Homo- and heterodimeric Smac mimetics/IAP inhibitors as in vivo-active pro-apoptotic agents. Part I: Synthesis.

Abstract Novel pro-apoptotic, homo- and heterodimeric Smac mimetics/IAPs inhibitors based on the N-AVPI-like 4-substituted 1-aza-2-oxobicyclo[5.3.0]decane scaffold were prepared from monomeric structures connected through a head–head ( 8 ), tail–tail ( 9 ) or head–tail ( 10 ) linker. The selection of appropriate decorating functions for the scaffolds, and of rigid and flexible linkers connecting them, is described. The synthesis, purification and analytical characterization of each prepared dimer 8 – 10 is thoroughly described.