Moebitz, Henrik, Dittrich, Birger, Rodde, Stephane and Strang, Ross (2024) Nonclassical Zwitterions as a Design Principle to Reduce Lipophilicity without Impacting Permeability. Journal of medicinal chemistry, 67 (11). pp. 9485-9494. ISSN 1520-4804

Abstract

The ionization of bioactive molecules impacts many ADME-relevant physicochemical properties, in particular, solubility, lipophilicity, and permeability. Ampholytes contain both acidic and basic groups and are distinguished as ordinary ampholytes and zwitterions. An influential review states that zwitterions only exist if the acidic pKa is significantly lower than the basic pKa. Through concordance of measured and calculated pKa and log P, we show that the zwitterionic behavior of several marketed drugs and natural products occurs despite a low or negative ΔpKa. These nonclassical zwitterions are characterized by a weak acidic and basic pKa and conjugation through an extended aromatic system, often including pseudorings via intramolecular hydrogen bonds. In contrast to most classical zwitterions, nonclassical zwitterions can exhibit excellent permeability. As permeability and lipophilicity are typically correlated, the combination of low lipophilicity and high permeability makes nonclassical zwitterions an attractive design principle in medicinal chemistry.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Permeability Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions Solubility Drug Design Pharmaceutical Preparations Humans Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Hydrogen Bonding
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2024 00:46
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2024 00:46
URI:	https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/53153