Isatin and its derivatives: a survey of recent syntheses, reactions, and applications

N-1,2,3-Triazole-isatin derivatives: anti-proliferation effects and target identification in solid tumour cell lines

Molecular hybridization approaches have become an important strategy in medicinal chemistry, and to this end, we have developed a series of novel N-1,2,3-triazole-isatin hybrids that are promising as tumour anti-proliferative agents. Our isatin hybrids presented high cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cell line SW480, lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, as well as breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231. All tested compounds demonstrated better anti-proliferation (to 1-order of magnitude) than the cis-platin (CDDP) benchmark. In order to explore potential biological targets for these compounds, we used information from previous screenings and identified as putative targets the histone acetyltransferase P-300 (EP300) and the acyl-protein thioesterase 2 (LYPLA2), both known to be involved in epigenetic regulation. Advantageous pharmacological properties were predicted for these compounds such as good total surface area of binding to aromatic and hydrophobic units in the enzyme active site. In addition, we found down-regulation of LYPLA2 and EP300 in both the MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells treated with our inhibitors, but no significant effect was detected in normal breast cells MCF10A. We also observed upregulation of EP300 mRNA expression in the MCF10A cell line for some of these compounds and the same effect for LYPLA2 mRNA in MCF7 for one of our compounds. These results suggest an effect at the transcriptional regulation level and associated with oncological contexts.

The Anticancer Effects of the Pro-Apoptotic Benzofuran-Isatin Conjugate (5a) Are Associated With p53 Upregulation and Enhancement of Conventional Chemotherapeutic Drug Efficiency in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines

The present study aimed to investigate in-depth a cytotoxic novel benzofuran-isatin conjugate (5a, 3-methyl-N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide) with promising potential anticancer activities in colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29 and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) SW620 cell lines. Thus, the primary cell events involved in tumorigenicity, tumor development, metastasis, and chemotherapy response were explored. Both CRC cell lines were exposed to different concentrations of Compound 5a and then subjected to real-time cell viability, migration, and invasion assays, colony formation and cytotoxicity assays, and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis and apoptosis determination. Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to assess the protein and transcript expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle, and apoptosis markers. We showed that the Compound 5a treatment exhibited anticancer effects through inhibition of HT29 and SW620 cell viability, migration, and invasion, in a dose-dependent manner, which were associated with the upregulation of the tumor suppressor p53. Compound 5a also inhibited the colony formation ability of HT29 and SW620 cells and reversed EMT markers E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression. CRC cell exposure to Compound 5a resulted in a cell cycle arrest at the G1/G0 phase in HT29 cells and at the G2/M phase in SW620 cells, along with the downregulation of cyclin A1 expression, described to be involved in the S phase entry. Furthermore, Compound 5a-induced apoptosis was associated with the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl marker, upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and cytochrome c markers, and increased mitochondrial outer membrane permeability, suggesting the involvement of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway. In addition, the combination studies of Compound 5a with the main conventional chemotherapeutic drugs 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin showed a more potent cytotoxic effect in both CRC cells than a single treatment. In conclusion, our findings described the interesting in vitro anticancer properties of Compound 5a, shown to have possible antitumor, antimetastatic, and pro-apoptotic activities, with the enhancement of the cytotoxic efficiency of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. In vivo studies are requested to confirm the promising anticancer potential of Compound 5a for CRC therapy.

Design, synthesis, in silico studies, and antiproliferative evaluations of novel indolin-2-one derivatives containing 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone fragment

Keeping in view the pharmacological properties of indolinones as promising scaffold as kinase inhibitors, herein, a novel series of 3-hydrazonoindolin-2-one derivatives bearing 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone moiety were synthesized, studied by molecular docking, and fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques. All the prepared compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity attributes against a panel of tumor cell lines, including non-small cell lung cancer (A549), breast carcinoma (MCF-7), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). They displayed moderate to promising antiproliferative effects toward A549 and MCF-7 cells but remarkable results against AML and CML. Especially, compound 10k was found to be more potent against AML (EC₅₀ = 0.69 μM) compare to the other halogen-substituted derivatives. FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is known to be expressed in AML cancer cells. The molecular docking studies demonstrated that our prepared compounds were potentially bound to AML active site through essential H-bond and other vital interactions with critical binding residues.

