Design and synthesis of new tripeptide-type SARS-CoV 3CL protease inhibitors containing an electrophilic arylketone moiety.

We describe here the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of molecules toward the development of novel peptidomimetic inhibitors of SARS-CoV 3CL(pro). A docking study involving binding between the initial lead compound 1 and the SARS-CoV 3CL(pro) motivated the replacement of a thiazole with a benzothiazole unit as a warhead moiety at the P1' site. This modification led to the identification of more potent derivatives, including 2i, 2k, 2m, 2o, and 2p, with IC(50) or K(i) values in the submicromolar to nanomolar range. In particular, compounds 2i and 2p exhibited the most potent inhibitory activities, with K(i) values of 4.1 and 3.1 nM, respectively. The peptidomimetic compounds identified through this process are attractive leads for the development of potential therapeutic agents against SARS. The structural requirements of the peptidomimetics with potent inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV 3CL(pro) may be summarized as follows: (i) the presence of a benzothiazole warhead at the S1'-position; (ii) hydrogen bonding capabilities at the cyclic lactam of the S1-site; (iii) appropriate stereochemistry and hydrophobic moiety size at the S2-site and (iv) a unique folding conformation assumed by the phenoxyacetyl moiety at the S4-site.

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a typical form of pneumonia, was first reported in southern China in November 2002. SARS rapidly spread to 32 countries, creating panic among the public and in the World Health Organization (WHO).1, 2, 3 The initial outbreak of SARS included more than 8000 individuals diagnosed with the disease. Of these, 774 lives were claimed. SARS is characterized by a high fever (>38 °C), malaise, headache, rigor and a non-productive cough. The causative agent of SARS has been identified as a novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that encodes several viral proteases that proteolyze polyproteins to yield functional proteins. One such highly conserved cysteine protease is the main protease (Mpro), also known as the dimeric chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro).7, 8, 9 3CLpro mediates the majority of proteolytic processes involved in producing two large viral polyproteins, replicases pb1a and pb1b.7, 8, 9 The active site of SARS-CoV 3CLpro contains Cys145 and His41, which together constitute a catalytic dyad in which the cysteine moiety functions as a common nucleophile in the proteolytic process.9, 10 Since SARS-CoV 3CLpro plays an important role in the virus life cycle, it has been recognized as a key target for the discovery of anti-SARS agents. Numerous SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors have been identified through chemical library screenings11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or rational design approaches based on the active site properties.17, 18, 19, 20 These protease inhibitors include C2-symmetric peptidomimetics, 3-quinolinecarboxylic acid derivatives, bifunctional arylboronic acids, keto-glutamine derivatives, isatin derivatives, thiophene-2-carboxylates, zinc conjugated compounds, cinanserin, calmodulin, benzotriazoles,α,β-unsaturated acids, anilide, and glutamic acid and glutamine peptides possessing a trifluoromethyl ketone group.23, 24

In our ongoing effort to develop anti-SARS agents, we previously identified a series of Z-Val-Leu-Ala(pyrrolidone-3-yl)-2-thiazoles as SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors. Among these compounds, compound 1 (Fig. 1 ) was identified as a potent lead compound with a K i value of 2.20 μM.

Figure 1

Structure of a lead compound 1 (A) and their molecular stimulated representation (B).

Primary structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of 1 have revealed that the presence of a rigid cyclic amide (P1-site) and the electron-withdrawing chemical warhead thiazolyl-2-ketone (P1′-moiety) are very important for the inhibitory activity. In the present study, we performed a molecular modeling study involving 1 and the 3CLpro. The study revealed the presence of a space in the S1′-pocket that was larger than the size of the thiazole unit, and the N-terminal P4-moiety protruded from the binding site (Fig. 1B). Thus, P1′ and P4 were sequentially optimized in a step-by-step approach that involved testing a wide variety of substructural substitutions in 1. The P2 and P1- sites were focused in parallel. As a result, some analogs were identified that exhibited potent inhibitory activity on the submicromolar to nanomolar range. Here we describe the results of these extensive studies in detail, including the design, synthesis, molecular modeling and biological evaluation of a series of SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors.

Chemistry

3CLpro inhibitors are generally synthesized by assembling two key fragments: dipeptidic 9 and the C-terminal thiazole derivatives 13 or 17. The dipeptides 9 were prepared via Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis over Wang resin. The corresponding Fmoc-amino acids were introduced onto the resin via diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)-mediated coupling in the presence of catalytic amounts of 4-N,N′-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) in DMF (Scheme 1 ). The resulting intermediate 6 was treated with 20% piperidine in DMF to remove the Fmoc- group and coupled to Fmoc-valine, yielding 7, via the DIC-HOBt (1-hydroxybenzotriazole) method in DMF. Further Fmoc-deprotection and the reaction of 7 with various carboxylic acids or acid chlorides produced the crucial P4-attached dipeptides 9 after treatment of resin 8 with trifluoroacetic acid/water (10:1) for 1 h. The dipeptides 9 were used directly in the next step without further purification.

Scheme 1

Solid-phase synthesis of dipeptidic 9. Reagents and conditions: (a) Fmoc-R1-OH, DIC, DMAP/DMF; (b) 20% piperidine/DMF; (c) Fmoc-Val-OH, DIC, DMAP, HOBt/DMF; (d) 20% piperidine/DMF; (e) R(Acyl)-Cl, Et3N or R(Acyl)-OH, DIC, HOBt/DMF; (f) TFA/H2O. Note: The substituents R (acyl) and R1 are indicated in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3.

Table 1

Inhibitory activities of compounds (2a–u)

Entry no.	R	R2	Inhibition		Entry no.	R	R2	Inhibition
			IC50 (μM)	Ki (μM)				IC50 (μM)	Ki (μM)
2a			36	NT	2l			1.9	NT
2b			85	NT	2m			0.75	NT
2c			250	NT	2n			1.2	0.011
2d			280	NT	2o			0.65	NT
2e			13	NT	2p			NT	0.003
2f			24	NT	2q			1.7	NT
2g			6.8	NT	2r			3.4	NT
2h			2	NT	2s			2.9	0.22
2i			1.7	0.0041	2t			1.5	0.22
2j			2.3	0.022	2u			7.5	NT
2k			0.92	0.014	1			9.5	NT

NT = not tested.

Table 2

Inhibitory activities of compounds (3a–d & 4a–c)

Entry no.	R	R1	Inhibition IC50 (μM)	Entry no.	R	R1	Inhibition IC50 (μM)
3a			>1600	4a			260
3b			NT	4b			210
3c			NT	4c			>1600
3d			>1600	1			9.5

NT = not tested.

Table 3

Inhibitory activities of compounds (5a–i)

Entry no.	R	R2	Inhibition Ki (μM)	Entry no.	R	R2	Inhibition Ki (μM)
5a			0.06	5f			22
5b			0.27	5g			0.47
5c			1.46	5h			0.17
5d			56	5i			0.33
5e			1.3	2i			0.0041

The syntheses of key intermediates on the path to the thiazoles 13, as well as the title inhibitors 2, 3 and 5, are indicated in Scheme 2 . The optically pure glutamic acid ester 10 was converted to γ-lactam-acid 11 26, 27 by treatment with bromoacetonitrile, followed by reduction with PtO2 (5%), cyclization and hydrolysis. Further coupling of 11 to N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine via the 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide·hydrochloride (EDC·HCl)-HOBt method yielded the Weinreb amide 12. The Weinreb amide was then coupled to an appropriate thiazole in the presence of n-butyl lithium (n-BuLi) or lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at −78 °C to afford the thiazoles 13, which were deprotected and subsequently reacted with the dipeptides 9 in the presence of O-benzotriazole-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluroniumhexafluoro phosphate (HBTU), HOBt, and DIPEA in DMF to afford the title compounds 2, 3 and 5.

Scheme 2

Synthetic outline for the preparation of title compounds 2, 3 and 5. Reagents and conditions: (a) HN(OMe)Me, EDC·HCl, HOBT, Et3N/DMF; (b) n-BuLi, THF, −78 °C (if R2 = thiazole, 4,5-dimethylthiazole or benzothiazole) or LDA, THF, −78 °C (if R2 = 5-arylated thiazoles); (c) TFA/H2O; (d) 9, HBTU, DIPEA/DMF followed by HPLC purification. Note: The substituents R(acyl), R1 and R2 are indicated in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3.

