Design and synthesis of novel rofecoxib analogs as potential cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) inhibitors: Replacement of the methylsulfonyl pharmacophore by a sulfonylazide bioisostere

A group of rofecoxib analogs, having a sulfonylazide (SO₂N₃) substituent in place of the methanesulfonyl (SO₂CH₃) pharmacophore at the meta‐position viz 3‐(4‐methyl, 4‐methoxy, or 4‐ethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(3‐sulfonylazidophenyl)‐2(5H)furanone ( 7a‐c ) and para‐position viz 3‐phenyl‐4‐(4‐sulfonylazidophenyl)‐2(5H)furanone ( 7d ), 3‐(4‐fluoro, or 4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐(4‐sulfonylazidophenyl)‐2(5H)furanone ( 7e‐f ) of the C–4 phenyl ring, and 4‐(1‐oxido‐4‐pyridyl)‐3‐phenyl‐2(5H)furanone ( 12 ) were designed and synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. In vitro COX‐1/COX‐2 enzyme inhibition studies showed that 3‐phenyl‐4‐(4‐sulfonylazidophenyl)‐2(5H)furanone ( 7d ) inhibited COX‐1 selectively (COX‐1 IC₅₀ = 0.6659 μM; COX‐2 IC₅₀ > 100 μM) and 3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐4‐(4‐sulfonylazidophenyl)‐2(5H)furanone ( 7e ) inhibited both enzymes (COX‐1 IC₅₀ = 0.8494 μM; COX‐2 IC₅₀ = 1.7661 μM). A molecular modeling study was performed where 3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐4‐(4‐sulfonylazidophenyl)‐2(5H)furanone ( 7e ) was docked in the active site of murine COX‐2 isozyme, which showed that the sulfonylazido group inserts deep into the 2°‐pocket of COX‐2 where it undergoes both H‐bonding (Gln¹⁹², Phe⁵¹⁸) and weak electrostatic (Arg⁵¹³) interactions.     

Cholinesterase‐Inhibiting New Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca hookeriana of Nepalese Origin

Bioassay‐guided phytochemical investigation of Sarcococca hookeriana has resulted in the isolation and structure elucidation of five new pregnane‐type steroidal alkaloids: (?)‐hookerianamide A (=(2β,3β,4β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐16‐ene‐2,4‐diol; 1 ), (+)‐hookerianamide B (=(2α,3β,4β,20S)‐4‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnan‐2‐ol; 2 ), (?)‐hookerianamide C (=(2β,3β,20S)‐2‐acetoxy‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐[(3‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregnane; 3 ), (?)‐hookerianamine A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(dimethylamino)‐3‐(methylamino)‐5α‐pregn‐14‐ene; 4 ), and (+)‐phulchowkiamide A (=(3β,20S)‐20‐(methylamino)‐3‐[(2‐methylbut‐2‐enoyl)amino]‐5α‐pregn‐2‐en‐4‐one; 5 ). These compounds, as well as the two chemically derived acetyl derivatives 6 and 7 , displayed cholinesterase inhibition in a concentration‐dependent manner.     

Curcumaromins A,B, and C,Three Novel Curcuminoids from Curcuma aromatica

Three novel curcuminoids, curcumaromins A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), along with a known compound, longiferone B ( 4 ) were isolated from Curcuma aromatica Salisb . The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (1E,4Z,6E)‐5‐hydroxy‐7‐{4‐hydroxy‐3‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(propan‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl)phenyl}‐1‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)hepta‐1,4,6‐trien‐3‐one ( 1 ), 2,3‐dihydro‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐6‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]‐5‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(propan‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl]‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one ( 2 ), and (1E,6E)‐1,7‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4‐[(1R*,6R*)‐3‐methyl‐6‐(propan‐2‐yl)cyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl]hepta‐1,6‐diene‐3,5‐dione ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Curcumaromins A–C ( 1 – 3 ) represented the first examples of menthane monoterpene‐coupled curcuminoids. The known compound, longiferone B ( 4 ), was the first daucane sesquiterpene isolated from the genus Curcuma.     

