Discovery of 29-O-acyl-toosendanin-based derivatives as potent anti-cancer agents

Structural modification of natural products is an effective strategy to discover potent lead compounds with improved medicinal performance. Toosendanin (TSN), a natural limonoid with diverse pharmacological properties, was selected as the starting material for structural modification to obtain more active anti-cancer agents in the current study. A library containing 25 structurally diverse derivatives (including 12 new ones) were constructed on the basis of the structure-guided modification of TSN. Subsequent cytotoxic assay of this library discovered that compounds 14, 18, and 25 showed more significant antiproliferative activity than the precursor TSN in MDA-MB-468 cell model and so as compounds 14, 17–19, 21, and 25 in Hela cell model. Among them, the new derivative 29-O-(6-chloronicotinoyl)-toosendanin (25) exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀s 0.05–0.06 μM), being more active than TSN (IC₅₀s 0.14–0.24 μM) and even the first-line drug adriamycin (IC₅₀s ～ 0.07 μM) in both tested cancer cell lines. The SARs study uncovered that the hemiacetal group, the 14,15-epoxy ring, 1-OH, 7-OH, 3-OAc, and 12-OAc were viewed as the essential active groups and the 29-OH was the critically active modification position of TSN for the enhancement of cytotoxicity. The discovering of 25 from TSN-based derivatives might serve as a lead compound for anti-cancer chemotherapy, which may shed light on rationally design TSN-based derivatives for obtaining more potent anti-tumor agents.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of indole-3-carboxamide derivatives as antioxidant agents

Oxidative stress results in various pathologies and as consequence antioxidant agents have attracted uninterrupted attention. In this paper, a novel series of indole-3-carboxamide derivatives (6a–6l) were designed and synthesized based on the melatonin structure as novel antioxidants. All of them were evaluated for the antioxidant activities in vitro against human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line using H₂O₂ radical scavenging assay. The target compounds 6a, 6f and 6i indicated better activities than the positive control, ascorbic acid, and 6a exhibited the best antioxidant activity. In addition, the structure-activity relationships of the target compounds were also preliminarily summarized based on the obtained experimental data.     

Bone collagen cross-links: an efficient one-pot synthesis of (+)-pyridinoline and (+)-dexoypyridinoline

A one-pot reaction of (2S,5R)-(−)-tert-butyl-[(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-hydroxy-6-aminohexanoate 2b or (S)-(−)-tert-butyl-[(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-6-aminohexanoate 2c with (S)-(−)-tert-butyl-6-bromo-[bis-(2-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-oxohexanoate 5 in the presence of K₂CO₃ in MeCN–MeOH followed by hydrolysis gave bone collagen cross-links, (+)-Pyd 1b or (+)-Dpd 1c, in 42–48% yield, respectively.     

Synthesis of new azetidinonyl/thiazolidinonyl quinazolinone derivatives as antiparkinsonian agents

Several 3-amantadinyl-2-[(2-substituted benzylidenehydrazinyl)methyl]-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (5a–5l) were prepared by the reaction of 3-amantadinyl-2-hydrazinylmethyl substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (4a–4b) with various substituted aromatic aldehydes. Cycloaddition of compounds (5a–5l) with thioglycolic acid in the presence of anhydrous zinc chloride yielded 3-amantadinyl-2-[((substitutedphenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl)methylamino]-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (6a–6l). Compounds 5a–5l on further reaction with chloro acetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine gave 3-amantadinyl-2-[((substitutedphenyl)-3-chloro-2-oxo-azetidin-1-yl)methylamino]-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (7a–7l). The compounds 5a–5l, 6a–6l and 7a–7l were screened for their antiparkinsonian activity. The most active compound was 6g i.e. 3-amantadinyl-6-bromo-2-[((3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl)methylamino]-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of elemental and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR and mass) analysis.     