The imidazole-type compounds 4 were prepared as indicated in Scheme 3 . Another key imidazole thiazole 17 was prepared from the commercially available Boc-His(Tos)-OH 14 using the same reactions and conditions as indicated for the preparation of the γ-lactam thiazoles 13. The tosyl-protected 17 was successfully converted to the imidazole-type analogs 4 via deprotection and coupling chemistry, as described for the preparation of 2, 3 and 5.

Scheme 3

Synthetic outline for the preparation of imidazole type compounds 4. Reagents and conditions: (a) HN(OMe)Me, EDC·HCl, HOBT, Et3N/DMF; (b) thiazole, n-BuLi, THF, −78 °C; (c) TsCl, Et3N, THF; (d) TFA/H2O; (e) 9, HBTU, DIPEA/DMF followed by HPLC purification. Note: The substituents R(acyl) and R1 are indicated in Table 2.

Results and discussion

The abilities of the synthetic compounds to inhibit the protease activity of SARS-CoV 3CLpro were evaluated. Briefly, IC50 value of each inhibitor was assessed from the apparent decrease of a substrate (H-TSAVLQSGFRK-NH2) by the digestion with R188I SARS 3CLpro as described previously.28, 29 Cleavage reaction was monitored analytical HPLC and the cleavage rates were calculated from the decrease of the substrate peak area. Determining the kinetic parameters at a constant substrate concentration and different inhibitor concentrations assessed K i values. The initial rate measurements were determined as previously described using a fluorescence-based peptide cleavage assay with a fluorogenic substrate, Dabcyl-KTSAVLQSGFRKME-Edans.24, 30 The rate of substrate cleavage was detected by the increase in fluorescent over time (see Section 6.7). Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 report the IC50 and/or K i values as the mean of 3 independent experiments.

In our previous report, inhibitor 1 was found to be a moderate SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitor with an IC50 value of 9.5 μM and a K i value of 2.20 μM. In a first attempt to investigate the effects of the N-terminal substituents (P4-moiety) on the activity profile of 1 (Table 1), the inhibitory activities of a series of aromatic (2a & 2b) and aliphatic (2c & 2d) carbamates were evaluated. None of these compounds showed inhibitory potency comparable to 1. The same result was obtained for the acyl derivatives, such as 2e and 2f. Interestingly, the derivative 2g (IC50  = 6.8 μM), a phenoxymethyl carbonyl, displayed a slightly higher activity than 1. Thus, the presence of the phenoxymethyl carbonyl at the N-terminal position appeared to enhance the activity of 1.

The molecular modeling study involving 1 and the 3CLpro enzyme (Fig. 1) provided insight and understanding into the binding of the inhibitor to the active site of the enzyme (See Section 4 and Fig. 2 ). The introduction of a spacious warhead group (P1′) was suggested as a means for increasing the inhibitory activity; therefore, we modified inhibitor 1 to include larger units, such as 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 5-methylthiazole, benzothiazole and a series of 5-arylated thiazoles at the P1′ position.

Figure 2

Molecular dynamics stimulated pose of compound 2o, (yellow stick) bound to SARS-CoV 3CLpro (PDB ID: 1WOF (green stick) with blue molecular surface); with lead compound 1 (red stick); (A) overlapped view of 2o with an original vinyl ester (green stick) and lead 1 (red stick); (B) contacted residues with hydrogen bonding interactions (dotted lines).

The compound bearing 4,5-dimehtylthiazole, 2h, displayed a lower inhibitory activity (IC50  = 22 μM) than 1. Compounds 2i and 2j bearing benzothiazole exhibited four- to fivefold higher activities (2i; IC50  = 1.7 μM, 2j; IC50  = 2.3 μM) than 1 and 10- to 13-fold higher activities than 2h. Notably, 2i exhibited very potent inhibition with a K i value of 4.1 nM. This finding strongly suggested that the benzothiazole unit in 1 was a suitable chemical warhead group for occupying the S1′-site. In the subsequent studies, inhibitors 2i and 2j were advanced as lead compounds for further optimization.

A series of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents were introduced onto the phenyl ring of the P4-moiety of 2j. Indeed, compounds with an electron donating substituent such as methoxy, hydroxyl, or N,N′-dimethylamino at the o-, p- or m-positions (2k, 2l or 2m: p-, o- or m-methoxy, respectively; 2n: p-hydroxyl; and 2o or 2p: p- or m-N,N′-dimethylamino, respectively) exhibited more potent inhibition than 2j. The m-methoxy (2m: IC50  = 0.75 μM) and p-N,N′ dimethylamino (2o: IC50  = 0.65 μM) analogs stood out in their inhibitory strengths. The most promising inhibitor was the m-N,N′-dimethylamino derivative (2p), with a K i value of 3.1 nM; however, analogs with an electron-withdrawing substituent (2q: p-carboxyl or 2r: p-nitro) displayed relatively low potencies. These results strongly suggested that an electron-donating substituent on the phenyl ring of the P4-moiety was important and favorable to enhance inhibitory activity against 3CLpro.

Isosteric replacement around the P4-scaffold in the context of 2j yielded notable differences from the inhibitory activities of 2j. Replacement of phenoxy (2j) with pyridinyloxy (2s) did not hamper the inhibitory potency. Interestingly, the potency was recovered upon phenylamino substitution (2t: IC50  = 1.5 μM). The chain length between the P4-carbonyl and the phenyl group contributed significantly to the inhibitor potency, as indicated by a decreased in the activity of the analog 2u (IC50  = 7.5 μM).

A variety of substituent groups were introduced into the P2-moiety (3a–d; Table 2). Initially, the stereochemistry of P2 and a size-appropriate amino acid residue at the S2-position in 2i were tested. Compound 3a, in which l-leucine was replaced with d-leucine, dramatically reduced the inhibitory activity. Replacement with bulky hydrophobic side chains, such as cyclohexylmethyl (3b) and benzyl (3c) resulted in solubility issue in the enzyme assay, and replacement with polar glutamic acid (3d) did not increase the inhibitory potency. l-leucine, therefore, appeared to provide a suitable stereochemistry and appropriate size for the P2-moiety to fit into the S2-pocket. This result also well correlated with the docking study.

The hydrogen-bonding property of the pyrrolidone structure at the P1-side chain of 1 was studied with an imidazole moiety. As shown in Table 2, none of these compounds (4a–c) exhibited notable inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV 3CLpro. Thus, the cyclic amide (γ-lactam) at the P1 site was crucial for potent inhibitory activity.

The P1′-moiety was next examined by varying the 5-substituted thiazoles (5a–i; Table 3). The inhibitory activities (K i values) of compounds 5a–i are listed in Table 3. Analog 5a (K i  = 60 nM) showed 15-times lower activity than 2i; however, the other 5-arylated thiazoles (5b–i) generally exhibited very low inhibitory activities compared to 5a, although the K i values of some inhibitors, including 5b, 5g–i, were in the submicromolar range. These studies confirmed that the benzothiazole unit was appropriate as a warhead group for the P1′-moiety.

Docking study

Previously, we demonstrated that the inhibitory activity of a compound containing a thiazole residue for insertion into the S1′-pocket was not time-dependent, suggesting a reversible strong binding interaction with the protease.25, 27 Here, we examined the molecular docking of the potent active compound, 2o, in comparison with the lead compound 1 and a structurally similar ligand, the docking structure of which has been elucidated by x-ray crystallography (PDB ID: 1WOF, K i  = 10.7 μM) (Fig. 2). Several minimization processes were performed using the MMFF94X force field to model the solvation environment surrounding the inhibitor. A molecular simulation was subsequently performed. Figure 2A shows that the 2o moieties P1–P3 (yellow stick) interacted with the same region of the enzyme as the lead 1. Interestingly, the benzothiazole unit occupied the S1′-pocket more tightly than the smaller thiazole moiety. The minimized energies for 2o and 1 obtained from the docking study were −43.65 and −37.56 kcal/mol, respectively. Additionally, the 4-N,N′-dimethylaminophenoxy acetyl group adopted a unique folding conformation by forming new hydrophobic interactions with α-carbon of Ala 191 at the P4 site, as shown in Figure 2B.

