Anti-isohumulone and its derivatives

Three new humulone derivatives have been isolated and identified as: 3,4-dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-(4-methyl-3-pentenoyl)-2-cyclopentenone (6);4-ethanoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-cyclopentenone (7) and 3,4-dihydroxy-2-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-cyclopentenone (8), respectively. They arise by deacylation of anti-isohumulone (3_a), which is formed from humulone (1a) following an isomerization with ring contraction in opposite direction than the usual one producing isohumulones (2a).     

Syntheses and optoelectronic properties of four photochromic dithienylethenes

Four photochromic dithienylethene compounds, 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-naphthalene-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene 1a, 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5(p-fluorophenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene 2a, 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5(p-ethoxyphenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene 3a, and 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene 4a were synthesized, and their optoelectronic properties, such as photochromism in solution as well as in poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) amorphous films, fluorescences and electrochemical properties were investigated in detail. These dithienylethenes have shown good photochromic behavior both in solution and in PMMA amorphous film. All of them exhibited relatively strong fluorescence and gave a bathochromic shift upon increasing concentration in THF. The irreversible anodic oxidation of 1a, 2a and 4a was observed by performing cyclic voltammetry experiments.     

Activation and transfer of oxygen-X : A new autoxidative rearrangement of tetrahydropteridines

The structure 2a proposed by Viscontini and Okada for the autoxidation product of 5-methyl-6,7-diphenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin 1 was found to be incorrect. Alternative structures 3a, 3b were deduced from spectroscopic data. X-ray analysis of the acetyl derivative 8 proved the oxidation product to be 2-amino-8-methyl-4,9-dioxo-cis-6,7-diphenyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-4H-pyrazino(1,2-a)-s-triazine 3a. The mechanism of the rearrangement may involve an intermediate 4a-peroxy-pterin. A similar rearrangement on peroxide-level was observed for the corresponding lumazine 14.     

Enantioselective diethylzinc addition to the exocyclic CN double bond of some 4-arylideneamino-3-mercapto-6-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazin-5-one derivatives

4-Arylideneamino-3-mercapto-6-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazin-5-ones 2a–f have been evaluated as substrates in the enantioselective diethylzinc addition reaction in the presence of (1S,2R)-N-alkyl-N-benzylnorephedrines 3a–d as chiral ligands. The utility of using a dual catalytic system (amino alcohol/halosilane) for the diethylzinc addition reaction has been also examined. The addition products 4-(1-arylpropyl)amino-3-mercapto-6-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazin-5-ones 4a–f were obtained in high yields and with enantiomeric excesses of up to 92%. The treatment of arylimines 2a–f with a diethylzinc reagent did not affect the hetero-ring opening although the CN double bond of the lateral chain did undergo an addition reaction to yield the C-ethylated products 4a–f. The reductive cleavage of the 1,2,4-triazinyl heterocyclic ring from addition products 4a–f led smoothly to the corresponding free primary amines 5a–f without a significant loss of enantiomeric purity.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of novel azetidine-2-one derivatives of 1H-benzimidazole

A series of 1-methyl-N-[(substituted-phenylmethylidene)-1H-benzimidazol-2-amines (4a–4g) were prepared via the formation of 1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine (3), which was prepared by the cycloaddition of o-phenylenediamine (1) with cyanogen bromide in the presence of aqueous base followed by N-methylation with methyl iodide in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate in dry acetonitrile. Moreover, the four-membered β-lactam ring was introduced by the cycloaddition of 4a–4g and chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine catalyst to give 3-chloro-1-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-(4′-substituted)-phenylazetidin-2-one 5a–5g. A total of 14 compounds were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and Mass spectral technique, in addition they were evaluated for anti-bacterial and cytotoxic properties. Among the chemicals tested 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5g exhibited good antibacterial activity and 5f, 5g shown good cytotoxic activity in vitro.     

