Skip to main content
  • Research Article
  • Open access
  • Published:

Synthesis and analytical characterization of new thiazol-2-(3H)-ones as human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors

Abstract

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a potent serine protease belonging to the chymotrypsin family and is involved in a variety of pathologies affecting the respiratory system. Thus, compounds able to inhibit HNE proteolytic activity could represent effective therapeutics. We present here the synthesis of new thiazol-2-(3H)-ones as an elaboration of potent HNE inhibitors with an isoxazol-5-(2H)-one scaffold that we recently identified. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic techniques and tandem mass spectrometry allowed us to correctly assign the structure of the final compounds arising from both tautomers of the thiazol-2-(3H)-one nucleus (N-3 of the thiazol-2-(3H)-one and 3-OH of the thiazole). All new compounds were tested as HNE inhibitors, and no activity was found at the highest concentration used (40 µM), demonstrating that the thiazol-2-(3H)-one is not a good scaffold for HNE inhibitors. Molecular modelling experiments indicate that the low-energy pose might limit the nucleophilic attack on the endocyclic carbonyl group of the thiazolone-based compounds by HNE catalytic Ser195, in contrast to isoxazol-5-(2H)-one analogues.

Introduction

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a small, soluble glycoprotein of about 30 kDa belonging to the chymotrypsin family of serine proteases [1] and is expressed primarily in neutrophils, but also in monocytes and mast cells [2]. HNE plays an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and repair due to its proteolytic action on structural proteins [2, 3]. HNE performs its proteolytic action through a catalytic triad consisting of Ser195-Asp102-His57, where the powerful nucleophile oxygen of Ser195 attacks the carbonyl carbon involved in the peptide bond [4, 5]. HNE is involved in a variety of pathologies affecting the respiratory system, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute lung injury (ALI) and cystic fibrosis (CF) [6,7,8]. Currently, Sivelestat, which is used for treatment of ALI and ARDS ([9], Fig. 1), and Prolastin, which is used in the therapy of α1-antitripsin deficiency (AATD) [10], are the only HNE inhibitors commercially available. Moreover, Alvelestat (AZD9668, Fig. 1) [11, 12] and Bay 85-8501 [13] are two promising compounds in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of COPD and CF (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

HNE inhibitors

Our research group is involved in the design and synthesis of small molecules with HNE inhibitory activity, and we have identified a number of new classes of inhibitors based on different bicyclic scaffolds [14,15,16,17]. The most potent compounds are N-benzoylindazole derivatives, which have IC50 values in the low nanomolar range (IC50 = 7–80 nM) [14, 16]. Moreover, we recently reported new isoxazolone-based derivatives with HNE inhibitory activity in the low nanomolar range (IC50 = 20–96 nM) [18]. Molecular modeling studies on this class of compounds allowed to establish which carbonyl group was involved in the attack of Ser195 (i.e., HNE catalytic residue) and define the endocyclic carbonyl at position 5 of the isoxazolone core as a critical requirement for inhibitory activity [18]. Starting from these results, we report here the development and analytical characterization of a new series of heterocyclic compounds based on the thiazol-2-(3H)-one scaffold originally designed as possible HNE inhibitors (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Reference isoxazolone compounds and new thiazolone derivatives

Chemistry

All compounds were synthesized as reported in Schemes 1, 2, 3, and the structures were univocally confirmed on the basis of analytical and spectral data, such as two-dimensional NMR spectroscopic techniques (i.e. HSQC and HMBC, see Additional file 1) and tandem mass spectrometry. According to literature on thiazol-2-(3H)-ones, the predominant isomer in solution seems to be the 2-oxo form [19], although the alkylation reactions can take place on both tautomers (i.e., N-3 of the thiazol-2-(3H)-one and 3-OH of the thiazole) [20].

Scheme 1
scheme 1

Reactions and conditions: a appropriate substituted 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide, CH3CN anhydrous, K2CO3, 80 °C, 6–7 h; b appropriate (substituted)-phenylboronic acid, (CH3COO)2Cu, EtN3, CH2Cl2

Scheme 2
scheme 2

Reactions and conditions: a CH3CN anhydrous, K2CO3, 80 °C, 3–8 h

Scheme 3
scheme 3

Reactions and conditions: a CH3CN anhydrous, K2CO3, 80 °C, 6 h

Scheme 1 shows the synthetic pathways to obtain final compounds 2af, and 3af, which are all 3-N-derivatives. Products 2af were obtained by standard alkylation on precursors 1ac [21,22,23], using appropriately substituted 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamides and K2CO3 in anhydrous acetonitrile at reflux. The N-aryl derivatives 3af were obtained through a coupling reaction on 1ac with commercially available phenylboronic acids in the presence of EtN3 and (Ac)2Cu (Scheme 1). The reactions presented in Scheme 2 show the formation of both tautomers (5ac and 6ac), although the N-alkylated derivatives are still the predominant compounds. Lastly, the introduction of a dibenzyl phosphate group on 1ac (Scheme 3) resulted in O-alkylated isomers (10a, b) when using compounds 1a and 1c, while the same reaction on 1b led to both isomers 8 and 9 at a 2:1 ratio.

