Structure-activity studies of antitumor agent irofulven (hydroxymethylacylfulvene) and analogues

Many analogues of the antitumor agent irofulven have been readily prepared by replacing the allylic hydroxyl with a variety of nucleophiles. Analogues of acylfulvene (the precursor to irofulven) were also prepared by Michael reaction with acrolein. The toxicity of the analogues was determined, as well as preclinical antitumor activity. Several analogues exhibited good activity in mouse xenografts. Structural requirements for activity are discussed.     

Stereoselective Syntheses and Biological Properties of (E)-α-(Methoxyimino)-2-[1-(aryloxy)methyl]-benzeneacetates

(E)-α-(Methoxyimino)-2-[1-(aryloxy)methyl]-benzeneacetates, the analogues of Kresoxim-methyl, were stereoselectively synthesized with the coupling reaction of 2-methylphenyldiazonium chloride and methyl 2-hydroxyiminoacetate in the presence of CuSO4/Na2SO3 as a key step, and it was first found that the coupling reaction could give the key intermediate material(E)- and(Z)-methyl 2-(hydroxyimino)-2-o-tolylacetate with a molar ratio of 14∶1. The(E)-configurations of all these compounds were assigned on the basis of their 2D-NOESY spectra of 1H NMR. The preliminary bioassays indicate that most of the compounds show an activity against a wide variety of fungi.     

Novel Synthesis of 2-(2-(3-Hydroxy-5-oxo-4-phenylthiophen-2(5H)-ylidene)-2-phenylacetamido)propanoic Acid Analogues and Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties

This article describes the reaction of 3,6-diphenyl-thieno[3,2-b]furan-2,5-dione 1 with different amino acids 2a–j in glacial acetic acid which afforded the 2-(2-(3-hydroxy-5-oxo-4-phenylthiophen-2(5H)-ylidene)-2-phenylacetamido)propanoic acid analogues 3a–j and also describes the reaction of 3,6-diphenyl-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-dione 4 with different amino acids 5a–e in acidic medium to give 2-(2-(3-mercapto-5-oxo-4-phenylthiophen-2(5H)-ylidene)-2-phenylacetamido)propanoic acid analogues 6a–e. All the compounds have been screened for their anti-inflammatory activity against the carrageenan induced rat paw edema in albino rats. In the primary screening, some of the compounds exhibited appreciable activity.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

Synthesis of olivanic acid analogues: a facile route to 3-(2-pyrimidinylthio-) substituted derivatives

3-(2-Pyrimidinylthio-) substituted olivanic acid analogues, with and without a C-6 hydroxyethyl substituent, have been synthesised in high yield using an intramolecular Wittig reaction followed by deprotection to afford zwitterions with high antibacterial activity.     

Dimerization of Propylene by Nickel (Ⅱ) and Cobalt (Ⅱ) Catalysts Based on Bidentate Nitrogen-phosphino Chelating Ligands

The catalytic property of propylene dimerization by several nickel (Ⅱ), cobalt (Ⅱ) complexes containing N-P bidentate ligands was studied in combination with organoaluminum co-catalysts. The effects of the type of aluminum co-catalysts and its relative amount, the nature of precursors in terms of ligand backbone and metal center were investigated. The results indicated that precursor I (N,N-dimethyl-2-(diphenylphosphino)aniline nickel (Ⅱ) dichloride) exhibited high activity in propylene dimerization in the presence of the strong Lewis acid Et3Al2Cl3, whereas low productivity by its cobalt analogues was observed under identical reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of C-19-functionalized 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(2) analogues via ring-closing metathesis

A heteroatom-tethered regioselective ring-closing metathesis reaction was used for the C-19 functionalization of 1alpha-hydroxy-5,6-trans-vitamin D(2) analogues. Applications of the reaction to form a range of analogues by manipulation of the tether using both organolithium reagents and Diels-Alder cycloadditions are described.     

