 542–555 nm and photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) lie in the range 13–28%, and a comparison of PLQYs and decay lifetimes with those of [Cu(xantphos)(6-Mebpy)][PF6] indicate that the introduction of the 6-substituent is not detrimental in terms of the photophysical properties.

Carboxylate-Functionalized P, N-Ligated Cobalt Catalysts for Alkene Hydrosilylation

: A series of N, P-ligands bearing carboxyl groups has been synthesized. These have been applied in conjunction with cobalt naphthenate in a facile, economic, and efficient method for the catalytic hydrosilylation of alkenes. In the presence of KOtBu as an additive, the reaction time and activation energy are greatly reduced.