Microwave assisted ring-opening of epoxides with N-biaryl sulfonamides in the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibitors

A microwave accelerated epoxide ring-opening process with N-biaryl sulfonamides is described. Under this mild, highly efficient condition, an α-hydroxy-β-N-biaryl sulfonamide skeleton is rapidly assembled leading ultimately to a novel series of matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibitors with single digit nanomolar activities.