Synthesis of formazans from Mannich base of 5-(4-chlorophenyl amino)-2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole as antimicrobial agents

5-(4-Chlorophenyl amino)-2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (I) was refluxed with formaldehyde and ammonium chloride in ethanol yielding the Mannich base 5-(4-chloro phenyl amino)-3-aminomethyl-2-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (II). Esterification with 4-chloro-(2,6-dinitro phenoxy)-ethyl acetate (III) under anhydrous conditions gave the intermediate (IV). Subsequent hydrazinolysis with hydrazine hydrate gave the corresponding hydrazide 3-amino methyl-5-(4-chloro phenyl amino)-2-mercapto-4′-(2′,6′-dinitro phenoxy)-acetyl hydrazide (V). The hydrazide was converted into the Schiff bases (VI_a–b) by reacting with 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy benzaldehyde in presence of methanol containing 2–3 drops of acetic acid. Diazotisation with aromatic amines, sulphanilic acid and sulphur drugs gave the formazans (VII_a–g) respectively. Chemical structures have been established by elemental analysis and the spectral techniques of FTIR, ¹H NMR and mass. Antimicrobial activity (in vitro) was evaluated against the two pathogenic bacterial strains. Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, three fungal strains Aspergillus niger, Penicillium species and Candida albicans. The compounds have shown moderate activity.     

Synthesis of thiazole clubbed pyrazole derivatives as apoptosis inducers and anti-infective agents

Fourteen N-[{(substituted-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-3-aryl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}methylene]-5-substituted-thiazol-2-amine (5a-n) analogs were synthesized by the reaction of 3-aryl-1-(thiazol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde and substituted thiazole amines. The structures of prepared compounds were delineated by elemental analysis, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectra. These analogs were scrutinized for in vitro anti-infective and cytotoxic activities. Some thaizole clubbed pyrazole derivatives were assessed for their cytological changes in germ cells of Capra hircus by using histomorphological analysis, fluorescence assay and apoptosis quantification. Compound 5l having 4-NO₂ substituent induced the significant apoptosis in tested cells of Capra hircus. The results revealed that compounds 5c, 5e, 5k, and 5l have commendable antibacterial activity within MIC range of 62.5–250 μg/ml. Compound 5c emerged as a potent antimalarial compound by exhibiting IC₅₀ value of 0.23 μg/ml and compound 5j induced paralysis of Pherentima posthuma at 8.6 ± 1.94 min and death at 20 ± 5.04 min, respectively. Compound 5j revealed an excellent cytotoxicity at IC₅₀ value of 30.7 and < 10 μg/ml against MCF-7 and HeLa cells, respectively. Individually, compounds 5c, 5j and 5l could be considered as promising anti-infective and cytotoxic compounds.     

Total synthesis of plagiochin G and derivatives as potential cancer chemopreventive agents

A new and efficient total synthesis has been developed to obtain plagiochin G (22), a macrocyclic bisbibenzyl, and four derivatives. The key 16-membered ring containing biphenyl ether and biaryl units was closed via an intramolecular S_NAr reaction. All synthesized macrocyclic bisbibenzyls inhibited Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells and, thus, are potential cancer chemopreventive agents.     

Synthesis of mono- and dihydroxy-substituted 2-aminocyclooctanecarboxylic acid enantiomers

(1R,2S,6R)-2-Amino-6-hydroxycyclooctanecarboxylic acid (?)-10 was synthesized from (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclooct-5-enecarboxylic acid (+)-2 via an iodolactone intermediate, while (1R,2S,3R,4S)-2-amino-5,6-dihydroxycyclooctanecarboxylic acid (?)-12 was prepared by using the OsO₄-catalyzed oxidation of Boc-protected amino ester (?)-5. The stereochemistry and relative configurations of the synthesized compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy (based on 2D NOE cross-peaks and ³J(H,H) coupling constants) and X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of rigid and C2-symmetric pyridino-15-crown-5 type macrocycles bearing diamide–diester functions: enantiomeric recognition for chiral primary organoammonium perchlorate salts

Four novel C₂-symmetric macrocyclic compounds with a pyridine function and possessing amide and ester lingeages were prepared. The enantiomeric discrimination abilities of these macrocycles against α-phenylethylammonium and α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts were measured by standard ¹H NMR titration techniques in DMSO-d₆. A binding constant ratio of 31 (Kbind(S)/Kbind(R)) for two enantiomers of α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium salt with the macrocyclic host (S,S)-4 bearing phenyl arms was observed, which corresponds to an enantiomeric discrimination of approximately 94%. Molecular dynamic calculations were performed for some of the supramolecular complexes to in order to gain insight into the mode of molecular recognition between the macrocyclic compounds and ammonium salts; these results were consistent with experimental observations, which may be relevant to those in biochemical processes occurring in organisms.     