Conclusions

We describe here the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of tripeptide-type SARS-CoV 3CLpro inhibitors in a SAR study. A docking study of the initial lead compound 1 bound to the SARS-CoV 3CLpro provided a better understanding of the inhibitor-active site structure and interactions. These studies led to the development of several potent inhibitors, including 2i, 2k, 2m, 2o, and 2p with IC50 or K i values in the submicromolar to nanomolar range. Compounds 2i and 2p exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, with K i values of 4.1 and 3.1 nM, respectively. These results clearly indicated that the peptidomimetics were promising inhibitors for the development of potential therapeutic agents against SARS. The structural requirements of the peptidomimetics displaying potent inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV 3CLpro could be summarized as follows: (i) a benzothiazole unit was effectively accommodated as a chemical warhead by the S1′-pocket; (ii) hydrogen-bonding capabilities at the cyclic lactam at the S1-position; (iii) appropriate stereochemistry and a size-appropriate l-leucine moiety in the S2-hydrophobic pocket and (iv) a unique folding conformation assumed by the phenoxyacetyl moiety at the S4-site.

Experimental

Materials and methods

Reagents and solvents were purchased from Wako Pure Chemical Ind., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan), and Aldrich Chemical Co. Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) and were used without further purification. Analytical thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on Merck Silica Gel 60F254 pre-coated plates. Preparative HPLC was performed using a C18 reverse-phase column (19 × 100 mm; SunFire Prep C18 OBD™, 5 μm) with a binary solvent system: a linear gradient of CH3CN in 0.1% aqueous TFA at a flow rate of 6 mL/min, detected at UV 254 and 222 nm. All solvents used for HPLC were HPLC-grade. All other chemicals were of analytical grade or better. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were obtained using a JEOL 400 MHz spectrometer, a Varian Mercury 300 spectrometer (300 MHz) or a BRUKER AV600 spectrometer (600 MHz) with tetramethylsilane as an internal standard. High-resolution mass spectra (ESI or EI) were recorded on a micromass Q-Tof Ultima API or a JEOL JMS-GCmate BU-20 spectrometer. Mass spectra (ESI) were recorded on LCMS-2010EV (SHIMADZU).

General solid-phase synthetic procedure for the preparation of the dipeptides (9)

To the Wang resin (1.0 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added Fmoc-amino acid (3 equiv), DIC (3 equiv) and DMAP (0.25 equiv), and the mixture was stirred for 3 h. The resin was filtered, washed with DMF and CH2Cl2 and dried under vacuum to yield 6. After removal of the Fmoc-group using 20% piperidine in DMF over 20 min, the next appropriate amino acid was coupled to the resin using the coupling agents DIC (3 equiv) and HOBt (3 equiv) by solid-phase synthesis techniques. The resulting intermediate 7 was then treated with 20% piperidine in DMF for 20 min to remove the Fmoc-group and subsequently reacted with the corresponding carboxylic acid (3 equiv) by the DIC-HOBt method or acid chloride (3 equiv) in the presence of Et3N to produce 8. Finally, the resin was treated with TFA/H2O (10:1, 2 mL), and the mixture was filtered after 1 h. The filtrate was removed under high vacuum to give the desired dipeptides 9, which were used directly in the next step without further purification or analysis.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13a)

Compound 11 was prepared through sequential reactions from the well-known intermediate 10, as reported previously.

To a solution of the acid 11 (5.0 g, 12.0 mmol in DMF, 80 mL) was added EDC·HCl (1.85 g, 13.44 mmol), HOBt (1.56 g, 13.44 mmol) and N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine (1.31 g, 13.44 mol) at ambient temperature. The solution was cooled to 0 °C and TEA (1.87 mL, 13.44 mmol) was added slowly. After 2 h, the DMF was evaporated and the resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL). The organic phase was subsequently washed with 5% citric acid (50 mL), 5% NaHCO3 (50 mL) and brine (50 mL). This organic layer was then dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield the Weinreb amide derivative 12, which was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc/MeOH = 9.5:0.5).

To a solution of thiazole (1.373 g, 10.0 mmol) in THF at −78 °C was added n-BuLi (2.0 mol in THF, 1.67 mL) dropwise over 15 min. After 1 h stirring, the Weinreb amide 12 (0.640 g, 2.0 mmol) in THF was slowly added dropwise over 20 min and the solution was stirred for 3 h. The reaction was quenched with sat. NH4Cl and allowed to stir at 0 °C for 20 min. The mixture was evaporated and dissolved in ethyl acetate. This solution was washed with water and brine, and then dried over Na2SO4. The organic layer was concentrated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was subjected to flash chromatography (EtOAc/MeOH = 9:1) to obtain the pure compound 13a.

The data for the compound 12 & 13a has been reported in a previous article.

Compounds 13b–d were prepared from 12 according to the procedure described for the synthesis of 13a.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13b)

51% yield from 12; yellow solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 5.89 (br s, 1H), 5.48–5.46 (m, 1H), 3.40–3.35 (m, 2H), 2.72–2.55, (m, 5H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.18–2.00 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C17H25N3O4S [M+H]+ 367.1566, found 367.1568.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13c)

Compound 13c was prepared from 12 using a procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 13a. The data for the compound 13c has been reported in a previous article.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13d)

55% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.67 (s, 1H), 5.53–5.52 (m, 1H), 3.40–3.38 (m, 2H), 2.65–2.52 (m, 3H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.13–1.98 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C16H24N3O4S [M+H]+ 354.1488, found 354.1491.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(5-phenylthiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13e)

To a cooled solution of the commercially available 5-phenylthiazole (4.78 mmol) in dry THF at −78 °C, a solution of LDA (6.2 mmol) was slowly added. After 1 h, a pre-cooled solution of Weinreb amide 12 in dry THF was slowly added and the reaction was stirred at −78 °C for 2 h. The solution was allowed to warm to room temperature, was quenched by the addition of water (35 mL), and was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, filtered, and evaporated in vacuo. The crude mixture was then purified using flash chromatography (n-hexane/EtOAc = 3:7) to furnish 13e.

55% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.16 (s, 1H), 7.63–7.62 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.47–7.42 (m, 3H), 5.53–5.52 (m, 1H), 3.40–3.38 (m, 2H), 2.65–2.52 (m, 2H), 2.13–1.98 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C21H26N3O4S [M+H]+ 416.1644, found 416.1653.

Compounds 13f–j were prepared from 12 according to the procedure described for the synthesis of 13e.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(5-(p-tolyl)thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13f)

51% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.12 (s, 1H), 7.52–7.50 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.39–7.22 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 5.45–5.32 (m, 1H), 3.40–3.26 (m, 2H), 2.65–2.50 (m, 2H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.12–1.94 (m, 3H), 1.43 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C22H28N3O4S [M+H]+ 430.1801, found 430.1802.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13g)

48% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.07–8.06 (d, J  = 4.0 Hz, 1H), 7.57–7.55 (d, J  = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.97–6.95 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 5.47–53 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.39–3.29 (m, 2H), 2.60–2.52 (m, 2H), 2.12–1.93 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C22H28N3O5S [M+H]+ 446.1750, found 446.1754.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13h)

56% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.14–8.13 (d, J  = 4.4 Hz, 1H), 7.56–7.54 (d, J  = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.44–7.42 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 5.51–5.44 (m, 1H), 3.40–3.31(m, 2H), 2.61–2.36 (m, 2H), 2.12–1.93 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C21H25ClN3O4S [M+H]+ 450.1254, found 450.1245.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(5-(naphthalen-2-yl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13i)

57% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.29–8.28 (d, J  = 4.0 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 7.92–7.85 (m, 3H), 7.76–7.74 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.56–7.52 (m, 2H), 5.51–5.43 (m, 1H), 3.41–3.30 (m, 2H), 2.63–2.33 (m, 2H), 2.12–1.91 (m, 3H), 1.45 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C22H28N3O4S [M+H]+ 466.1801, found 466.1798.

tert-Butyl ((S)-1-(5-(2-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)carbamate (13j)

51% yield from 12; brown solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.15–8.14 (d, J  = 4.0 Hz, 1H), 7.38–7.34 (t, J  = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.22–7.20 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.13–7.11 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.99–6.95 (m, 1H), 5.45–533 (m, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.40–3.29 (m, 2H), 2.62–2.33 (m, 2H), 2.10–1.89 (m, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C22H28N3O5S [M+H]+ 446.1750, found 446.1737.

tert-Butyl ((2S)-3-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl)carbamate (16)

The compound 16 was synthesized from 14 using a method similar to that described for the preparation of 13a.

51% yield from 14; brown solid; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.04 (d, J  = 2.93 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (d, J  = 2.90 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 5.64 (br s, 1H), 3.32 (br s, 1H), 1.43 (s, 9H). HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C14H18N4O3S [M+H]+ 323.1178, found 323.1183.

