PPAR ligands with varied subtype selectivity have been synthesized using an achiral aminomethyl dihydrocinnamate template. Several compounds in this series have demonstrated potent plasma glucose and triglyceride lowering capability in rodent models of type 2 diabetes.

Echinocandin B (ECB) analog 1c was methylphosphonylated with the new reagent dimethyldiphosphonate 7. Selective functionalization of the phenol group was achieved in the presence of 11 other reactive alcohol and amide groups. The phosphonylation was best conducted in a mixture of THF and DMF using lithium t-butoxide as base. Methylphosphonate diester 1d was deprotected by hydrogenolysis to afford methylphosphonate monoester 1e, a potential prodrug for ECB analog 1c.

A novel series of 3-aryl-5H-2,3-benzodiazepines with N-3 aromatic substituents has been synthesized. Good in vivo anticonvulsant activity of the new compounds has been demonstrated employing the maximal electroshock seizure test in mice. Evaluation of a subset of the compounds in the cortical wedge assay confirmed the new structures to be AMPA antagonists.

(R)-2-Methylbenzylamine has been used to covalently ''resolve'' thiol acid 7 and assemble 4-thiazolidinone 8a in one step. Selective deprotection of the 2-methylbenzylamide using lithium in ammonia/THF has been achieved in the presence of a readily hydrogenolyzed C-S bond. Enantioenriched (-)-LY213829 (1) of 98% ee has been prepared by this five step route in 25% yield from aldehyde 2. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd

The conversion time tor 4-dimethylaminopyndine catalysed reaction of amides with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate varies dramatically with substrate acidity. The pKa's in DMSO of some amides are determined to support correlation of reactivity with substrate acidity. Particularly acidic substrates, such as 4-thiazolidinone, readily react with a variety of dialkyl dicarbonates. Less acidic substrates react with Boc2O but other dialkyl dicarbonates decompose preferentially.