Structural control in palladium(II)-catalyzed enantioselective allylic alkylation by new chiral phosphine-phosphite and pyridine-phosphite ligands

The ligands 6-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-4,8-di-tert-butyl-2,10-dimethoxy-5,7-dioxa-6-phosphadibenzo[a,c]cycloheptene, 1, (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-2, and (S)-4-[(diphenylphosphanyl)methoxy]-2,6-bis-trimethylsilanyl-3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalene, (S)-3, (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxymethyl)pyridine, (S)-4, and (S)-2-(3,5-dioxa-4-phosphacyclohepta[2,1-a;3,4-a′]dinaphthalen-4-yloxy)pyridine, (S)-5, have been easily prepared.The cationic complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(L-L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=1–(S)-5) and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)(L–L′)]CF₃SO₃ (L–L′=(S)-2–(S)-4) were synthesized by conventional methods starting from the complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)Cl]₂, respectively. The behavior in solution of all the π-allyl- and π-phenylallyl-(L–L′)palladium derivatives 6–14 was studied by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and 2D-NOESY spectroscopy. As concerns the ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5, a satisfactory analysis of the structures in solution was possible only for palladium–allyl complexes [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 11, and [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 12, since the corresponding species [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-4)]CF₃SO₃, 13, and [Pd(η³-PhCHCHCHPh)((S)-5)]CF₃SO₃, 14, revealed low stability in solution for a long time. The new ligands (S)-2–(S)-5 were tested in the palladium-catalyzed enantioselective substitution of (1,3-diphenyl-1,2-propenyl)acetate by dimethylmalonate. The precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-2)]CF₃SO₃ afforded the allyl substituted product in good yield (95%) and acceptable enantioselectivities (71% e.e. in the S form). A similar result was achieved with the precatalyst [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)((S)-3)]CF₃SO₃. The nucleophilic attack of the malonate occurred preferentially at allylic carbon far from the binaphthalene moiety, namely trans to the phosphite group. When the complexes containing ligands (S)-4 and (S)-5 were used as precatalysts, the product was obtained as a racemic mixture in high yield. The number of the configurational isomers of the Pd-allyl intermediates present in solution in the allylic alkylation and the relative concentrations are considered a determining factor for the enantioselectivity of the process.     

A new molecular building blocks: Synthesis,crystal structure,magnetic and spectroscopic properties of Cu(II) and Ni(II) macrocyclic complexes

New higly unsaturated macrocyclic building blocks [CuLSCN]·ClO₄ (1) (L = N-dl-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene) and [NiL(SCN)₂] (2) (L = N-dl-5,12-dimethyl-7,14-diisopropyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,11-diene) were synthesized and the crystal structures of both compounds were determined. Both complexes crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (1) and P2₁/c (2). Their magnetic properties were studied over the temperature range 1.8–300 K using a Quantum Design SQUID magnetometer (MPMSXL-5-type). The results indicate that both compounds behave as weakly interacting paramagnetic centers in the crystal lattice. The effects of hydrogen bond mediating the magnetic exchange interactions on the spin density have been evidenced by DFT calculations. The NIR–Vis–UV diffuse-reflectance electronic spectra confirm the square pyramidal and octahedral geometry around Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ metal ions.     