(S)-2,2-Dimethyl-1-(((1-oxo-1-(thiazol-2-yl)-3-(1-tosyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)oxy)propan-1-one (17)

To a solution of 16 (1.6 mmol) in THF (20 mL) at 0 °C was added tosyl chloride (1.5 equiv). After 10 min, Et3N (1.5 equiv) was added slowly and allowed to stir for 3 h at the same condition. The solvent was evaporated and the resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL). This organic phase was washed with 5% citric acid (25 mL), 5% NaHCO3 (25 mL) and brine (25 mL). This layer was then dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 17, which was purified by column chromatography (n-hexane/EtOAc = 5:5).

72% yield from 16; yellow solid; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.02 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (d, J  = 2.90 Hz, 1H), 7.60–7.57 (m, 3H), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.33–7.31 (d, J  = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 5.57 (br s, 1H), 2.37 (s, 3H), 1.44 (s, 9H). HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C21H24N4O5S2 [M+H]+ 477.1300, found 177.1312.

Synthetic procedure for the preparation of 2a

To a solution of 13a (2 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2 mL) at 0 °C was added TFA/H2O (10 mL) and the solution was stirred for 1 h. After evaporating the solvent under reduced pressure, the corresponding deprotected lactam residue (3 mmol) was coupled to the dipeptidic 9 (1.1 equiv) using the coupling agent HBTU (1.1 equiv) and HOBt (1.1 equiv) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA, 1.1 equiv) in DMF (3 mL) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir for 2–3 h under ambient conditions. The solvent was then evaporated under high vacuum, and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL). The organic layer was washed with 5% citric acid (25 mL), 5% NaHCO3 (25 mL) and brine (25 mL). This solution was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a compound 2a.

Compounds 2f–u were prepared from 13a–c with 9 using a procedure similar to that described for the synthesis of 2a. Compounds 2a–u were purified by reverse phase HPLC.

4-Nitrobenzyl ((S)-3-methyl-1-(((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)pentan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (2a)

25% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.63 (d, J  = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J  = 3.1 Hz, 1H), 8.22 (d, J  = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 8.18 (d, J  = 3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J  = 8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.44 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 5.46–5.39 (m, 1H), 5.18 (s, 2H), 4.38 (dd, J  = 8.4, 14.8 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (dd, J  = 7.0, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J  = 8.7, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J  = 9.2, 16.3 Hz, 1H), 2.48–2.40 (m, 1H), 2.23–2.12 (m, 1H), 2.08–2.01 (m, 1H), 2.00–1.92 (m, 1H), 1.81–1.70 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.53 (m, 1H), 1.48–1.39 (m, 2H), 0.92–0.79 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.3, 177.9, 172.2, 170.8, 164.4, 155.8, 146.9, 145.3, 145.2, 128.4, 127.9, 123.4, 64.1, 60.1, 53.0, 50.7, 40.8, 39.4, 37.8, 32.3, 30.4, 27.2, 24.0, 22.9, 21.7, 19.1, 18.1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C29H39N6O8S [M+H]+ 631.2550, found 631.2551.

Phenyl ((S)-3-methyl-1-(((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)pentan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (2b)

26% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.66 (d, J  = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (d, J  = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.36 (t, J  = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.19 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J  = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 5.46–5.38 (m, 1H), 4.40 (dd, J  = 9.0, 15.5 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (dd, J  = 7.3, 8.5 Hz, 1H), 3.16 (dd, J  = 9.7, 8.5 Hz, 1H), 3.09 (dd, J  = 9.1, 16.4 Hz, 1H), 2.48–2.41 (m, 1H), 2.22–2.12 (m, 1H), 2.08–1.93 (m, 2H), 1.81–1.69 (m, 2H), 1.68–1.54 (m, 1H), 1.48–1.35 (m, 2H), 0.93–0.80 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.3, 177.9, 172.2, 170.6164.4, 154.3, 151.1, 145.3, 129.2, 128.4, 124.9, 121.6, 60.2, 53.0, 50.8, 40.8, 39.4, 37.8, 32.3, 30.3, 27.2, 24.0, 22.8, 21.8, 19.1, 18.2; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C28H38N5O6S [M+H]+ 572.2543, found 572.2531.

Isobutyl ((S)-3-methyl-1-(((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)pentan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (2c)

38% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.74 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (d, J  = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.46–5.39 (m, 1H), 5.18 (s, 2H), 4.38 (dd, J  = 8.4, 14.8 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (dd, J  = 7.0, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J  = 8.7, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J  = 9.2, 16.3 Hz, 1H), 2.48–2.40 (m, 1H), 2.23–2.12 (m, 2H), 2.08–2.01 (m, 1H), 2.00–1.92 (m, 1H), 1.81–1.70 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.53 (m, 1H), 1.48–1.39 (m, 2H), 0.92–0.86 (m, 12H), 0.85–0.80 (m, 6H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.4, 173.9, 170.2, 169.0, 165.3, 157.1, 144.7, 128.1, 72.5, 60.9, 54.2, 51.6, 40.3, 39.4, 39.8, 33.2, 31.7, 31.0, 27.1, 25.9, 24.2, 23.1, 22.0, 19.1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C26H41N5O6S [M+H]+ 551.2778, found 551.2780.

Neopentyl ((S)-3-methyl-1-(((S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)pentan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (2d)

78% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.61 (d, J  = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J  = 3.1 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (d, J  = 3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (d, J  = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.01 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 5.43–5.37 (m, 1H), 4.37 (dd, J  = 8.0, 15.3 Hz, 1H), 3.83 (dd, J  = 7.0, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.70–3.57 (m, 2H), 3.18 (dd, J  = 9.4, 9.4 Hz, 1H), 3.09 (dd, J  = 9.2, 16.4 Hz, 1H), 2.48–2.39 (m, 1H), 2.22–2.10 (m, 1H), 2.06–1.99 (m, 1H), 1.97–1.84 (m, 1H), 1.80–1.67 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.51 (m, 1H), 1.47–1.33 (m, 2H), 0.93–0.78 (m, 21H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.2, 177.9, 172.2, 171.0, 164.4, 156.4, 145.2, 128.4, 72.8, 59.9, 53.0, 50.7, 40.9, 39.4, 37.8, 32.3, 31.4, 30.4, 27.2, 26.2, 24.0, 22.9, 21.7, 19.1, 18.2; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C27H44N5O6S [M+H]+ 566.3012, found 566.3008.

(S)-4-Methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(3-phenylpropanamido)butanamido)-N-((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (2e)

42% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.57 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J  = 2.9 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (d, J  = 2.9 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J  = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (s, 1H), 7.26–7.09 (m, 1H), 5.46–5.38 (m, 1H), 4.32 (dd, J  = 8.8, 15.8 Hz, 1H), 4.16 (dd, J  = 7.2, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J  = 9.2, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.08 (dd, J  = 9.2, 16.4 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (t, J  = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.55–2.37 (m, 3H, overlapping with DMSO-d 6), 2.26–2.12 (m, 1H), 2.07–1.99 (m, 1H), 1.93–1.85 (m, 1H), 1.80–1.68 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.52 (m, 1H), 1.47–1.36 (m, 2H), 0.85 (dd, J  = 6.5, 26.4 Hz, 6H), 0.76 (dd, J  = 6.8, 12.7 Hz, 6H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.3, 178.0, 172.2, 171.3, 170.9, 164.4, 145.3, 141.3, 128.4, 128.2, 125.8, 57.4, 53.0, 50.8, 40.7, 39.4, 37.8, 36.6, 32.4, 31.2, 30.6, 27.6, 24.1, 22.9, 21.8, 19.1, 18.1; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C30H42N5O5S [M+H]+ 584.2907, found 584.2913.

(S)-2-((S)-2-Acetamido-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methyl-N-((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (2f)

37% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.74 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 8.02 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (d, J  = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.68–5.60 (m, 1H), 4.44 (dd, J  = 7.1, 15.5 Hz, 1H), 4.19–4.15 (m, 1H), 3.38–3.30 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.72–2.63 (m, 1H), 2.45–2.37 (m, 1H), 2.18–2.09 (m, 1H), 2.08–2.00 (m, 2H), 1.99–1.96 (s, 3H), 1.74–1.65 (m, 1H), 1.63–1.54 (m, 1H), 0.99–0.90 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 192.0, 181.8, 174.9, 173.84, 173.7, 173.4, 165.9, 146.3, 128.6, 119.2, 60.3, 60.2, 55.1, 55.0, 53.3, 53.2, 41.9, 41.9, 41.5, 40.0, 34.1, 31.9, 28.7, 25.8, 23.3, 22.4, 22.2, 19.8, 18.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C23H36N5O5S [M+H]+ 494.2437, found 494.2424.

