A serendipitous conversion of enaminolactone nitriles with primary amines: a new synthesis of substituted 2-aminopyridine derivatives

In the course of our studies on Cerpegin analogues synthesis, a serendipitous reactivity of enaminolactone nitrile has been observed. Instead of expecting iminocerpegins, we have gained new class of substituted 2-aminopyridines. The methodology has been applied on a wide range of primary amines, as aliphatic, aromatic, heteroaromatic and also, diamines, hydrazines and chiral amines.     

Efficient synthesis and antioxidant activity of coelenterazine analogues

A convenient and highly convergent method for the synthesis of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based coelenterazine analogues is reported. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine core was constructed through a condensation between 2-aminopyridine analogues and arylglyoxals. Additionally, a new approach to the synthesis of benzylglyoxals was introduced. The imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines display moderate antioxidant activities at a low micromolar level in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).     

Investigation,optimization and synthesis of sulfamoyloxy-linked aminoacyl-AMP analogues

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) constitute a family of enzymes that transfer amino acids to their corresponding tRNA molecules to form aminoacyl-tRNAs and have been validated as potential drug targets. Sulfamoyloxy-linked aminoacyl-AMP analogues are potent inhibitors of aaRSs. In this article, we report the synthesis of several new sulfamoyl analogues of aa-AMP that up to now have been difficult or even impossible to prepare with current synthetic strategies. The developed synthetic strategy relies on performing the synthesis under neutral conditions followed by global deprotection using catalytic hydrogenation affording the desired 5′-O-(N-aminoacyl)sulfamoyladenosine compounds.     

Synthesis of new 18-substituted analogues of calcitriol using a photochemical remote functionalization

A novel convergent synthetic approach to new analogues of calcitriol modified at the C-18 position is reported. The key step in the synthesis is the 20-hydroxyl-directed photochemical iodination of the 18-methyl group in the presence of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene. Using this methodology, two new analogues of calcitriol were prepared: the first contains a hydroxylated alkyl side chain attached at C-18 with the natural side chain replaced by an isopropylidene group; the second is a conformationally locked analogue due to an extra oxacycle between the C-18 and C-20 positions.     

Biocatalytic and chemical investigations in the synthesis of sucrose analogues

Herein, we report about the synthesis of sucrose analogues, obtained by two different approaches: a chemical and an enzymatic. The one step synthesis of the sucrose analogues with the exo-fructosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.162) from Bacillus subtilis NCIMB 11871, which transfers the fructosyl residue of the substrate sucrose to the monosaccharide acceptors galactose, mannose, xylose and fucose, has been developed. Effects in the fructosylation by variation of the positions of the hydroxyl-groups in glycopyranoside acceptors have been studied in respect to their acceptor properties. In contrast, the chemical equivalent nonenzymatic organic synthesis of galacto-sucrose and manno-sucrose has been achieved including six synthetic steps.     

New red-shifted coelenterazine analogues with an extended electronic conjugation

A new promising approach to the development of red-shifted coelenterazine analogues was described. In order to alter the photochemical properties of native coelenterazine, we have designed and synthesized analogues bearing a new electron-rich structure. The spectroscopic results obtained, in the presence of the target enzyme (Renilla Luciferase), show a bathochromic emission shift of the entire class of new derivatives. Among them, the 2-benzyl-8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(7H)-one (8) shows an emission at 510 nm and uncommon slow kinetic decay.     

Synthesis of phosphatase-resistant analogues of phytic acid (InsP6)

Phytic acid is enzymatically catabolized to numerous inositol polyphosphates and subsequently to myo-inositol and inorganic phosphate. These conversions are important in energy metabolism, metabolic regulation, and signal transduction pathways. A concise synthesis of phosphatase-resistant analogues of phytic acid (InsP₆) is described in which the P-1 phosphate has been replaced by phosphorothioate, phosphoroselenate, or methylphosphonate moieties. In addition, a new synthesis of P-1 tethered aminoalkyl InsP₆ and the corresponding affinity resin are described.     