Bromination of 3-phenylindoles

Brominations of 3-phenylindole (1a) and its 1-methyl-(1b) and 1-acetyl-(1c) derivatives with NBS in AcOH and CCl₄ have been carried out. In AcOH 1 gave 2-bromo derivatives (2) in high yields and the relative reactivity was found to be NH > NMe ? NAc by competitive reactions. In boiling CCl₄1a and 1b gave 2 but bromination of 1c did not proceed. Bromination of 1a with 2 moles of NBS in AcOH gave 2,6-(major) and 2,5-dibromides (8 and 9). Reaction of 2a with thiourea gave 19. Selective reduction of the bromine atom at the 2-position in 2,6-dibromide (10) was achieved by Zn3CuNaOH, and irradiation of 8 in EtOH-alkali reduced 2,6-dibromide to 1a.     

Studies on β methyl-1-and 3-phenyl allyl chlorides

The hydrolysis of β-methyl-1- and 3-phenylallyl chlorides (1a and 1b) have been investigated in aqueous dioxan and the proposed mechanism compared with those reported for the corresponding 1- and 3-phenylallyl chlorides (2a and 2b). Hydrolysis of 1a and 1b proceeds via the same mechanism as 2a and 2b, respectively, with different behavior by the first intermediate. The first intermediate of 1a rearranges to the corresponding conjugated compound through a transition state rather than an intermediate. Theoretical calculations on the carbonium ions of 1 and 2 using a semiempirical MINDO/3 molecular orbital method show that the charge densities on carbon atoms of 1 are nearly the same as those of 2. The main difference is in the bond angle C¹-C⁸-C⁹.     

Azabicyclo chemistry—V : Synthesis and stereochemistry of 7-substituted cis-octahydroindoles prepared via a nitrenium intermediate

As a potential route to 9-functionalized-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes we have investigated the silver nitrate catalyzed solvolysis of N-chloro-N-methyl-2-cyclohexene-1-ethanamine (4a) in methanol. By this route we obtained 1-methyl-7(a)-methoxy-cis-octahydroindole (5a), 1-methyl-7-chloro-cis-octahydroindole (6a), 2-methy (8a) in the approximate ratio of 75:1:3:23, respectively. The structure proofs of 5a and 8a were accomplished by chemical interrelating the two and by double resonance NMR spectroscopy, while the structures of 6a and 7a were assigned by mass spectroscopy. Appropriate deuterium studies substantiated the mass spectral fragmentation pathways. Mechanistically we favor the formation of the products by invoking the intermediacy of a nitrenium ion.     

Synthesis of 2,3-dimethyltetra-cyclo(5.5.1.04,13.010,13)trideca-2,5-dien-9-one,a new derivative of all-cis-(5.5.5.5)fenestrane

Intramolecular arene-olefin photoreaction of methyl-6-methyl-2-phenylhept-5-enoate (9a) leads to the tetracyclic product 10a, from which the fenestra-dienone, 2, has been obtained. Mechanistic aspects of the photoreaction are discussed.     

Dye-sensitized photo-oxygenation of 1,2-cyclohexanediones

The dye-sensitized photo-oxygenation of the enols of 1,2-cyclohexanedione (1) has been carried out in various solvents at -70°-40°. Singlet oxygen is involved in the reaction as evidenced by quenching and rate enhancement observed in deuterated methanol. The reaction proceeds by an ene reaction with singlet oxygen to afford the hydroperoxide, 4, which closes to a five-membered endoperoxide, 5, as a major path or to dioxetane (6) as a minor one. The endoperoxide, 5, decomposed to 5-oxoalkanoic acid (2) with evolution of carbon monoxide or was trapped by the solvent (MeOH or EtOH) to give methyl or ethyl 5-carboxy-2-hydroxypentanoate (3). Competition between the enol of 3-methyl-1,2-cyclohexanedione (1a) and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (TME) has shown that the enol is as reactive as TME toward singlet oxygen.     

Synthesis of chiral 1- and 2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-3-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-dienes and their behaviour in Diels–Alder cycloadditions