Analytical characterization

The isomeric compounds 8 and 9 (Scheme 3) feature different positions for the dibenzyl phosphate moiety in their structure. Consequently, a series of MS/MS experiments applying different collision energies (ERMS) were used to characterize these compounds. The breakdown curves obtained from the [M+H]+ ion species of the two isomers are shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Comparison of these fragmentation patterns showed the formation of different product ions between the two isomers. Only the fragment at 406 m/z was common for both analytes, but its formation was reached at different collision energies (Figs. 3 and 4). On the basis of these results, the proposed fragmentation patterns of isomers 8 and 9 are presented in Figs. 5 and 6. As shown in Fig. 5, isomer 8 has two potential fragmentation pathways. The first pathway involves carbonyl sulfide loss, which is favored in heterocyclic moieties, followed by a rearrangement and loss of benzylphosphate (product ions 388 and 218 m/z, respectively). The second pathway involves loss of ethenone from the thiazolone ring (product ion 406 m/z).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Breakdown curves obtained from ERMS experiment on the compound 8

Fig. 4
figure 4

Breakdown curves obtained from ERMS experiment on the compound 9

Fig. 5
figure 5

Proposed fragmentation pathway for compound 8

Fig. 6
figure 6

Proposed fragmentation pathway for compound 9

As shown in Fig. 6, isomer 9 has at least three potential fragmentation ways. The first pathway involves loss of formaldehyde (product ion 418 m/z). The second pathway involves loss of formaldehyde, rearrangement, and loss of benzylphosphate (product ion 248 m/z). The final possible pathway involves loss of ethenone from the thiazolone ring (product ion 406 m/z). Therefore, it is possible that, under MS/MS conditions, isomer 8 represents the N-benzylphosphate derivative, leaving the possibility that the carbonyl sulfide could be lost from heterocyclic ring. In contrast, formation of isomer 9 suggests that formaldehyde loss is preferred, resulting in occupation of the heterocyclic ring oxygen (O-benzylphosphate isomer).

In order to verify this hypothesis, we extended the MS/MS analysis to other derivatives of the thiazolone ring with the position of the dibenzylphosphate group unknown. MS/MS analysis of the [M+H]+ species of compounds 10a and 10b demonstrated that both analytes lost formaldehyde, with rearrangement of the benzyloxy group (Figs. 7 and 8). This behavior was characteristic of the O-dibenzylphosphate derivative 9 discussed above. Therefore, the structures of compounds 10a and 10b were assigned as O-dibenzylphosphate derivatives.

Fig. 7
figure 7

MS/MS spectra of [M+H]+ species of compound 10a

Fig. 8
figure 8

MS/MS spectra of [M+H]+ species of compound 10b

Results and discussion

After the correct assignment of the structures, all new compounds were tested as HNE inhibitors (see “Experimental section”). Unfortunately, no activity was found at the highest concentration tested (40 µM) for all the compounds in the series. To explain the inability of the investigated compounds to inhibit HNE, we have performed molecular docking studies for docking of compound 2e into the elastase binding site using MVD software. Our approach was analogous to that with we applied in our earlier investigation of HNE inhibitors [16]. Considering conformational flexibility of the ligand and of the side chains of 42 residues, we found an optimum docking pose of compound 2e into the HNE binding site (Fig. 9). It is known that inhibitory activity towards serine proteases depends on the ability of a compound to form a Michaelis complex with the serine residue at the center of the oxyanion hole and belonging to the catalytic triad Ser…His…Asp [24, 25]. Normally, this complex is formed via nucleophilic attack by the serine oxygen to the carbonyl carbon atom of a ligand and is controlled by geometric peculiarities of the interaction. Namely, the distance O(Ser195)…C(carbonyl in ligand) should be relatively short, and the corresponding angle O(Ser195)…C=O should fall within the interval of 80–120 degrees to support successful formation of the Michaelis complex with HNE [24, 25].

Fig. 9
figure 9

Docking pose of compound 2e within the HNE ligand-binding site

We found that compound 2e is strongly H-bonded to Ser195 by its oxygen atom, and the distance O(Ser195)…C(carbonyl in ligand) is d1 = 3.77 Å. In addition, the inter-residue distances between heteroatoms in the catalytic triad Ser195…His57…Asp102 were 3.27 and 2.64 Å, respectively (Fig. 10). The sum of the latter two distances gives the length of the proton transfer channel L = 5.91 Å. Relatively low values of d1 and L are favorable for Michaelis complex formation. However, the low-energy pose of molecule 2e forms an angle O(Ser195)…C=O of 12°. This angle is too acute and makes the nucleophilic attack on the carbonyl group impossible with such an orientation of the ligand. It should be noted that the pose is fixed in a narrow binding site cavity (Fig. 9), hence the molecule cannot easily change its orientation to satisfy the conditions necessary for the Michaelis complex formation.