3-Hydroxy-3-alkylindolin-2-ones: regioselective synthesis, molecular docking and nematicidal studies against Meloidogyne incognita

Regioselective nucleophilic addition of unsubstituted isatin (1) was carried out for the synthesis of pharmaceutically and to be agrochemically important 3-hydroxy-3-akylindolin-2-ones (3a-f) using discrete nucleophiles via generation of Grignard reagent. The synthesized derivatives were characterized by spectral techniques and were evaluated for nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita. The nematicidal assay revealed that 1-ethyl-3-hydroxyindolin-2-one (3a) exhibited potent nematicidal activity against M. incognita. The most active member (3a) exhibited reasonably good ovicidal (LC₅₀ = 0.077 mg/mL) and larvicidal activity (LC₅₀ = 0.058 mg/mL), respectively. In support of the nematicidal activity, molecular docking of isatin (1) and its derivatives (3a-f) was performed using three parasitic proteins viz., carboxylic ester hydrolase, cytochrome c oxidase and aspartyl protease which revealed maximum interaction with amino acid residues Tyr 356, Tyr 170, Glu 238, Glu 327, Arg 271, Arg 112, Ser 29, Ser 31, Ser 368, Asn 115, Leu 326 and His 51 which act as supporting factors for compounds to curb the parasite.

Tackling Microbial Resistance with Isatin-Decorated Thiazole Derivatives: Design, Synthesis, and in vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity

Introduction

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat that has been increasing recently, especially with antibiotic overuse and misuse. The search for new antibiotics is becoming more and more indispensable.

Methods

Design and synthesis of isatin derivatives as surrogates of SB-239629, a bacterial tyrosine-tRNA synthetases (TyrRS) inhibitor. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. Docking studies were used to investigate potential binding modes of these compounds with TyrRS.

Results and Discussion

Newly synthesized isatin-decorated thiazole derivatives (7b, 7d, and 14b) have shown potent antimicrobial activities against E. coli, a representative of gram-negative bacteria. Also, 7f showed the best activity against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, 7h and 11f were found to have antifungal activities against Candida albicans equivalent to that of the reference Nystatin. All the new isatin derivatives with antimicrobial activities were found to exhibit strong biofilm distortion effects at half their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Moreover, thiazole derivatives 11a-f showed promising biofilm formation inhibition. Finally, molecular docking studies were used to investigate possible binding modes of target compounds with S. aureus and E. coli TyrRS.

Conclusion

The novel isatin-decorated thiazole derivatives show strong antimicrobial and antifungal activities with potential action on TyrRS.

Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Heck/Aminocarbonylation of Alkene-Tethered Iodobenzenes with Nitro Compounds: Synthesis of Carbamoyl-Substituted Benzoheterocycles

A palladium-catalyzed intramolecular Heck/aminocarbonylation of alkene-tethered iodobenzenes with nitro compounds has been developed for the synthesis of carbamoyl-substituted benzoheterocycles. Using Mo(CO)₆ as a solid CO source, no external reductant or additives were needed in this procedure. Both nitroarenes and nitroalkanes were well tolerated. A range of carbamoyl-substituted dihydrobenzofurans and indolines were prepared in moderate to high yields.

Evolution of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)indoline-2-one as a scaffold for potent and selective anticancer activity

Development of targeted anticancer modalities has prompted a new era in cancer treatment that is notably different from the age of radical surgery and highly toxic chemotherapy. Behind each effective compound is a rich and complex history from first identification of chemical matter, detailed optimization, and mechanistic investigations, ultimately leading to exciting molecules for drug development. Herein we review the history and on-going journey of one such anticancer scaffold, the 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)indoline-2-ones. With humble beginnings in 19th century Bavaria, we review this scaffold's synthetic history and anticancer optimization, including its recent demonstration of tumor eradication of drug-resistant, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Compounds containing the 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)indoline-2-one pharmacophore are emerging as intriguing candidates for the treatment of cancer.

