Quorum sensing inhibitors as Therapeutics: Bacterial biofilm inhibition.

The overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections has led to the development of multiple drug resistant strains. Biofilm is a complex microorganism aggregation defined by the presence of a dynamic, sticky, and protective extracellular matrix made of polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. The infectious diseases are caused by bacteria that flourish within quorum sensing (QS) mediated biofilms. Efforts to disrupt biofilms have enabled the identification of bioactive molecules produced by prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The QS system is quenched predominantly by these molecules. The phenomenon is also termed as quorum sensing (QS). Both synthetic and natural substances have been discovered to be useful in QS. This review describes natural and synthetic quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) with the potential to treat bacterial infections. It includes the discussion on quorum sensing, mechanism of quorum sensing, effect of substituents on the activity. These discoveries could result in effective therapies using far lower dosages of medications, particularly antibiotics, are currently needed.

A mild and metal-free synthesis of 2- and 1-alkyl/aryl/dialkyl-aminoquinolines and isoquinolines.

A simple synthetic strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 2- and 1-alkyl/aryl/dialkylaminoquinolines and isoquinolines from the easily available quinoline and isoquinoline-N-oxides, different amines, triflic anhydride as activating agent and acetonitrile as solvent in a one-pot reaction under metal-free conditions at 0 °C to room temperature.

Influence of Rotator Design on the Speed of Self-Assembled Four-Component Nanorotors: Coordinative Versus Dispersive Interactions.

Four-component nanorotors are prepared by the self-assembly of stator [Cu4(4)]4+ with its four copper(I)-loaded phenanthroline stations and various rotators carrying one, two, or three pyridine terminals. The fourth component, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, serves as a connecting axle between rotator and stator. Capitalizing on the heteroleptic pyridyl and phenanthroline metal complexes concept, the rotator's pyridine terminals are connected to the copper(I)-loaded phenanthroline stations (Npy → [Cu(phen)]+) in the STOP state and disconnected in the transition state of rotation. As the barrier of the thermally activated rotation, measured by variable-temperature 1H NMR, is mainly governed by attractive forces between stator stations and rotator terminals, it increases along the series Ea (monopyridine rotator) < Ea (dipyridine rotator) < Ea (tripyridine rotator). However, there are even distinct differences in rate between rotors with equal number of rotator terminals. The change from the 5,10-dipyridyl (cis) to 5,15-dipyridyl (trans) zinc porphyrin rotator enhances the rotational frequency by almost 1000-fold. Density functional theory computational results suggest that not only coordinative Npy → [Cu(phen)]+ interactions but also dispersive attraction influence the barrier of rotation.

A Synthetic Route to Chiral 1,4-Disubstituted Tetrahydro-ß-Carbolines via Domino Ring-Opening Cyclization of Activated Aziridines with 2-Vinylindoles.

A simple and efficient strategy for the synthesis of various 1,4-disubstituted tetrahydro-ß-carbolines with excellent stereoselectivity (de, ee up to >99%) via domino ring opening cyclization (DROC) of activated aziridines with 2-vinylindoles is described. The reaction proceeds through LiClO4-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts-type alkylation of 2-vinylindoles with activated aziridines followed by an intramolecular aza-Michael reaction in a domino fashion.

A Stereoselective Route to Tetrahydrobenzoxazepines and Tetrahydrobenzodiazepines via Ring-Opening and Aza-Michael Addition of Activated Aziridines with 2-Hydroxyphenyl and 2-Aminophenyl Acrylates.

A simple and efficient synthetic route to 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenzoxazepines and -benzodiazepines bearing easily functionalizable appendages has been developed by ring-opening of activated aziridines with 2-hydroxyphenyl acrylates and 2-aminophenyl acrylate, respectively, and subsequent intramolecular C-N bond formation through palladium-catalyzed aza-Michael reaction. The straightforward synthetic approach delivers the desired molecular scaffolds in high yields (up to 82%) with excellent stereoselectivity (ee up to 94%).

A Synthetic Route to 2-Alkyl Indoles via Thiophenol-Mediated Ring-Opening of N-Tosylaziridines Followed by Copper Powder-Mediated C-N Cyclization/Aromatization.

A simple strategy for the syntheses of 2-alkyl indoles via regioselective ring-opening of 2-(2-haloaryl)-3-alkyl-N-tosylaziridines with thiophenol, followed by copper powder-mediated intramolecular C-N cyclization and subsequent aromatization by the elimination of thiophenol, with good yields is described. Utilizing this protocol, 2-carboxyindole has been synthesized easily.

A Synthetic Route to Chiral Dihydrobenzothiazines through Ring Opening of Activated Aziridines with 2-Halothiophenols/Copper-Powder-Mediated C-N Cyclization.

A simple protocol for the synthesis of dihydrobenzothiazines through regio- and stereoselective S(N)2-type ring opening of N-tosylaziridines with sulfur nucleophiles followed by copper-powder-mediated intramolecular C-N cyclization in excellent yields (up to 95%) with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity (up to >99%) is reported.