Abstract
A series of bulky organometallic and organic analogues of the bromodomain (BRD) inhibitor (+)‐JQ1 have been prepared. The most potent, N‐[(adamantan‐1‐yl)methyl]‐2‐[(9S)‐7‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4,5,13‐trimethyl‐3‐thia‐1,8,11,12‐tetraazatricyclo[8.3.0.02,6]trideca‐2(6),4,7,10,12‐pentaen‐9‐yl]acetamide, 2e, showed excellent potency with an KD=ca. 130 nm vs. BRD4(1) and a ca. 2‐fold selectivity over BRD4(2) (KD=ca. 260 nm). Its binding to the first bromodomain of BRD4 was determined by a protein cocrystal structure.