An Efficient Route to 3,3'-Biindolinylidene-diones by Iron-Catalyzed Dimerization of Isatins

Iron-catalyzed dimerization of various isatin derivatives is described for the efficient synthesis of 3,3'-biindolinylidene-diones (isoindigos). The reaction provides easy access to self-coupled and cross-coupled 3,3'-indolinylidene-diones that have high relevance to biology and materials. This Fe(0)- or Fe(II)-catalyzed dimerization reaction tolerates a wide range of functionalities, such as fluoro, chloro, bromo, alkenyl, nitrile, ether, ester, pyrrolyl, indolyl and carbazolyl groups, including cyclic and acyclic alkyls as well as an alkyl-bearing fatty-alcohol moiety. Especially, the coupling between two distinct isatins provided excellent selectivity for the cross-dimerization with trace of self-couplings. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study established the molecular structure of eight dimerized products. A preliminary mechanistic study of the Fe-catalyzed dimerization supported the radical pathway for the reaction.

Exploration of the Detailed Structure-Activity Relationships of Isatin and Their Isomers As Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is a protein with a key function in the catabolism of neuroamines in both central and peripheral parts of the body. MAO-A and -B are two isozymes of this enzyme which have emerged to be considered as a drug target for the treatment of neurodenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Isatin is an endogenous small fragment, reversible inhibitor for MAO enzymes and is more selective for MAO-B than -A. Isatin is responsible for increasing the dopamine level in the brain by the inhibition of an MAO enzyme. The very few selective and reversible inhibitors existing for MAO proteins and the intensity of neurological diseases in humanity have opened a new door for researchers. Isatin has a polypharmacological profile in medicinal chemistry, is a reversible inhibitor for both the MAOs, and shows high selectivity potent inhibition for MAO-B. In this review, we discuss isatins and their analogues phthalide and phthalimide with structure-activity relationships (SARs), and this comprehensive information accelerates the ideas for design and development of a new class of MAO inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases.

Emerging impact of triazoles as anti-tubercular agent

Tuberculosis, a disease of poverty is a communicable infection with a reasonably high mortality rate worldwide. 10 Million new cases of TB were reported with approx 1.4 million deaths in the year 2019. Due to the growing number of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant tuberculosis cases, there is a vital need to develop new and effective candidates useful to combat this deadly disease. Despite tremendous efforts to identify a mechanism-based novel antitubercular agent, only a few have entered into clinical trials in the last six decades. In recent years, triazoles have been well explored as the most valuable scaffolds in drug discovery and development. Triazole framework possesses favorable properties like hydrogen bonding, moderate dipole moment, enhanced water solubility, and also the ability to bind effectively with biomolecular targets of M. tuberculosis and therefore this scaffold displayed excellent potency against TB. This review is an endeavor to summarize an up-to-date innovation of triazole-appended hybrids during the last 10 years having potential in vitro and in vivo antitubercular activity with structure activity relationship analysis. This review may help medicinal chemists to explore the triazole scaffolds for the rational design of potent drug candidates having better efficacy, improved selectivity and minimal toxicity so that these hybrid NCEs can effectively be explored as potential lead to fight against M. tuberculosis.

A Mini Review on Isatin, an Anticancer Scaffold with Potential Activities against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Isatin, chemically an indole-1H-2,3-dione, is recognised as one of the most attractive therapeutic fragments in drug design and development. The template has turned out to be exceptionally useful for developing new anticancer scaffolds, as evidenced by the increasing number of isatin-based molecules which are either in clinical use or in trials. Apart from its promising antiproliferative properties, isatin has shown potential in treating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) not only as a parent core, but also by attenuating the activities of various pharmacophores. The objective of this mini-review is to keep readers up to date on the latest developments in the biological potential of isatin-based scaffolds, targeting cancer and NTDs such as tuberculosis, malaria, and microbial infections.

Photoinduced Chemo-, Site- and Stereoselective α-C(sp3 )-H Functionalization of Sulfides

The ubiquity of sulfur-containing molecules in biologically active natural products and pharmaceuticals has long attracted synthetic chemists to develop efficient strategies towards their synthesis. The strategy of direct α-C(sp³ )-H modification of sulfides provides a streamlining access to complex sulfur-containing molecules. Herein, we report a photoinduced chemo-, site- and stereoselective α-C(sp³ )-H functionalization of sulfides using isatins as the photoredox reagent and coupling partner catalyzed by a chiral gallium(III)-N,N'-dioxide complex. The reaction proceeds through a verified single-electron transfer (SET) mechanism with high efficiency, excellent functional group tolerance, as well as a broad substrate scope. Importantly, this cross-coupling protocol is highly selective for the direct late-stage functionalization of methionine-related peptides, regardless of the inherent structural similarity and complexity of diverse residues.

