Recent advances of chroman-4-one derivatives: synthetic approaches and bioactivities

Intramolecular Stereoselective Stetter Reaction Catalyzed by Benzaldehyde Lyase

The reliable design and prediction of enzyme promiscuity to access transformations not observed in nature remains a long-standing challenge. Herein, we present the first example of an intramolecular stereoselective Stetter reaction catalyzed by benzaldehyde lyase, guided by the rational structure screening of various ThDP-dependent enzymes using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. After optimization, high productivity (up to 99 %) and stereoselectivity (up to 99:1 e.r.) for this novel enzyme function was achieved.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 7-(5-((substituted - amino)-methyl)-thiophen-2-yl)-spiro-[chroman-2,4'-piperidin]-4-one hydrochloride analogues as anticancer agents

A series of thirty-one novel 7-(5-((amino)-methyl)-thiophen-2-yl)-spiro-[chroman-2,4'-piperidin]-4-one hydrochloride analogues (Cst 1 - 31) have been designed, synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS spectral analysis. Here, we evaluated the anticancer potential and biological results of low-molecular-weight bridgehead oxygen and nitrogen-containing spirochromanones on proliferation and apoptosis of the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and Murine melanoma (B16F10). The anticancer activity ranged from 2.9 to 35.0 µM. The most potent compounds Cst-22, Cst-24 and Cst-31 were found to be less toxic against human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell lines. Cst-24 and Cst-31 were found to be causing significant cytotoxicity through apoptotic cell death and also G2 phase arrest of cell cycle in B16F10 cells. In-silico ADME prediction stidies of the titled compounds were found within the rules outlined, and these compounds may not face any pharmacokinetic associated issues in the mere future upon developmental stage. These conjugates may serve as a lead for the discovery of potential anticancer drug candidate with better therapeutic profile.

Natural product fragment combination to performance-diverse pseudo-natural products

Natural product structure and fragment-based compound development inspire pseudo-natural product design through different combinations of a given natural product fragment set to compound classes expected to be chemically and biologically diverse. We describe the synthetic combination of the fragment-sized natural products quinine, quinidine, sinomenine, and griseofulvin with chromanone or indole-containing fragments to provide a 244-member pseudo-natural product collection. Cheminformatic analyses reveal that the resulting eight pseudo-natural product classes are chemically diverse and share both drug- and natural product-like properties. Unbiased biological evaluation by cell painting demonstrates that bioactivity of pseudo-natural products, guiding natural products, and fragments differ and that combination of different fragments dominates establishment of unique bioactivity. Identification of phenotypic fragment dominance enables design of compound classes with correctly predicted bioactivity. The results demonstrate that fusion of natural product fragments in different combinations and arrangements can provide chemically and biologically diverse pseudo-natural product classes for wider exploration of biologically relevant chemical space.

Synthesis of methanesulfone-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters

A methanesulfonylation reaction for the synthesis of sulfone-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters is described for the first time by simple treatment of indanedione-chromanone synthons with Et3N and easily accessible MsCl without any use of organometallic chemistry. This technology gave the corresponding valuable chromone-based 2-methanesulfonylated 1,3-indanediones in good yields (up to 89% yield) under mild conditions. The present work provides an attractive strategy for the construction of biologically interesting sulfone-containing tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters, which might be valuable in medicinal chemistry.

Spectroscopic and computational study of chromone derivatives with antitumor activity: detailed DFT, QTAIM and docking investigations

Theoretical investigations of three pharmaceutically active chromone derivatives, (E)-3-((2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (TPC), (E)-3-((2-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (FHM) and(E)-3-((2-(perfluorophenyl)hydrazono)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (PFH) are reported. Molecular geometries, vibrational spectra, electronic properties and molecular electrostatic potential were investigated using density functional theory. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) study shows that the maximum of ellipticity parameters in the existing bonds in TPC, FHM and PFH, attributes to the bonds involving in aromatic region points toward the π-bond interactions in the molecules. Based on energy gap (1.870, 1.649 and 1.590 eV) and electrophilicity index (20.233, 22.581 and 23.203 eV) values of TPC, FHM and PFH, we can conclude that all molecules have more biological activity. The molecular electrostatic potential maps were calculated to provide information on the chemical reactivity of the molecule and also to describe the intermolecular interactions. All these studies including docking studies, help a lot in determining the biological activities of chromone derivatives. Activities of chromone derivatives are compared with 5-fluorouracil and azathioprine (antitumor, antiproliferative standards) and were found to be higher than reference ones.