Fig. 10
figure 10

Orientation compound 2e docking pose (thick cylinders) with respect to residues of the catalytic triad (thin cylinders). Hydrogen atoms are hidden for clarity. Hydrogen bonds are shown by blue dashed lines. Segments of the proton transfer channel are indicated as light-green dashed lines

Conclusion

Overall, the thiazol-2-(3H)-one nucleus is not a good scaffold for HNE inhibitors, as the endocyclic carbonyl group does not represent an ideal point of attack for catalytic Ser195 in HNE. Despite the negative result, we obtained some important structure–function information from this study. In general, both the docking and low-energy pose results obtained for compound 2e explain the lack of inhibitory activity for this library of thiazol-2-(3H)-one-based compounds, as compared to the reference series of isoxazolones [18]. Additionally, compounds 3af, 5c, and 6c, which have only a carbonyl group at position 2 of the thiazol-2-(3H)-one nucleus, were inactive, confirming the absence of Ser195 nucleophilic attack on the endocyclic carbonyl function of this series. On the other hand, the inactivity of compounds 2af, 5a, b, and 6a, b, bearing a different carbonyl group (i.e., amide or ester) at N-1, suggests that the thiazol-2-(3H)-one nucleus itself is not a suitable scaffold for HNE inhibitors. The lack of activity for compounds 810 is a further support for this conclusion, considering the presence of a bulky phosphonic fragment, which is a typical residue in potent HNE inhibitors reported in the literature [26].

Experimental section

Chemistry

All melting points were determined on a Büchi apparatus and are uncorrected. 1H NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC and HMBC spectra were recorded on an Avance 400 instrument (Bruker Biospin Version 002 with SGU). Chemical shifts are reported in ppm, using the solvent as internal standard. Extracts were dried over Na2SO4, and the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. Merck F-254 commercial plates were used for analytical TLC to follow the course of the reactions. Silica gel 60 (Merck 70–230 mesh) was used for column chromatography. Microanalyses were performed with a Perkin-Elmer 260 elemental analyzer for C, H, and N, and the results were within ± 0.4% of the theoretical values unless otherwise stated. Reagents and starting material were commercially available.

General procedure for 2a–f

1.12 mmol of K2CO3 and 0.67 mmol (for 2af) of the appropriate 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide were added to a suspension of intermediate 1ac [21,22,23] (0.56 mmol) in anhydrous CH3CN (3 mL). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 6–7 h. After evaporation of the solvent, ice-cold water (20 mL) was added, and the precipitate was recovered by vacuum filtration. Final compounds 2af were purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 2:1 (2a, b, e), 1:2 (2c, d) and 1:1 (2f) as eluents.

2-(2-Oxo-4-phenylthiazol-3(2H)-yl)-N-phenylacetamide ( 2a )

Yield = 34%; mp = 177–179 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 4.45 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.14 (s, 1H, CH), 7.07 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.2 Hz), 7.25 (t, 2H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.40–7.50 (m, 7H, Ar), 8.63 (exch br s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 53.40 (CH2), 110.53 (CH), 121.61 (CH), 121.65 (CH), 127.90 (CH), 128.05 (CH), 128.32 (CH), 128.36 (CH), 128.63 (CH), 128.68 (CH), 128.91 (CH), 128.96 (CH), 130.70 (C), 131.92 (C), 138.50 (C), 168.54 (C), 169.93 (C). IR: 1599 cm−1 (C=O), 1659 cm−1 (C=O), 3262 cm−1 (NH). LC–MS: 311.0 [M+H]+.

N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-oxo-4-phenylthiazol-3(2H)-yl)acetamide ( 2b )

Yield = 10%; mp = 213–216 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 4.51 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.18 (s, 1H, CH), 7.21 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.39 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.45–7.55 (m, 5H, Ar), 8.22 (exch br s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 53.41 (CH2), 110.50 (CH), 126.11 (CH), 127.90 (CH), 128.24 (CH), 128.27 (CH), 128.33 (CH), 128.36 (CH), 128.63 (CH), 128.69 (CH), 130.70 (C), 131.94 (C), 132.06 (C), 133.30 (C), 133.35 (C) 168.50 (C), 169.96 (C). IR: 1585 cm−1 (C=O), 1646 cm−1 (C=O), 3205 cm−1 (NH). LC–MS: 379.9 [M+H]+.

2-(5-Acetyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazol-3(2H)-yl)-N-phenylacetamide ( 2c )

Yield = 16%; mp = 188–190 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.40 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.68 (s, 3H, COCH3), 4.59 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.15 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.4 Hz), 7.33 (t, 2H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.49 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 8.10 (exch br s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 14.70 (CH3), 26.14 (CH3), 53.52 (CH2), 107.41 (C), 121.60 (CH), 121.66 (CH), 128.04 (CH), 128.92 (CH), 128.97 (CH), 138.55 (C), 145.68 (C), 168.53 (C), 169.91 (C), 192.70 (C). IR: 1575 cm−1 (C=O), 1643 cm−1 (C=O), 1698 cm−1 (C=O), 3295 cm−1 (NH). LC–MS: 291.1 [M+H]+.

2-(5-Acetyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazol-3(2H)-yl)-N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)acetamide ( 2d )

Yield = 15%; mp = 209–211 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.40 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.68 (s, 3H, COCH3), 4.69 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.21 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.37 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.82 (exch br s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 14.74 (CH3), 26.11 (CH3), 53.56 (CH2), 107.40 (C), 126.13 (CH), 128.22 (CH), 128.26 (CH), 132.05 (C), 133.30 (C), 133.33 (C), 145.68 (C), 168.52 (C), 169.93 (C), 192.71 (C). IR: 1573 cm−1 (C=O); 1637 cm−1 (C=O), 1672 cm−1 (C=O), 3202 cm−1 (NH). LC–MS: 359.9 [M+H]+.

