Synthesis and Antiplatelet‐Activity Evaluation of α‐Methylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones Bearing 3,4‐Dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐one Moieties

In continuation of our search for potent antiplatelet agents, we have synthesized and evaluated several α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones bearing 3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐one moieties. O‐Alkylation of 3,4‐dihydro‐8‐hydroxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 1 ) with chloroacetone under basic conditions afforded 3,4‐dihydro‐8‐(2‐oxopropoxy)quinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 2a ) and tricyclic 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐5H‐pyrido[1,2,3‐de][1,4]benzoxazin‐5‐one ( 3a ) in a ratio of 1 : 2.84. Their Reformatsky‐type condensation with ethyl 2‐(bromomethyl)prop‐2‐enoate furnished 3,4‐dihydro‐8‐[(2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐2‐methyl‐4‐methylidene‐5‐oxofuran‐2‐yl)methoxy]quinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 4a ), which shows antiplatelet activity, in 70% yield. Its 2′‐Ph derivatives, and 6‐ and 7‐substituted analogs were also obtained from the corresponding 3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones via alkylation and the Reformatsky‐type condensation. Of these compounds, 3,4‐dihydro‐7‐[(2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐4‐methylidene‐5‐oxo‐2‐phenylfuran‐2‐yl)methoxy]quinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 10b ) was the most active against arachidonic acid (AA) induced platelet aggregation with an IC₅₀ of 0.23 μM . For the inhibition of platelet‐activating factor (PAF) induced aggregation, 6‐{[2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐4‐methylidene‐5‐oxofuran‐2‐yl]methoxy}‐3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 9c ) was the most potent with an IC₅₀ value of 1.83 μM .     

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Certain α‐Methylidene‐ γ‐butyrolactones Bearing Coumarin,Flavone, Xanthone,Carbazole, and Dibenzofuran Moieties

The cytotoxicities of α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones, which are linked to coumarins (see 15 and 16 ) and to potential DNA‐intercalating carriers such as flavones, xanthones, carbazole, and dibenzofuran (see 9a – e , 10a – e , 11 , and 12 ), were studied. These compounds were synthesized via alkylation of their hydroxy precursors followed by a Reformatsky‐type condensation (Scheme). These α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyralactones were evaluated in vitro against 60 human tumor cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types and demonstrated a strong growth‐inhibitory activity against leukemia cancer cells (Tables 1 and 2). For flavone‐ and xanthone‐containing α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones 9a – e and 10a – e , respectively, the overall potency (mean value) decreased on introduction of an electron‐withdrawing substituent at the γ‐phenyl substituent and increased with an electron‐donating substituent. Comparing the different chromophores established the following order of decreasing potency (log GI₅₀): dibenzofuran ( 12 , −6.17) > flavone ( 9a , −5.96) > carbazole ( 11 , −5.80) and xanthone ( 10a , −5.77) > coumarin ( 15 , −5.60; 16 , −5.65). Among them, the dibenzofuran derivative 12 showed not only strong inhibitory activities against leukemia cancer cell lines with an average log GI₅₀ value of −7.22, but also good inhibitory activities against colon, melanoma, and breast cancer cells with average log GI₅₀ values of −6.23, −6.31, and −6.39, respectively.     

Synthesis of New Furo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐1(3H)‐one Scaffolds Derived from γ‐Lactone‐Fused Quinolin‐4(1H)‐ones

In the context of our aim of discovering new antitumor drugs among synthetic γ‐lactone‐ and γ‐lactam‐fused 1‐methylquinolin‐4(1H)‐ones, we developed a rapid access to 5‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]furo[3,4‐b]quinoline‐8,9(5H,6H)‐dione ( 9 ) exploiting the γ‐lactone‐fused chloroquinoline 10 previously synthesized in our laboratory (Scheme 1). We also elaborated efficient synthetic methods allowing for a rapid access to two nonclassical bioisosteres of 9 , i.e., a deoxy and a carba analogue. The deoxy analogue 11 was prepared in two steps from the γ‐lactone‐fused quinoline 13 which was also the synthetic precursor of 10 (Scheme 1). The carba analogue 6,9‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐9‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]furo[3,4‐b]quinolin‐8(5H)‐one ( 12 ) was easily prepared by HCl elimination from the 9‐(chloromethyl)dioxolofuroquinoline 15 , which was obtained via a three‐component one‐pot reaction from N‐methyl‐3,4‐(methylenedioxy)aniline (=N‐methyl‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐amine; 16 ), commercially available chloroacetaldehyde, and tetronic acid ( 17 ) (Scheme 2).     