Selectfluor-triggered fluorination/cyclization of o-hydroxyarylenaminones: A facile access to 3-fluoro-chromones

A fast and efficient Selectfluor-triggered fluorination/cyclization reaction of o-hydroxyarylenaminones has been successfully developed. The reaction successfully provides an expedient method for the synthesis of 3-fluoro-chromones promoted by potassium carbonate, which shows readily available starting materials and is easy to operate. In addition, a plausible mechanism of this tandem cyclization reaction was proposed where 4 H-chromen-4-one, 2-(dimethylamino)-3,3-difluorochroman-4-one, and 3,3-difluoro-2-hydroxychroman-4-one were not found to be the reactive intermediates. Moreover, these novel compounds have been obtained in moderate to good yields, and their structures have been confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of tetrasubstituted chromanones via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate arylation using chiral pyridine-dihydroisoquinoline ligands

Highly enantioselective conjugate addition reactions of arylboronic acids to 2-substituted chromones catalyzed by palladium complexes with new chiral Pyridine-Dihydroisoquinoline (PyDHIQ) ligands have been developed. These reactions provide highly enantioselective access to chromanones containing tetrasubstituted stereocenters. Various arylboronic acids and 2-substituted chromones can be used in the catalytic reaction to afford the chiral tetrasubstituted chromanones in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities (25 examples, up to 98% yields, up to 99% ee).

In silico fight against novel coronavirus by finding chromone derivatives as inhibitor of coronavirus main proteases enzyme

Novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV is a danger to the world and is spreading rapidly. Very little structural information about 2019-nCoV make this situation more difficult for drug designing. Benzylidenechromanones, naturally occurring oxygen heterocyclic compounds, having capability to inhibit various protein and receptors, have been designed here to block mutant variety of coronavirus main protease enzyme (SARC-CoV-2 M^pro) isolated from 2019-nCoV with the assistance of molecular docking, bioinformatics and molecular electrostatic potential. (Z)-3-(4'-chlorobenzylidene)-thiochroman-4-one showed highest binding affinity to the protein. Binding of a compound to this protein actually inhibits the replication and transcription of the virus and, ultimately, stop the virus multiplication. Incorporation of any functional groups to the basic benzylidenechromanones enhances their binding ability. Chloro and bromo substitutions amplify the binding affinity. ADME studies of all these compounds indicate they are lipophilic, high gastro intestine absorbable and blood-brain barrier permeable. The outcome reveals that the investigated benzylidenechromanones can be examined in the case of 2019-nCoV as potent inhibitory drug of SARC-CoV-2 M^pro, for their strong inhibition ability, high reactivity and effective pharmacological properties.

Synthesis, computational study and cytotoxicity of 4-hydroxycoumarin-derived imines/enamines

In this study, we applied a direct condensation between 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one and different amines (anilines and benzyl amines) in order to synthesize some coumarin-based imines/enamines (3a-o) as cytotoxic agents. All the compounds were characterized by means of FT-IR, NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Since the title compounds can exist as different forms including (s-cis)-imine and (s-trans)-imine or (E and Z)-enamines, their conformational and geometrical aspects were investigated computationally by DFT method. The optimized geometry parameters, ΔE, ΔG, ΔH, Mulliken atomic charge, HOMO and LUMO energy, and NBO analysis suggested that these compounds can exist predominantly in (E)-enamine form. All the synthesized compounds (3a-o) were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and A549) and normal cell line (BEAS-2B) using the MTT assay. The 4-hydroxybenzyl derivative 3k was found to be the most potent cytotoxic agent with no selectivity, similar to doxorubicin. However, the 4-chlorobenzyl analog 3o could be considered as an equipotent compound respect to doxorubicin with higher selectivity.

Visible-Light-Promoted Cascade Radical Cyclization: Synthesis of Chroman-4-ones and Dihydroquinolin-4-ones

A novel visible-light photoredox catalysis protocol for the effective and efficient synthesis of 3-substituted chroman-4-ones and 2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-ones via tandem radical addition/cyclization of alkenyl aldehydes has been described. This reaction features a broad substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and good functional group tolerance character.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antileishmanial and Cytotoxic Activity of Benzothiopyrane Derivatives

In continuation of our efforts to identify promising antileishmanial agents based on the chroman scaffold, we synthesized several substituted 2H-thiochroman derivatives, including thiochromenes, thichromanones and hydrazones substituted in C-2 or C-3 with carbonyl or carboxyl groups. Thirty-two compounds were thus obtained, characterized, and evaluated against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (V)panamensis. Twelve compounds were active, with EC₅₀ values lower than 40 µM, but only four compounds displayed the highest antileishmanial activity, with EC₅₀ values below 10 µM; these all compounds possess a good Selectivity Index > 2.6. Although two active compounds were thiochromenes, a clear structure-activity relationship was not detected since each active compound has a different substitution pattern.