2-(4-Methyl-2-oxothiazol-3(2H)-yl)-N-phenylacetamide ( 2e )

Yield = 26%; mp = 188–191 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.26 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.51 (s, 2H, CH2), 5.86 (s, 1H, CH), 7.13 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.4 Hz), 7.32 (t, 2H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.50 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 8.39 (exch br s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 17.32 (CH3), 53.51 (CH2), 101.90 (CH), 120.45 (C), 121.63 (CH), 121.67 (CH), 128.04 (CH), 128.93 (CH), 128. 98 (CH), 138.50 (C), 168.58 (C), 169.92 (C). IR: 1633 cm−1 (C=O), 1692 cm−1 (C=O), 3274 cm−1 (NH). LC–MS: 249.1 [M+H]+.

N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-methyl-2-oxothiazol-3(2H)-yl)acetamide ( 2f )

Yield = 9%; mp = 266–269 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.28 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.61 (s, 2H, CH2), 5.89 (s, 1H, CH), 7.20 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.37 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.90 (exch br s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 17.30 (CH3), 53.52 (CH2), 101.90 (CH), 120.48 (C), 126.11 (CH), 128.24 (CH), 128. 29 (CH), 132.01 (C), 133.33 (C), 133.38 (C), 168.50 (C), 169.91 (C). IR: 1634 cm−1 (C=O), 1685 cm−1 (C=O), 3197 cm−1 (NH). LC–MS: 317.9 [M+H]+.

General procedure for 3a–f

A mixture of intermediate of type 1 (1ac) [21,22,23] (0.62 mmol) the appropriate phenylboronic acid (1.24 mmol), Cu(Ac)2 (0.93 m mol), and Et3N (1.24 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (3 mL), was stirred at room temperature overnight. The organic layer was washed with water (3 × 15 mL) and then with 33% aqueous ammonia (3 × 10 mL). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to obtain final compounds 3af, which were purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 5:1 (for 3a), 2:1 (for 3b) or 3:1 (for 3cf) as eluents.

4-Phenyl-3-m-tolyl-thiazol-2(3H)-one ( 3a )

Yield = 12%; mp = 118–121 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.31 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.20 (s, 1H, CH), 6.88 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.02 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.09–7.15 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.18–7.26 (m, 5H, Ar). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.30 (CH3), 106.33 (CH), 124.67 (CH), 125.11 (CH), 127.92 (CH), 128.30 (CH), 128.35 (CH), 128.63 (CH), 128.68 (CH), 128.88 (CH), 129.55 (CH), 130.41 (C), 132.64 (C), 138.62 (C), 147.36 (C), 166.70 (C). IR: 1658 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 268.1 [M+H]+.

4-Phenyl-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiazol-2(3H)-one ( 3b )

Yield = 15%; mp = 84–87 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.26 (s, 1H, CH), 7.06 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.24–7.30 (m, 3H, Ar), 7.35–7.40 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.47 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.55 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 106.30 (CH), 120.72 (CH), 124.11 (C), 125.93 (CH), 127.97 (CH), 128.35 (CH), 128.39 (CH), 128.65 (CH), 128.68 (CH), 129.25 (CH), 130.41 (C), 131.24 (C), 131.40 (CH), 133.06 (C), 147.35 (C), 166.71 (C). IR: 1656 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 322.0 [M+H]+.

5-Acetyl-4-methyl-3-m-tolylthiazol-2(3H)-one ( 3c )

Yield = 12%; mp = 104–106 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.31 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.42 (s, 3H, COCH3), 2.43 (s, 3H, CH3-Ph), 7.04–7.09 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.32 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.42 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 15.03 (CH3), 21.33 (CH3), 26.12 (CH3), 103.27 (C), 124.60 (CH), 125.14 (CH), 128.88 (CH), 129.55 (CH), 132.60 (C), 138.62 (C), 154.03 (C), 166.74 (C), 192.71 (C). IR: 1629 cm−1 (C=O), 1670 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 248.1 [M+H]+.

5-Acetyl-4-methyl-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiazol-2(3H)-one ( 3d )

Yield = 11%; mp = 147–150 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.43 (s, 3H, COCH3), 7.48 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.53 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.71 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.80 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 15.05 (CH3), 26.14 (CH3), 103.25 (C), 120.70 (CH), 124.13 (C), 125.97 (CH), 129.24 (CH), 131.22 (C), 131.40 (CH), 133.04 (C), 154.08 (C), 166.77 (C), 192.75 (C). IR: 1637 cm−1 (C=O), 1681 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 302.0 [M+H]+.

4-Methyl-3-m-tolyl-thiazol-2(3H)-one ( 3e )

Yield = 11%; mp = 69–72 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.90 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.42 (s, 3H, CH3-Ph), 5.86 (s, 1H, CH), 7.05–7.10 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.25 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.39 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.32 (CH3), 21.79 (CH3), 97.70 (CH), 124.65 (CH), 125.16 (CH), 128.83 (CH), 129.51 (CH), 132.64 (C), 138.60 (C), 149.33 (C), 166.75 (C). IR: 1640 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 206.0 [M+H]+.

4-Methyl-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiazol-2(3H)-one ( 3f )

Yield = 18%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.92 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.92 (s, 1H, CH), 7.50 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.56 (s, 1H, Ar), 7.66 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.73 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 15.92 (CH3), 96.97 (CH2), 122.05 (C), 124.75 (C), 125.37 (CH), 125.90 (CH), 130.32 (CH), 131.88 (CH), 132.04 (C), 136.19 (C), 172.47 (C). IR: 1645 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 260.0 [M+H]+.