The second-generation synthesis of BICMAP analogues

We previously reported the synthesis of BICMAP (1a) via 6-diphenylphosphino-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran as a key intermediate. However, we did not successfully synthesize BICMAP analogues via a similar synthetic route. Herein we report the second-generation synthesis of BICMAP and its derivatives via diethylphosphonate as a key intermediate.     

DEPMPO and lipophilic analogues: synthesis and EPR studies

DEPMPO (5-diethylphosphono-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide) is now recognised as a major trap for the applications of spin-trapping techniques in biological milieu. We report herein a new synthetic route for DEPMPO ending with the reductive cyclisation of the phosphorylated γ-nitroaldehyde 8. In comparison with the usual synthesis of DEPMPO, involving the oxidation of the parent pyrrolidine 3, the new approach avoids the formation of over oxidation by-products thus making easier the purification of DEPMPO. Lipophilic analogues of DEPMPO have been prepared through addition of various Y₂P(O)H on 2-methyl-1-pyrroline, followed by oxidation of the ensuing pyrrolidines. These new nitrones were used to trap different radicals in water and organic solvents.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel fumagillin and ovalicin analogues

A promising approach among the numerous efforts to cure cancer is the interruption of the tumour-induced formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). By suppressing angiogenesis with drugs, the tumour can neither grow to a life threatening size, nor metastasize. The natural product fumagillin 1 and the structurally related ovalicin 2 are two of the most potent anti-angiogenic compounds. Here, we report the design and synthesis of novel fumagillin and ovalicin analogues lacking reactive epoxy functionalities, which were thought to be responsible for the severe toxic side-effects observed. We also report a new synthetic approach and the determination of the anti-angiogenic properties of these compounds in endothelial cells.     

Synthesis of granulatimide bis-imide analogues

The synthesis of dipyrrolo[3,4-a:3,4-c]carbazole-1,3,4,6-tetraones, structurally related to granulatimide is reported. These compounds can be considered as granulatimide analogues in which a maleimide heterocycle replaces the imidazole moiety. The synthesis of pyridino[2,3-b]dipyrrolo[3,4-e:3,4-g]indole-1,3,4,6-tetraones is also reported. In these compounds, a 7-azaindole unit replaces the indole moiety present in the granulatimide and isogranulatimide structures.     

Synthesis of isogranulatimides A and B analogues possessing a 7-azaindole unit instead of an indole moiety

The synthesis of a new family of isogranulatimides analogues is described in which a 7-azaindole replaces the indole moiety. The key step is the photocyclization of the aza didemnimide intermediates which leads to two isomeric analogues of isogranulatimides A and B. A derivative bearing a carbohydrate part linked to the azaindole via a β-N-glycosidic bond was also prepared.     

Synthesis of C1–C11 eribulin fragment and its diastereomeric analogues

A practical stereoselective synthesis of the central C1–C10 fragment of eribulin and its two diastereomeric analogues is developed. Our approach relied on the use of l-ascorbic acid as the starting material which allowed accessing a key intermediate with a syn diol moiety (C9 and C10 of eribulin) and a carboxylic ester group. A functionalized six membered lactone having several required hydroxyl groups was then obtained. In a number of steps, the lactone was converted to an intermediate for our key oxa-Michael reaction. A regio- and stereocontrolled intramolecular oxa-Michael reaction completed the synthesis of the C1–11 fragment having a trans-fused tetrahydropyrans with the exact stereochemistry of various hydroxyl groups, as in eribulin.     

Diverted total synthesis of melodorinol analogues and evaluation of their cytotoxicity

A series of melodorinol analogues were synthesized via a diverted total synthesis approach, leading to structural modifications on several regions of the molecule. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated against five human cancer cell lines (KB, HeLa-S3, MCF-7, HT-29 and A549). Structure-activity relationship studies revealed key parameters that affect the cytotoxicity. In particular, the novel 4-bromo-furanone analogues exhibited greater cytotoxicity compared to the corresponding non-brominated analogues. The stereochemistry at C-6 and the nature of acyl substituents on the C-6 and C-7 hydroxyl groups also play an important role. The most potent analogues exhibit approximately 15-fold higher cytotoxicity towards KB and HeLa-S3 than melodorinol and also show exceptionally high potency against MCF-7, HT-29 and A549 cell lines.     