A phosphine-mediated domino sequence of salicylaldehyde with but-3-yn-2-one: rapid access to chromanone

Chromanone is a privileged structure with a wide range of unique biological activities.

Recent developments in 1,6-addition reactions of para-quinone methides (p-QMs)

In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in this rapidly growing field by summarizing the 1,6-conjugate addition and annulation reactions of p-QMs with consideration of their mechanisms and applications.

Synthesis of 2-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-ones

Simple and efficient synthesis of 2-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-ones is elaborated. The method relies on CDI-mediated cyclocondensation of substituted 4-oxochromane-2-carboxylic acids and amidoximes. The protocol allows the preparation of 2-oxadiazolylchromanones decorated with two pharmacophores (2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one and 1,2,4-oxadiazole) that are in high demand in drug discovery.

Ene reactions of 2-borylated α-methylstyrenes: a practical route to 4-methylenechromanes and derivatives

4-Methylenechromanes were prepared via a three-step process from 2-borylated α-methylstyrenes. This sequence is based on a key glyoxylate-ene reaction catalyzed by scandium(iii) triflate. The resulting γ-hydroxy boronates, which cyclise to seven-membered homologues of benzoxaborole on silica gel, were cleanly oxidized with sodium perborate, and then cyclised under Mitsunobu conditions. Additionally, several further functional transformations of 4-methylenechromanes or their precursors were carried out to illustrate the synthetic potential of these intermediates.

Crystal structures of (E)-3-(4-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)chroman-4-one and (E)-3-(3-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)-2-phenyl-chroman-4-one

The synthesis and crystal structures of (E)-3-(4-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)chroman-4-one, C16H12O3, I, and (E)-3-(3-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)-2-phenyl-chroman-4-one, C22H16O3, II, are reported. These compounds are of inter-est with respect to biological activity. Both structures display inter-molecular C-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding, forming layers in the crystal lattice. The crystal structure of compound I is consolidated by π-π inter-actions. The lipophilicity (logP) was determined as it is one of the parameters qualifying compounds as potential drugs. The logP value for compound I is associated with a larger contribution of C⋯H inter-action in the Hirshfeld surface.

Thermal-mediated [1,3]-hydrogen transfer as the key step: access to oxindole-chromone hybrid collection with structural diversity

Inspired by the chemistry and biology of chromone and oxindole derivatives, herein we report the first example of thermal-mediated [1,3]-hydrogen transfer as the key step for the efficient synthesis of oxindole-chromone hybrid collections 2, which avoids additional catalyst and solvent conditions. All the oxindole-chromones 2 are smoothly obtained in >99% yields in all cases, avoiding column chromatography purification. In particular, the products 2 can act as potential synthons for further elaboration in structural diversity, which might be valuable in organic and medicinal chemistry.

Synthesis of 3-HCF2S-Chromones through Tandem Oxa-Michael Addition and Oxidative Difluoromethylthiolation

A simple protocol for the synthesis of difluoromethylthiolated chromen-4-ones using elemental sulfur and ClCF₂CO₂Na as the difluoromethylthiolating agent is described. Three-component reactions of 2'-hydroxychalcones, ClCF₂CO₂Na, and sulfur under basic conditions using TEMPO as the oxidant afforded HCF₂S-containing 4H-chromen-4-one and 9H-thieno[3,2-b]chromen-9-one derivatives in good yield. The protocol is practical and efficient, and the starting materials are cheap and readily available.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Homoisoflavanones by Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation and Their Biological Evaluation for Antiangiogenic Activity

Neovascular eye diseases are a major cause of blindness. Excessive angiogenesis is a feature of several conditions, including wet age-related macular degeneration, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity. Development of novel antiangiogenic small molecules for the treatment of neovascular eye disease is essential to provide new therapeutic leads for these diseases. We have previously reported the therapeutic potential of anti-angiogenic homoisoflavanone derivatives with efficacy in retinal and choroidal neovascularization models, although these are racemic compounds due to the C3-stereogenic center in the molecules. This work presents asymmetric synthesis and structural determination of anti-angiogenic homoisoflavanones and pharmacological characterization of the stereoisomers. We describe an enantioselective synthesis of homoisoflavanones by virtue of ruthenium-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation accompanying dynamic kinetic resolution, providing a basis for the further development of these compounds into novel experimental therapeutics for neovascular eye diseases.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel neuchromenin analogues as potential antifungal agents