The synthesis of (±)-(E)-1-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-3-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-diene 1 and (S_S)-2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-3-trimethylsilyloxybuta-1,3-diene 2 and their reactions with cyclic dienophiles are described. Cycloaddition of diene 1 with N-methylmaleimide 10 was performed under pressure affording a complex reaction mixture from which two epimers at C-3′, (±)-11a and (±)-11b [2,3,3a,4,5,7a-hexahydro-2-methyl-7a-(1-methylsuccinimide-3-yl)-1H-isoindole-1,3,5-triones], were isolated in equal amounts. Diene (±)-1 cycloadded to the more reactive 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione 14 at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. However, nothing can be said about the stereochemical outcome of this addition since the loss of the chiral auxiliary via the sulfoxide–sulfenate rearrangement gave the bicyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone 17 (2-methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine-1,3,6-trione). Diels–Alder cycloaddition of enantiopure diene 2 with 10 occurred under pressure leading to a diastereomeric mixture of adducts where the trimethylsilyl enol ether moiety spontaneously evolved to the ketone function. The major enantiopure product 18a [(3aS,6S,7aR,R_S)-2-methyl-6-(p-tolylsulfinyl)perhydroisoindole-1,3,5-trione] was isolated and characterized. Cycloadditions of both dienes to dienophile 10 appear highly stereoselective.     

Synthesis of novel fluorescent 3-aryl- and 3-methyl-7-aryl-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

Two series of compounds, 3-aryl- (series A, compounds 2a-j) and 3-methyl-7-aryl-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines (series B, compounds 3a-j) have been synthesized by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions, with a triazolopyridine halide and an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid in moderate to good yields. All compounds obtained are fluorescents, the quantum yields, particularly those of compounds 3f-j, are very high.     

A study of the reaction of 2-thiazolin-4-ones with some electrophiles under microwave irradiation versus conventional condition

Coupling of 5-dimethylaminomethylene-3-methyl-2-(pyridine-2-ylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one (3) with diazotized methyl anthranilate afforded the 3-methyl-5-(2-methoxycarbonylphenylhydrazono)-2-pyridine-2-ylimino)thiazolidin-4-one (5). Reaction of 2-(arylamino)thiazol-4-ones 1a,b with arylidenemalononitriles under microwave irradiation gave 2-substituted amino-5-arylidenethiazolin-4-ones 9a–f. Alternatively, compound 9 could also be obtained by reacting compound 1 with aromatic aldehydes. Treatment of compound 9 with acetic acid yielded the corresponding thiazolin-2,4-diones 10. However, the reaction of 1 with cyanoacetic acid yielded the corresponding 4-cyanoacetyl derivative 12, in good yield. The ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectra of some representative products and X-ray crystal structure determination are discussed.     

Synthesis and X-ray structure of platinum(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes with pyridine–pyrazole ligands: Influence of ligands’ structure on cytotoxic activity

The new pyrazole ligand 5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1-(2-pyridylo)-1H-pyrazole-4-phosphonic acid dimethyl ester (2a) has been used to obtain a series of platinum(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes (3a–7a) as potential anticancer compounds. The molecular structures of the platinum(II) and copper(II) complexes 3a and 6a have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxicity of the phosphonic ligand 2a and its carboxylic analog 2b as well as their complexes has been evaluated on leukemia and melanoma cell lines. Copper(II) complexes were found to be more efficient in the induction of melanoma cell death than the platinum(II) or palladium(II) complexes. Cytotoxic effectiveness of compound 7b against melanoma WM-115 cells was two times better than that of cisplatin. The reaction of compound 5b with 9-methylguanine has been studied.     

Synthesis of a new series of pyridine and fused pyridine derivatives

The reaction of 4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-6-oxo-5-pyridine- carbonitrile (1) with arylidene malononitrile afforded isoquinoline derivatives 2a,b. 6-Chloro-4-methyl-2-phenyl-5-pyridinecarbonitile (3) obtained by chlorination of compound 1 with phosphoryl chloride was converted into 6-amino-4-methyl-2-phenyl-5-pyridinecarbonitrile (4) and 6-hydrazido-4-methyl-2-phenyl-5-pyridinecarbonitrile (5) in good yield, through reactions with ammonium acetate and hydrazine hydrate, respectively. Treatment of 4 with ethyl acetoacetate, acetic anhydride, formic acid, urea and thiourea gave the corresponding pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidine derivatives 7-10a,b. A new series of 6-substituted-4-methyl-2-phenyl-5-pyridine carbonitriles 11-13 has been synthesized via reaction of 4 with phenyl isothiocyanate, benzenesulphonyl chloride and acetic anhydride. Treatment of 4 with malononitrile gave 1,8-naphthyridine derivative 14. The reactivity of hydrazide 5 towards acetic acid, phenylisothiocyanate and methylacrylate to give pyrazolo-[3,4-b]-pyridine derivatives 15-17 was studied. Treatment of 5 with acetic anhydride, phthalic anhydride and carbon disulphide gave pyridine derivatives 18,19 and 1,2,4-triazolo-[3,4-a]-pyridine derivative 20.     