Synthesis of 3‐(4‐Oxo‐4H‐quinolizinyl‐3) and 3‐(4‐Oxo‐4H‐pyridino[1,2‐a]pyrimidinyl‐3) substituted lactic acid derivatives

A one‐step ‘ring switching’ transformation of (S)‐3‐[(dimethylamino)methylidene]‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)tetrahydrofuran‐2‐one ( 4 ) with 2‐pyridineacetic acid derivatives ( 5–7 ) and 2‐aminopyridines ( 8, 9 ) afforded the corresponding 3‐(4‐oxo‐4H‐quinolizinyl‐3)‐ (15–17) and 3‐(4‐oxo‐4H‐pyridino[1,2‐a]pyrimidinyl‐3)‐2‐hydroxypropanoates ( 18, 19 ), respectively.     

A New Phenolic Diglycoside Produced in Response to Copper Toxicity and a New Flavan Dimer from the Leaves of Viburnum ichangense (Hemsl.) Rehd.

A new phenolic digycoside 1 was produced as stress metabolite in the fresh leaves of Viburnum ichangense (Hemsl.) Rehd ., in response to abiotic stress elicitation by CuCl₂. The stress metabolite was characterized as 1‐O‐[α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]‐erythro‐1,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)propane‐1,3‐diol ( 1 ). A new flavan dimer, 2,3‐epoxyflavan‐3′,4′,5,7‐tetraol‐(4→8″)‐flavan‐3″,3′′′,4′′′,5′′′,6″‐pentaol ( 2 ), and two known compounds, hovetrichoside A ( 3 ) and asperglaucide ( 4 ), were also isolated. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means.     

New Sesquiterpenoids from Lycianthes marlipoensis

Two new sesquiterpenoids and one derivative, lycifuranone A (= (4R)‐4,5‐dihydro‐4‐(3‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethylbenzyl)‐5,5‐dimethylfuran‐2(3H)‐one; 1 ), lycifuranone B (= 4,5‐dihydroxy‐3‐methyl‐2‐{[(3R)‐tetrahydro‐2,2‐dimethyl‐5‐oxofuran‐3‐yl]methyl} benzaldehyde; 2 ), and lycifuranone C (= (4R)‐4‐(3,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐{(2S,4R,6S)‐4‐[2‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)ethyl]‐6‐pentyl[1,3]dioxan‐2‐yl}‐2‐methylbenzyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐5,5‐dimethylfuran‐2(3H)‐one; 3 ), respectively, have been isolated from the roots of Lycianthes marlipoensis, and their structures were established by spectroscopic methods.     

Three New Neolignans from the Aril of Myristica fragrans

Three new neolignans, named 1‐deoxycarinatone ( 1 ), isodihydrocarinatidin ( 2 ), and isolicarin A ( 3 ), together with the known neolignan (+)‐dehydrodiisoeugenol ( 4 ), were isolated from mace (the aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt .). Their structures were elucidated as 2‐[(1S)‐2‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐methylethyl]‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(prop‐2‐enyl)phenol ( 1 ), 4‐[(2R,3R)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐5‐(prop‐2‐enyl)benzofuran‐2‐yl]‐2‐methoxyphenol ( 2 ), and 4‐{(2S,3R)‐2,3‐dihydro‐7‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐5‐[(1E)‐prop‐1‐enyl]benzofuran‐2‐yl}‐2‐methoxyphenol ( 3 ) on the basis of spectroscopic data.     

