Synthesis and in vitro antitumour activity of crassalactone D, its stereoisomers and novel cinnamic ester derivatives.

Naturally occurring styryl lactone, crassalactone D (1), unnatural 4-epi-crassalactone D (2), and the corresponding 7-epimers (3 and 4) have been synthesized starting from d-glucose. The key step of the synthesis is a new one-pot sequence that commenced with a Z-selective Wittig olefination of suitably functionalized sugar lactols with a stabilized ylide, (methoxycarbonylmethylene)-triphenylphosphorane, in dry methanol, to afford 1 or 3, in the mixtures with the corresponding 4-epimers (2 or 4, respectively). A number of 6-O-cinnamoyl derivatives of styryl lactones 1-4 have been prepared, bearing electron donating or electron withdrawing functionalities in the C-4 position of cinnamic acid residue. The synthesized products were evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against selected human tumour cell lines, whereupon very potent cytotoxicities have been recorded in many cases. SAR analysis indicated some important structural features responsible for biological activity, such as stereochemistry at the C-4 and C-7 positions, as well as the nature of a substituent at the C-4 position in the aromatic ring of cinnamoate moiety. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis data gave insight in the mechanism underlying antiproliferative effects of the synthesized compounds.

Design, synthesis and in vitro antitumour activity of new goniofufurone and 7-epi-goniofufurone mimics with halogen or azido groups at the C-7 position.

A series of new antitumour lactones containing the [3.3.0] bicyclic furano-lactone core and the halogen or azido group at the C-7 position have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro antitumour activity against a panel of human tumour cell lines. Some of the analogues displayed powerful antiproliferative effects to certain human tumour cells, but all of them were devoid of any cytotoxicity towards the normal foetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). A SAR study reveals the structural features of these lactones that may affect their antiproliferative activity. These are: the nature of substituent present at the C-7 position, stereochemistry at the C-7 position, the absence of phenyl group at the C-7 position. Flow cytometry data indicate that the cytotoxic effects of the synthesized analogues in a culture of K562 cells are mediated by apoptosis, additionally revealing that these molecules induced changes in cell cycle distribution of these cells. Results of Western blot analysis suggested that the most of synthesized compounds induce apoptosis in K562 cells in caspase-dependent way.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of goniobutenolides A and B, 5-halogenated crassalactone D derivatives and the corresponding 7-epimers.

A new synthesis of goniobutenolides A (1) and B (2) and the corresponding 7-epimers has been achieved starting from diacetone d-glucose. The key step of the synthesis is a new one-pot sequence that commenced with Z-selective Wittig (or Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons) olefination, followed by successive γ-lactonisation and ß-elimination. The above-mentioned unsaturated lactones were then converted to the corresponding 5-halogenated crassalactone D derivatives by using the appropriate haloetherification protocol. The most of synthesized compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against a panel of tumour cell lines. The main structural features responsible for their antitumour potency have been revealed by means of SAR analysis. Flow cytometry data suggested that cytotoxic effects of these compounds in the culture of K562 cells might be mediated by apoptosis, additionally revealing that these molecules induced changes in cell cycle distribution of these cells. Results of semi-quantitative Western blot analysis indicate that the most of synthesized compounds induce apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner.

Design, synthesis and SAR analysis of antitumour styryl lactones related to (+)-crassalactones B and C.

A series of styryl lactones containing the cinnamic acid ester groups such as (+)-crassalactones B (3a) and C (4a), 5,7-di-O-cinamoyl derivative 6, the corresponding 7-epimers and 7-deoxy derivatives have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumour activity against a panel of several human tumour cell lines. Twelve new analogues such as 5-O- or 7-O-(4-methoxycinnamoyl), 5-O- or 7-O-(4-nitrocinnamoyl) and 5-O- or 7-O-(4-fluorocinnamoyl) esters of (+)-goniofufurone (3b-d), 7-epi-(+)-goniofufurone (epi-3b-d), as well as 7-deoxy derivatives 5b-d have been prepared to correlate all compounds in a SAR study. Some of the analogues displayed powerful antiproliferative effects on selected human tumour cell lines, but none of them demonstrated cytotoxicity towards the normal foetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). Thus, for the 7-epi-crassalactone B (epi-3a) was found to be a potent inhibitor of HL-60 cells growth, with an IC50 value that is approximately 46-fold lower than that observed for the commercial antitumour drug doxorubicin in the culture of the same cells. A SAR analysis performed on these lactones reveals the main structural features that affect their antiproliferative activity, such as nature of the substituents at the C-4 in the aromatic rings of cinnamoyl moieties, the absolute stereochemistry, as well as the presence of a deoxy function at the C-7 position.