(S)-4-Methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(2-phenoxyacetamido)butanamido)-N-((S)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (2g)

53% yield from 13a; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.64 (d, J  = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J  = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (d, J  = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J  = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.81 (d, J  = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (br s, 1H), 7.30–7.23 (m, 2H), 6.97–6.90 (m, 5H), 5.45–5.39 (m, 1H), 4.55 (dd, J  = 14.7, 19.3 Hz, 2H), 4.35 (dd, J  = 8.5, 14.9 Hz, 1H), 4.26 (dd, J  = 6.5, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J  = 9.5, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.09 (dd, J  = 9.2, 16.4 Hz, 1H), 2.46–2.41 (m, 1H, overlapping with DMSO), 2.22–2.13 (m, 1H), 2.08–1.92 (m, 2H), 1.60–1.51 (m, 1H), 1.48–1.36 (m, 2H), 0.85 (dd, J  = 6.6, 25.7 Hz, 6H), 0.78 (dd, J  = 6.5, 26.6 Hz, 6H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO) δ 191.3, 178.0, 172.1, 172.0, 170.3, 167.4, 157.7, 145.3, 129.5, 128.4, 121.1, 114.6, 66.6, 56.8, 53.0, 52.9, 50.8, 40.7, 39.4, 37.8, 32.3, 31.0, 27.3, 24.1, 22.8, 21.8, 19.1, 17.8; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C29H40N5O6S [M+H]+ 586.2699, found 586.2695.

Benzyl ((S)-1-(((S)-1-(((S)-1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (2h)

47% yield from 13b; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.09 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.38–7.26 (m, 5H), 5.60–5.55 (m, 1H), 5.09 (s, 2H), 4.49–4.43 (m, 1H), 3.95 (d, J  = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.36–3.25 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.68–2.59 (m, 1H), 2.47 (s, 1H), 2.40 (s, 1H), 2.39–2.33 (m, 1H), 2.15- 2.01 (m, 1H), 2.00–1.92 (m, 2H), 1.73–1.64 (m, 1H), 1.62–1.54 (m, 2H), 0.98–0.88 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 191.7, 181.8, 174.7, 174.2, 160.4, 158.6, 153.3, 138.6, 129.5, 129.0, 128.8, 67.7, 62.0, 54.5, 53.2, 41.9, 41.5, 40.0, 34.3, 32.0, 28.7, 25.8, 23.3, 22.2, 19.8, 18.6, 14.9, 11.9; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C31H44N5O6S [M+H]+ 614.3012, found 614.2993.

Benzyl ((S)-1-(((S)-1-(((S)-1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (2i)

24% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.21 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.66–7.57 (m, 2H), 7.37–7.26 (m, 5H), 5.72 (d, J  = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 5.09 (s, 2H), 4.52–4.42 (m, 1H), 3.97–3.92 (m, 1H), 3.39–3.32 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.76–2.67 (m, 1H), 2.48–2.37 (m, 1H), 2.26–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.11–1.99 (m, 3H), 1.71–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.99–0.85 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.9, 174.2, 165.5, 158.6, 154.8, 138.4, 138.2, 129.5, 129.3, 129.0, 128.8, 128.5, 126.5, 123.7, 67.7, 62.0, 55.2, 53.2, 41.9, 41.5, 40.0, 33.8, 32.0, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.6; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C33H42N5O6S [M+H]+ 636.2856, found 636.2843.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(2-phenoxyacetamido)butanamido)pentanamide (2j)

28% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.31 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (d, J  = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (d, J  = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.66–7.55 (m, 2H), 7.30 (t, J  = 6.5 Hz, 1H), 7.01–6.95 (m, 3H), 5.73 (dd, J  = 3.3, 11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (s, 2H), 4.44 (dd, J  = 7.0, 15.7 Hz, 1H), 4.33 (dd, J  = 7.2, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.41–3.30 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.78–2.70 (m, 1H), 2.45–2.41 (m, 1H), 2.25–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.11–2.01 (m, 3H), 1.69–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.98–0.83 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.3, 171.1, 165.5, 159.1, 154.8, 138.4, 130.7, 129.3, 128.5, 126.5, 123.7, 122.9, 115.9, 68.1, 59.4, 55.2, 53.4, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.8, 32.5, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.5; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C33H42N5O6S [M+H]+ 636.2856, found 636.2842.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2k)

11% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.21 (d, J  = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.56 (m, 2H), 6.92 (d, J  = 9.2 Hz, 2H), 6.85 (d, J  = 9.2 Hz, 2H), 5.73 (dd, J  = 3.3, 11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.52 (s, 2H), 4.44 (dd, J  = 6.4, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.39–3.30 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.78–2.69 (m, 1H), 2.48–2.42 (m, 1H), 2.25–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.12–2.01 (m, 3H), 1.68–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.99–0.83 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.2, 171.2, 165.5, 156.3, 154.8, 153.2, 138.4, 129.3, 128.5, 126.5, 123.7, 117.0, 115.8, 69.0, 59.3, 56.1, 55.2, 53.4, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.8, 32.5, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.5; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C34H44N5O7S [M+H]+ 666.2961, found 666.2993.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2l)

18% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.29 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (d, J  = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.99 (d, J  = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.57 (m, 2H), 7.02 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 3H), 6.92–6.86 (m, 1H), 5.78–5.70 (m, 1H), 4.57 (d, J  = 3.5 Hz, 2H), 4.44 (dd, J  = 6.5, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (dd, J  = 7.1, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.41–3.32 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.79–2.69 (m, 1H), 2.48–2.41 (m, 1H), 2.26–2.17 (m, 1H), 2.15–1.99 (m, 3H), 1.72–1.53 (m, 3H), 1.00–0.82 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.9, 173.2, 171.5, 165.5, 154.8, 151.5, 148.9, 138.4, 129.3, 128.5, 126.5, 124.5, 123.7, 122.2, 117.5, 113.6, 70.8, 59.3, 56.5, 55.1, 53.4, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.9, 32.6, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.7, 18.4; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C34H43N5O7S [M+H]+ 665.2883, found 665.2881.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2m)

14% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.22 (d, J  = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (d, J  = 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.65–7.54 (m, 2H), 7.06 (d, J  = 9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.87 (d, J  = 9.2 Hz, 2H), 6.73 (s, 1H), 5.71 (dd, J  = 3.3, 11.2 Hz, 1H), 4.54 (s, 2H), 4.41 (dd, J  = 6.2, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.31 (d, J  = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.36–3.27 (m, 2H), 2.77–2.68 (m, 1H), 2.51–2.44 (m, 1H), 2.25–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.13–2.03 (m, 3H), 1.71–1.56 (m, 3H), 0.98 - 0.85 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.2, 171.2, 165.5, 162.5, 160.3, 154.8, 138.4, 131.2, 129.3, 128.5, 126.5, 123.7, 108.7, 107.8, 102.4, 68.2, 59.3, 55.8, 55.2, 53.3, 41.5, 40.0, 33.8, 32.5, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.5; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C34H43N5O7S [M+H]+ 665.2883, found 665.2882.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2n)

21% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.21 (d, J  = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.66–7.56 (m, 2H), 6.84 (d, J  = 9.1 Hz, 2H), 6.72 (d, J  = 9.0 Hz, 2H), 5.72 (dd, J  = 3.4, 11.5 Hz, 1H), 4.49 (s, 2H), 4.48–4.41 (m, 1H), 4.33 (d, J  = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.37–3.30 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.78–2.70 (m, 1H), 2.49–2.37 (m, 1H), 2.36–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.15–1.99 (m, 3H), 1.71–1.52 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.81 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.2, 171.3, 165.5, 154.8, 153.4, 152.4, 138.4, 129.3, 128.5, 126.5, 123.7, 117.1, 117.0, 69.1, 59.2, 55.2, 53.3, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.8, 32.6, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.5; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C33H42N5O7S [M+H]+ 652.2805, found 652.2839.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2o)

18% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.31 (d, J  = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.57 (m, 2H), 7.25 (d, J  = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.07 (d, J  = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 5.73 (dd, J  = 3.4, 11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (s, 2H), 4.48–4.41 (m, 1H), 4.32 (d, J  = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.42–3.32 (m, 2H), 2.78–2.69 (m, 1H), 2.50–2.42 (m, 1H), 2.24–2.17 (m, 1H), 2.14–2.03 (m, 3H), 1.70–1.52 (m, 3H), 0.99–0.82 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.3, 173.2, 170.7, 165.5, 154.8, 143.3, 138.4, 129.3, 128.5, 126.5, 123.8, 120.2, 117.3, 68.6, 59.4, 55.2, 53.4, 45.2, 41.8, 416, 40.0, 33.9, 32.5, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.5; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C35H47N6O6S [M+H]+ 669.3278, found 669.3320.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(3-(dimethylamino)phenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2p)

37% yield from 13c; light green solid; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.21 (br s, 1H, NH), 8.18–8.16 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.99–7.97 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.61–7.58 (m, 2H), 7.43–7.40 (m, 1H), 6.50–6.48 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (s, 1H), 6.38–6.36 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.67–5.62 (m, 1H), 4.57–4.53 (m 1H), 4.52 (s, 2H), 4.34–4.31 (m, 1H), 3.40–3.32 (m, 2H), 3.01 (s, 6H), 2.60–2.53 (m, 2H), 2.17–2.02 (m, 3H), 2.00–1.89 (m, 1H), 1.72–1.52 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.89 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.4, 178.2, 172.2, 171.3, 170.9, 164.1, 145.7, 141.1, 128.4, 128.3, 125.8, 57.4, 53.1, 50.8, 40.7, 39.4, 37.8, 36.6, 32.4, 31.2, 30.6, 27.5, 24.1, 22.9, 21.7, 19.2, 18.0; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C35H48N6O6S [M+H]+ 679.3278, found 679.3287.

4-(2-(((S)-1-(((S)-1-(((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)amino)-2-oxoethoxy)benzoic acid (2q)

19% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 12.57 (br s, 1H), 8.70 (d, J  = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (d, J  = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 7.63–7.55 (m, 2H), 6.93 (d, J  = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 5.48–5.41 (m, 1H), 4.60 (dd, J  = 14.8, 19.1 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (dd, J  = 8.1, 14.7 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (dd, J  = 6.6, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.14 (dd, J  = 9.3, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.05 (dd, J  = 7.4, 16.4 Hz, 1H), 2.42–2.37 (m, 1H, overlapping with DMSO), 2.22–2.14 (m, 1H), 2.10–2.02 (m, 1H), 1.94–1.84 (m, 1H), 1.82–1.71 (m, 2H), 1.50–1.41 (m, 1H), 1.38–1.28 (m, 2H), 0.75 (dd, J  = 3.0, 6.6 Hz, 6H), 0.71 (d, J  = 6.6 Hz, 6H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 192.8, 178.0, 172.1, 170.3, 166.9, 166.8, 164.3, 161.3, 152.8, 136.3, 131.2, 128.1, 127.4, 125.2, 123.5, 123.1, 114.4, 66.6, 56.9, 53.2, 50.8, 40.7, 39.4, 37.8, 32.1, 30.9, 27.4, 24.0, 22.7, 21.7, 19.0, 17.9; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C34H41N5O8S [M+H]+ 679.2676, found 679.2674.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(2-(4-nitrophenoxy)acetamido)butanamido)pentanamide (2r)

12% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.89 (d, J  = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J  = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 8.26–8.20 (m, 3H), 8.12 (d, J  = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.58 (m, 2H), 7.15 (d, J  = 9.4 Hz, 2H), 5.77–5.70 (m, 1H), 4.75 (s, 2H), 4.44 (dd, J  = 6.1, 14.4 Hz, 1H), 4.30 (d, J  = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.41–3.32 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.77–2.69 (m, 1H), 2.49–2.42 (m, 1H), 2.25–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.13–2.02 (m, 3H), 1.68–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.99–0.83 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.2, 169.8, 154.8, 143.6, 138.4, 129.3, 128.5, 126.8, 126.5, 123.7, 116.2, 68.3, 59.7, 55.2, 53.3, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.9, 32.3, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C33H40N6O8S [M+H]+ 680.2628, found 680.2627.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(2-(pyridin-3-yloxy)acetamido)butanamido)pentanamide (2s)

33% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.54 (br s, 1H), 8.38 (d, J  = 5.0 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J  = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (d, J  = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (dd, J  = 2.8, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (dd, J  = 5.3, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.58 (m, 2H), 5.73 (dd, J  = 3.5, 11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.85 (s, 2H), 4.45 (dd, J  = 6.6, 14.2 Hz, 1H), 4.33–4.26 (m, 1H), 3.41–3.32 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.77–2.68 (m, 1H), 2.49–2.42 (m, 1H), 2.25–2.16 (m, 1H), 2.14–2.01 (m, 3H), 1.68–1.54 (m, 3H), 1.00–0.84 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.9, 173.3, 169.4, 165.5, 157.6, 154.8, 138.5, 138.4, 134.3, 129.8, 129.3, 128.5, 128.0, 126.5, 123.8, 68.5, 59.9, 55.2, 53.3, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.9, 32.2, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C32H41N6O6S [M+H]+ 637.2808, found 637.2809.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(2-(phenylamino)acetamido)butanamido)pentanamide (2t)

17% yield from 13c; slightly yellow powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.24 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (d, J  = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.67–7.57 (m, 2H), 7.19 (dd, J  = 6.5, 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.82 (t, J  = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.75 (d, J  = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 5.72 (dd, J  = 3.4, 11.8 Hz, 1H), 4.41 (dd, J  = 5.3, 14.0 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (d, J  = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.85 (dd, J  = 7.1, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.38–3.31 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.75–2.67 (m, 1H), 2.46–2.39 (m, 1H), 2.24–2.17 (m, 1H), 2.11–1.98 (m, 3H), 1.68–1.50 (m, 3H), 0.98–0.77 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.3, 172.7, 165.5, 154.8, 147.2, 138.4, 130.4, 129.3, 128.5, 126.7, 126.5, 123.7, 121.1, 115.6, 59.5, 55.1, 53.3, 41.8, 41.5, 39.9, 33.8, 32.5, 28.8, 25.8, 23.2, 22.2, 19.8, 18.3; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C33H43N6O5S [M+H]+ 635.3016, found 635.3009.

(S)-N-((S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-((S)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(benzylamino)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (2u)

22% yield from 13c; yellow powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD3OD) δ 8.21 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.18 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (d, J  = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64–7.51 (m, 2H), 7.21 (dd, J  = 6.5, 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.83 (t, J  = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, J  = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 5.73 (dd, J  = 3.4, 11.8 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (dd, J  = 5.1, 14.0 Hz, 1H), 4.31 (d, J  = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 3.78 (dd, J  = 7.1, 10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.40–3.34 (m, 2H, overlapping with MeOH), 2.75–2.70 (m, 1H), 2.46–2.40 (m, 1H), 2.24–2.20 (m, 1H), 2.10–2.00 (m, 3H), 1.70–1.50 (m, 3H), 1.00–0.77 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, CD3OD) δ 193.5, 181.8, 174.8, 173.3, 171.1, 165.5, 159.1, 154.8, 147.1, 138.4, 130.7, 129.3, 128.4, 125.3, 126.5, 123.7, 122.9, 121.1, 115.9, 68.1, 59.4, 55.2, 53.3, 41.8, 41.5, 40.0, 33.8, 32.5, 28.8, 25.8, 23.4, 22.2, 19.8, 18.3; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C34H45N6O5S [M+H]+ 649.3172, found 649.3156.

Synthetic procedure for the preparation of 3a–d

Compounds 3a–d was prepared from 13c (2 mmol) with an appropriate dipeptidic 9 (1.1 equiv) using a procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 2a. Compounds 3a–d were purified by reverse phase HPLC.

Benzyl ((2S)-1-(((2R)-1-(((2S)-1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (3a)

22% yield from 13c; White powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.21 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J  = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.66–7.57 (m, 2H), 7.37–7.26 (m, 5H), 5.72 (d, J  = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 5.09 (s, 2H), 4.52–4.42 (m, 1H), 3.97–3.92 (m, 1H), 3.39–3.32 (m, 2H), 2.76–2.67 (m, 1H), 2.48–2.37 (m, 1H), 2.26–2.18 (m, 1H), 2.11–1.99 (m, 3H), 1.71–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.99–0.85 (m, 12H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C33H42N5O6S [M+H]+ 636.2856, found 636.2851.