In continuation of our program to discover new potential antifungal agents, thirty-two neuchromenin analogues were synthesized and characterized by the spectroscopic analysis. By using the mycelium growth rate method, the target compounds were evaluated systematically for antifungal activities in vitro against six plant pathogenic fungi, and structure-activity relationships (SAR) were derived. Compounds 6b-c, and 6l showed obvious inhibition activity on each of the fungi at 50 μg/mL. For the corresponding fungi, 7 of the compounds showed average inhibition rates of >80% at 50 μg/mL; especially, compounds 6b, 6d-e, and 6i-l displayed more potent antifungal activity against A. solani than that of thiabendazole (a positive control). Moreover, compound 6c also exhibited good activity against C. lunata with EC₅₀ values of 12.7 μg/mL, and the value was much superior to that of thiabendazole (EC₅₀ = 59.7 μg/mL). SAR analysis showed that the presence of conjugated structure, bearing a C=C bond conjugated to the C=O group, obviously decreased the activity; the type and position of the substituted R₅ significantly influenced the activity. Furthermore, the significantly bioactive compounds 6b-e, 6g, 6i and 6l showed very low toxicities against HL-7702, BEL-7402 and HCT-8 cells. Resistance development assay indicated that compounds 6b-e and 6l failed to induce the two tested strains of fungi to develop resistance. SEM analysis initially revealed that compound 6d may exert its antifungal effect by damaging fungal cell wall.

Phenylsulfonyl piperazine bridged [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromenones as promising antiproliferative and antioxidant agents

Two series of sulfonylpiperazines linked [1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]chromenones were synthesized featuring phenyl (7a-k) and chalcone (12a-k) bridge representing flavones or homoisoflavonoids core. New molecules are synthesized utilizing aldol condensation to inspect as antioxidants against DPPH and ABTS⁺ and antiproliferative agents toward selected human cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity of new compounds was confirmed using SRB assay against non-cancer MDCK cell line. The results concluded that both individual structures of 7 and 12 were vital for modulating pharmacological potencies and presence of different electron withdrawing and electron donating functional group(s) on the phenylsulfonyl entity yielded varied biological effects. Substituent h (OCF₃) and j, k (OCH₃) were found to play a crucial role scavenging DPPH and ABTS⁺ as well as inhibiting cancer cell lines SK-OV-3 and HT-29. Moreover, molecules bearing halogen atom(s) such as substituent b-g expressed excellent inhibitory potential against HeLa and A-549 cancerous cell lines. Bioassay data displayed some interesting structure-activity relationships which are discussed in this paper. The results justified that tested derivatives are promising antioxidants and cytotoxic agents and warrant further structural optimization and bioassay studies. Spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis (CHN) were carried out to confirm the final structures.

Reversion of in vivo fibrogenesis by novel chromone scaffolds

BACKGROUND

Myofibroblasts are known to play a key role in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Two drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, are the only approved therapeutic options for IPF, but their applications are limited due to their side effects. Thus, curative IPF drugs represent a huge unmet medical need.

METHODS

A mouse hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line was established that could robustly differentiate into myofibroblasts upon treatment with TGF-β. Eupatilin was assessed in diseased human lung fibroblasts from IPF patients (DHLFs) as well as in human lung epithelial cells (HLECs). The drug's performance was extensively tested in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model (BLM). Global gene expression studies and proteome analysis were performed.

FINDINGS

Eupatilin attenuated disease severity of BLM in both preventative and therapeutic studies. The drug inhibited the in vitro transdifferantiation of DHLFs to myofibroblasts upon stimulation with TGF-β. No such induction of the in vitro transdifferantiation was observed in TGF-β treated HLECs. Specific carbons of eupatilin were essential for its anti-fibrotic activity. Eupatilin was capable of dismantling latent TGF-β complex, specifically by eliminating expression of the latent TGF-β binding protein 1 (LTBP1), in ECM upon actin depolymerization. Unlike eupatilin, pirfenidone was unable to block fibrosis of DHLFs or HSCs stimulated with TGF-β. Eupatilin attenuated phosphorylation of Smad3 by TGF-β. Eupatilin induced myofibroblasts to dedifferentiate into intermediate HCS-like cells.

INTERPRETATION

Eupatilin may act directly on pathogenic myofibroblasts, disarming them, whereas the anti-fibrotic effect of pirfenidone may be indirect. Eupatilin could increase the efficacy of IPF treatment to curative levels.