Highly convenient amine-free sonogashira coupling in air in a polar mixed aqueous medium by trans- and cis-[(NHC)2PdX2] (X=Cl, Br) complexes of N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

Two new trans- and cis-[(NHC)(2)PdX(2)] (X=Cl, Br) complexes of N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes employed in a highly convenient amine-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in air in a polar mixed aqueous medium are reported. Specifically, the trans-[{1-benzyl-3-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutyl)imidazol-2-ylidene}(2)PdBr(2)] (3) and cis-[{1-benzyl-3-(N-tert-butylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene}(2)PdCl(2)] (4) complexes effectively catalyzed the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of aryl iodides with substituted acetylenes in air in a mixed solvent (DMF/H(2)O, 3:1 v/v) under amine-free conditions. Interestingly, these trans- and cis-[(NHC)(2)PdX(2)] (X=Cl, Br) complexes, with two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, exhibited superior activity compared with the now popular PEPPSI (pyridine enhanced precatalyst preparation, stabilization and initiation)-themed analogues, trans-[(NHC)Pd(pyridine)X(2)] (X=Cl, Br), 3 a and 4 a, with one N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and a "throw away" pyridine ligand in a trans disposition to each other. The higher activities of 3 and 4 compared with PEPPSI analogues 3 a and 4 a are attributed to more-electron-rich metal centers, as revealed by DFT studies, in the former complexes and is in concurrence with a more electron-rich metal center being effective in facilitating the oxidative addition of aryl halide, often a rate-determining step in palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions. Complexes 3 and 4 were prepared from the corresponding silver analogues by transmetalation with [(cod)PdCl(2)], whereas the corresponding PEPPSI analogues 3 a and 4 a were obtained directly from the imidazolium halide salts by reaction with PdCl(2) in pyridine in the presence of K(2)CO(3) as base.     

Crucial role of selenium in the virucidal activity of benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones and related diselenides

Various N-substituted benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones and their non-selenium-containing analogues have been synthesized and tested against selected viruses (HHV-1, EMCV and VSV) to determine the extent to which selenium plays a role in antiviral activity. The data presented here show that the presence of selenium is crucial for the antiviral properties of benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones since their isostructural analogues having different groups but lacking selenium either did not show any antiviral activity or their activity was substantially lower. The open-chain analogues of benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones--diselenides also exhibited high antiviral activity while selenides and disulfides were completely inactive towards model viruses.     

(Imido)vanadium(V)‐alkyl,Alkylidene Complexes Exhibiting Unique Reactivities towards Olefins,Phenols, and Benzene via 1,2‐C‐H Bond Activation

Recent examples for synthesis and reaction chemistry with (imido)vanadium(V)‐alkyl, ‐alkylidene complexes have been briefly summarized. (Arylimido)vanadium(V) dichloride complexes especially containing aryloxo ligands exhibited notable activities for ethylene polymerization, and the reacition pathways for the polymerization/dimerization using (imido)vanadium(V) dichloride complexes containing (2‐anilidomethyl)pyridine ligands can be tuned by modification of the steric bulk in the imido substituents; the adamantylimido analogues exhibited exceptionally high both activity and selectivity in the dimerization. These vanadium(V)‐alkyl complexes showed unique reactivity toward phenols; the reaction proceeds via coordination of phenols to the vanadium. The vanadium(V)‐alkylidene complexes were generated by α‐hydrogen elimination from the dialkyl analogues in the presence of PMe₃ etc.; the subsequent 1,2‐C‐H bond activation of benzene with (arylimido)vanadium(V)‐alkylidene containing 1,3‐(2′,6′‐diiso‐propylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐iminato (Im^DIPPN) ligand took place cleanly.     

C-linked galactosyl serine AFGP analogues as potent recrystallization inhibitors

[reaction: see text] A series of C-linked antifreeze glycoprotein analogues have been prepared to evaluate antifreeze activity as a function of distance between the carbohydrate moiety and polypeptide backbone. The building blocks for these analogues were prepared using either an olefin cross-metathesis or catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation. Analysis of antifreeze protein-specific activity revealed that only analogue 2a (n = 1) was a potent recrystallization inhibitor and thus has potential medical and industrial applications.     