The Application of Modified SBA-15 as a Chemosensor

:

The Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA-15), with a large surface area covered with abundant Si-OH active groups on the walls of its pores, can be modified with various organic compounds to build organic-inorganic hybrid materials, which can be used as a catalyst in organic reactions, drug delivery systems, nano sorbent due to its high capacity for removing heavy metals in waste water and as chemosensors for ions. Tunable and straight channels of SBA-15 facilitate the entrance and diffusion of ions through the channels. This paper presents a review of the past five years of literature covering the application of SBA-15 as an ions chemosensor in the liquid and gaseous media.

Isatin thiazoles as antidiabetic: Synthesis, in vitro enzyme inhibitory activities, kinetics, and in silico studies

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases nowadays. Several marketed drugs are available for the cure and treatment of diabetes, but there is still a dire need of introducing compatible drug molecules with lesser side effects. The current study is based on the synthesis of isatin thiazole derivatives 4-30 via the Hantzsch reaction. The synthetic compounds were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition potential. Of 27 isatin thiazoles, five (4, 5, 10, 12, and 16) displayed good activities against the α-amylase enzyme with IC₅₀ values in the range of 22.22 ± 0.02-27.01 ± 0.06 µM, and for α-glucosidase, the IC₅₀ values of these compounds were in the range of 20.76 ± 0.17-27.76 ± 0.17 µM, respectively. The binding interactions of the active molecules within the active site of enzymes were studied with the help of molecular docking studies. In addition, kinetic studies were carried out to examine the mechanism of action of the synthetic molecules as well. Compounds 3a, 4, 5, 10, 12, and 16 were also examined for their cytotoxic effect and were found to be noncytotoxic. Thus, several molecules were identified as good antihyperglycemic agents, which can be further modified to enhance inhibition ability and to find the lead molecule that can act as a potential antidiabetic agent.

Anticancer Effects with Molecular Docking Confirmation of Newly Synthesized Isatin Sulfonamide Molecular Hybrid Derivatives against Hepatic Cancer Cell Lines

The current study investigated the cytotoxic effect of ten sulfonamide-derived isatins, following molecular hybridization, based on the association principles, on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines, compared for safety using human normal retina pigmented epithelial (RPE-1) cells. The ten compounds showed variable in vitro cytotoxicity on HepG2 and Huh7 cells, using the MTT assay. Four compounds (4/10) were highly cytotoxic to both HepG2 and HuH7. However, only 3 of these 4 were of the highest safety margin on RPE-1 cells in vitro and in the in vivo acute (14-day) oral toxicity study. These later, superior three compounds’ structures are 3-hydroxy-3-(2-oxo-2-(p-tolyl)ethyl)-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)indolin-2-one (3a), N-(4-(2-(2-oxo-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)indolin-3-ylidene)acetyl)phenyl)acetamide (4b), and N-(3-(2-(2-oxo-5-(piperidin-1-ylsulfonyl)indolin-3-ylidene)acetyl)phenyl)acetamide (4c). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the tested compounds (3a, 4b, and 4c) on HepG2 cells were approximately 16.8, 44.7, and 39.7 μM, respectively. The 3a, 4b, and 4c compounds significantly decreased the angiogenic marker epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) level and that was further confirmed via molecular docking inside the EFGR active site (PDB: 1M17). The binding free energies ranged between −19.21 and −21.74 Kcal/mol compared to Erlotinib (−25.65 Kcal/mol). The most promising compounds, 3a, 4b, and 4c, showed variable anticancer potential on “hallmarks of cancer”, significant cytotoxicity, and apoptotic anti-angiogenic and anti-invasive effects, manifested as suppression of Bcl-2, urokinase plasminogen activation, and heparanase expression in HepG2-treated cells’ lysate, compared to non-treated HepG2 cells. In conclusion, compound “3a” is highly comparable to doxorubicin regarding cell cycle arrest at G2/M, the pre-G0 phases and early and late apoptosis induction and is comparable to Erlotinib regarding binding to EGFR active site. Therefore, the current study could suggest that compound “3a” is, hopefully, the most safe and active synthesized isatin sulfonamide derivative for HCC management.

