New 5-(2-ethenylsubstituted)-3(2H)-furanones with in vitro antiproliferative activity

A convenient route to new 3(2H)-furanones is described through hydrogenolysis and subsequent acidic hydrolysis of isoxazoles. The antiproliferative activity of title compounds were evaluated against leukemia-, carcinoma-, neuroblastoma-, and sarcoma-derived human cell lines in comparison to the natural compound geiparvarin. The structure activity relationship indicated that the maximum in vitro antiproliferative activity correlates with the presence of a heterocyclic ring on the ethenyl moiety.     

Convenient synthesis of 5-methylene-4-substituted-2(5H)-furanones

A synthesis of novel 4-(substituted)benzyl-5-methylene-2(5H)-furanones involving Stobbe condensation of substituted aldehydes with ethyl levulinate followed by treatment with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate, has been developed.     

Regioselective synthesis of cytotoxic 4-(1-alkynyl)-substituted 2-(5H)-furanones

4-(1-Alkynyl)-3-bromo- and 4-(1-alkynyl)-3-chloro-2(5H)-furanones have been regioselectively synthesized in moderate to good yields by a new version of the Pd/Cu-catalyzed Sonogashira reaction involving treatment of 1-alkynes with 3,4-dibromo- and 3,4-dichloro-2(5H)-furanone, respectively, in the presence of KF as a base. 4-(1-Alkynyl)-3-bromo-2(5H)-furanones have been found to be able to undergo Stille-type and Suzuki-type reactions with aryl(tributyl)tins and arylboronic acids, respectively, to give 4-(1-alkynyl)-3-aryl-2(5H)-furanones in modest to satisfactory yields. Some 4-(1-alkynyl)-substituted 2(5H)-furanones so prepared have been found to exhibit significant cytotoxic activities, especially against human leukemia cell lines.     

New anti-infective cycloheptadepsipeptide congeners and absolute stereochemistry from the deep sea-derived Streptomyces drozdowiczii SCSIO 10141

Six cycloheptadepsipeptides, marformycins A–F (1–6), featuring a unique N-terminally formylated side chain and five non-proteinogenic amino acid residues, were isolated from the deep Sea-derived Streptomyces drozdowiczii SCSIO 10141. The previously unsolved absolute stereochemistry of 3 and 4 was determined and the structures of other four new congeners were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic, chiral-phase HPLC, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1–5 bear no cytotoxicity against a number of human tumor cell lines but show selective anti-infective activity against Micrococcus luteus.     

Recent developments on the fluorinase from Streptomyces cattleya

This is a summary of a lecture presented at the 100th Anniversary, Moissan Symposium in Paris on Friday, 10 November 2006. The lecture highlighted recent developments on the enzyme structure, mechanism and biotransformation prospects of the fluorinase enzyme identified in 2002 from the bacterium Streptomyces cattleya. Over-expression of the enzyme has allowed it to be used as a catalyst for ¹⁸F-incorporation during the synthesis of potential ligands for positron emission tomography (PET) applications.     

New tricyclic geldanamycin analogues from an engineered strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus JCM4427

Two tricyclic geldanamycin analogues, DHQ5 (1) and DHQ6 (2), were produced by a combinatorial mutant (AC15) contained a site-directed mutagenesis on the geldanamycin polyketide synthase (PKS) gene with inactivation of the post-PKS tailoring genes (gel7) of Streptomyces hygroscopicus JCM4427. The structural diversity of tricyclic geldanamycin analogues is due to the formation of unusual additional rings, which are formed by alkylation of the C-21 position by C-12 in DHQ5 (1) and by electrophilic addition of the C-15 hydroxyl group to the double bond (C-8-C-9), which leads to the migration of the double bond (to C-7-C-8) and the elimination of a carbamoyloxy group in DHQ6 (2).     

Five new derivatives of nonactic and homo-nonactic acids from Streptomyces globisporus

In addition to the known compounds of the type of nonactic and homononactic acids and their lactones, dilactones and tetralactones, five new compounds, namely homononactyl-nonactoate, a dilactone consisting of nonactic and homononactic acids and three cyclic trimers with nonactic and homononactic acids, were isolated from a strain of Streptomyces globisporus. Their structures, including the absolute configurations of the hydroxyl and methyl groups, were determined by extensive spectroscopic techniques such as UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR.     

Efficient and selective deprotection method for N-protected 2(3H)-benzoxazolones and 2(3H)-benzothiazolones

Cyclic carbamate flanked with heterocyclic or aliphatic moieties are frequently used in medicinal chemistry. The synthesis of derivatives bearing a free NH often requires the use of a protection method. A literature search reveals very few protection/deprotection methods for cyclic carbamates. In this paper, we described different methods applicable to 2(3H)-benzoxazolone and 2(3H)-benzothiazolone.     

Carbon dioxide-mediated synthesis of 3(2H)-furanones from diyne alcohols

A novel type of carbon dioxide-mediated reaction of diyne alcohols without any metal catalysts was reported. Carbon dioxide held the key to the success of this reaction, in which 3(2H)-furanones were selectively obtained in moderate to high yields.     

A facile approach to spirocyclic butenolides through cascade cyclization/oxidative cleavage reactions of (Z)-enynols catalyzed by gold under dioxygen atmosphere

A facile approach for the syntheses of spirocyclic butenolides through cascade cyclization/oxidative cleavage reactions of (Z)-enynols bearing cyclic substituents at the C-1 position catalyzed by gold under dioxygen atmosphere has been developed. A variety of substituted butenolides was constructed in a regioselective manner from suitably substituted (Z)-2-en-4-yn-1-ols. (Z)-Enynols substituted both at C2 and C3-position afforded the spirocyclic butenolides in moderate to good yields, C-2 unsubstituted (Z)-enynols afforded the products in moderate yields, and the C-3 unsubstituted (Z)-enynols afforded the desired products in low yields.     

