Discovery of New Pyrazolopyridine,Furopyridine, and Pyridine Derivatives as CDK2 Inhibitors: Design,Synthesis, Docking Studies,and Anti-Proliferative Activity

New pyridine, pyrazoloyridine, and furopyridine derivatives substituted with naphthyl and thienyl moieties were designed and synthesized starting from 6-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-oxo-4-(thiophen-2-yl)-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile (1). The chloro, methoxy, cholroacetoxy, imidazolyl, azide, and arylamino derivatives were prepared to obtain the pyridine-⁻C² functionalized derivatives. The derived pyrazolpyridine-N-glycosides were synthesized via heterocyclization of the C²-thioxopyridine derivative followed by glycosylation using glucose and galactose. The furopyridine derivative 14 and the tricyclic pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2-d]pyrimidine 15 were prepared via heterocyclization of the ester derivative followed by a reaction with formamide. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their ability to in vitro inhibit the CDK2 enzyme. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested against four different human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, MCF-7, HepG2, and A549). The CDK2/cyclin A2 enzyme inhibitory results revealed that pyridone 1, 2-chloro-6-(naphthalen-2-yl)-4-(thiophen-2-yl)nicotinonitrile (4), 6-(naphthalen-2-yl)-4-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine (8), S-(3-cyano-6-(naphthaen-2-yl)-4-(thiophen-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl) 2-chloroethanethioate (11), and ethyl 3-amino-6-(naphthalen-2-yl)-4-(thiophen-2-yl)furo[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxylate (14) are among the most active inhibitors with IC₅₀ values of 0.57, 0.24, 0.65, 0.50, and 0.93 µM, respectively, compared to roscovitine (IC₅₀ 0.394 μM). Most compounds showed significant inhibition on different human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, MCF-7, HepG2, and A549) with IC₅₀ ranges of 31.3–49.0, 19.3–55.5, 22.7–44.8, and 36.8–70.7 μM, respectively compared to doxorubicin (IC₅₀ 40.0, 64.8, 24.7 and 58.1 µM, respectively). Furthermore, a molecular docking study suggests that most of the target compounds have a similar binding mode as a reference compound in the active site of the CDK2 enzyme. The structural requirements controlling the CDK2 inhibitory activity were determined through the generation of a statistically significant 2D-QSAR model.     

BF3-OEt2 Catalyzed C3-Alkylation of Indole: Synthesis of Indolylsuccinimidesand Their Cytotoxicity Studies

A simple and efficient BF₃-OEt₂ promoted C3-alkylation of indole has been developed to obtain3-indolylsuccinimidesfrom commercially available indoles and maleimides, with excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, anti-proliferative activity of these conjugates was evaluated against HT-29 (Colorectal), Hepg2 (Liver) and A549 (Lung) human cancer cell lines. One of the compounds, 3w, having N,N-Dimethylatedindolylsuccinimide is a potent congener amongst the series with IC₅₀ value 0.02 µM and 0.8 µM against HT-29 and Hepg2 cell lines, respectively, and compound 3i was most active amongst the series with IC₅₀ value 1.5 µM against A549 cells. Molecular docking study and mechanism of reaction have briefly beendiscussed. This method is better than previous reports in view of yield and substrate scope including electron deficient indoles.     

Synthesis of 2-(hetero)arylthieno[2,3-b] or [3,2-b]pyridines from 2,3-dihalopyridines, (hetero)arylalkynes,and Na2S. Further functionalizations

A simple and efficient three-step methodology is described for the first time for the synthesis of 2-(hetero)arylthieno[2,3-b] or [3,2-b]pyridines. The first step is a Sonogashira coupling from 3-bromo-2-chloropyridine or 2-bromo-3-chloropyridine with several (hetero)arylalkynes to obtain the corresponding 2- or 3-chloro(hetero)arylethynylpyridines. These were cyclized by treatment with Na₂S affording the expected 2-(hetero)arylthienopyridines. As an improvement, these reactions were also performed in one-pot, without the isolation of the Sonogashira product, giving the thienopyridines in similar or better yields, reducing significantly the reaction time after the addition of Na₂S. Further functionalizations were achieved in the thienopyridine system either by bromination in the thiophene ring or chlorination in the pyridine ring via a N-oxide intermediate, allowing metal-catalyzed coupling reactions and/or nucleophilic substitutions. The functionalization of some substituents is also possible and as an example a 1,3-diarylurea was obtained from the reaction of an aniline derivative with an arylisocyanate.     