Rapid synthesis and bioactivities of 3-(nitromethylene)indolin-2-one analogues

A new synthesis method of 3-(nitromethylene)indolin-2-one analogues is described, using the Henry reaction of isatin and N-substituted isatins with nitromethane followed by dehydration of the nitroaldol adduct with mesyl chloride. The use of diethylamine (rather than DBU) as the base catalyst in a solvent-free Henry reaction gave the nitroaldol adduct in sufficient purity as to allow its direct dehydration to nitroalkene. Overall yields for this two-step synthesis are satisfactory (typically 50–77 % after chromatographic purification). 3-(Nitromethylene)indolin-2-one analogues are valued protective agents against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis using PC12 cells, and for their cytotoxicity against the A549 and P388 lung cancer cell lines. One compound, (E)-1-benzyl-3-(nitromethylene)indolin-2-one (VIII), exhibited potent activity in the latter assay.     

Synthesis and evaluation of eight- and four-membered iminosugar analogues as inhibitors of testicular ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase, testicular β-glucosidase 2, and other glycosidases

Eight- and four-membered analogues of N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ), a reversible male contraceptive in mice, were prepared and tested. A chiral pool approach was used for the synthesis of the target compounds. Key steps for the synthesis of the eight-membered analogues involve ring-closing metathesis and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and for the four-membered analogues Sharpless epoxidation, epoxide ring-opening (azide), and Mitsunobu reaction to form the four-membered ring. (3S,4R,5S,6R,7R)-1-Nonylazocane-3,4,5,6,7-pentaol (6) was moderately active against rat-derived ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase, and four of the other eight-membered analogues were weakly active against rat-derived β-glucosidase 2. Among the four-membered analogues, ((2R,3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-1-nonylazetidine-2,4-diyl)dimethanol (25) displayed selective inhibitory activity against mouse-derived ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase and was about half as potent as NB-DNJ against the rat-derived enzyme. ((2S,4S)-3-Hydroxy-1-nonylazetidine-2,4-diyl)dimethanol (27) was found to be a selective inhibitor of β-glucosidase 2, with potency similar to NB-DNJ. Additional glycosidase assays were performed to identify potential other therapeutic applications. The eight-membered iminosugars exhibited specificity for almond-derived β-glucosidase, and the 1-nonylazetidine 25 inhibited α-glucosidase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with an IC(50) of 600 nM and β-glucosidase (almond) with an IC(50) of 20 μM. Only N-nonyl derivatives were active, emphasizing the importance of a long lipophilic side chain for inhibitory activity of the analogues studied.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of C-2(S)-substituted pleuromutilin derivatives

<正>In order to probe the effect of C-2(S)-substituted groups in the antibacterial activity,a series of novel C-2(S)-substituted pleuromutilin analogues of SB-225586 were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity.The results of antibacterial activities indicated that C-2(S)-substituted pleuromutilin derivatives retained appreciable antibacterial activity,and the 2-fluorination compounds 6a and 6b are more potent than the corresponding 2-hydroxylation analogues 7a and 7b.     

