On the reactivity of isoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline-5-ones

Base- and acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addition of 11H-isoindolo[2,1-a]quinazoline-5-one to aromatic aldehydes and maleimides was investigated. The aldol adducts and condensation products were obtained stereoselectively. Main diastereomers of the Michael adducts were isolated in 74-89% yield, and converted by N-methylation to new stable α-substituted isoindole derivatives, for which 6-methylisoindolo[2,1-a]]quinazoline-5-one stands as the unsubstituted reference. The stability of the latter was monitored in moist aerated CDCl₃ solution, and one of the oxidative hydrolysis product was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis as the corresponding N-arylphthalimide. The reactivity of the unsubstituted 6-methylisoindolo[2,1-a]]quinazoline-5-one was also investigated with acetylenic Michael acceptors. Fully conjugated isoindole derivatives possessing an original pull-push-pull structure were obtained. The conformations and molecular orbitals of the dibenzoylacetylene adduct were studied at the DFT level of theory. Its static quadratic hyperpolarizabilty β₀ was also calculated at the ZINDO level.     

Short diastereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives

A new and highly stereoselective access to 4,10b-trans or 4,10b-cis hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives is reported, both requiring an intramolecular Mannich-type reaction as key step. The cis diastereoisomer is obtained in three steps from a 2-alkyl benzaldehyde through the stereoselective formation of a 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidine, while the trans stereomer is efficiently obtained, in a single step, if a 2-formyl benzoic acid is involved in the Mannich cyclization process.     

Benzo[f]isoindole derivatives from cycloaddition reaction of 2,4-dimethylpyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole and maleimides

In contrast to the previously reported results in the reaction of maleimides with pyrido[2,1-a]isoindole and 1,2-bis substituted isoindoles, the reaction between 2,4-dimethylpyrimido[2,1-a]isoindole and maleimides leads to the formation of unusual products. Their structure is assessed by NMR and mass spectrometry. An original reaction pathway is proposed. The high quantum yields observed in fluorescence opens the route to applications as biological probes. To cite this article: Z.V. Voitenko et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).     

A Facile Synthesis of 1‐Substituted 3‐Alkoxy‐1H‐isoindoles Based on the Reaction of 2‐(Dialkoxymethyl)phenyllithiums with Nitriles,Followed by Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclization

A two‐step synthesis of 1‐substituted 3‐alkoxy‐1H‐isoindoles 4 has been developed. Thus, the reaction of 2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyllithium compounds, which are easily generated in situ by Br/Li exchange between 1‐bromo‐2‐(dialkoxymethyl)benzenes 1 and BuLi in THF at ?78°, with nitriles afforded [2‐(dialkoxymethyl)phenyl]methanimines 2 , which were treated with a catalytic amount of TsOH?H₂O in refluxing CHCl₃ to give the desired products in reasonable yields. Similarly, 3‐aryl‐1‐ethoxy‐1‐methyl‐1H‐isoindoles 7 have been prepared starting from 1‐bromo‐2‐(1,1‐diethoxyethyl)benzenes 5 .     

Hyperconjugation effect on diene reactivity in 1-methyltetrazolo[5,1-a]isoindole-derived amides and thioamides

Optimized synthesis of 1-methyltetrazolo[5,1-a]isoindole-derived amides and thioamides was elaborated. Based on ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction studies data, it was proposed that zwitterionic resonance structures contributed significantly to the structure of these compounds. Geometry optimization was performed in vacuo using m06-2x/cc-pvtz method taking into account polarizing effect of environment (PCM model) and specific intermolecular interactions. Electronic density distribution in these molecules was analyzed using NBO method. Using Δ(HOMO_diene–LUMO_dienophile) for amides and thioamides in vacuo and in a protic solvent, possibility of Diels–Alder reaction was evaluated. Energies of π-π conjugation and n→σ* hyperconjugation for the amide derivative were estimated in vacuo, aprotic and protic solvents.     

Nucleophilic substitutions in the isoindole series as a valuable tool to synthesize derivatives with antitumor activity

A novel synthetic approach to the synthesis of 3-substituted isoindoles through nucleophilic substitution of 3-halo derivatives by charged carbon, and neutral nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur nucleophiles, assisted by a 1-acyl group, is reported. Aryl-thio-isoindoles, obtained through a direct nucleophilic substitution with sulfur nucleophiles, showed cytotoxic activity, with GI₅₀ values from micromolar to sub-micromolar concentrations, against the total number of cell lines investigated.     

Guanidine Additive Enabled Intermolecular ortho-Phthalaldehyde-Amine-Thiol Three-Component Reactions for Modular Constructions

Recently, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) is experiencing a renascence for the modification of proteins and peptides through OPA-amine two-component reactions for bioconjugation and intramolecular OPA-amine-thiol three-component reactions for cyclization. Historically, small thiol molecules were used in large excess to allow for the intermolecular OPA-amine-thiol reaction forming 1-thio-isoindole derivatives. In this study, we discovered that guanidine could serve as an effective additive to switch the intermolecular OPA-amine-thiol three-component reaction to a stoichiometric process and enable the modular construction of peptide-peptide, and peptide-drug conjugate structures. Thus, 12 model peptide-peptide conjugates have been synthesized from unprotected peptides featuring all proteinogenic residues. Besides, 6 peptide-drug conjugates have been prepared in one step, with excellent conversions and isolated yields. In addition, a conjugate product has been further functionalized by utilizing a premodified OPA derivative, demonstrating the versatility and flexibility of this reaction.