Conformationally constrained goniofufurone mimics as inhibitors of tumour cells growth: Design, synthesis and SAR study.

Synthesis of conformationally restricted (+)-goniofufurone (1) and 7-epi-(+)-goniofufurone (2) analogues, with embedded O-isopropylidene, O-methylidene or cyclic carbonate functions is disclosed starting from d-glucose. A number of potential bioisosteres of 1 and 2 bearing both 5,7-O-methylidene and 4-substituted cinnamoyloxy functions at the C-7 position have also been synthesized. In vitro cytotoxicity of target molecules against a number of human tumour cell lines were recorded and compared with those observed for the parent molecules 1 and 2. Some of the analogues displayed powerful antiproliferative effects on selected human tumour cell lines, but all of them were devoid of any cytotoxicity towards the normal foetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). A SAR study reveals the structural features of these lactones that may increase their antiproliferative activity.

Analysis of N-H···O hydrogen bonds in new C(O)-NH-P(O)-based phosphoric triamides and analogous structures deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database.

Five new compounds belonging to the phosphoric triamide family have been synthesized: two of them with the formula XC(O)NHP(O)Y [X = CF3 (1) and CClF2 (2), Y = NHCH2C(CH3)2CH2NH] involving a 1,3-diazaphosphorinane ring part, and three 2,6-Cl2C6H3C(O)NHP(O)Z2 phosphoric triamides [Z = NHC(CH3)3 (3), N(CH3)(C6H11) (4) and N(CH3)(CH2C6H5) (5)]. The characterization was performed by (31)P{(1)H}, (1)H, (13)C NMR, IR spectroscopy besides (19)F NMR for fluorine containing compounds (1) and (2), and X-ray single-crystal structure analysis for (1), (3), (4) and (5). In each molecule the P atom has a distorted tetrahedral environment. The N atoms bonded to P atom have mainly sp(2) character with a very slight tendency to a pyramidal coordination for some amido groups. Different types of N-H···O hydrogen bonds have been analyzed for (1), (3), (4) and (5) and 118 other structures (including 194 hydrogen bonds) deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database, containing either C(O)-NH-P(O)[N(C)(C)]2 or C(O)-NH-P(O)[NH(C)]2. The participation of N(CP)-H···O=P [N(CP) = the nitrogen atom of the C(O)-NH-P(O) fragment], N-H···O=P, N-H···O=C and N(CP)-H···O=C hydrogen bonds in different hydrogen-bonded motifs are discussed. Moreover, the involvement of the O atoms of C=O or P=O in the [N(CP)-H][N-H]···O=P, [N-H]2···O=P, [N-H]2···O=C and [N-H]3···O=C groups are considered. A histogram of N···O distances, the distribution of N-H···O angles and the scatterplot of N-H···O angles versus N···O distances are studied.

3-(3-Acetyl-anilino)-1-ferrocenylpropan-1-one.

The title ferrocene-containing Mannich base, [Fe(C(5)H(5))(C(16)H(16)NO(2))], crystallizes with two independent mol-ecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. Mol-ecules A and B have similar conformations. The dihedral angles between the best planes of the benzene and substituted cyclo-penta-dienyl rings are 88.59 (9) and 84.39 (10)° in A and B, respectively. In the crystal, the independent mol-ecules form centrosymmetric dimers via corresponding N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The dimers further arrange via C-H⋯π and C-H⋯O inter-actions. There are no significant inter-actions between the A and B mol-ecules.

A new polymorph of 1-ferrocenyl-3-(3-nitroanilino)propan-1-one.

Recrystallization of the title compound, [Fe(C(5)H(5))(C(14)H(13)N(2)O(3))], from a mixture of n-hexane and dichloromethane gave the new polymorph, denoted (I), which crystallizes in the same space group (P1) as the previously reported structure, denoted (II). The Fe-C distances in (I) range from 2.015 (3) to 2.048 (2) Å and the average value of the C-C bond lengths in the two cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings is 1.403 (13) Å. As indicated by the smallest C-Cg1-Cg2-C torsion angle of 1.4° (Cg1 and Cg2 are the centroids of the two Cp rings), the orientation of the Cp rings in (I) is more eclipsed than in the case of (II), for which the value was 15.3°. Despite the pronounced conformational similarity between (I) and (II), the formation of self-complementary N-H···O hydrogen-bonded dimers represents the only structural motif common to the two polymorphs. In the extended structure, molecules of (I) utilize C-H···O hydrogen bonds and, unlike (II), an extensive set of intermolecular C-H···π interactions. Fingerprint plots based on Hirshfeld surfaces are used to compare the packing of the two polymorphs.

A useful synthetic equivalent of a hydroxyacetone enolate.

Indium promoted allylation of carbonyl compounds with 4-(bromomethyl)-1,3-dioxol-2-one diastereoselectively affords anti-α,ß-dihydroxyketones, protected as enol carbonates. These initial products can be deprotected to free dihydroxyketones or transformed under mild conditions into the corresponding cyclic carbonates, which constitutes a useful approach to hydroxyacetone aldols.

The hydrogen-bonded dimers of N,N',N''-tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide in new tin(IV) and copper(II) complexes.

In the new tin(IV) and copper(II) complexes, cis-dichlorido-trans-dimethyl-cis-bis(N,N',N''-tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide-κO)tin(IV), [Sn(CH(3))(2)Cl(2)(C(18)H(36)N(3)OP)(2)], (I), and trans-diaquabis(N,N',N''-tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide-κO)copper(II) dinitrate-N,N',N''-tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide (1/2), [Cu(C(18)H(36)N(3)OP)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2)·2C(18)H(36)N(3)OP, (II), the N,N',N''-tricyclohexylphosphoric triamide (PTA) ligands exist as hydrogen-bonded dimers via P=O···H-N interactions around the metal center. The asymmetric unit in (I) consists of one complete complex molecule located on a general position. The Sn(IV) coordination geometry is octahedral with two cis hydrogen-bonded PTA ligands, two cis chloride ligands and two trans methyl groups. The asymmetric unit in (II) contains one half of a [Cu(PTA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) dication on a special position (site symmetry ̅1 for the Cu atom), one nitrate anion and one free PTA molecule, both on general positions. The complex adopts a square-planar trans-[CuO(2)O(2)] coordination geometry, with the Cu(II) ion coordinated by two PTA ligands and two water molecules. Each of the noncoordinated PTA molecules is hydrogen bonded to a neighboring coordinated PTA molecule and an adjacent water molecule; the phosphoryl O atom acts as a double-H-atom acceptor. The P atoms in the PTA ligands of both complexes and in the noncoordinated hydrogen-bonded molecules in (II) adopt a slightly distorted tetrahedral environment.

N,N'-Bis(2-chloro-benz-yl)-N''-(dichloro-acet-yl)phospho-ric triamide.

In the title compound, C(16)H(16)Cl(4)N(3)O(2)P, the phosphoryl and carbonyl groups are anti to each other. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 33.59 (16)°. In the crystal, adjacent mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯O=P and N-H⋯O=C hydrogen bonds, into an extended chain running parallel to the a axis.

N,N'-Dicyclo-hexyl-N''-(4-nitro-benzo-yl)phospho-ric triamide.

The P atom in the title compound, C(19)H(29)N(4)O(4)P, exhibits a tetra-hedral coordination and the phosphoryl and carbonyl groups are anti to each other. Adjacent mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form a layer motif.

Amino-(5-{2-[amino-(iminio)meth-yl]hydrazin-1-yl}-3,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methaniminium dinitrate.

The reaction of aqueous solutions of amino-guanidine hydrogennitrate and acetyl-acetone produces the title pyrazole salt, C(7)H(18)N(8) (2+)·2NO(3) (-). The crystal structure is stabilized by a complex N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding network. The difference in the engagement of the two nitrate anions in hydrogen bonding is reflected in the variation of the corresponding N-O bond lengths.

Diphenyl (benzyl-amido)phosphate.

The title compound, C(19)H(18)NO(3)P, was prepared by the reaction of diphenyl phospho-rochloridate and benzyl-amine. In the crystal structure, mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯O=P hydrogen bonds into extended chains parallel to the c axis.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and X-ray characterization of a copper(II) complex with the Schiff base derived from pyridoxal and aminoguanidine: NMR spectral studies of the ligand.

A copper(II) complex with the pyridoxal-aminoguanidine (PL-AG) Schiff base adduct, as an organic compound of the very potent biological activity and promising pharmacological importance in the treatment of diabetic complications, has been prepared and characterized. The X-ray structural analysis of the [CuCl2(PL-AG)] complex showed that it has a distorted pseudo-square-pyramidal (4+1) structure with the tridentate ONN Schiff base in the equatorial plane, with the Cu-O(1), Cu-N(1) and Cu-N(3) bond lengths of 1.917(2)A, 1.930(2)A and 1.984(2)A, respectively. The bond length of the equatorial Cu-Cl(1) is 2.279(1)A, while that of the apical Cu-Cl(2) is 2.792(1)A. Pyridoxal fragment is coordinated in its zwitterionic form. In addition to the X-ray structural analysis, the complex was characterized by IR spectrometric, conductometric and magnetic techniques, and the ligand itself by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra.