An efficient substituent dependent synthesis of congested pyridines and pyrimidines

An efficient and versatile synthesis of various congested pyridines 3a-h, 6a,b, 8a-n, 10a-g, and 16a,b, and (pyrimidin-4-yl)acetonitriles 13a-g has been delineated by base catalyzed ring transformation of suitably functionalized 2H-pyran-2-ones 1a-h, 5, 7, and 15 by formamidine acetate 2a, acetamidine hydrochloride 2b, S-methylisothiourea 9a, pyrazol-1-yl-carboxamidine 9b, and arylamidine hydrochloride 12 separately in the presence of powdered KOH in dry DMF.     

Preparation of new pyrido[3,4-b]thienopyrroles and pyrido[4,3-e]thienopyridazines

Two new types of pyrido-fused tris-heterocycles (1a,b and 2a,b) have been prepared from 3-aminopyridine in five/six steps. A synthetic strategy for the preparation of the novel pyrido[3,4-b]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-d]pyrroles (1a,b) and pyrido[4,3-e]thieno[2,3- and 3,2-c]pyridazines (2a,b) has been studied. The Suzuki cross coupling of the appropriate 2- and 3-thienoboronic acids (3,4) and 4-bromo-3-pyridylpivaloylamide (9) afforded the biaryl coupling products (10,11) in high yields (85%). Diazotization of the hydrolysed (2-thienyl)-coupling product (12) and azide substitution gave the 3-azido-4-(2-thienyl)pyridine intermediate (72%, 14). 3-Azido-4-(3-thienyl)pyridine (15) was prepared by exchanging the previous order of reactions. The desired β-carboline thiophene analogues (1a,b) were obtained via the nitrene by thermal decomposition of the azido precursors (14,15). By optimising conditions for intramolecular diazocoupling, the corresponding pyridazine products (72-83%, 2a,b) were afforded.     

Stabilization of (N-methyleneamino)imidoylketenes: synthesis of dipyrazolo[1,2-a;1′,2′-d][1,2,4,5]tetrazines

Thermolysis of substituted methyl 1-methyleneamino-4,5-dioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates 2a,b led to substituted dimethyl 3,9-dioxo-1,5,7,11-tetrahydro-1H,7H-dipyrazolo[1,2-a;1′,2′-d][1,2,4,5]tetrazine-1,7-dicarboxylates 4a,b and methyl 2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylates 5a,b as minor products. The structure of compound 4a was determined by X-ray crystallography. The proposed mechanism of this conversion includes generation of (N-methyleneamino)imidoylketenes 6a,b and its intramolecular transformation to azomethine imines—5-oxo-2,5-dihydropyrazole-1-methylium-2-ides 7a,b, which undergo dimerization in head-to-tail manner yielding products 4a,b and partially hydrolyse to compounds 5a,b.     

S-Transalkylation/ring closing metathesis as a route to azathiamacrocycles incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine subunits

A new route to cyclophanes 6a,b incorporating 2,2′-bipyridine subunits has been elaborated using as the key steps (1) S-transalkylation of 6,6′-bis(methylsulfanyl)-2,2′-bipyridines 2a,b with ethyl bromoacetate resulting in the formation of 6,6′-bis[(ethoxycarbonyl)methylsulfanyl]-2,2′-bipyridines 3a,b and (2) ring-closing metathesis of the corresponding alkenyl ethers 5a,b.     

Synthesis of fluorine containing glycolurils and oxazolines from oxides of internal perfluoroolefins

The reaction of oxides of internal perfluoroolefins 1-3 with urea gave two kinds of novel fluorine containing N-heterocyclic compounds depending on the solvent nature: 1,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-diones 4a-c and 2-amino-5-fluoro-4,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-ols 7a-d. Use of polar dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylacetamide and acetonitrile afforded glycolurils 4a-c in moderate yields. In dioxane, unexpected cyclization occurred resulting in oxazolines 7a-d in high yields. A similar reaction of oxiranes 2, 3 with urea in aqueous dioxane gave mixtures of 4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-bis(perfluoroalkyl)imidazolidine-2-ones 9b, c, glycolurils 4b, c and oxazolines 7b-d. The molecular structure of trans-isomers of oxazoline 7b and imidazolidine 9b has been established by X-ray crystallography.     