Synthesis and antioxidant activity of peptide-based ebselen analogues

A series of di- and tripeptide-based ebselen analogues has been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and (77)Se NMR spectroscopy and mass spectral techniques. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like antioxidant activity has been studied by using H(2)O(2) , tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH), and cumene hydroperoxide (Cum-OOH) as substrates, and glutathione (GSH) as a cosubstrate. Although all the peptide-based compounds have a selenazole ring similar to that of ebselen, the GPx activity of these compounds highly depends on the nature of the peptide moiety attached to the nitrogen atom of the selenazole ring. It was observed that the introduction of a phenylalanine (Phe) amino acid residue in the N-terminal reduces the activity in all three peroxide systems. On the other hand, the introduction of aliphatic amino acid residues such as valine (Val) significantly enhances the GPx activity of the ebselen analogues. The difference in the catalytic activity of dipeptide-based ebselen derivatives can be ascribed mainly to the change in the reactivity of these compounds toward GSH and peroxide. Although the presence of the Val-Ala-CO(2) Me moiety facilitates the formation of a catalytically active selenol species, the reaction of ebselen analogues that has a Phe-Ile-CO(2) Me residue with GSH does not generate the corresponding selenol. To understand the antioxidant activity of the peptide-based ebselen analogues in the absence of GSH, these compounds were studied for their ability to inhibit peroxynitrite (PN)-mediated nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123. In contrast to the GPx activity, the PN-scavenging activity of the Phe-based peptide analogues was found to be comparable to that of the Val-based compounds. However, the introduction of an additional Phe residue to the ebselen analogue that had a Val-Ala dipeptide significantly reduced the potency of the parent compound in PN-mediated nitration.     

Synthesis of (E)-3'-phosphonoalkenyl modified nucleoside phosphonates via a highly stereoselective olefin cross-metathesis reaction

The synthesis of (E)-3'-phosphonoalkenyl and 3'-phosphonoalkyl modified nucleoside analogues with a β-D-erythrofuranose moiety is reported. The highly stereoselective olefin cross-metathesis reaction was applied to introduce the phosphonoalkenyl group at the 3'-position of the sugar moiety with absolute (E)-selectivity. The 3',6'-cyclomonophosphonic acids of 3'-phosphonoethyl-β-D-erythrofuranosyl nucleosides were synthesized via a dehydrative intramolecular cyclization reaction. None of the synthesized compounds shows significant in vitro activity against HIV, HCV, and RSV.     

Synthesis and Anticholinesterase Activity of (-)-Physostigmine Analogues with Modifications at C3a and C5

A new series of physostigmine analogues 3a―3j with modifications at the C3a and C5 positions was designed and synthesized. Bioassay of the synthetic analogues 3a―3j, along with the previous synthesized C3a-ethyl-C5-triazole physostigmine analogues 1a―1g and 2a―2j was performed, which indicates that the replacement of the carbamoyl moiety of C3a-ethyl-C5-triazole analogues 1 and 2 with a triazole moiety decreased acetylcholinesterase(AchE) inhibitory activity, whereas the introduction of heterocycles into the triazole ring increased both AChE and butyrylcholinesterase(BchE) inhibitory activities. Structure-activity relationship(SAR) studies of C3a-methyl-C5-triazole analogues 3 reveal the C3a-methyl substituent is important for AChE and BChE inhibition and the introduction of a second ionizable N center improved the binding of the synthetic analogues to both AChE and BChE.     

CCR5 antagonists: 3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)propionic acid analogues with potent anti-HIV activity

[reaction: see text] A novel approach to alpha,alpha-disubstituted-beta-amino acids (beta(2,2)-amino acids) was employed in the synthesis of a series of 3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)propionic acids possessing high affinity for the CCR5 receptor and potent anti-HIV activity. The rat pharmacokinetics for these new analogues featured higher bioavailabilities and lower rates of clearance as compared to cyclopentane 1.     

Silver-promoted Friedel-Crafts reaction: concise total synthesis of (-)-ardeemin, (-)-acetylardeemin and (-)-formylardeemin

Total syntheses of multidrug resistant inhibitors (-)-acetylardeemin 2a, (-)-ardeemin 2b, and (-)-formylardeemin 3 have been achieved within 10 steps starting from bromopyrroloinoline 13. The key step involves direct alkylation of 13 with prenyl tributylstannane 11 to yield 12 via a silver-promoted asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction. Highly efficient installation of the isoprenyl group allowed excellent overall yield. Moreover, the substrate scope of the asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reaction of 13 was expanded to include a variety of arenes 14 to afford natural product-like library analogues 15.