Microwave-induced and conventional heterocyclic synthesis: An antimicrobial entites of newer quinazolinyl-Δ2-pyrazolines

Heterocyclic compounds containing pyrazolines were reported to possess significant biological activity. Synthesis of 2-(ω-chloroacetonyl)-3-p-fluorophenyl-6-bromoquinazoline-4(3H)-ones (2), 2-(ω-hydrazinoacetonyl)-3-p-fluorophenyl-6-bromoquinazoline-4(3H)-ones (3) and 1′-[3H-3-p-fluorophenyl-4-oxo-6-bromoquinazoline-2-acetonyl]-3′-[1-o-chlorophenyl-3-methyl-5-azomethine-2-pyrazolidene]-5′-(substituted phenyl)-Δ²-pyrazolines (4a–j) have been described. Some of the new compounds were tested against bacteria (Gram –ve and Gram +ve) and fungi.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some new substituted benzoxazepine and benzothiazepine as antipsychotic as well as anticonvulsant agents

Various 2-((2-((5-benzylideneamino)-1,3,4-oxa/thiadiazol-2-yl)methyl)hydrazinyl) methyl)benzo[b][1,4]oxa/thiazepin-4(5H)-ones (4a–4l), 2-((2-((5-(4-oxo-2-substitutedphenyl thiazolidin-3-yl)-1,3,4-oxa/thiadiazol-2-yl)methyl)hydrazinyl)methyl)benzo [b] [1,4]oxa/thiazepin-4(5H)-ones (5a–5l) and 2-((2-((5-(3-chloro-2-(substitutedphenyl)-4-oxoazetidin-1-yl)-1,3,4-oxa/thia diazol-2-yl)methyl)hydrazinyl)methyl)benzo[b][1,4]oxa/thiazepin-4(5H)-ones (6a–6l) have been synthesized. The structures of these compounds have been established by elemental (C, H, N) and spectral (IR, ¹H-NMR and Mass) analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antipsychotic and anticonvulsant activities. Compound 5l was found to be the most active compound of this series.     

New dimeric and supramolecular organotin(IV) complexes with a tridentate schiff base as potential biocidal agents

The paper describes the synthesis and structural characterization of six new diorganotin(IV) compounds 1–6, [R₂SnL] and a monoorganotin(IV) derivative, C₄H₉SnClL (7). Here L = N′-(5-bromo-2-oxidobenzylidene)-N-(oxidomethylene)hydrazine ligand with ONO tridentate chelation capability and R = CH₃ (1), C₂H₅ (2), n-C₄H₉ (3), C₆H₅ (4), C₈H₁₇ (5), tert-C₄H₉ (6), The packing diagram offers a supramolecular structure for 1 and a dimeric structure for 4 with distorted square-pyramidal and distorted trigonal geometry, respectively. The different geometry of 1 than 4 can be attributed to the presence of intermolecular non-covalent Sn---O and Sn---H interactions in the former. The antifungal, antibacterial, antiurease and antileishmanial activities of these complexes proved them to be active biologically and may be formulated as new metal-based drugs in future.     

Cationic organoaluminum compounds as intramolecular hydroamination catalysts

Cationic dialkylaluminum and m-terphenylalkylaluminum compounds catalyze the intramolecular hydroamination of primary and secondary aminopentenes. The reaction rates are strongly dependent on the substrate and the catalyst substituents. The bulky species [Dipp1AlEt][CHB₁₁H₅I₆] (Dipp1 = 2,6-Dipp₂C₆H₃–, Dipp = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃–), 4, was the most active catalyst. Although the neutral species DcpAlEt₂ (Dcp = 2,6-(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)₂C₆H₃–), 7, and Dipp1AlEt₂, 8, showed some catalytic activity, they were more than 25 times less reactive than their cationic counterparts [DcpAlEt][CHB₁₁H₅Cl₆], 3, and 4. The cyclization of secondary benzylaminopentenes with [Et₂Al][CHB₁₁H₅I₆], 1, was strongly dependent on the substitution of the C-2 olefinic carbon.     