Pyridine mediated supramolecular assemblies of 3,5-dinitro substituted benzoic acid, benzamide and benzonitrile

Synthesis and characterization of molecular assemblies of pyridine adducts, 1a, 2a and 3a, of 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 1, 3,5-dinitrobenzamide, 2 and 3,5-dinitrobenzonitrile, 3, respectively, have been reported. All these adducts were obtained by crystallization of 1, 2 and 3 from pyridine. However, crystallization of 1 from pyridine in the presence of benzene resulted in the formation of a pyridinium adduct, 1b, along with a water molecule. All the adducts crystallize in a 1:1 molecular ratio except 1a, which forms a 1:2 adduct, as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The adducts crystallize in different space groups—1a, orthorhombic, Pna2₁; 1b, monoclinic, P2₁; 2a, monoclinc, C2/c; 3a, triclinic, . In two-dimensional arrangement, 1a, 1b and 3a form sheet structures. In 1a, within the two-dimensional sheets, large cavities are formed, which are occupied by pyridine molecules. In 1b, the sheets are catenated to form a chicken-wire network. However, 2a formed a crossed ribbon packing pattern with empty channels in the three-dimensional structure.     

Methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropanes: synthesis and biological activity of (Z)- and (E)-9-{[2-ethynyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropylidene]methyl}adenine and -guanine

Synthesis of methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane analogues of nucleosides 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b is described. Ethyl methylenecyclopropane carboxylate 14 was hydroxymethylated to give alcohol 15, which was reduced to diol 16. Selective protection with tert-butyldimethylsilyl group gave derivative 17, which was oxidized to aldehyde 18. Wittig reaction with CBr₄ gave dibromoalkene 19. Elimination of both bromine atoms afforded methylene-2-ethynylcyclopropane 20. Bromoselenenylation using N-bromosuccinimide and diphenyldiselenide gave intermediate 21. Alkylation of adenine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine with 21 provided the Z,E-isomeric mixtures 22a and 22c. Oxidation afforded selenoxides 23a and 23c. Mild thermolysis furnished methylenecyclopropanes Z-24a, E-24a, and 24c. Deprotection and separation of Z,E-isomers gave adenine analogues 12a and 13a, and 2-amino-6-chloropurine intermediates 12c and 13c. Hydrolytic dechlorination of 12c and 13c afforded guanine analogues 12b and 13b. Adenine Z-isomer 12a inhibits replication of Epstein-Barr virus through its cytotoxicity. The E-isomer 13a is a substrate for adenosine deaminase.     

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds part 22. Syntheses, structural investigations, biological activities and DNA interactions of new mono and bis (4-fluorobenzyl) spirocyclophosphazenes

The reactions of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N₃P₃Cl₆, with mono (1 and 2) and bis(4-fluorobenzyl) diamines (3-5), FPhCH₂NH(CH₂)_nNHR (RH or FPhCH₂-), produce mono (1a and 2a) and bis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (3a-5a). The tetraaminomonospirocyclophosphazenes (1b-2d) are obtained from the reactions of the partly substituted phosphazenes (1a and 2a) with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane (DASD), respectively. The tetrachlorobis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4a and 5a) with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine and DASD afford the fully substituted bis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4b, 4d-5d) in boiling THF. In addition, monochlorobis(4-fluorobenzyl) monospirocyclophosphazenes (4e and 4f) have also been isolated from the reactions with excess morpholine and DASD in boiling THF. The structural investigations of the compounds have been verified by elemental analyses, MS, FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F (for 1d and 2d), ³¹P NMR, HSQC and HMBC techniques. The crystal structures of 3a, 4a, 5a and 2b have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The compounds 2a-5a, 1b-2d, 4b, 4d-5d, 4e and 4f have been screened for antibacterial effects on bacteria and for antifungal activity against yeast strains. The compounds 1b and 4b showed antimicrobial activity against three species of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, and two fungi, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for 1b and 4b. The MIC values were found to be 5000 μM for each bacteria. The most effective compound, 4b has exhibited activity with a MIC of 312 μM for C. albicans and 625 μM for C. tropicalis. DNA-binding and the nature of the interaction with pBR322 plasmid DNA are studied. All of the compounds induce changes on the DNA mobility and intensity. Prevention of HindIII digestion with the compounds indicates that the compounds bind with AT nucleotides in DNA.     

Benzotriazole-mediated alkoxyalkylation and acyloxyalkylation

Reactions of readily available and stable 1-(α-alkoxyalkyl)benzotriazoles type 9a,b and 10a-d with a variety of silyl enol ethers 11 or 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds 13 give the expected ketones 12a-l (60-92%), β-keto esters 14a,b (62-67%), and malonates 14c,d (79-88%) in which a tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydropyran moiety has been introduced at the α position. 1-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)alkyl esters 7 are converted by cyanide anion into cyanohydrin esters 15a-i (55-98%).     