General procedure for 5a–c and 6a–c

To a suspension of the substrate of type 1 (1a, b) [21, 23] (0.54 mmol) in anhydrous CH3CN (3 mL), 1.08 mmol of K2CO3 and 0.65 mmol of the appropriate commercially available intermediate 4a, b were added. The mixture was stirred at reflux for 8 h (5a, b and 6a, b) or for 3 h (5c- and 6c). After evaporation of the solvent, ice-cold water (20 mL) was added, and the suspension was recovered by extraction with ethyl acetate (3 × 15 mL). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to obtain final compounds 5ac and 6ac, which were purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 3:1 (for 5a and 6a), 2:1 (for 5b and 6b) or 5:1 (for 5c and -6c) as eluents.

(2-Oxo-4-phenylthiazol-3(2H)-yl)methyl benzoate ( 5a )

Yield = 39%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 5.85 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.12 (s, 1H, CH), 7.42–7.48 (m, 7H, Ar), 7.61 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 8.01 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 67.08 (CH2), 99.45 (CH), 128.13 (CH), 128.26 (CH), 128.50 (CH), 128.85 (CH), 129.04 (CH), 130.13 (C), 130.19 (CH), 130.48 (CH), 136.92 (C), 165.11 (C), 172.78 (C). IR: 1681 cm−1 (C=O), 1724 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 312.1 [M+H]+.

(5-Acetyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazol-3(2H)-yl)methyl benzoate ( 5b )

Yield = 21%; mp = 121–123 °C (EtOH). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.39 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.69 (s, 3H, COCH3), 6.03 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.46 (t, 2H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.62 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 8.03 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.4 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 13.36 (CH3), 30.33 (CH3), 65.45 (CH2), 98.49 (CH), 113.43 (C), 128.15 (CH), 128.50 (CH), 128.61 (CH), 129.92 (CH), 133.89 (CH), 141.15 (C), 165.10 (C), 169.90 (C), 189.90 (C). IR: 1643 cm−1 (C=O), 1698 cm−1 (C=O), 1720 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 292.0 [M+H]+.

3-(3-Methylbenzyl)-4-phenylthiazol-2(3H)-one ( 5c )

Yield = 13%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.72 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.87 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.03 (s, 1H, CH), 6.72–6.78 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.03 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz), 7.12 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.4 Hz), 7.19 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 7.0 Hz), 7.30–7.40 (m, 3H, Ar). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.65 (CH3), 51.03 (CH2), 110.54 (CH), 123.97 (CH), 127.02 (CH), 127.96 (CH), 128.31 (CH), 128.37 (CH), 128.40 (CH), 128.63 (CH), 128.66 (CH), 128.89 (CH), 130.70 (C), 131.92 (C), 138.26 (C), 138.33 (C), 169.90 (C). IR: 1661 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 282.1 [M+H]+.

(4-Phenylthiazol-2-yloxy)methyl benzoate ( 6a )

Yield = 28%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 6.41 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.97 (s, 1H, CH), 7.34 (d, 1H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.36–7.44 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.47 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.86 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 8.13 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 85.48 (CH2), 105.95 (CH), 125.94 (CH), 128.06 (CH), 128.55 (CH), 128.68 (CH), 129.18 (CH), 130.14 (CH), 133.74 (CH), 134.31 (C), 149.26 (C), 165.26 (C), 171.56 (C). IR: 1737 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 312.1 [M+H]+.

(5-Acetyl-4-methylthiazol-2-yloxy)methyl benzoate ( 6b )

Yield = 10%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.47 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.64 (s, 3H, COCH3), 6.31 (s, 2H, CH2), 7.49 (t, 2H, Ar, J = 7.8 Hz), 7.63 (t, 1H, Ar, J = 7.4 Hz), 8.11 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.4 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 16.86 (CH3), 26.83 (CH3), 94.35 (CH2), 128.60 (CH), 128.63 (CH), 129.95 (CH), 129.99 (CH), 130.10 (C), 133.04 (CH), 143.05 (C), 153.01 (C), 161.07 (C), 165.90 (C), 196.96 (C). IR: 1695 cm−1 (C=O), 1735 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 292.0 [M+H]+.

2-(3-Methylbenzyloxy)-4-phenylthiazole ( 6c )

Yield = 13%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.42 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.53 (s, 2H, CH2), 6.90 (s, 1H, CH), 7.20–7.25 (m, 1H, Ar), 7.30–7.35 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.40–7.45 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.88 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 8.0 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.65 (CH3), 70.83 (CH2), 110.84 (CH), 124.17 (CH), 127.52 (CH), 127.56 (CH), 127.91 (CH), 128.77 (CH), 128.80 (CH), 129.03 (CH), 129.26 (CH), 129.29 (CH), 133.07 (C), 138.62 (C), 141.16 (C), 152.33 (C), 154.05 (C). LC–MS: 282.1 [M+H]+.

General procedure for 8, 9 and 10a, b

1.02 mmol of K2CO3 and 0.61 mmol of dibenzyl chloromethyl phosphate (7) [27] were added to a suspension of the substrate 1ac [21,22,23] (0.51 mmol) in anhydrous CH3CN (4 mL). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 6 h. After evaporation of the solvent, ice-cold water (20 mL) was added and the suspension was recovered by extraction with CH2Cl2 (3 × 15 mL). The organic layer was dried on sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to obtain the final compounds, which were purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 1:2 (8, 9), 3:1 (10a) or hexane/ethyl acetate 3:1 for 10b, as eluents.

