Negishi Cross-Coupling in the Preparation of Benzyl Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine Based CSF1R Inhibitors

The colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is a protein kinase emerging as an attractive target with clinical relevance in cancer, CNS and inflammatory diseases. Molecular docking experiments followed by synthesis and structure-activity relationship have been used to identify low molecular weight structures as promising hits for lead optimization. These molecules are synthesized from a 4-chloro-6-iodo-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine building block using Negishi and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions in high yields. Several inhibitors possessed excellent enzymatic potency, and the parent compound preferably binds to the autoinhibited form of CSF1R. Cellular and in vivo profiling indicate that further tuning of drug structure is needed prior to efficacy studies.

Automated summary

The colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is identified as a potential therapeutic target in cancer, CNS, and inflammatory diseases. Molecular docking and synthesis studies have led to the discovery of low molecular weight compounds that show promise as lead candidates for optimization. These compounds are synthesized from a 4-chloro-6-iodo-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine building block using Negishi and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions with high yields. Several inhibitors exhibit excellent enzymatic potency, with the parent compound preferentially binding to the autoinhibited form of CSF1R. Cellular and in vivo profiling suggest further structural tuning is required before efficacy studies.