N-Trifluoromethyl Amines and Azoles: An Underexplored Functional Group in the Medicinal Chemist's Toolbox

J Med Chem. 2020 Nov 12;63(21):13076-13089. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01457. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Abstract

Introducing trifluoromethyl groups is a common strategy to improve the properties of biologically active compounds. However, N-trifluoromethyl moieties on amines and azoles are very rarely used. To evaluate their suitability in drug design, we synthesized a series of N-trifluoromethyl amines and azoles, determined their stability in aqueous media, and investigated their properties. We show that N-trifluoromethyl amines are prone to hydrolysis, whereas N-trifluoromethyl azoles have excellent aqueous stability. Compared to their N-methyl analogues, N-trifluoromethyl azoles have a higher lipophilicity and can show increased metabolic stability and Caco-2 permeability. Furthermore, N-trifluoromethyl azoles can serve as bioisosteres of N-iso-propyl and N-tert-butyl azoles. Consequently, we suggest that N-trifluoromethyl azoles are valuable substructures to be considered in medicinal chemistry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemical synthesis
  • Amines / chemistry*
  • Amines / pharmacokinetics
  • Azoles / chemical synthesis
  • Azoles / chemistry*
  • Azoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Stability
  • Fluorine / chemistry*
  • Glutathione / chemistry
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Substances

  • Amines
  • Azoles
  • Fluorine
  • Glutathione