(5-Acetyl-4-methyl-2-oxothiazol-3(2H)-yl)methyl dibenzyl phosphate ( 8 )

Yield = 12%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.35 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.52 (s, 3H, COCH3), 5.06 (m, 4H, 2 × CH2Ph), 5.55 (d, 2H, CH2Cl, J = 8.8 Hz), 7.30–7.40 (m, 10H, Ar). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 13.11 (CH3), 30.33 (CH3), 67.17 (CH2), 70.09 (CH2), 113.59 (C), 128.20 (CH), 128.69 (CH), 128.85 (CH), 135.18 (C), 140.88 (C), 169.77 (C), 189.75 (C). IR: 1670 cm−1 (C=O), 1701 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 448.0 [M+H]+.

[(5-Acetyl-4-methylthiazol-2-yloxy)methyl] dibenzyl phosphate ( 9 )

Yield = 13%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.45 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.58 (s, 3H, COCH3), 5.09 (d, 4H, 2 × CH2Ph, J = 8.0 Hz), 5.92 (d, 2H, CH2Cl, J = 14.4 Hz), 7.30–7.40 (m, 10H, Ar). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 18.47 (CH3), 30.13 (CH3), 69.78 (CH2), 88.12 (CH2), 127.93 (CH), 128.62 (CH), 128.70 (CH), 129.21 (CH), 135.30 (C), 154.47 (C), 190.15 (C). IR: 1653 cm−1 (C=O). LC–MS: 448.0 [M+H]+.

Dibenzyl [(4-phenylthiazol-2-yloxy)methyl] phosphate ( 10a )

Yield = 18%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 5.10 (d, 4H, 2 × CH2Ph, J = 8.0 Hz), 6.04 (d, 2H, CH2Cl, J = 13.6 Hz), 6.96 (s, 1H, CH), 7.31–7.43 (m, 13H, Ar), 7.84 (d, 2H, Ar, J = 7.6 Hz). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 69.71 (CH2), 88.50 (CH2), 106.13 (CH), 125.95 (CH), 127.94 (CH), 128.11 (CH), 128.59 (CH), 128.66 (CH), 134.14 (C), 135.45 (C), 149.29 (C), 171.00 (C). LC–MS: 468.2 [M+H]+.

Dibenzyl [(4-methylthiazol-2-yloxy)methyl] phosphate ( 10b )

Yield = 15%; Oil. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.27 (s, 3H, CH3), 5.09 (d, 4H, 2 × CH2Ph, J = 7.6 Hz), 5.92 (d, 2H, CH2Cl, J = 14.0 Hz), 6.33 (s, 1H, CH), 7.30–7.40 (m, 10H, Ar). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 17.10 (CH3), 69.41 (CH2), 93.80 (CH2), 114.93 (CH), 127.15 (CH), 127.64 (CH), 128.91 (CH), 135.44 (C), 149.69 (C), 153.01 (C). LC–MS: 406.1 [M+H]+.

HNE inhibition assay

Compounds were dissolved in 100% DMSO at 5 mM stock concentrations. The final concentration of DMSO in the reactions was 1%, and this level of DMSO had no effect on enzyme activity. The HNE inhibition assay was performed in black flat-bottom 96-well microtiter plates. Briefly, a buffer solution containing 200 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.5, 0.01% bovine serum albumin, and 0.05% Tween-20 and 20 mU/mL of HNE (Calbiochem) was added to wells containing different concentrations of each compound. The reaction was initiated by addition of 25 μM elastase substrate (N-methylsuccinyl-Ala–Ala-Pro-Val-7-amino-methyl-coumarin, Calbiochem) in a final reaction volume of 100 μL/well. Kinetic measurements were obtained every 30 s for 10 min at 25 °C using a Fluoroskan Ascent FL fluorescence microplate reader (Thermo Electron, MA) with excitation and emission wavelengths at 355 and 460 nm, respectively.

Instrumental

The LC–MS/MS analysis was carried out using a Varian 1200L triple quadrupole system (Palo Alto, CA, USA) equipped with two Prostar 210 pumps, a Prostar 410 auto sampler, and an electrospray source (ESI) operating in the positive ion mode. The ion sources and ion optics parameters were optimized and 1 µg/mL working solution of the test compounds was injected via syringe pump at 10 µL/min. Raw data were collected and processed by Varian Workstation Version 6.8 software.

Standard solutions

Stock solutions of analytes were prepared in acetonitrile at 1.0 mg/mL and stored at 4 °C. Working solutions of each analyte were freshly prepared by diluting stock solutions in acetonitrile up to a concentration of 1.0 µg/mL.

Tandem mass spectrometry experiments

Compounds 8 and 9 are positional isomers and under ESI–MS conditions showed the production of abundant protonated molecules, detected at the same m/z value, and only a few fragment ions at very low relative abundance (less than 2%). Therefore, we utilized specific collisionally activated MS/MS decomposition pathways to assign their structures. Accordingly, a series of MS/MS experiments were performed by applying different approaches, based on the potential of a triple quadrupole system.