New Acetylcholinesterase‐Inhibitory Pregnane Glycosides of Cynanchum atratum Roots

Three new pregnane glycosides, cynatroside A ( 1 ), cynatroside B ( 2 ), and cynatroside C ( 3 ), isolated from the roots of Cynanchum atratum (Asclepiadaceae), were characterized as 7β‐{[O‐α‐L ‐cymaropyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐digitoxopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐oleandropyranosyl]oxy}‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,10,10a‐decahydro‐6α‐hydroxy‐4b‐ methyl‐2‐(2‐methyl‐3‐furyl)phenanthren‐1(2H)‐one ( 1 ), 7β‐{[O‐β‐D ‐cymaropyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐diginopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐cymaropyranosyl]oxy}‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,10,10a‐decahydro‐2,6α‐dihydroxy‐4b‐methyl‐2‐(2‐methyl‐3‐furyl)phenanthren‐1(2H)‐one ( 2 ), and 7β‐{[O‐α‐L ‐cymaropyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐digitoxopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐L ‐cymaropyranosyl]oxy}‐3,4,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,10,10a‐decahydro‐2,6α‐dihydroxy‐4b‐methyl‐2‐(2‐methyl‐3‐furyl)phenanthren‐1(2H)‐one ( 3 ), respectively. In addition, ten known constituents were identified, i.e., cynascyroside D ( 4 ), glaucoside C ( 5 ), glaucoside D ( 6 ), atratoside A ( 7 ), 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone ( 8 ), 4‐hydroxyacetophenone ( 9 ), syringic acid ( 10 ), azelaic acid ( 11 ), suberic acid ( 12 ), and succinic acid ( 13 ). Among these compounds, 1 – 4 significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity.     

Two New Cytotoxic Nonsulfated Pentasaccharide Holostane (=20‐Hydroxylanostan‐18‐oic Acid γ‐Lactone) Glycosides from the Sea Cucumber Holothuria grisea

Two new lanostane‐type nonsulfated pentasaccharide triterpene glycosides, 17‐dehydroxyholothurinoside A ( 1 ) and griseaside A ( 2 ), were isolated from the sea cucumber Holothuria grisea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR and MS experiments, as well as chemical evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 possess the same pentasaccharide moieties but differ slightly in their side chains of the holostane‐type triterpene aglycone. The structures of the two new glycosides were established as (3β,12α)‐22,25‐epoxy‐3‐{(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[O‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl)oxy}‐12,20‐dihydroxylanost‐9(11)‐en‐18‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 1 ) and (3β,12α)‐3‐{(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[O‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl)oxy}‐12,20,22‐trihydroxylanost‐9(11)‐en‐18‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 2 ). The 17‐dehydroxyholothurinoside A ( 1 ) and griseaside A ( 2 ) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HL‐60, BEL‐7402, Molt‐4, and A‐549 cancer cell lines.     

Synthesis and Structure of 2‐Substituted Thieno[3′,2′:5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one Derivatives

A series of new 2‐substituted 3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5,8,9‐trimethylthieno[3′,2′: 5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones 8 were synthesized via an aza‐Wittig reaction. Phosphoranylideneamino derivatives 6a or 6b reacted with 4‐chlorophenyl isocyanate to give carbodiimide derivatives 7a or 7b , respectively, which were further treated with amines or phenols to give compounds 8 in the presence of a catalytic amount of EtONa or K₂CO₃. The structure of 2‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5,8,9‐trimethylthieno[3′,2′: 5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one ( 8j ) was comfirmed by X‐ray analysis.     

Cyclobutanoid Amides from Piper arborescens

Two new cyclobutanoid amides, piperarborenine A (=1,1′‐{[(1α,2α,3β,4β)‐2,4‐bis(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutane‐1,3‐diyl]dicarbonyl}bis[5,6‐dihydropyridin‐2(1H)‐one]; 1 ) and piperarborenine B (=1,1′‐{[(1α,2α,3β,4β)‐2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutane‐1,3‐diyl]dicarbonyl}bis[5,6‐dihydropyridin‐2(1H)‐one]; 2 ) were isolated from the stem of Piper arborescens, besides two known cyclobutanoid amides, piperarboresine (=1,1′‐{[(1α,2α,3β,4β)‐2‐(7‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐4‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutane‐1,3‐diyl]dicarbonyl}bis[5,6‐dihydropyridin‐2(1H)‐one]; 3 ) and piplartine‐dimer A (=1,1′‐{[(1α,2α,3β,4β)‐2,4‐bis(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutane‐1,3‐diyl]dicarbonyl}bis[5,6‐dihydropyridin‐2(1H)‐one]; 4 ). The structures of the two new compounds were determined by spectral analyses.     

