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An Expedient Synthesis of CMF-019: (S)-5-Methyl-3-{1-(pentan-3-yl)-2- (thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxamido}hexanoic Acid, a Potent Apelin Receptor (APJ) Agonist

Lena Trifonov, Michal Afri, Krzysztof Palczewski, Edward E Korshin, Arie Gruzman

Med Chem. 2018;14(7):688-694.

PMID: 29651942

Abstract:

Background:
Apelin receptor (APJ) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activated by the endogenous peptide apelin. The apelin-APJ system has emerged as an important regulator of cardiovascular homeostasis. Recently, a potent benzimidazole-derived apelin peptidomimetic, CMF-019, was patented but without a comprehensive description of its synthesis and a complete spectroscopic characterization of the intermediates.
Objective:
Here, a detailed preparation of CMF-019 through a modified and improved synthetic pathway is described.
Method:
In particular, the benzimidazole ring in 7 was tailored by the condensation of methyl 3- amino-4-(pentan-3-ylamino)benzoate (4) with (thiophene-2-yl)acetimidate salt 6. Saponification of 7 and the subsequent condensation of the free acid 8 with the corresponding enantiopure β-amino acid methyl ester generated methyl (S)-5-methyl-3-{1-(pentan-3-yl)-2-(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-1Hbenzo[ d]imidazole-5-carboxamido}hexanoate (9). Hydrolysis of the latter with KOH in THF/water, followed by HPLC-purification, afforded the desired product, CMF-019 (potassium salt) 10.
Results & conclusion:
The approach reported herein enables preparation of 10 at a total yield of 12% over seven linear steps. Additionally, it does not require applying expensive designated microwave reactors and high-pressure hydrogenators. Thus, the elaborate synthesis provides a latent availability of potent agonist 10 for further exploring the physiologically essential apelin-APJ system.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number Product Name Structure CAS Number Price
AP265981564 6-[Fluorescein-5(6)-carboxamido]hexanoic acid 6-[Fluorescein-5(6)-carboxamido]hexanoic acid 265981-56-4 Price
AP661465458-A Potassium benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-2-trifluoroborate Potassium benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-2-trifluoroborate 661465-45-8 Price
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