Cationic organoaluminum compounds as intramolecular hydroamination catalysts

Cationic dialkylaluminum and m-terphenylalkylaluminum compounds catalyze the intramolecular hydroamination of primary and secondary aminopentenes. The reaction rates are strongly dependent on the substrate and the catalyst substituents. The bulky species [Dipp1AlEt][CHB₁₁H₅I₆] (Dipp1 = 2,6-Dipp₂C₆H₃–, Dipp = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃–), 4, was the most active catalyst. Although the neutral species DcpAlEt₂ (Dcp = 2,6-(2,6-Cl₂C₆H₃)₂C₆H₃–), 7, and Dipp1AlEt₂, 8, showed some catalytic activity, they were more than 25 times less reactive than their cationic counterparts [DcpAlEt][CHB₁₁H₅Cl₆], 3, and 4. The cyclization of secondary benzylaminopentenes with [Et₂Al][CHB₁₁H₅I₆], 1, was strongly dependent on the substitution of the C-2 olefinic carbon.     

Lipase mediated resolution of 1,3-butanediol derivatives: chiral building blocks for pheromone enantiosynthesis. Part 3

(R,S)-1,3-Butanediol 5 was kinetically resolved by enzymatic acetylation with vinyl acetate under the presence of Chirazyme™ L-2, c–f, yielding (S)-1-O-acetyl-1,3-hydroxybutane 6 and (R)-1,3-di-O-acetyl-1,3-butanediol 7 with enantiomeric excesses of 91% (E=67.3). Compounds 6 and 7 were easily transformed into the corresponding (S)-3-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-3-hydroxybutanal 10 and (R)-3-benzyloxybutanal 19, through a protection–deprotection and functional group interchange methodology. Subsequent reaction of 10 and 19 with 3-(methoxycarbonylpropionylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane afforded methyl (E,S)-8-O-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 12 and (E,R)-8-benzyloxy-4-oxo-5-nonenoate 20. The alkenes 19 and 20 were then catalytically hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated esters 13 and 21. Treatment of 13 and 21 with 1,2-ethanedithiol/F₃B·OEt₂ afforded dithioketals 14 and 22, which were respectively reduced to (S)-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 15 and (R)-8-O-benzyl-1,8-dihydroxy-4-nonanone ethylidenedithioketal 23. Finally, deprotection of 15 by catalytic hydrogenation under acidic conditions gave the expected (5S,7S)-(−)-7-methyl-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane 1. The (5R,7R)-(+)-1 enantiomer was analogously prepared from 23. Both compounds were formed by this procedure with an e.e. of 91%.     

Enantiomeric synthesis of carbocyclic d-4′-C-methylribonucleosides as potential antiviral agents

An efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of enantiomerically pure carbocyclic d-4′-C-methylribonucleosides 3a–f is reported. The key intermediate, d-2,3-O-cyclohexylidene-4-methylcyclopentenone 8, was prepared starting from d-ribose in eight steps via an oxidative rearrangement. Conjugate addition of a catalytic vinylcopper(I) reagent to the α,β-unsaturated ketone 8 yielded cyclopentyl alcohol 10, which bears a quaternary stereogenic carbon at the C4-position. The cyclopentyl alcohol 10 was subsequently coupled with 6-chloropurine or 2-amino-6-chloropurine via an S_N2 reaction, followed by a series of functional group transformations and deprotections to furnish purine ribonucleosides 3a–c. Pyrimidine bases were constructed on cyclopentylamine 29 using a linear approach, which furnished the pyrimidine nucleosides 3d–f.     

An efficient microwave assisted synthesis of novel class of Rhodanine derivatives as potential HIV-1 and JSP-1 inhibitors

(Z)-5-(2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethylidene)-3-phenyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (7a-q) derivatives have been synthesized by the condensation reaction of 3-phenyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-ones (3a-h) with suitably substituted 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoacetaldehyde (6a-d) under microwave condition. The thioxothiazolidine-4-ones were prepared from the corresponding aromatic amines (1a-e) and di-(carboxymethyl)-trithiocarbonyl (2). The aldehydes (6a-h) were synthesized from the corresponding acid chlorides (5a-d) using HSnBu₃.