Uncommon Sesquiterpenoids and New Triterpenoids from Jatropha neopauciflora (Euphorbiaceae)

Eight new terpenoids ( 1 – 8 ) were isolated from the bark of Jatropha neopauciflora, together with eight known compounds. The new isolates include the sesquiterpenoids (1R,2R)‐diacetoxycycloax‐4(15)‐ene ( 1 ); (1R,2R)‐dihydroxycycloax‐4(15)‐ene ( 2 ), (2R)‐δ‐cadin‐4‐ene‐2,10‐diol ( 3 ), (2R)‐δ‐cadina‐4,9‐dien‐2‐ol ( 4 ), (1R,2R)‐dihydroxyisodauc‐4‐en‐14‐ol ( 5 ) and its acetonide 6 (artifact), as well as the two triterpenoids (3β,16β)‐16‐hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐yl (E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoate ( 7 ) and (3β,16β)‐16‐hydroxyolean‐18‐en‐3‐yl (E)‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoate ( 8 ). The structures of these compounds were established by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by circular‐dichroism (CD) experiments, and by X‐ray crystallographic analysis (compound 7 ; Fig. 3). A plausible biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoids 1 – 5 is proposed (Scheme), starting from (?)‐germacrene D as the common biogenetic precursor.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzene‐sulfonyl Azide and Its Synthetic Utility for the Transformation to (Z)‐N‐[4‐(2‐Bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates

A novel method for the stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide by simultaneous azidation and debrominative decarboxylation of anti‐2,3‐dibromo‐3‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)propanoic acid using NaN₃ only was developed. Facile transformation of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide to (Z)‐N‐[4‐ (2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl]imidates was also achieved by Cu‐catalyzed three‐component coulping of (Z)‐4‐(2‐bromovinyl)benzenesulfonyl azide, terminal alkynes and alcohols/phenols.     

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Novel Pyrazoline Derivatives against Human Lung Tumor Cell Line (A549)

In the present investigation, a series of 5‐(‐4‐(substituted)phenyl)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1‐pyrazolyl‐2‐toluidino methane thione and 5‐(substituted)phenyl‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1‐pyrazolyl‐2‐methoxy anilino methane thiones were synthesized and were examined against human lung tumor cell line (A549) in vitro using the MTT assay system. Among those tested, 5‐(4‐flurophenyl)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1‐pyrazolyl‐2‐toluidino methane thione & 5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1‐pyrazolyl‐2‐methoxy anilino methane thione showed more potent cytotoxicity against human lung tumor cell line (A549) than the other synthesized compounds.     

Three New Sesquiterpenes from Laggera pterodonta

A new eremophilane sesquiterpene, (2β)‐2‐deoxo‐2‐methoxytessaric acid ( 1 ), and two new eudesmane sesquiterpenes, (3β,10α)‐3‐methoxyleudesma‐4,11(13)‐dien‐12‐oic acid ( 2 ) and (3α,4β,8α)‐4‐(acetyloxy)‐3‐(2,3‐dihydroxy)‐2‐methyl‐1‐oxobutoxy‐8‐hydroxyeudesm‐7(11)‐eno‐12,8‐lactone ( 3 ), along with the ten known compounds 4 – 13 were isolated from the aerial parts of Laggera pterodonta. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR data.     