Energy resolved tandem mass spectrometry (ERMS) experiments [28] were performed to evaluate the collision activated decomposition pathway of isomers 8 and 9. The ERMS experiments involve a series of product ion scan spectra acquisitions, which were obtained by increasing the collision energy stepwise in the range from 0 to 20 V. The results obtained were used to study the fragmentation of molecular species from each analyte and build its breakdown curves. In detail, the product ion scan spectra were acquired in the m/z range from 50 to 650, scan time 600 ms, and argon was used as collisional gas. The breakdown curves data were obtained by introducing 1.0 µg/mL of each analyte via syringe pump at 10 µL/min; the protonated molecule was isolated and the abundance of product ions were monitored. The values of the relative intensities of MS/MS spectra used to build the breakdown curves were the mean of 50 scans for each collision energy and the collision gas pressure was critically evaluated in order to achieve valid and reproducible fragmentation patterns on the basis of the results obtained [29].

Docking analysis

A 3-D model of compound 2e was built and pre-optimized by Chem3D (version 12.0.2) software (ChemBioOffice 2010 Suite). The model was imported into the Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) program together with the structure of human neutrophil elastase (1HNE entry of Protein Data Bank), where the enzyme is complexed with peptide chloromethyl ketone inhibitor [30]. All water molecules were deleted from the protein model. The search area for docking poses was defined as a sphere with 10 Å radius centered at the nitrogen atom in the five-membered ring of the co-crystallized peptide. Side chains of 42 residues in the vicinity of the binding site were set flexible during docking, as described previously [16]. The HNE catalytic triad comprised of Ser195, His57, and Asp102 was also among the residues with flexible side chains. Simulation of the receptor flexibility was performed with the standard technique built in the Molegro program (Molegro Virtual Docker. User Manual, 2010). Values of 0.9 and 0.7, respectively, were assigned to the “Tolerance” and “Strength” parameters of the MVD “Side chain Flexibility” wizard. Forty docking runs were performed with full flexibility of ligand 2e around its rotatable bonds. Geometric parameters of the lowest-energy docking pose were determined with measurement tools of MVD software in order to estimate the ability of compound 2e to form a Michaelis complex between the hydroxyl group of Ser195 and each carbonyl group of the ligand, according to previously reported methods [24, 25].

References

  1. Korkmaz B, Horwitz MS, Jenne DE, Gauthier F (2010) Neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, and cathepsin G as therapeutic targets in human diseases. Pharmacol Rev 62:726–759

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pham CT (2006) Neutrophil serine proteases: specific regulators of inflammation. Nat Rev Immunol 6:541–550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Fitch PM, Roghanian A, Howie SE, Sallenave JM (2006) Human neutrophil elastase inhibitors in innate and adaptive immunity. Biochem Soc Trans 34:279–282

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kelly E, Greene MC, McElvanev N (2008) Targeting neutrophil elastase in cystic fibrosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 12:145–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Korkmaz B, Moreau T, Gauthier F (2008) Neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3 and cathepsin G: physicochemical properties, activity and physiopathological functions. Biochimie 90:227–242

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Mannino DM (2005) Epidemiology and global impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 26:204–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tsushima K, King SL, Aggarwal NR, De Gorordo A, D’Alessio FR, Kubo K (2009) Acute lung injury review. Intern Med 48:621–630

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Voynow JA, Fischer BM, Zheng S (2008) Proteases and cystic fibrosis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 40:1238–1245

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Iwata K, Doi A, Ohji G, Oka H, Oba Y, Takimoto K, Igarashi W, Gremillion DH, Shimada T (2010) Effect of neutrophil elastase inhibitor (sivelestat sodium) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Intern Med 49(22):2423–2432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Tebbutt SJ (2000) Technology evaluation: transgenic alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), PPL therapeutics. Curr Opin Mol Ther 2:199–204

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Stockley R, De Soyza A, Gunawardena K, Perret J, Forsman-Semb K, Entwistle N, Snell N (2013) Phase II study of a neutrophil elastase inhibitor (AZD9668) in patients with bronchiectasis. Respir Med 107(4):524–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Vogelmeier C, Aquino TO, O’Brein CD, Perret J, Gunawardena K (2012) A randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study of AZD9668, an oral inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with tiotropium. COPD 9(2):111–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Von Nussbaum F, Li VMJ, Allerheiligen S, Anlauf S, Bärfacker L, Bechem M, Delbeck M, Fitzgerald MF, Gerisch M, Gielen-Haertwig H, Haning H, Karthaus D, Lang D, Lustig K, Meibom D, Mittendorf J, Rosentreter U, Schäfer M, Schäfer S, Schamberger J, Telan LA, Tersteegen A (2015) Freezing the bioactive conformation to boost potency: the identification of BAY 85–8501, a selective and potent inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase for pulmonary diseases. ChemMedChem 10(7):1163–1173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Crocetti L, Giovannoni MP, Schepetkin IA, Quinn MT, Khlebnikov AI, Cilibrizzi A, Dal Piaz V, Graziano A, Vergelli C (2011) Design, synthesis and evaluation of N-benzoylindazole derivatives and analogues as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. Bioorg Med Chem 19:4460–4472