Efficient Synthesis of α‐Benzylidene‐γ‐methyl‐γ‐butyrolactones

A concise synthesis of α‐benzylidene‐γ‐methyl‐γ‐butyrolactones 5a – g from substituted benzaldehydes is described. Compounds 1a – g on reaction with phosphorane 2 , provide the pentenoates 3a – g , which can be hydrolyzed to the acids 4a – g . The latter are cyclized to the corresponding butyrolactones 5a – g in excellent yields. The pentenoates 3a – g , on acid catalyzed cyclization, also provide 5a – g in very high yields.     

Synthesis of Organoselenium‐Modified β‐Cyclodextrins Possessing a 1,2‐Benzisoselenazol‐3(2H)‐one Moiety and Their Enzyme‐Mimic Study

Six novel H₂O‐soluble β‐cyclodextrin derivatives containing a 1,2‐benzisoselenazol‐3(2H)‐one moiety were synthesized by a convenient method in 25–60% yield and characterized by MS, elemental analysis, IR, ¹H‐NMR, and UV/VIS spectroscopy. The conformations of these β‐cyclodextrin derivatives 1 – 6 were analyzed by circular dichroism and fluorescence‐lifetime experiments. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of 1 – 6 were determined by auto‐oxidation of pyrogallol at 25.0° in buffer solution (pH 8.2), giving relatively high SOD activities of up to 121–330 U/mg. Also, the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities of hosts 1 – 6 , determined by the method of Wilson at 37° in buffer solution (pH 7.0), show good GPX activities in the range of 0.34–0.86 U/μmol. The mimicking results of the bifunctional artificial enzyme models 1 – 6 were globally compared with regard to their structural and conformational difference.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of Novel 3‐(α‐Hydroxymethylene) pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dione Derivatives Containing a Cyclopropane Moiety

A variety of novel 3‐(α‐hydroxymethylene)pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dione derivatives containing a cyclopropane moiety were designed and synthesized in satisfactory yields. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR and HRMS. The bioassays indicated that most of the title compounds displayed some extent herbicidal activities at 100 mg/mL.     

Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of Sulfonylureas Bearing 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Moiety

In this article, we report the synthesis and herbicidal activities of sulfonylureas bearing the 1,3,4‐thiadiazole moiety. The target compounds 9a , 9b , 9c , 9d , 9e , 9f , 9g , 9h , 9i , 9j , 9k , 9l were synthesized using 2‐hydrazinocarbonyl benzenesulfonamide ( 4 ) and phenyl pyrimidinecarbamates as starting materials. The key intermediate, 2‐(4,5‐dihydro‐5‐thioxo‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamide ( 5 ), was prepared from 4 and CS₂ via a conventional method or an improved method. The improved method, in which sulfonamido group acts as a directing group for the cyclization reaction, is more concise and efficient. The structures of the target compounds were determined by IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Their herbicidal activities were screened by Petri dish tests and pot tests. As the results, sulfonylureas 9h and 9j inhibited Brassica napus, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Echinochloa crusgalli at the 15 g/ha level, which is at the same level as azimsulfuron. Moreover, the safety tests showed that 9j was safe to wheat at dosage of 60 g/ha and might develop further into a herbicide in wheat field.     

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Novel N‐trisazole/isoxazole Alkyl Functionalized Quinolin‐2(1H)‐one Derivatives

A series of novel N‐triazole/isoxazole alkyl quinolin‐2(1H )‐one derivatives 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g , 6h , 6i , 6j , 6k , 6l , 6m , 9a , 9b , 9c , 9d , and 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d , 7e , 7f , 7g , 7h , 7i , 7j , 7k , 7l , 7m , 7n , 7o , 7p , 7q , 7r were prepared. Compounds 6d and 6k , which showed promising anticancer activity at micromolar concentration, have been identified.     

Synthesis and In Vitro Antibacterial Activities of Novel 2‐Aryl‐3‐(phenylamino)‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one Derivatives

An efficient synthesis of novel 2‐aryl‐3‐(phenylamino)‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives using KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O (Alum) as a catalyst from an aldehyde and 2‐amino‐N‐phenylbenzohydrazine in ethanol is described. All synthesized derivatives were screened for anti‐bacterial activity. Some compounds exhibited promising anti‐bacterial activity with reference to standard antibiotics.     

