Direct Introduction of an Alkylsulfonamido Group on C-sites of Isomeric Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes: The Influence of Stereochemistry on Inhibitory Activity against the Cancer-Associated Carbonic Anhydrase IX Isoenzyme

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a tumor-associated metalloenzyme, represents a validated target for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Herein, we report the inhibition properties of isomeric families of sulfonamidopropyl-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes group(s) prepared using a new direct five-step synthesis from the corresponding parent cages. The protocol offers a reliable solution for synthesis of singly and doubly substituted dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes with a different geometric position of carbon atoms. The closo-compounds from the ortho- and meta-series were then degraded to corresponding 11-vertex dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-) anions. All compounds show in vitro enzymatic activity against CA IX in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range. This is accompanied by clear isomer dependence of the inhibition constant (K-i) and selectivity towards CA IX. Decreasing trends in K-i and selectivity index (S-I) values are observed with increasing separation of the cage carbon atoms. Interactions of compounds with the active sites of CA IX were explored with X-ray crystallography, and eight high-resolution crystal structures uncovered the structural basis of inhibition potency and selectivity.