Facile synthesis of 4-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives from N-acyl-o-aminobenzophenones

An efficient synthesis of 4-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives has been achieved in a one-pot reaction from N-acyl-o-aminobenzophenones 1a-c (a: acyl=acetyl; b: acyl=propanoyl; c: acyl=heptanoyl) using NaH as a base. Treatment of 1 with NaH provided the quinolones 2a-c with 62-83% yields, whereas the reaction in the presence of alkyl iodide (alkyl=methyl, ethyl, n-octyl) gave the corresponding N-alkylated quinolones 3a-g in 75-95% yields. The alkylation reaction of 4-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-one 2a with alkyl halide gave a mixture of N-alkylated and O-alkylated products. Comparison of IR and NMR data of the N-alkylated and O-alkylated compounds with those of 2a-c indicated that 2a-c exist as the lactam form.     

A highly efficient stereoselective synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl iodides from Baylis-Hillman adducts

A highly efficient synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-allyl iodides has been accomplished by treatment of Baylis-Hillman adducts with iodine and triphenylphosphine in methylene chloride at room temperature. The method is associated with mild reaction conditions, high yields and excellent stereoselectivity.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Investigation towards an efficient synthesis of benzo[g]isoquinoline-1,5,10(2H)-triones

As part of our research on 2-aza analogues of pentalongin, the active principle of Pentas longiflora Oliv., the first synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzo[g]isoquinoline-1,5,10(2H)-triones via 3,4-disubstituted 6-hydroxybenzo[g]furo[4,3,2-de]isoquinoline-2,5(4H)-diones as the key intermediates is reported. The latter compounds have been prepared by treating 2-methoxycarbonyl-1,4-naphthoquinone with N-substituted enaminoesters under acidic conditions. These reagents are easily accessible from readily available 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, β-ketoesters and primary amines. Finally, a short synthesis of substituted benzo[g]isoquinoline-1,5,10(2H)-triones is achieved by an oxidative addition of N-substituted enaminoesters onto methyl 1,4-dihydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylate.     

Regioselective synthesis of novel polyfunctionally substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines under solvent-free conditions

A series of 2-(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acids 5 has been prepared by a novel protocol that uses the fusion method between 5-amino-1H-pyrazoles 4 and 3-(3-oxo-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-ylidene)pentane-2,4-dione 3. The use of this novel protocol renders good to excellent yields along with short reaction times. In addition, this solvent-free cyclocondensation proceeds in a regiospecific fashion by intramolecular ring opening of the furane ring in a Michael-type reaction.     

First straightforward synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted benz[g]isoquinoline-3,5,10(2H)-triones, 1,2,3,5-substituted naphtho[3,2,1-de]isoquinoline-4,7-diones, and 6-substituted benzo[h]pyrido[3,4,5-kl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine-5,8-diones

Structural modifications to the benz[g]isoquinoline skeleton of N-substituted benz[g]isoquinoline-3,5,10(2H)-triones were envisaged in order to make future SAR studies possible for this type of bioactive compounds. Several N-substituted benz[g]isoquinoline-3,5,10(2H)-triones were converted to novel 2,4-substituted benz[g]isoquinoline-3,5,10(2H)-triones, new tetracyclic 1,2,3,5-substituted naphtho[3,2,1-de]isoquinoline-4,7-diones, and 6-substituted benzo[h]pyrido[3,4,5-kl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine-5,8-diones. All the synthesized target compounds represent new heterocyclic systems, which were previously undescribed in the literature.     

Solvent-free microwave synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-ones and variants using activated arylmalonates

The disclosure herein describes the rapid synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-ones and variants via a solvent-free microwave cyclocondensation reaction using di-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-2-phenylmalonate, which improves the general scope of this reaction.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-β-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters from (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkenyliodonium salts

(Z)-β-Fluoro-α,β-unsaturated esters were stereoselectively synthesized from (Z)-2-fluoro-1-alkenyliodonium salts by the Pd-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation reaction. The reaction proceeded at room temperature and various functional groups on the substrate can tolerate the reaction conditions.     

CuO nanoparticles catalyzed simple and efficient synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones and quinazolin-4(3H)-ones under ultrasound irradiation in aqueous ethanol under ultrasound irradiation in aqueous ethanol

A CuO nanoparticle-catalyzed one-pot process has engineered for the preparation of diverse quinazolinones from the readily available isatoic anhydride, aldehydes and amine or ammonium. For amine substrates the reactions afford 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones in aqueous ethanol promoted by ultrasound irradiation. However, the ammonium substrates undergo intramolecular electron transfer and rearrangement yielding quinazolin-4(3H)-ones. The catalyst is recyclable four times without loss of substantial activity. Other remarkable features include the wide range of functional group tolerance (46 quinazolinones are synthesized and 9 of them are reported firstly), and providing moderate to excellent yield of the products under mild conditions.     

Regioselective synthesis of 3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-3,3-dimethyl-9-phenyl-2H-xanthene-1,8(5H,9H)-diones through ascorbic acid catalyzed three-component domino reaction

An efficient, three-component domino reaction of dimedone 1, aromatic aldehydes (2a–o), and 1,3-cyclohexanedione 1a in the regio-selective synthesis of 3,3-dimethyl-9-phenyl-2H-xanthene-1,8(5H,9H)-diones (3a–o) is reported. The desired product, 3 is efficiently promoted by ascorbic acid as an organo catalyst.