Benzyl ((2S)-1-(((2S)-1-(((2S)-1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-3-cyclohexyl-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (3b)

26% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.74 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (d, J  = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 8.03 (d, J  = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (d, J  = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.46–5.39 (m, 1H), 5.18 (s, 2H), 4.38 (dd, J  = 8.4, 14.8 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (dd, J  = 7.0, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J  = 8.7, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 3.11 (dd, J  = 9.2, 16.3 Hz, 1H), 2.48–2.40 (m, 1H), 2.23–2.12 (m, 2H), 2.08–2.01 (m, 1H), 2.00–1.92 (m, 1H), 1.81–1.70 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.53 (m, 1H), 1.48–1.39 (m, 2H), 0.92–0.86 (m, 12H), 0.85–0.80 (m, 6H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C36H45N5O6S [M+H]+ 676.3169, found 676.3173.

Benzyl ((2S)-1-(((2S)-1-(((2S)-1-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (3c)

28% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.27 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (d, J  = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.70–7.61 (m, 2H), 7.33–7.07 (m, 10H), 5.71 (d, J  = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (s, 2H), 4.53–4.42 (m, 1H), 3.99–3.93 (m, 1H), 3.39–3.32 (m, 4H), 2.80–2.71 (m, 1H), 2.60–2.55 (m, 1H), 2.30–2.22 (m, 1H), 2.11–1.99 (m, 3H), 1.00–0.89 (m, 6H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C36H40N5O5S [M+H]+ 670.2699, found 670.2685.

(4S)-5-(((2S)-1-(Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrr olidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-((S)-2-(((benzyloxy)carb onyl)amino)-3-methylbutanamido)-5-oxopentanoicacid (3d)

22% yield from 13c; white powder; 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d) δ 8.25 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.23 (d, J  = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.69–7.62 (m, 2H), 7.35–7.27 (m, 5H), 5.54 (d, J  = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 5.04 (s, 1H), 4.45–4.39 (m, 1H), 3.37–3.31 (m, 2H), 3.15–3.14 (m, 2H), 2.27–2.12 (m, 2H), 1.98–1.84 (m, 3H), 1.65–1.40 (m, 3H), 1.24–1.02 (m, 2H), 0.86–0.82 (m, 6H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C32H37N5O8S [M+H]+ 652.2441, found 652.2432.

Synthetic procedure for the preparation of 4a–c

Compounds 4a–c was prepared from 17 (2 mmol) with an appropriate dipeptidic 9 (1.1 equiv) using a procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 2a. Compounds 4a–c were purified by reverse phase HPLC.

Benzyl ((S)-1-(((S)-1-(((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxo-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (4a)

36% yield from 17; colorless solid; 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.81 (d, J  = 9.60 Hz, 1H), 8.66 (d, J  = 13.6 Hz, 1H), 8.27 (br s, 1H), 8.16–8.13 (m, 1H), 7.81 (t, J  = 19.6 Hz, 1H), 7.31–7.24 (br s, 2H), 6.98–6.91 (m, 3H), 4.56 (s, 1H), 431–4.18 (m, 2H), 3.25 (br s, 1H), 1.93–191 (m, 1H), 1.36–1.24 (m, 3H), 0.84–0.70 (m, 12H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C28H36N6O5S [M+H]+ 569.2535, found 569.2546.

(S)-N-((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxo-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methyl-2-((S)-3-methyl-2-(2-phenoxyacetamido)butanamido)pentanamide (4b)

43% yield from 17; colorless solid; 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 8.89 (d, J  = 4.65 Hz, 1H), 8.70–8.69 (m, 1H), 8.28 (br s, 1H), 8.15 (t, J  = 6.27 Hz, 1H), 7.37–7.33 (m, 2H), 7.20 (t, J  = 13.7 Hz, 2H), 7.08 (d, J  = 8.1 Hz, 2H), 4.36–4.34 (m, 1H), 3.92–3.86 (m, 1H), 3.26 (br s, 1H), 1.98–1.96 (m, 1H), 1.37–1.23 (m, 3H), 0.84–0.81 (m, 12H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C28H36N6O5S [M+H]+ 569.2527, found 569.2546.

Phenyl ((S)-1-(((S)-1-(((S)-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxo-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl)amino)-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (4c)

38% yield from 17; colorless solid; 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.57 (t, J  = 13.6 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (t, J  = 14.7 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J  = 7.73 Hz, 2H), 4.59 (br s, 1H), 4.11 (br s, 1H), 1.64 (br s, 2H), 1.26 (t, J  = 4.1 Hz, 2H), 0.9–0.93 (m, 9H); HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C27H34N6O5S [M+H]+ 569.2527, found 569.2546.

Synthetic procedure for the preparation of 5a–i

Compound 5a–i was prepared from 13d–i (2 mmol) with an appropriate dipeptidic 9 (1.1 equiv) using a procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 2a. Compounds 5a–i were purified by reverse phase HPLC.

Benzyl ((2S)-3-methyl-1-(((2S)-4-methyl-1-oxo-1-(((2S)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(5-phenylthiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)amino)pentan-2-yl)amino)-1-oxobutan-2-yl)carbamate (5a)

33% yield from 13e; colorless solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.15 (s, 1H), 7.62–7.61 (m, 2H), 7.47–7.40 (m, 2H), 7.37–7.24 (m, 5H), 5.41–5.33 (m, 1H), 5.15 (s, 1H), 4.58–4.52 (m, 2H), 4.07–4.03 (m, 1H), 3.36–3.29 (m, 2H), 2.61–2.55 (m, 2H), 2.16–1.96 (m, 3H), 1.81–1.70 (m, 2H), 1.62–1.53 (m, 1H), 1.48–1.39 (m, 2H), 0.99–0.88 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.5, 177.9, 172.2, 170.8, 162.9, 156.1, 146.4, 141.3, 137.1, 129.8, 129.7, 128.2, 127.6, 127.1, 65.3, 60.3, 53.6, 52.7, 60.7, 32.3, 30.3, 30.2, 28.1, 27.2, 24.0, 22.8, 21.7, 19.1, 18.0; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C35H44N5O6S [M+H]+ 662.3012, found 662.3018.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methyl-N-((2S)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(5-phenylthiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (5b)

45% yield from 13e; colorless solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.16 (s, 1H), 7.64–7.61 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.48–7.40 (m, 3H), 6.92–6.83 (m, 4H), 5.68–5.62 (m, 1H), 4.55–4.50 (m 1H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 4.34–4.30 (m, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.40–3.29 (m, 2H), 2.61–2.44 (m, 2H), 2.19–2.02 (m, 3H), 1.91–1.85 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.88 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.0, 185.7, 178.7, 174.3, 172.3, 168.2, 164.0, 162.4, 156.8, 153.8, 151.4, 146.6, 140.9, 139.2, 129.8, 129.4, 127.0, 122.2, 115.5, 114.4, 67.2, 57.4, 55.3, 52.7, 51.0, 48.9, 47.1, 32.7, 30.4, 27.1, 24.0, 22.5, 21.4, 21.2, 18.8, 17.5; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C36H47N5O7S [M+H]+ 692.3118, found 692.3145.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methyl-N-((2S)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(5-(p-tolyl)thiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (5c)

47% yield from 13f; colorless solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.12 (s, 1H), 7.51–7.49 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.26–7.24 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.89–6.83 (m, 4H), 5.64–5.59 (m, 1H), 4.57–4.52 (m, 1H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.38–3.29 (m, 2H), 2.59–2.53 (m, 2H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.29–2.01 (m, 4H), 1.75–1.56 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.87 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.4, 177.7, 176.3, 172.1, 170.3, 167.7, 162.3, 153.7, 151.5, 146.6, 140.8, 139.7, 129.9, 127.0, 115.5, 114.54, 67.3, 57.1, 55.3, 53.6, 52.6, 50.8, 38.87, 32.4, 30.6, 28.1, 27.3, 24.0, 22.8, 21.7, 20.8, 19.1, 19.0, 17.8; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C37H49N5O7S [M+H]+ 706.3274, found 706.3275.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-N-((2S)-1-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methylpentanamide (5d)

40% yield from 13g; yellow solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.58–7.56 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.99–6.97 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.92–6.84 (m, 4H), 5.66–5.62 (m, 1H), 4.51–4.50 (m, 1H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 4.33–4.30 (m, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.38–3.31 (m, 2H), 2.60–2.53 (m, 2H), 2.30–2.01 (m, 4H), 1.77–1.56 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.87 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.0, 178.0, 172.1, 170.3, 167.7, 161.4, 160.5, 153.7, 151.6, 146.7, 140.2, 128.7, 122.2, 115.2, 114.8, 67.3, 56.8, 55.3, 52.6, 50.8, 32.4, 30.9, 30.6, 28.1, 27.2, 24.1, 24.0, 22.8, 21.7, 21.5, 19.1, 17.8; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C37H49N5O8S [M+H]+ 722.3224, found 722.3237.