Push-pull alkenes from cyclic ketene-N,N′-acetals: a wide span of double bond lengths and twist angles

Push-pull alkenes can be quickly accessed by cyclic ketene-N,N′-acetal chemistry. A number of push-pull structures with a wide span of double bond lengths and twist angles were synthesized from the reactions of (1) N,N′-dimethyl cyclic ketene-N,N′-acetals with isocyanates, (2) the products from (1) with isocyanates, (3) 2-methylimidazoline and 2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine with diacid chlorides, (4) 2-methylimidazoline, and 1,2-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine with benzoyl chlorides, and (5) 1,2-dimethylimidazoline and 1,2-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine with aryl isocyanates. These reactions proceed under very mild conditions and give moderate to excellent yields. X-ray crystallographic analysis of eight pxush-pull alkenes indicates that the central double bond lengths and twists are sensitive to the ring sizes (5 or 6), ring structures (fused or non-fused), electron donating and withdrawing strengths of pushing and pulling portions, respectively, number of electron pushing or pulling groups and substituent steric effects.     

Reactions of imines with 2,2-difluoro-2-fluorosulfonylacetyl fluoride

Selected N-alkyl ketoimines having at least one methyl group at the imino carbon were reacted in a Stork enamine reaction with 2,2-difluoro-2-fluorosulfonylacetyl fluoride to yield enaminones carrying one fluorosulfonyldifluoromethylene function. In the case of N-tertbutyl methyl aldimine two of these groups were present in a triketone derivative. Taking a ethylene bis(imine) also a ring closure reaction was observed, proven by X-ray structure analysis.     

[1+1] and [2+2] crown ethers derived from N,N-bis(2-hydroxyalkylbenzyl)alkylamine and their inclusion phenomena with metal ions

N,N-bis(2-hydroxyalkylbenzyl)alkylamine (HBA) is a derivative obtained from a single time ring opening of benzoxazines. For HBA with methyl group at ortho and para positions, and at N atom, the reaction between this derivative and ditosylated compound gives [1+1] dibenzo-monoaza-crowns. For HBA without methyl group at ortho position, the compound gives [2+2] macrocyclic ethers. The studies on inclusion phenomena using Pedersen’s and molar ratio techniques clarify the alkali metal ion guest inclusion to be 2:1 for [2+2] and 5:2 for [1+1] macrocycles.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Naphtho-Fused 2-(Furan-2-yl)-1,3-thiazole

The condensation of naphthalen-2-amine with furan-2-carbonyl chloride in propan-2-ol gave N-(naphthalen-2-yl)furan-2-carboxamide which was treated with excess P₂S₅ in anhydrous toluene to obtain the corresponding thioamide. The oxidation of the latter with potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline medium afforded 2-(furan-2-yl)naphtho[2,1-d][1,3]thiazole. A probable mechanism of its formation was proposed, and the ring closure involving C¹ of the naphthalene fragment was substantiated by quantum chemical calculations. Electrophilic substitution reactions of 2-(furan-2-yl)naphtho[2,1-d][1,3]thiazole (nitration, bromination, formylation, and acylation) involved exclusively the 5-position of the furan ring.     

Lewis acid mediated SN2-type nucleophilic ring opening followed by [4+2] cycloaddition of N-tosylazetidines with aldehydes and ketones: synthesis of chiral 1,3-oxazinanes and 1,3-amino alcohols

A highly efficient strategy for Cu(OTf)₂ mediated S_N2-type nucleophilic ring opening followed by [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of enantiopure 2-phenyl-N-tosylazetidines with various aldehydes and ketones afforded a variety of substituted 1,3-oxazinanes and 1,3-amino alcohols in excellent yields, excellent de and good to excellent ee. The proposed S_N2-type mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction is supported by experimental evidence.     

Syntheses and structures of iron carbonyl complexes derived from N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine and N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine

The reaction of N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine (1) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile yielded di-(μ₃-thia)nonacarbonyltriiron (2), μ-[N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethyl)-η¹:η¹(N);η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido]hexacarbonyldiiron (3), and N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)amine (4). If the reaction was carried out at 45 °C, di-μ-[N-(5-methyl-2-thienylmethylidene)-η¹(N);η¹(S)-2-thiolethylamino]-μ-carbonyl-tetracarbonyldiiron (5) and trace amount of 4 were obtained. Stirring 5 in refluxing acetonitrile led to the thermal decomposition of 5, and ligand 1 was recovered quantitatively. However, in the presence of excess amount of Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile, complex 5 was converted into 2-4. On the other hand, the reaction of N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-2-thiolethylamine (6) with Fe₂(CO)₉ in refluxing acetonitrile produced 2, μ-[N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-η¹ (N_py);η¹:η¹(N); η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido]pentacarbonyldiiron (7), and μ-[N-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethylidene)-η²(C,N);η¹:η¹(S)-2- thiolethylamino]hexacarbonyldiiron (8). Reactions of both complex 7 and 8 with NOBF₄ gave μ-[(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)-η¹(N_py);η¹:η¹(N);η¹:η¹(S)-2-thiolatoethylamido](acetonitrile)tricarbonylnitrosyldiiron (9). These reaction products were well characterized spectrally. The molecular structures of complexes 3, 7-9 have been determined by means of X-ray diffraction. Intramolecular 1,5-hydrogen shift from the thiol to the methine carbon was observed in complexes 3, 7, and 9.     

Design,two-directional synthesis,DFT study of new pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-2,8-dione derivatives

A facile two-directional synthesis of new pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-2,8-dione was reported via an efficient reaction of premade bis-aldehydes and 1-(2-amino-1,2-dicyanovinyl)-3-phenylurea in the presence of triethylamine as the base and Cu (II) as catalyst. As there is controversy about the formation of two types of products, that is, purine or pyrimidine ring containing compounds in the reaction of diaminomaleonitrile with isocyanates and aldehydes, the computational model chemistry has been employed to obtain new insight about this reaction and determining the dominant pathway of the process. Using DFT model, two alternative pathways have been explored and geometrical isomerization of central double bond has been considered. Accordingly, the evaluated energy barriers affirm the formation of six-membered pyrimidine ring as the major product in the presence of CuCl₂ as the catalyst and MeOH as solvent.     

Regio- and stereoselective reactions of a rhodanine derivative with optically active 2-methyl- and 2-phenyloxirane

The reaction of a rhodanine derivative (=(Z)-5-benzylidene-3-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one; 1) with (S)-2-methyloxirane (2) in the presence of SiO₂ in dry CH₂Cl₂ for 10 days led to two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolanes 3 and 4 with the Me group at C(2) (Scheme 2). The analogous reaction of 1 with (R)-2-phenyloxirane (5) afforded also two diastereoisomeric spirocyclic 1,3-oxathiolanes 6 and 7 bearing the Ph group at C(3) (Scheme 3). The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography (Figs. 1 and 2). These results show that oxiranes react selectively with the thiocarbonyl group (CS) in 1. Furthermore, the nucleophilic attack of the thiocarbonyl S-atom at the SiO₂-activated oxirane ring proceeds with high regio- and stereoselectivity via an S_N2-type mechanism.     

Inhibition of metal ion complexation by an N2O2-donor macrocycle by incorporation of an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonding pendant phenolic group

The synthesis and X-ray structure of a new pendant-arm derivative of a parent 14-membered N₂O₂-donor macrocycle bearing an N-substituted 6-methylene-2,4-dimethylphenol group is presented. A single crystal X-ray study shows a strong intramolecular hydrogen-bond between the pendant phenol proton and the tertiary nitrogen of the macrocyclic ring, which may inhibit its ability to bind with selected transition and post-transition metal ions.     

One-step synthesis of N-alkyl-2-aryl-2-oxoacetamides and N,N-dialkyl-2-aryl-4H-1,3-benzodioxine-2,4-dicarboxamides

Alkyl isocyanides react with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde to afford N-alkyl-2-aryl-2-oxoacetamides and N²,N⁴-dialkyl-2-aryl-4H-1,3-benzodioxine-2,4-dicarboxamides in nearly 1:1 ratios. Treatment of 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde affords only the 2-oxoacetamide derivative.     