Synthesis of 3‐Acetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpyridin‐2(1H)‐one Derivatives

The cyclization of aryl ketone anilides 3 with diethyl malonate to affords 4‐hydroxy‐6‐phenyl‐6H‐pyrano[3,2‐c]‐pyridin‐2,5‐diones 4 in good yields. 3‐Acetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ones 5 are obtained by ring‐opening reaction of 4‐hydroxy‐6‐phenyl‐6H‐pyrano[3,2‐c]‐pyridin‐2,5‐diones 4 in the presence of 1,2‐diethylene glycol. The reaction of 3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ones 5 with hydroxylamine hydrochloride produces 4‐hydroxy‐3‐[N‐hydroxyethanimidoyl]‐1‐phenylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ones 6 from which 3‐alkyloxyiminoacetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ones 7 are obtained by reacting with alkyl bromides or iodides in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate with moderate yields. The similar compounds can be synthesized on refluxing 3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ones 5 with substituted hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium bicarbonate with good yields. Most of the synthesized compounds are characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopic methods.     

α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones: versatile skin bioactive natural products

Natural products containing an α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone moiety, mainly of the sesquiterpene type, are widely observed in plants, which upon coming into contact with skin, will induce major skin toxicological side effects or phytodermatitis. Indeed two main dermatological pathologies have been associated with a skin exposure to molecules containing an α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone moiety: allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD). ACD is an immunologically based disease resulting from modifications of epidermal proteins by sensitizers or haptens. Indeed, α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones are highly electrophilic structures that can act as Michael acceptors towards nucleophilic residues of proteins. Cysteine and lysine are the most modified residues leading, in the case of enantiomerically pure lactones, to the formation of diastereomeric adducts. This chemical enantioselectivity induces an enantiospecificity of the allergic reaction, i.e., an individual sensitized to one enantiomer will not develop clinical symptoms when exposed to the other enantiomer and vice versa. Sesquiterpene lactones have been also associated with another pathology that involves UV irradiation and DNA modifications. Interestingly, it was found that α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones, in addition to their electrophilic properties, were highly photoreactive molecules able to react with thymine/thymidine to form [2 + 2] photoadducts in very high yields. In all cases a syn regioselectivity was observed, probably associated with the polarization of the exomethylenic bond. This high photoreactivity of α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones towards thymidine could be an explanation of the progressive evolution of allergic contact dermatitis towards chronic actinic dermatitis. © 2009 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 9: 000–000; 2009: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.200900013     

The Renaissance of α‐Methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones: New Synthetic Approaches

The amount of research activity concerning α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones and α‐alkylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones has increased dramatically in recent years. This Review summarizes the structural types, biological activities, and biosynthesis of these compounds, concentrating on publications from the past 10 years. Traditional approaches to α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactones and α‐alkylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones are then reviewed together with novel approaches, including those from our own research group, reported more recently.     

An Expedient Approach for the Synthesis of Bioactive Pyrazole,Isoxazole and Benzodiazepine‐Substituted Quinolin‐2(1H)‐one Derivatives

A sequence of functionalized pyrazole, isoxazole and benzodiazepine‐substituted quinolone derivatives were synthesized in good yield starting from readily available starting precursors. These approaches lead to the synthesis of hitherto unknown compounds with a varied substitution pattern by both conventional and microwave‐assisted method. A good number of analogues were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against human cervical and colon cancer cell lines by MTT protocol. Almost all the selected compounds showed remarkable cytotoxic activities. Among them, compound 4g and 4i emerged as the most promising scaffolds. These scaffolds will be used for further molecular level studies.     

3‐(α‐Chlorobenzyl)quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones as Versatile Reagents for the Synthesis of 3‐Benzylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones and Thiazolo[3,4‐a]quinoxalin‐4(5H)‐ones

Facile and efficient methods for the synthesis of 3‐benzylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones and thiazolo[3,4‐a]quinoxalin‐4(5H)‐ones by the reaction of the readily available 3‐(α‐chlorobenzyl)quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones and thiourea have been developed, with multiple roles of the latter. Possible mechanisms are discussed. These two‐step sequences can be performed in a one‐pot manner to produce the desired products in moderate to high yields.