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Crocetti L, Schepetkin IA, Ciciani G, Giovannoni MP, Guerrini G, Iacovone A, Khlebnikov AI, Kirpotina LN, Quinn MT, Vergelli C (2016) Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of indole derivatives as deaza analogues of potent human neutrophil elastase inhibitors. Drug Dev Res 77(6):285–299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Crocetti L, Schepetkin IA, Cilibrizzi A, Graziano A, Vergelli C, Giomi D, Khlebnikov AI, Quinn MT, Giovannoni MP (2013) Optimization of N-benzoylindazole derivatives as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. J Med Chem 56:6259–6272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Giovannoni MP, Schepetkin IA, Crocetti L, Ciciani G, Cilibrizzi A, Guerrini G, Khlebnikov AI, Quinn MT, Vergelli C (2016) Cinnoline derivatives as human neutrophil elastase inhibitors. J Enzym Inhib Med Chem 31(4):628–639

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Vergelli C, Schepetkin IA, Crocetti L, Iacovone A, Giovannoni MP, Guerrini G, Khlebnikov AI, Ciattini S, Ciciani G, Quinn MT (2017) Isoxazol-5(2H)-one: a new scaffold for potent human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors. J Enzym Inhib Med Chem. https://doi.org/10.1080/14756366.2017.1326915

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wood G, Duncan KW, Meades C, Gibson D, Mclachlan JC, Perry A, Blake D, Zheleva DI, Fischer PM (2005) Pyrimidin-4-yl-3,4-thione compounds and their use in therapy. PCT Int Appl. WO 2005/042525 A1

  20. Yarligan S, Ogretir C, Csizmadia IG, Acikkalp E, Berber H, Arslan T (2005) An ab initio study on protonation of some substituted thiazole derivates. J Mol Struct Theochem 715:199–203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Biancalani C, Giovannoni MP, Pieretti S, Cesari N, Graziano A, Vergelli C, Cilibrizzi A, Di Gianuario A, Colucci MA, Mangano G, Garrone B, Polenzani L, Dal Piaz V (2009) Further studies on arylpiperazinyl alkyl pyridazinones: discovery of an exceptionally potent, orally active, antinociceptive agent in thermally induced pain. J Med Chem 52(23):7397–7409

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Kikelj D, Urleb U (2002) Product class 17: thiazoles. Sci Synth 11:627–833

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Pihlaja K, Ovcharenko V, Kohlemainen E, Laihia K, Fabian-Walter MF, Dehne H, Perjessy A, Kleist M, Teller J, Šustekovà Z (2002) A correlation IR, MS, 1H, 13C and 15N NMR and theoretical study of 4-arylthiazol-2(3H)-one. J Chem Soc Perkin Trans 2:329–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Burgi HB, Dunitz JD, Lehn JM, Wipff G (1974) Stereochemistry of reaction paths at carbonyl centers. Tetrahedron 30:1563–1572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Vergely I, Laugaa P, Reboud-Ravaux M (1996) Interaction of human leukocyte elastase with a N-aryl azetidinone suicide substrate: conformational analyses based on the mechanism of action of serine proteinases. J Mol Graph 14(145):158–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sieńczyk M, Winiarski L, Kasperkiewicz P, Psurski M, Wietrzyk J, Oleksyszyn J (2011) Simple phosphonic inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 21:1310–1314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Mäntylä A, Vepsäläinen J, Järvinen T, Nevalainen T (2002) A novel synthetic route for the preparation of alkyl and benzyl chloromethyl phosphates. Tetrahedron Lett 43:3793–3794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Menicatti M, Guandalini L, Dei S, Floriddia E, Teodori E, Traldi P, Bartolucci G (2016) Energy resolved tandem mass spectrometry experiments for resolution of isobaric compounds: a case of cis/trans isomerism. Eur J Mass Spectrom 22(5):235–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Menicatti M, Guandalini L, Dei S, Floriddia E, Teodori E, Traldi P, Bartolucci G (2016) The power of energy-resolved tandem mass spectrometry experiments for resolution of isomers: the case of drug plasma stability investigation of multidrug resistance inhibitors. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 30:423–432

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Navia MA, McKeever BM, Springer JP, Lin TY, Williams HR, Fluder EM, Dorn CP, Hoogsteen K (1989) Structure of human neutrophil elastase in complex with a peptide chloromethyl ketone inhibitor at 1.84 Å resolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:7–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors’ contributions

LC, AI, GG, and CV performed the synthesis. MM performed the mass spectrometry experiments. IAS performed the biological tests. MG and MTQ conceived and designed the study. AIK carried out molecular modelling experiments. LC, GB, AC, MG, IAS, AIK, and MTQ wrote and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by National Institutes of Health IDeA Program COBRE Grant GM110732; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1009546; the Montana State University Agricultural Experiment Station; and Tomsk Polytechnic University Competitiveness Enhancement Program Grant, Project TPU CEP_IHTP_73\2017.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Availability of data and materials

All data are fully available without restriction at the author’s Institutions.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Funding

National Institutes of Health IDeA Program COBRE Grant GM110732 USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1009546 Tomsk Polytechnic University Competitiveness Enhancement Program Grant, Project TPU CEP_IHTP_73\2017.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Paola Giovannoni.

Additional file

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Crocetti, L., Bartolucci, G., Cilibrizzi, A. et al. Synthesis and analytical characterization of new thiazol-2-(3H)-ones as human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors. Chemistry Central Journal 11, 127 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-017-0358-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-017-0358-1

Keywords