(2S)-N-((2S)-1-(5-(4-Chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methylpentanamide (5e)

47% yield from 13h; yellow solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.06 (s, 1H), 7.48–7.46 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.34–7.32 (d, J  = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.82–6.73 (m, 4H), 5.57–5.52 (m, 1H), 4.41–4.40 (m, 1H), 4.38 (s, 2H), 4.22–4.17 (m, 1H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.30–3.19 (m, 2H), 2.53–2.38 (m, 2H), 2.04–1.90 (m, 4H), 1.57–1.42 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.87 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.4, 178.2, 172.1, 170.4, 167.9, 163.1, 153.7, 151.5, 145.0, 141.7, 134.4, 129.4, 128.8, 128.6, 115.5, 114.5, 67.2, 57.2, 55.2, 53.6, 52.7, 50.7, 32.2, 30.8, 30.5, 27.2, 24.0, 22.7, 21.6, 21.5, 19.0, 18.9, 17.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C36H46N5O7SCl [M+H]+ 726.2728, found 726.2723.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methyl-N-((2S)-1-(5-(naphthalen-2-yl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (5f)

42% yield from 13i; yellow solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.29–8.28 (d, J  = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (s, 1H), 7.91–7.87 (m, 3H), 7.71–7.69 (t, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.60–7.53 (m, 1H), 7.36–7.33 (m, 1H), 6.92–6.83 (m, 4H), 7.70–5.67 (m, 1H), 4.55–4.51 (m, 1H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 4.37–4.33 (m, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.39–3.29 (m, 2H), 2.64–2.2.50 (m, 2H), 2.39–2.33 (m, 1H), 2.19–2.04 (m, 2H), 1.91–1.86 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.55 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.89 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.0, 178.2, 172.2, 170.4, 167.9, 162.6, 153.8, 151.5, 146.6, 141.5, 133.1, 129.0, 128.2, 127.6, 127.2, 127.1, 124.3, 115.4, 114.5, 67.2, 56.9, 55.2, 52.7, 50.9, 48.5, 32.3, 30.5, 27.2, 24.0, 22.7, 21.6, 19.0, 17.7; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C40H4N5O5SNa [M+Na]+ 764.3094, found 764.3095.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-N-((2S)-1-(5-(2-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)-4-methylpentanamide (5g)

39% yield from 13j; colorless solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.14 (s, 1H), 8.08 (br s, 1H, NH), 7.38–7.34 (t, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.21–7.19 (d, J  = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.13–7.09 (m, 1H), 6.99–6.87 (m, 2H), 6.83–6.80 (m, 2H), 5.70–5.56 (m, 1H), 4.62–4.52 (m, 1H), 4.48 (s, 2H), 4.31–4.30 (m, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.41–3.37 (m, 2H), 2.63–2.50 (m, 2H), 2.33–2.21 (m, 1H), 2.20–2.09 (m, 2H), 1.91–1.86 (m, 2H), 1.71–1.55 (m, 3H), 0.95–0.86 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.1, 177.9, 171.3, 167.6, 162.6, 159.6, 153.7, 151.6, 146.2, 141.6, 131.0, 130.6, 127.1, 119.6, 115.5, 114.5, 112.4, 67.3, 56.8, 60.8, 52.7, 50.8, 32.4, 27.2, 24.0, 22.8, 21.6, 19.1, 17.8; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C37H47N5O8SNa [M+Na]+ 744.3043, found 744.3051.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(3-(Dimethylamino)phenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methyl-N-((2S)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)-1-(5-phenylthiazol-2-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (5h)

36% yield from 13e; light green solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.16 (s, 1H), 8.10 (br s, 1H, NH), 7.61–7.58 (m, 2H), 7.44–7.41 (m, 3H), 7.22–7.16 (m, 1H), 6.52–6.50 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.38–6.36 (d, J  = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.68–5.63 (m, 1H), 4.58–4.53 (m 1H), 4.54 (s, 2H), 4.35–4.31 (m, 1H), 3.37–3.31 (m, 2H), 2.97 (s, 6H), 2.61–2.57 (m, 2H), 2.18–2.03 (m, 3H), 1.99–1.89 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.54 (m, 3H), 0.96–0.89 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.1, 177.9, 170.3, 167.5, 162.6, 158.6, 146.4, 141.3, 129.4, 127.1, 102.6, 66.5, 56.7, 53.8, 32.4, 27.1, 24.0, 22.8, 21.7, 19.0 17.8; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C37H50N6O6S [M+H]+ 705.3434, found 705.3429.

(2S)-2-((S)-2-(2-(3-(Dimethylamino)phenoxy)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamido)-4-methyl-N-((2S)-1-(5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-1-oxo-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propan-2-yl)pentanamide (5i)

35% yield from 13d; light green solid; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.10 (br s, 1H, NH), 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.43–7.23 (t, J  = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.88–6.85 (m, 2H), 6.70 (s, 1H), 5.60–5.58 (m, 1H), 4.58–4.53 (m, 1H), 4.50 (s, 2H), 4.37–4.33 (m, 1H), 3.36–3.27 (m, 2H), 3.08 (s, 6H), 2.61–2.44 (m, 5H), 2.15–2.01 (m, 3H), 1.91–1.85 (m, 1H), 1.64–1.53 (m, 3H), 0.94–0.86 (m, 12H); 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6) δ 191.4, 177.9, 172.0, 170.3, 167.6, 162.7, 162.4, 158.6, 150.9, 143.6, 129.7, 106.6, 103.4, 99.9, 66.6, 57.0, 53.5, 50.8, 32.5, 31.0, 28.1, 27.2, 24.0, 22.8, 21.7, 21.6, 19.1, 19.0, 17.8; HRMS (ESI): m/z calcd for C32H48N6O6S [M+H]+ 643.3278, found 643.3259.

Biological evaluation

Estimation of IC50 value

IC50 value of each inhibitor was assessed from the apparent decrease of a substrate (H-TSAVLQSGFRK-NH2) by the digestion with R188I SARS 3CL protease as described previously.30, 29 Briefly, the substrate (111 μM) in a reaction solution (25 μL of 20 mM Tris–HCl buffer pH 7.5 containing 7 mM DTT) was incubated with the R188I SARS protease (56 nM) at 37 °C for 60 min in the presence of various inhibitor concentrations. The cleavage reaction was monitored by analytical HPLC [Cosmosil 5C18 column (4.6 × 150 mm), a linear gradient of CH3CN (10–20%) in an aq 0.1% TFA over 30 min], and the cleavage rates were calculated from the decease of the substrate peak area. Each IC50 value was obtained from the sigmoidal dose–response curve. Each experiment was repeated 3 times and the results were averaged.

Estimation of Ki value

Inhibition constants, K i, were assessed by determining the apparent kinetic parameters at a constant substrate concentration (10 μM) and different inhibitor concentrations (0–200 μM) at 25 °C. The initial rate measurements were determined as previously described using a fluorescence-based peptide cleavage assay with a commercially available fluorogenic substrate, Dabcyl-KTSAVLQSGFRKME-Edans (Genesis Biotech).24, 31 The change in fluorescence intensity was monitored in a Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer (Varian) with 355 and 538 nm excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively. Substrate was dissolved in deionized water, and inhibitors were dissolved in DMSO. The experiments were performed in a buffer containing10 mM sodium phosphate, 10 mM sodium chloride, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM TCEP and 2% DMSO (pH 7.4). While varying inhibitor concentrations (0–200 μM), the reaction was initiated by adding protease (final concentration 100 nM) to a solution of substrate at final concentration of 10 μM to a total volume of 120 μL in a microcuvette. The data from these assays were analyzed by using the non-linear regression analysis software Origin 7.