An efficient and mechanistically interesting method for the synthesis of highly substituted isoquinolines by a Rh(III)-catalyzed hydrazone directed ortho C H bond activation and annulation without an external oxidant is described. This reaction is accomplished via a C-C and C-N bond formation along with N-N bond cleavage.
A novel series of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 negative allosteric modulators based on a 4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine core
A series of potent non-acetylinic negative allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5 NAMs) was developed starting from HTS screening hit 1. Potency was improved via iterative SAR, and physicochemical properties were optimized to deliver orally bioavailable compounds acceptable for in vivo testing. A lead molecule from the series demonstrated dose-dependent activity in the second phase of the rat formalin test from 30 mg/kg, and a preliminary PK/PD relationship was established. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.