Structurally original oxathioethers macrocycles containing an exocyclic double-bond: synthesis,characterization, reactivity,and coordination

New oxathioethers macrocycles have been synthesized and characterized. Each macrocycle consists in structurally defined ether and thioether moieties and an exocyclic double-bond (2a–c) or a hydroxymethyl group (3a–c). Macrocycles (2a–c) have been synthesized by reaction of dianions of thioethers diols (1a–c) with 3-chloro-2-chloromethylprop-1-ene. Their hydroboration/oxidation led to corresponding primary alcohols (3a–c). Structures of compounds (2b) and (3a) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The reactivity of the hydroxyl group allowed the preparation of oxathioethers macrocycles bearing a polyether chain or a benzyl group (4a,b) and the synthesis of new bicyclic sandwich-type compounds (5a,b). The ability of these functionalized macrocycles to coordinate to palladium has been investigated.     

Synthesis of novel lariat azathia crown macrocycles containing two triazole rings and bis crown macrocycles containing four triazole rings

The 13-hydroxy macrocycles 7a-d were prepared in 40-50% yields by the condensation of 1,ω-bis(4-amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylsulfany)alkanes 2a-d with 1,3-bis(2-formyphenoxy)-2-propanol (9). Acylation of 7a-d with 2-chloroacetylchloride gave the corresponding esters 11a,b. Amination of 11a,b with different amines in acetone furnished exclusively the target lariat macrocycles 12a,b and 13 in 60-70% yields. Reaction of 2 equiv. of the macrocycles 11a,b with 1 equiv. of piperazine afforded the novel bis macrocyles 14a,b in 50-60% yields. Reduction of 7a-d with NaBH₄ afforded the corresponding 13-hydroxyazathia crown ethers 15a-d in 65-70% yields.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with pyridine-phosphine chalcogenide ligands

New pyridine-phosphine chalcogenide ligands, tris[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]phosphine sulfide 1a and tris[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]phosphine selenide 1b, react with zinc(II) and cadmium(II) chlorides in EtOH at room temperature to afford complexes of compositions 2ZnCl₂·2L (2, L = 1a) and 3CdCl₂·2L (3a,b, L = 1a,b) in high yields. The solid-state structure of complexes 2, 3 has been proved by X-ray analysis data. Complex 2 is a centrosymmetric dimer, where two atoms of zinc are bonded by two bridging pyridine-phosphine sulfide ligands through N atoms. Complexes 3a,b exist as polymeric chains with each bridging ligand acting as a chelate N,S- or N,Se-donor to one cadmium(II) center and as a pyridine N-donor to the next cadmium(II) center.     

Syntheses of extreme sterically hindered 4-methoxyboronic acids

4-Iodoanisoles 3a,b, 3d and 4-bromoanisoles 4a-d were readily obtained. An extreme steric hindrance precluded obtaining 3c. Catalytic borylation of 3a,b, 3d followed by hydrolysis of boronic ester 26a,b, 26d easily provided the boronic acids 5a,b, 5d. Compounds 5a and 5d were also synthesised, starting from 4a and 4d, by halogen/metal exchange. Because of a too important steric hindrance, this last reaction failed with 4c and 4b led to the unexpected but stable boronic ester 6. The final obtaining of 5b required a strongly basic hydrolysis with heating.     

Studies on the α-acetylation of δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone

The synthetic approach to α-acetylated δ-valero- (7a) and ε-caprolactone (7b) is reported. While 7a was isolated in 21% yield from the respective iodoester 5a by an alkylation sequence involving transesterification and Finkelstein reaction, 7b was not obtained from 5b but the dimer 8. Also transesterification and olefin ring closing metathesis (RCM) failed to prepare 7b. RCM resulted in the dimeric lactone 10, showing that the formation of 14-membered rings is favored over that of seven-membered rings. A Mukaiyama-type Claisen reaction finally gave α-acetyl lactones 7a and 7b in practically useful quantity of about 10 g (62% yield): starting lactones 13a,b were converted to silylenolethers 14a,b, which were acetylated with acetic anhydride in presence of the Lewis acid catalyst TiCl₄. However, acetylation depends on the addition sequence of starting materials: if the mixture of Ac₂O/TiCl₄ is added to 14b, lactone 7b can be further converted to give bis-oxepanonyl ethanols 15a,b. Both compounds 15 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR.     

Efficient synthesis of various acycloalkenyl derivatives of pyrimidine using cross-metathesis and Pd(0) methodologies

Novel acyclonucleosides (9a-d, 10a-d, 18a,b and 19a,b) have been prepared using Pd(0) and cross-metathesis methodologies. The allylic N-alkylation under Tsuji-Trost conditions was used to introduce the nucleobase, while the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction afforded C-5 substituted uracil analogues. The cross-metathesis performed with a ruthenium catalyst was used to provide new acycloalkenyl nucleosides. The antiviral activities of all final compounds have been evaluated.     

