Organocatalytic mediated green approach: A versatile new L-valine promoted synthesis of diverse and densely functionalized 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans

The discovery of a new L-valine promoted facile and versatile green synthesis of diversified 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyrans using a one pot multicomponent-tandem reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and diverse electron-rich enolizable carbonyl compounds is described. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the use of native L-valine as a catalyst in organic synthesis. Environmental friendly, mild reaction conditions, use of easily available inexpensive starting materials, short reaction time, excellent yields, high atom economy, and recyclability of organocatalyst are the major advantages of the disclosed protocol.     

An efficient one-pot three-component synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of tetra substituted thiophene derivatives

A convenient one-pot three-component method for the preparation of tetra-substituted thiophene derivatives has been developed. Reaction of acetyl acetone 1, phenyl isothiocynate 2 and 2-chloromethyl derivatives 3a–3c in the presence of potassium carbonate afforded the target compounds, namely ethyl2-(4-acetyl-3-methyl-5-(phenylamino)thiophen-2-yl)-2-oxoacetate derivatives 4a–4e, ethyl 3-(4-acetyl-3-methyl-5-(phenylamino)thiophen-2-yl)-3-oxopropanoate derivatives 4f–4i, di((4-acetyl-3-methyl-5-phenylamino)thiophen-2-yl)ketone derivatives 4j–4n in reasonable overall yields. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. The detailed synthesis, spectroscopic data and antimicrobial activities of synthesized compounds were reported.     

Organocatalysis in aqueous micellar medium: a new protocol for the synthesis of [1,2,4]-triazolyl-thiazolidinones

A new environmentally friendly methodology for the efficient synthesis of biologically significant triazole thiazolidinone hybrids in aqueous medium, using acetic acid as an organocatalyst in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant has been developed for the first time. The effect of several surfactants on the yield and completion time of the reaction was investigated and it was found that the use of CTAB at 60 °C gave the best results (79–96% in 20 min–35 min) for the synthesis of the target compounds.     

In silico screening of neurokinin receptor antagonists as a therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease

Neuroinflammation is one of the detrimental factors leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The activation of microglial neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) by substance P (SP) enhances neuroinflammation which is mediated through pro-inflammatory pathways involving NFkB, ERK1/2, and P38 and thus projects the scope and importance of NK1R inhibitors. Emphasizing the inhibitory role of N Acetyl l Tryptophan (l-NAT) on NK1R, this is the first in silico screening of l-NAT mediated NK1R antagonism. In addition, FDA- approved ligands were screened for their potential NK1R antagonism. The l-NAT was docked in XP (Extra Precision) mode while FDA-approved ligands were screened in HTVS (High Throughput Virtual Screening), SP (Standard Precision), and XP mode onto NK1R (PDB:6HLO). The l-NAT and top 3 compounds FDA-approved ligands were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) studies of 100 ns simulation time. The XP docking of l-NAT, indacaterol, modafinil and alosetron showed good docking scores. Their 100 ns MD showed brief protein–ligand interactions with an acceptable root mean square deviation. The protein–ligand contacts depicted pi-pi stacking, pi-cation, hydrogen bonds, and water bridges with the amino acids necessary for NK1R inhibition. The variable colour band intensities on the protein–ligand contact map indicated their binding strength with amino acids. The molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) scores suggested favourable binding free energy of the complexes. Thus, our study predicted the ability of l-NAT, indacaterol, modafinil, and alosetron as capable NK1R inhibitors that can aid to curb neuroinflammation in conditions of AD which could be further ascertained in subsequent studies.

Graphic Abstract

     

Microfluidic static droplet arrays with tuneable gradients in material composition

We describe a one-step passive strategy to create concentration gradients in static droplet arrays. The technique exploits controlled exchange of materials between moving plugs and stationary drops. The concentration of soluble reagents can be varied from drop-to-drop in the presence of other soluble reagents or insoluble materials (e.g. cells) at well-defined time points.     

Catalyst-free glycerol-mediated green synthesis of 5′-thioxospiro[indoline-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidin]-2-ones/spiro[indoline-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidine]-2,5′-diones

The development of new catalyst-free green and efficient protocol to access 5′-thioxospiro[indoline-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidin]-2-ones/spiro[indoline-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidine]-2,5′-diones, potential privileged scaffolds for drug discovery, is disclosed. Key feature of this methodology is the dual use of glycerol—a recyclable, bioorganic compound, as a solvent cum promoter. Other highlights include use of inexpensive reagents, mild reaction conditions, operational simplicity, short reaction time, no need for chromatographic purification, and high yields.