Synthesis of (4Z)‐4‐(Arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones by the Reaction of Ethyl (2Z)‐3‐Aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates with Organolithium Compounds

A convenient one‐pot method for the preparation of (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones 2 and 3 from ethyl (2Z)‐3‐aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates 1 , which can be easily prepared from ethyl 2‐azidoacetate and aromatic aldehydes, has been developed. Thus, these α‐isothiocyanato α,β‐unsaturated esters were treated with organolithium compounds, including lithium enolates of acetates, to provide 5‐substituted (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones, 2 , and 2‐[(4Z)‐(4‐arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐2‐thioxo‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐5‐yl]acetates, 3 .     

Three New Triterpenoid Saponins from Ardisia crenata

Three new triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside I ( 1 ), ardisicrenoside J ( 2 ), and ardisicrenoside M ( 3 ), along with eight known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata Sims . Their structures were elucidated as 16α‐hydroxy‐30,30‐dimethoxy‐3β‐O‐{β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 1 ), 16α‐hydroxy‐30,30‐dimethoxy‐3β‐O‐{α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 2 ), 30,30‐dimethoxy‐16‐oxo‐3β‐O‐{β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 3 ), ardisiacrispin A ( 4 ), ardisiacrispin B ( 5 ), ardisicrenoside B ( 6 ), ardisicrenoside A ( 7 ), ardisicrenoside H ( 8 ), ardisicrenoside G ( 9 ), cyclamiretin A‐3β‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 10 ), and cyclamiretin A‐3β‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 11 ) by means of chemical and spectral analysis, and their cytotoxicities were evaluated in vitro.     

Two New 7‐Dehydrobrefeldin A Acids from Cylindrocarpon obtusisporum,an Endophytic Fungus of Trewia nudiflora

Two new 7‐dehydrobrefeldin A acids, (2E,4R*)‐4‐hydroxy‐4‐{(1R*,2S*)‐4‐oxo‐2‐[(1E)‐6‐oxohept‐1‐en‐1‐yl]cyclopentyl}but‐2‐enoic acid ( 3 ) and (2E,4R*)‐4‐hydroxy‐4‐{(1R*,2S*)‐2‐[(1E,6S*)‐6‐hydroxyhept‐1‐en‐1‐yl]‐4‐oxocyclopentyl}but‐2‐enoic acid ( 4 ), were isolated from the endophytic fungal strain Cylindrocarpon obtusisporum (Cooke & Harkness ) Wollenw . of Trewia nudiflora, together with two known compounds, 7‐dehydrobrefeldin A ( 2 ) and brefeldin A ( 1 ). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR‐spectral analysis.     

Carbocyclic 5′‐norcytidine (5′‐norcarbodine)

A preparation of (1′R,2′S,3′R,4′S)‐1‐(2′,3′,4′‐trihydroxycyclopent‐1′‐yl)‐lH‐cytosine (5′‐norcarbodine, 3 ) has formally been achieved in 2 steps from (+)‐(1R,4S)‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐yl acetate ( 4 ) and cytosine. The L‐like enantiomer of 3 (that is, 6 ) is also reported using the enantiomer of 4 (that is, 7 ). In evalu ating 3 and 6 for antiviral potential against a number of viruses, compound 3 was found to have activity towards Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV).     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel 1‐Methyl‐3‐(4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐indazole Derivatives

A series of novel 1‐methyl‐3‐(4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐indazoles was synthesized in three steps from 5‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐indazol‐3‐yl)‐4‐phenyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thiones. 5‐(1‐Methyl‐1H‐indazol‐3‐yl)‐4‐phenyl‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3(4H)‐thiones were converted into 1‐methyl‐3‐(5‐(methylsulfonyl)‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐indazoles upon methylation followed by treatment with aq. KMnO₄. The reaction of 1‐methyl‐3‐(5‐(methylsulfonyl)‐4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐indazoles with Raney nickel resulted in desulphonylation to afford corresponding 1‐methyl‐3‐(4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐indazoles. All the new synthesized compounds were characterized by spectral techniques.