Improved approaches and structures of new ferrocenyl carbene complexes of chromium, tungsten, and molybdenum

Ferrocenyllithium reacts with M(CO)₆ (M = Cr, W, Mo) in THF to give, after alkylation at oxygen, the corresponding carbene complexes 3a-c in good yield. Complexes 3a,b were characterized by X-ray analysis. These complexes react with pentylamine to give the corresponding aminocarbene complexes 7a-c and with allylamine to give, in the case of chromium and tungsten, the corresponding and expected aminonocarbene complexes 8a,b, and for molybdenum, complex 9c in which the double bond is already coordinated to the metal. 8a,b could be converted in 9a,b in excellent yield. The structure of 9a could be confirmed by an X-ray analysis. Alkylations at nitrogen could be carried on complex 9c as well as on complexes 9a,b.     

Synthesis of new tetracyclic 7-oxo-pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine derivatives

A series of (±)3-hydroxyl- and 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines were synthesized for antitumor evaluation. These agents can be considered as analogues of glyfoline or (±)1,2-dihydroxyacronycine derivatives. The key intermediates, 3,7-dioxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridines (15a,b or 24a,b), for constructing the target compounds were synthesized either from 3-(N,N-diphenylamino)propionic acid (14a,b) by treating with Eaton’s reagent (P₂O₅/MsOH) (Method 1) or from (9-oxo-9H-acridin-10-yl)propionic acid (23a-c) via ring cyclization under the same reaction conditions (Method 2). Compounds 15a,b and 24a,b were converted into (±)3-hydroxy derivatives (25a-d), which were then further transformed into pyrido[3,2,1-de]acridin-7-one (28a-d) by treating with methanesulfonic anhydride in pyridine via dehydration. 1,2-Dihydroxylation of 28a-d afforded (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy-7-oxopyrido[3,2,1-de]acridine (29a-d). Derivatives of (±)3-hydroxy (25a,b) and (±)cis-2,3-dihydroxy (29a-d) were further converted into their O-acetyl congeners 26a,b and 30a-d, respectively. We also synthesized 2,3-cyclic carbonate (31, 32, and 33) from 29a-c. The anti-proliferative study revealed that these agents exhibited low cytotoxicity in inhibiting human lymphoblastic leukemia CCRF-CEM cell growth in culture.     

Design and synthesis of ninhydrin-based cyclophanes as potential neutral receptors for quaternary ammonium cations

Four ninhydrin-based cyclophanes 4a, 4b, 6a, and 6b were designed and synthesized. Two rectangular type cyclophanes (4a and 4b) and two square type cyclophanes (6a and 6b) were prepared in 8-43% yields.     

Columnar/smectic metallomesogens derived from heterocyclic benzoxazoles

The synthesis, mesomorphic behavior, and optical properties of two new series of metal complexes 1a,b-M (M=Pd, Cu, Zn) derived from benzoxazoles 2a,b are reported. The crystal and molecular structures of mesogenic 5-decyloxy-2-(6-decyloxybenzooxazol-2-yl)phenol and nonmesogenic bis[5-octyloxy-2-(6-octyloxybenzooxazol-2-yl) phenol]Pd(II) were determined by means of X-ray structural analysis. Two benzoxazoles 2a exhibited monotropic SmA phases, and all benzoxazoles 2b were nonmesogenic. On the other hand, metal complexes 1a-M exhibited distinctly different mesomorphism from complexes 1b-M. Complexes 1a-Pd formed SmC phases; complexes 1a-Cu and 1a-Zn formed crystal phases. In contrast, complexes 1b-Zn exhibited columnar phases, and complexes 1b-Cu and 1b-Pd were nonmesogenic. The difference of the mesomorphism in 1a-M and 1b-M was probably attributed to the geometry and/or the overall molecular shape created by 2a and 2b. The electronic configuration of metal ion might play an important role in forming the mesophases. The fluorescent properties of these compounds were also examined.     

Rearrangement of the carbon skeleton in the intramolecular photoadduct of anthracene and benzene rings

The effectivity of optical switching between anthracene derivatives 3a,b and their intramolecular photocycloadducts 4a,b is impaired by traces of acid. The systematic treatment of 4a,b with an increasing excess of formic acid revealed that—apart from the normal enolether cleavage 4a,b→6a,b→7a,b—a cleavage with rearrangement of the carbon skeleton can occur: 5b→6b′. The driving force is a stability enhancement of the involved carbenium ions 5b→5b′. A further increased excess of formic acid leads finally to a competitive ether cleavage in the tetrahydrofuran ring 5b→8.