Synthesis of robustic acid and related 4-hydroxy-3-phenylcoumarins

2,4-Dihydroxy-6,4′-dimethoxydesoxybenzoin 1a with 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-butene in the presence of BF₃-etherate yielded 3-C-prenyl- 2a and 5-C-prenyl 3 derivatives. However, reaction with prenyl bromide in the presence of methanolic potash afforded 3-C-prenyl 2a and 4-O-prenyl 1b derivatives. The C-prenyl derivatives 2a and 3 readily underwent cyclodehydrogenation with DDQ to form phenacyl chromenes 7 and 9 respectively. The latter on condensation with ethyl chloroformate gave robustic acid 10 identical in all respects with natural sample. The desoxybenzoins 2b, 3 and 7 have also been converted into the corresponding 4-hydroxy-3-phenyl coumarins 11, 12 and 8.     

Substituent-induced regioselective synthesis of 1,2-teraryls and pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-4,5-diones from 2H-pyran-2-ones

Substituent-controlled regioselective synthesis of highly functionalized 1,2-teraryls 3a-k has been achieved through ring transformation of 6-aryl-4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl/piperidin-1-yl)-2H-pyran-2-one-3-carbonitriles 1a-g by aryl acetones 2a-c in the presence of powdered KOH in DMF in very good yield. Under similar reaction conditions, 6-aryl-4-methylsulfanyl-2H-pyran-2-ones 5a-f afforded 1,7-diaryl-2-methyl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-4,5-diones 6a-j as major products and 3,4-diaryl-2-methyl-6-methylsulfanylbenzonitriles as minor constituents 7a-j.     

Kinetic resolution of (±)-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-1,4-benzoxazines with (S)-naproxen

A very effective method for the preparation of the (S)-enantiomers of 2,3-dihydro-3-methyl- and 7,8-difluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-1,4-benzoxazines (1a and 2a) was developed using (S)-(+)-naproxen acyl chloride as the chiral agent for kinetic resolution of racemates. This method enables one to obtain the (S)-enantiomers of benzoxazines 1a and 2a of high enantiomeric purity (99% ee) in nearly 50% yield, taking into account that the (R)-enantiomers are recycled after their racemisation.     

Synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles: vilsmeier formylation of some 3-methylindol-2-yl ketones and 3(3-methylindol-2-yl)propenoic ester

3-Methylindol-2-yl methyl ketone reacted with phosphoryl chloride in dimethylformamide to give 3-chloro-3(3-methylindol-2-yl), propenal (4). 2-Carbomethoxy- and 2-carbethoxy-1-chloro- 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-9-ylidene acetaldehyde (10a and b) were formed by reaction with the same reagent of 3(3-methylindol-2-yl) propenoate (7) and 3(3-methylindol-2-yl)-3-oxopropanoate (2) respectively. In the latter case, 2-carbethoxy-1-chloro-3-dimethylamino-9-methyl-3H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indole (9b) was isolated as an intermediate. The structure of the pyrroloindolylidene acetaldehydes was proved by synthesis of the chromophore from 4-acetyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (26). The preparation and behaviour of 1-phenylpyrrole-2,4- and 3,4-dicarboxylates, monomethylated in the pyrrole ring, is described. These compounds were prepared during a search for a satisfactory route to a starting material for the synthesis of compounds related to 10a and b. The saponification of such diesters is remarkably selective, and in the case of the 2,4-dicarboxylates, contradicts accepted generalisations concerning the lability of pyrrole α,β-diesters to selective hydrolysis.     

Reduction of cephalosporanic acids with chromium(II) salts : Synthesis of 3-methylenecepham derivatives

7-Acylaminocephalosporanic acid derivatives (1) were converted into 7-acylamino-3-methylenecepham-4-carboxylic acids (2) by treatment with chromium(II) salts in aqueous media. The esters (4a or 4b) of 7-acylamino-3-methylenecepham compounds were readily isomerized to the 3-methyl-3-cephem compounds (5a or 5b) under basic conditions. The reaction mechanism is discussed.