Computational investigation into the fluorescence of luciferin analogues

Luciferin analogues that display bioluminescence at specific wavelengths can broaden the scope of imaging and biological assays, but the need to design and synthesize many new analogues can be time-consuming. Employing a collection of previously synthesized and characterized aminoluciferin analogues, we demonstrate that computational TD-DFT methods can accurately reproduce and further explain the experimentally measured fluorescence wavelengths. The best computational approach yields a correlation with experiment of r = 0.98, which we expect to guide and accelerate the further development of luciferin analogues. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of difluoromethyl substituted lysophosphatidic acid analogues

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1- or 2-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate) displays an intriguing cell biology that is mediated via interactions both with G-protein coupled seven transmembrane receptors and with nuclear hormone receptor PPARγ. We describe a new and efficient route to enantiomerically homogeneous lysophospholipid analogues from (S)-1,2,4-butanetriol to give two 3-difluoromethyl substituted analogues of 2-acyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. These compounds are migration-blocked analogues of the liable sn-2 LPA species. Preliminary studies were conducted on a nuclear reporter assay in which monocytic cells were transfected with a luciferase construct activated by a PPARγ nuclear receptor response element and have shown that the 3-difluoromethyl substituted analogues are fully active as natural LPA.     

Stereoselective synthesis of new bicyclic N,O-iso-homonucleoside analogues

The synthesis of two new bicyclic nucleoside analogues is reported. These compounds are iso-homonucleoside and are synthesised through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an enantiopure cyclic nitrone to protected allyl acohol and subsequent introduction of thymine by a Mitsunobu reaction.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of inositol phosphotriester analogues

Inositol phosphates, as important second messengers of signal transduction, regulate many biological functions. However, cell penetration and phospholipase stability could be two main issues faced by inositol phosphate analogues used as lead compounds for drug discovery. Inositol phosphotriester analogues could be more beneficial to diffuse across plasma membrane. In this paper, we describe the design and synthesis of a series of inositol phosphotriester analogues based on phosphatidylinositol, along with the initial antitumor activity analysis. Several compounds exhibited good cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines A549, HepG2, MDA-MB-231 and HeLa, especially compound 33 was cytotoxic against all the four cancer cell lines with good IC(50) values.     

Synthesis of new steroid analogues by samarium diiodide induced cyclisations of γ-naphthyl 1,3-diones

We present the synthesis of new steroid analogues via samarium diiodide mediated intramolecular ketyl–aryl coupling reactions of γ-naphthyl-substituted 1,3-diones. From previous experiments with γ-naphthyl monoketones high stereoselectivities with the ‘unnatural’ cis/cis annulation of rings B/C/D were expected. Surprisingly, we observed the formation of two diastereomers with cis- and trans-fused rings B and C of the tetracyclic skeleton. The diastereoselectivity proved to be strongly dependent on the amount of the proton source employed in the reaction. A rationale for this unexpected behaviour is discussed. In addition, we observed a smooth aluminium chloride induced cyclisation of one of the γ-naphthyl-substituted 1,3-diones to furnish an equilenine precursor. Another cyclisation product was converted by Grob-fragmentation into a naphthannulated cyclononane derivative.     

New HA 14-1 analogues: synthesis of 2-amino-4-cyano-4H-chromenes

The synthesis of 2-amino-4-cyano-4H-chromene derivatives as new HA 14-1 analogues by a simple and efficient method is reported. In addition, the reaction of 2-amino-2H-chromene-3-carbonitriles, salicylaldehydes and amines results in the formation of new chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives.