Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Fused Bicyclo[2.2.2]octene as a Potential Core Scaffold for the Non-Covalent Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro Main Protease.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, requires the rapid development of novel antiviral drugs that would contribute to an effective treatment alongside vaccines. Drug repurposing and development of new molecules targeting numerous viral targets have already led to promising drug candidates. To this end, versatile molecular scaffolds with high functionalization capabilities play a key role. Starting with the clinically used conformationally flexible HIV-1 protease inhibitors that inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2 and bind major protease 3CLpro, we designed and synthesized a series of rigid bicyclo[2.2.2]octenes fused to N-substituted succinimides to test whether this core scaffold could support the development of non-covalent 3CLpro inhibitors. Inhibition assays confirmed that some compounds can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease; the most promising compound 11a inhibited 3CLpro in micromolar range (IC50 = 102.2 µM). Molecular simulations of the target-ligand complex in conjunction with dynophore analyses and endpoint free energy calculations provide additional insight and first recommendations for future optimization. The fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octenes can be used as a new potential starting point in the development of non-covalent SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro protease inhibitors and the study also substantiates the potential of this versatile scaffold for the development of biologically active molecules.

A 26-Membered Macrocycle Obtained by a Double Diels-Alder Cycloaddition Between Two 2H-Pyran-2-one Rings and Two 1,1'-(Hexane-1,6-diyl)bis (1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione)s.

With the application of a double dienophile 1,1'-(hexane-1,6-diyl)bis(1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) for a [4+2] cycloaddition with a substituted 2H-pyran-2-one a novel 26-membered tetraaza heteromacrocyclic system 3 was prepared via a direct method under solvent-free conditions with microwave irradiation. The macrocycle prepared is composed of two units of the dienophile and two of the diene. The structure of the macrocycle was characterized on the basis of IR, 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy, as well as by the elemental analysis and melting point determination. With X-ray diffraction of a single crystal of the macrocycle we have determined that the two acetyl groups (attached to the bridging double bond of the bicyclo[2.2.2]octene fragments) are oriented towards each other (and also towards the inside of the cavity of the macrocycle), therefore, mostly filling it completely.

Synthesis and Structural Evaluation of 5-Methyl-6-acetyl Substituted Indole and Gramine.

The synthesis and crystal structures of 1-(5-methyl-1H-indol-6-yl)ethan-1-one (7), C11H11NO, and 1-3-[(dimethylamino) methyl]-5-methyl-1H-indol-6-ylethan-1-one (8), C14H18N2O, are reported. The synthesis is based on the Diels-Alder cycloaddition of a substituted 2H-pyran-2-one derivative, followed by an acid-catalyzed cyclization and concomitant deprotection (the last two steps were carried out as a one-pot domino process) yielding substituted indole 7, which was further derivatized via Mannich reaction to the gramine derivative 8. Both structures 7 and 8 were determined on the basis of IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy, as well as by the elemental analysis and melting point determination. According to the single-crystal X-Ray diffraction analysis, the structure 7 has a single unique molecule in the asymmetric unit whereas the structure 8 contains four unique molecules in the asymmetric unit. Molecules 7 are linked via N-H···O hydrogen bonds between the secondary amine group and carbonyl moiety of the acetyl group of adjacent molecules, whereas molecules 8 are linked via N-H···N hydrogen bonds between the secondary and tertiary amine groups of adjacent molecules. Both structures are further stabilized by weak C-H···O, C-H···π and π···π interactions.

A way to avoid using precious metals: the application of high-surface activated carbon for the synthesis of isoindoles via the Diels-Alder reaction of 2H-pyran-2-ones.

The application of activated carbon (Darco KB) for the acceleration and direction of the transformation of various 2H-pyran-2-ones with N-substituted maleimides toward isoindole derivatives through the reaction sequence cycloaddition/elimination/dehydrogenation is described. In this reaction, the catalyst mainly influences the dehydrogenation step, which is essential to avoid the formation of bicyclo[2.2.2]octenes as the other possible products. We found that the combination of Darco KB, as the metal-free catalyst, and decalin, as the solvent in a closed vessel, represents the most successful conditions. A comparison of the effect of various dehydrogenation catalysts and reaction conditions is also presented. In addition, we have proven that the aromatization occurs via a hydrogen transfer from the cyclohexadiene intermediate to the maleimide derivative (therefore producing succinimides). This transfer is facilitated by the active surface of the heterogeneous carbon-based catalyst.

Methyl 2-benzamido-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methylbenzoate and N-{5-benzoyl-2-[(Z)-2-methoxyethenyl]-4-methylphenyl}benzamide.

Methyl 2-benzamido-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-methylbenzoate, C(24)H(23)NO(5), (Ia), and N-{5-benzoyl-2-[(Z)-2-methoxyethenyl]-4-methylphenyl}benzamide, C(24)H(21)NO(3), (IIa), were formed via a Diels-Alder reaction of appropriately substituted 2H-pyran-2-ones and methyl propiolate or (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-en-3-yne, respectively. Each of these cycloadditions might yield two different regioisomers, but just one was obtained in each case. In (Ia), an intramolecular N-H···O hydrogen bond closes a six-membered ring. A chain is formed due to aromatic π-π interactions, and a three-dimensional framework structure is formed by a combination of C-H···O and C-H···π(arene) hydrogen bonds. Compound (IIa) was formed not only regioselectively but also chemoselectively, with just the triple bond reacting and the double bond remaining unchanged. Compound (IIa) crystallizes as N-H···O hydrogen-bonded dimers stabilized by aromatic π-π interactions. Dimers of (IIa) are connected into a chain by weak C-H···π(arene) interactions.

Effect of ring size on the exo/endo selectivity of a thermal double cycloaddition of fused pyran-2-ones.

A study of an unusual effect of the size of the ring fused to 2H-pyran-2-ones on the exo/endo selectivity of a thermal double cycloaddition of N-substituted maleimides or maleic anhydride yielding bicyclo[2.2.2]octene derivatives is presented. With subtle variations of starting compounds and reaction conditions exclusively exo,exo or exo,endo products can be prepared.

Synthesis of highly substituted aniline and o-phenylenediamine derivatives containing various substitution patterns.

The Diels-Alder reactions of a variety of 2H-pyran-2-ones 1 with alkynes 2 yielding highly substituted aniline and o-phenylenediamine derivatives 4 with novel (and in some cases known but very rare and useful) structural patterns are presented. The effect of substituents of both reactants on the reaction rates was investigated. The reactions were carried out under thermal conditions, as well as at high pressures.

Diels-Alder reactions of fused pyran-2-ones with maleimides: efficient syntheses of benz[e]isoindoles and related systems.

[reaction: see text] The Diels-Alder reaction of some substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones (1a-f) with N-substituted maleimides (2a-c) leading to fused isoindole derivatives (5a-n, 7) or, in a few cases, to bridged double cycloadducts (fused bicyclo[2.2.2]octene derivatives) (6a-f) is presented. When X = CO, the first efficient, substituent-driven aromatization of an intermediary-formed cycloadduct was observed, resulting in substituted benz[e]isoindoles (5a-k). The same type of aromatization can also be achieved in an unprecedented catalysis with Rh/C.