Structure-activity relationships of indole compounds derived from combretastatin A4: synthesis and biological screening of 5-phenylpyrrolo[3,4-a]carbazole-1,3-diones as potential antivascular agents.

A series of 5-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)pyrrolo[3,4-a]carbazole-1,3(2H,10H)-diones was designed as cis-restricted analogues of 3-aroylindoles, arylthioindoles and 3-benzylidoneindolin-2-ones derived from combretastatin A4 (CA-4). Starting from various indoles, compounds were synthesized by means of a convenient two-step procedure involving a one-pot multicomponent reaction as key step. Intermediate tetrahydro[3,4-a]carbazoles and their corresponding carbazoles were submitted to biological screening tests involved in antivascular action, including the cytotoxicity against murine B16 melanoma cells, the rounding up of endothelial cells (EA.hy 926) and the inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Of the 31 compounds screened, those bearing a methoxy group at the 8-position endowed significant biological activities. A carbazole compound 30 was identified as a promising candidate for further development of novel vascular targeting agents.

Influence of the stereoisomeric position of the reactive acetate groups of the benzo[b]acronycine derivative S23906-1 on its DNA alkylation, helix-opening, cytotoxic, and antitumor activities.

S23906-1 is a benzo[b]acronycine derivative acting as a DNA-alkylating agent through covalent bonding to the exocyclic amino group of guanines and subsequent local opening of the DNA helix. This compound was selected for phase I clinical trials based on its efficient antitumor activity in experimental models and its unique mode of action. S23906-1 is the racemate of cis-1,2-diacetoxy-6-methoxy-3,3,14-trimethyl-1,2,3,14-tetrahydro-7H-benzo[b]pyrano[3,2-h]acridin-7-one. Here, we evaluated the cytotoxic and antitumor activities of the two pure cis-enantiomers and investigated the mechanism of action of both cis- and trans-racemates and their enantiomers in terms of DNA alkylation potency and locally drug-induced DNA helix opening process. Reaction with glutathione, as a detoxification process, was also studied. The trans-compounds, both as racemate or separated enantiomers, were found less potent than the corresponding cis-derivatives. Among the cis-enantiomers, the most efficient one regarding DNA alkylation bears the acetate on the reactive C1 position in the R configuration, both on purified DNA and genomic DNA extracted from cell cultures. By contrast, the most cytotoxic and tumor-active enantiomer bears the C1-acetate in the S configuration. Distinct cellular DNA-alkylation levels or covalent bonding to glutathione could not explain the differences. However, we showed that the S and R orientations of the acetate on C1 asymmetric carbon lead to different local opening of the DNA, as visualized using nuclease S1 mapping. These different interactions could lead to modulated DNA-repair, protein/DNA interaction, and apoptosis processes.

One-pot three-component synthesis of alpha-iminonitriles by IBX/TBAB-mediated oxidative Strecker reaction.

The reaction of aldehydes, amines, and TMSCN in the presence of 2-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) afforded alpha-iminonitriles in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. The presence of TBAB is essential for this transformation. The methodology was applied to a two-step synthesis of indolizidine via a microwave-assisted intramolecular cycloaddition of alpha-iminonitrile.

Environmentally friendly chemoselective oxidation of primary aliphatic amines by using a biomimetic electrocatalytic system.

Environmentally friendly oxidation of primary aliphatic amines to imines has been successfully achieved, under metal-free conditions, by the use of diverse electrogenerated o-azaquinone mediators. High catalytic performance, together with high chemoselectivity, were observed with electron-poor o-azaquinone catalysts generated from 2-aminoresorcinol derivatives. Similar to copper amine oxidase enzymes, these mediators exhibited lower reactivity toward alpha-branched primary amines and no reactivity toward secondary amines. In the case of 3,4-aminophenol derivatives lacking a 2-hydroxy group, the generated o-azaquinone species failed to catalyze the oxidation of the amine to the corresponding imine. Further mechanistic considerations allowed a rationalization of the crucial role of the 2-hydroxy group in converting a catalytically inert species into a highly effective biomimetic catalyst.

New potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the tetracyclic triterpene series.

A new highly selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was discovered by high-throughput screening. Compound 1 was synthesized from a natural product, the N-3-isobutyrylcycloxobuxidine-F 2. A new extraction protocol of this compound is described. The hemisynthesis and optimization of 1 are reported. The analogs of 1 were tested in vitro for the inhibition of both cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE). These compounds selectively inhibited AChE. Extensive molecular docking studies were performed with 2 and AChE employing Discover Biosym software to rationalize the binding interaction. The results suggested that ligand 2 binds simultaneously to both catalytic and peripheral sites of AChE.

Solution and crystal conformations of myrionine, a new 8beta-alkyl-cis-decahydroquinoline of Myrioneuron nutans.

Myrionine (1), a new 8beta-alkyl-cis-decahydroquinoline, was isolated from Myrioneuron nutans. Its structure was determined by spectral methods and then confirmed by X-ray analysis and total synthesis. In solution, 1 gives rise to an N-in/N-out equilibrium. The solvent has weak influence on the N-in/N-out ratio for myrionine (1), whereas together with the anions, it plays an important role for myrionine hydrochloride (9) and hydroiodide (10). The two N-in and N-out conformations obtained separately by crystallization of 9 and 10, respectively, were analyzed by X-ray diffraction.

A new access to dihydrotropones through ring expansion of spirocyclohexadienones: synthesis and mechanism.

In this paper we report the rearrangement of spirocyclohexadienones into dihydrotropones in basic conditions as a new method for the preparation of seven-membered ring ketones, which are key building blocks for the synthesis of tropoloalkaloids. DFT calculations and deuterium labeling studies support the mechanism we propose for this rearrangement, involving the ring opening of a spirocyclopropane intermediate followed by successive base-catalyzed 1,3-hydrogen shifts. The X-ray structure of the resulting dihydrotropone shows near-perfect planarity and the conjugation gain is likely to be the driving force of the reaction.

Enantioselective total synthesis of 1-epi-pathylactone A.

[structure: see text]. The first enantioselective total synthesis of 1-epi-pathylactone A, 3, has been accomplished using a PhI(OAc)2-mediated domino reaction as a key step. No diastereomeric separation was required throughout the whole synthetic scheme presented in this paper. Comparison of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data of the synthetic product with the reported spectral data of natural pathylactone A, coupled with an X-ray crystallographic analysis, led to the conclusion that the C1 configuration in the original paper was erroneously ascribed to (R).

Crystal structure and photochemical behavior in solution of the 3'-N-sulfamate analogue of thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine.

The 3'-N-sulfamate analogue of thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine (TnsoT, 1) exhibits a preference for a C3'-endo conformation in the solution and solid states. Its photochemical behavior in solution is compared to that of its natural counterpart, thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine (TpT, 2), to get further insight into the significance of the C3'-endo conformation on the photoproduct formation at the single-stranded dinucleotide level. Irradiation at 254 nm of 1 led to the same type of photoproducts as observed with 2. However, 1 was significantly more photoreactive than 2, and accordingly, the initial rate of photoproduct formation was enhanced in accordance with its propensity to base stack compared to 2. The corresponding quantum yields were determined and showed that the enhancement factor (1 compared to 2) is moderate for the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) (1.26) and much higher for the (6-4) photoproduct (1.8). These data strongly suggest that the CPD and (6-4) photoproduct arise from distinct minor stacked conformations.

Novel C2-C3' N-peptide linked macrocyclic taxoids. Part 2: synthesis and biological activities of docetaxel analogues with a peptide side chain at C2 and their macrocyclic derivatives.

The synthesis of a series of novel docetaxel analogues possessing a peptide side chain at the C2 position as well as peptide macrocyclic taxoids is described. These compounds were designed to mimic a region of the alpha-tubulin loop equivalent to the paclitaxel binding pocket of beta-tubulin. Fifteen new peptide taxoids were obtained and evaluated as inhibitors of microtubule disassembly as well as cell proliferation. The relationships between these new taxoids and the tau protein motif interacting with microtubules are discussed.

Electrochemically induced cascade reaction for the assembly of libraries of biologically relevant 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives.

The scope and mechanism of an electrochemically induced cascade reaction, which leads to highly substituted 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives, have been explored through the variation of the structure of the o-azaquinone mediator. This reaction sequence, wherein both cycloaddition partners are generated in situ, at room temperature, under metal-free conditions, allows the regiospecific inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction of an o-azaquinone heterodiene and a secondary alkylenamine dienophile, two chemically nonaccessible unstable entities. The cascade reaction was found to be general with electron-poor o-azaquinone entities generated from substituted 2-aminoresorcinol substrates. In the case of o-aminophenol derivatives which lack the 2-hydroxyl group, the generated o-azaquinone species failed to catalyze the oxidation of the amine to the corresponding imine, precursor of the enamine dienophile, because the absence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond at the origin of a highly reactive Schiff base cyclic transition state. To overcome this problem, a tandem oxidation-IEDDA reaction, in which the o-azaquinone is generated in the presence of a preformed enamine, has been developed as an alternative. These one-pot methodologies, which offer the opportunity to introduce variations in both cycloaddition partners, should be particularly useful for the development of libraries of biologically relevant 1,4-benzoxazine derivatives.

In vitro oxidative metabolism study of (-)-rhazinilam.

Metabolism studies were conducted in order to investigate the reasons for the in vivo lack of activity of (-)-rhazinilam 1, an original poison of the mitotic spindle. Bioconversion by Beauveria bassiana strains, rat and human liver microsomes allowed the identification of metabolites 2, 3, and 4 oxidized in positions 3 and 5 of rhazinilam. Further experiments indicated that CYP2B6 was the main CYP responsible for the oxidation of 1 by human liver microsomes. All isolated metabolites were markedly less active than rhazinilam in vitro, which might explain its in vivo inactivity.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of B-ring analogues of (-)-rhazinilam.

Three macrocyclic analogues of rhazinilam 1 having a 11- or 12-membered B-ring with an endocyclic carbamate group or an amino-acid residue were synthesized from the natural product. These analogues 3 and 4 displayed a very low activity on tubulin. Thirty N-1 and C-16 substituted analogues of rhazinilam were also synthesized regioselectively from rhazinilam. Stereochemical analyses showed that N-1 and C-16alpha analogues have the same conformation as rhazinilam, whereas C-16beta analogues adopt a different conformation for rings B and D. All N-1 and C-16 analogues were less active than rhazinilam on tubulin, though analogues 5a, 6aalpha, 6balpha, and 6f having the less bulky substituents retained close affinities. A few analogues either active (like 6f) or inactive (like 5o) on tubulin showed significant inhibition of the growth of KB cancer cells.

A one-pot regiospecific synthesis of highly functionalized 1,4-benzodioxin derivatives from an electrochemically induced Diels-Alder reaction.

[reaction: see text] The anodic oxidation of pyrogallol derivatives produces chemically unstable o-quinone heterodienes, which are trapped in situ by enamine dienophiles through regiospecific inverse-electron-demand Diels-Alder reactions. The possibility of introducing variations in both cycloaddition partners gives rise to highly substituted 1,4-benzodioxin cycloadducts with up to five elements of diversity. The reactions proceed under mild conditions with a good efficiency. The methodology should be amenable to the assembly of libraries of biologically relevant heterocycles.

New polycyclic diamine scaffolds from dimerization of 3-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines in acidic medium.

[reaction: see text] 3-Alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines dimerize in acidic medium, at low temperature, to give polycyclic imminium salts derivatives that were reduced to afford new polycyclic diamine scaffolds. The reaction can be extended to enantiopure series starting from R-(+)- or S-(-)-1-phenylethylamine. Long exposure of the polycyclic imminium salt intermediates to air moisture at 20 degrees C resulted in formation of new amide derivatives. This is probably due to the addition of water followed by an intramolecular oxido-reduction process.

Synthesis of 4-substituted-3-aminopiperidin-2-ones: application to the synthesis of a conformationally constrained tetrapeptide N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro.

A new and practical synthetic strategy is developed for the synthesis of six-membered lactam-bridged dipeptides, 4-substituted-3-aminopiperidin-2-ones, featuring two key steps: (a) a diastereoselective addition of cuprate to (E)-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester (3) and (b) racemization-free reductive amination. On the basis of this methodology, conformationally constrained tetrapeptide N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (AcSDKP) (2) has been successfully synthesized from 3-amino-4-vinylpiperidin-2-one (22).

An approach to the tricyclic core of madangamines based upon a biogenetic scheme.

[reaction: see text] A short synthesis of intermediates possessing the tricyclic core of natural madangamines, bioactive alkaloids found in marine sponges, is described. The key reaction entails the condensation of the sodium salt of diethylacetonedicarboxylate with a dihydropyridinium salt derivative. This new approach is modeled on a biogenetic proposal linking madangamines to ircinals, related alkaloids occurring in sponges of the same order.

Cytotoxic flavonoids and alpha-pyrones from Cryptocarya obovata.

One alpha-pyrone, obolactone (1), two chalcones, kurzichalcolactone B (2) and obochalcolactone (3), and two flavanones, oboflavanones A (4) and B (5), have been isolated from the fruits and the trunk bark of Cryptocarya obovata. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic interpretations. The absolute configuration of obolactone (1) was established by circular dichroism. Obolactone (1) and obochalcolactone (3) display significant activity in in vitro cytotoxic assays against the KB cell line. Biosynthetic pathways for oboflavanones and obochalcolactone are suggested.

Synthetic studies on ecteinascidin 743: rapid access to the fully functionalized tetrahydroisoquinoline with a bridged 10-membered sulfur containing macrocycle.

Synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline with a 1,4-bridged 10-membered sulfur containing macrolactone (5) is described. Phenolic aldolisation, Pictet-Spengler cyclisation of an acid sensitive amino diol under newly developed conditions (LiBr, toluene-TFE, 80 degrees C) and acid promoted intramolecular C-S bond formation leading to a 10-membered cycle are key steps of our synthesis.