Ring opening of 2-(cyanomethyl)aziridines by acid chlorides: synthesis of novel 4-amino-2-butenenitrile derivatives through intermediate aziridinium salts

1-Arylmethyl-2-(cyanomethyl)aziridines were transformed into novel N-arylmethyl-N-(2-chloro-3-cyanopropyl)amides as the major reaction products upon treatment with acid chlorides in CH₂Cl₂ through the ring opening of intermediate aziridinium salts. Subsequently, N-arylmethyl-N-(2-chloro-3-cyanopropyl)amides were converted into stable N-arylmethyl-N-(3-cyano-2-propenyl)amides for the first time by means of a dehydrochlorination mediated by Et₃N in CH₂Cl₂.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal and molecular structure analysis of N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-6-methyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxamide

A novel dihydropyrimidine (DHPM) derivative bearing a carbamoyl moiety was synthesized by an efficient three-component Biginelli reaction and was characterized spectroscopically and finally confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The title compound C₂₀H₂₀N₄O₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell parameters a=12.8970(12) Å, b=13.6210(11) Å, c=11.8420(13) Å, β=115.860(3)°, Z=4 and V=1872.0(3) Å³. The conformation of the dihydropyrimidine ring is unusual; it is planar instead of the usual boat-like conformation. The 3-nitrophenyl ring is orthogonal to the 3,4-DHPM ring. The carbonyl group is in an anti-clinal conformation.     

Pestalustaines A and B,unprecedented sesquiterpene and coumarin derivatives from endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis adusta

Pestalustaines A (1) and B (2), one unique sesquiterpene possessing an unusual 5/6/7-fused tricyclic ring system and one unprecedented coumarin derivative bearing 6/6/5/5-fused tetracyclic ring system, were isolated from the plant-derived Pestalotiopsis adusta. Their structures with absolute configurations were established by extensive NMR analysis, X-ray crystallography, and CD spectra associated with TD-DFT calculation. Hypothetical biosynthetic pathways for compounds 1 and 2 are proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 showed weak to moderate cytotoxic activities against three human tumor cell lines HeLa, HCT116, and A549, whose IC₅₀ values were ranged from 21.01 to 55.43?μM.     

‘Push-Pull’ and spirobicyclic structures by reacting N-methyl cyclic ketene-N,X (X=S, O)-acetals with isocyanates and isothiocyanates

Nucleophilic N-methyl cyclic ketene-N,X (X=S, O)-acetals can react with electrophilic aryl isocyanates and aryl isothiocyanates to form ‘push-pull’ mono-adducts, di-adducts and spirobicyclic 6/5 ring compounds.     

A convenient synthetic route to 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines and their ZnX2 (X = I, OTf) mediated regioselective nucleophilic ring opening reactions: synthesis of γ-iodoamines and tetrahydropyrimidines

A general and convenient synthetic route to various 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines has been described. Their ZnX₂ (X = I, OTf) mediated nucleophilic ring opening with halides and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions with various nitriles have been achieved to afford γ-iodoamines and substituted tetrahydropyrimidines, respectively, in good to excellent yields. A mechanism for the cycloaddition reaction is proposed.     

Studies on imidazole derivatives and related compounds. I. Synthesis of novel antineoplastic derivatives of 4-carbamoylimidazolium-5-olate

Acylation of 4-carbamoylimidazolium-5-olate ( 2 ) with a variety of acid chlorides produced 4(5)-carbamoyl-1H-imidazol-5-(4)yl acid carboxylates ( 3a-j ). Treatment of esters 3a,c with sodium hydroxide gave imides, 4a,c . Methylation of 3a and 2 with diazomethane gave the N-3 methyl derivative ( 6 ) and a mixture of the N-3, O-dimethyl derivative ( 9 ), the N-1, N-3-dimethyl derivative ( 10 ) and the O-methyl derivative ( 11 ), respectively. 5-Carbamoyl-1-methylimidazolium-4-olate ( 7 ) and its 4-carbamoyl isomer ( 16 ) were prepared from 2-aminopropanediamides 8 and 15 , respectively. Treatment of the imidazolium compound ( 10 ) with aqueous potassium hydroxide gave the recyclized product, 1-methyl-5-methylcarbamoylimidazolium 4-olate ( 18 ). Methyl derivatives 6, 7 , and 9 except 16 demonstrated the complete lack of antitumor activity against Lewis lung carcinoma or sarcoma 180 in mice.     

Synthesis of the core ring system of awajanomycin from N-Boc-3-methoxycarbonyl-2-pyridinone

Awajanomycin, which was isolated from marine-derived fungus, possesses unique structural features and cytotoxic activity against A549 cells. Due to its unique structure, no total synthesis has yet been reported, and neither the relative stereochemistry nor the absolute configuration has been determined. We report the synthesis of the core ring system of awajanomycin, which includes: (i) regioselective addition of the acetate unit onto C4-position of N-Boc-3-methoxycarbonyl-2-pyridinone; (ii) stereoselective installation of a hydroxyl group on C3-position; and (iii) stereo- and regioselective epoxide-opening reaction by Me₃Al.