Therapeutic Outcomes of Isatin and Its Derivatives against Multiple Diseases: Recent Developments in Drug Discovery

Isatin (1H indole 2, 3-dione) is a heterocyclic, endogenous lead molecule recognized in humans and different plants. The isatin nucleus and its derivatives are owed the attention of researchers due to their diverse pharmacological activities such as anticancer, anti-TB, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anti-HIV, and so on. Many research chemists take advantage of the gentle structure of isatins, such as NH at position 1 and carbonyl functions at positions 2 and 3, for designing biologically active analogues via different approaches. Literature surveys based on reported preclinical, clinical, and patented details confirm the multitarget profile of isatin analogues and thus their importance in the field of medicinal chemistry as a potent chemotherapeutic agent. This review represents the recent development of isatin analogues possessing potential pharmacological action in the years 2016–2020. The structure–activity relationship is also discussed to provide a pharmacophoric pattern that may contribute in the future to the design and synthesis of potent and less toxic therapeutics.

Design, Synthesis of New 1,2,4-Triazole/1,3,4-Thiadiazole with Spiroindoline, Imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxaline and Thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine from Isatin Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

The current work aims to design and synthesis a new series of isatin derivatives and greatly enhances their cytotoxic activity. The derivatives 3-((bromophenyl) imino)-1-(morpholino (pyridine) methyl) indolin-2-one, 2-((oxoindoline) amino) benzoic acid, 3-(thiazolo-imino) indolinone, ethyl-2-((oxoindolin-3-ylidene)amino)-benzothiophene-3-carboxylate, 1-(oxoindoline)-benzo[4,5] thieno [2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-one, ethyl-2-(2-oxoindoline) hydrazine-1-carboxylate, N-(mercapto-oxo-pyrimidine)-2-(oxoindoline) hydrazine-1-carboxamide, N-(oxo-thiazolo[3,2-a] pyrimidine)-2-(oxoindolin-ylidene) hydrazine-carboxamide, 3-((amino-phenyl) amino)-3-hydroxy- indolinone, 3-((amino-phenyl) imino)-indolinone, 2-(2-((oxoindoline) amino) phenyl) isoindolinone, 2-(oxoindoline) hydrazine-carbothioamide, 5′-thioxospiro[indoline-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidin]-one, 5′-amino-spiro[indoline-3,2′-[1,3,4]thiadiazol]-2-one and 3-((2-thioxo-imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxaline) imino) indolinone were synthesized from the starting material 1-(morpholino (pyridine) methyl) indoline-2,3-dione and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against carcinogenic cells. The new chemical structures were evidenced using spectroscopy (IR, NMR and MS) and elemental analysis. The results show that compounds imidazo[4,5-b]quinoxaline-indolinone, thiazolopyrimidine-oxoindoline, pyrimidine-oxoindoline-hydrazine-carboxamide, spiro[indoline-3,2′-[1,3,4] thiadiazol]-one and spiro[indoline-3,3′-[1,2,4]triazolidin]-one have excellent anti-proliferative activities against different human cancer cell lines such as gastric carcinoma cells (MGC-803), breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7), nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE2) and oral carcinoma cells (KB).

New Imatinib Derivatives with Antiproliferative Activity against A549 and K562 Cancer Cells

Tyrosine kinase enzymes are among the primary molecular targets for the treatment of some human neoplasms, such as those in lung cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia. Mutations in the enzyme domain can cause resistance and new inhibitors capable of circumventing these mutations are highly desired. The objective of this work was to synthesize and evaluate the antiproliferative ability of ten new analogs that contain isatins and the phenylamino-pyrimidine pyridine (PAPP) skeleton, the main pharmacophore group of imatinib. The 1,2,3-triazole core was used as a spacer in the derivatives through a click chemistry reaction and gave good yields. All the analogs were tested against A549 and K562 cells, lung cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell lines, respectively. In A549 cells, the 3,3-difluorinated compound (3a), the 5-chloro-3,3-difluorinated compound (3c) and the 5-bromo-3,3-difluorinated compound (3d) showed IC₅₀ values of 7.2, 6.4, and 7.3 μM, respectively, and were all more potent than imatinib (IC₅₀ of 65.4 μM). In K562 cells, the 3,3-difluoro-5-methylated compound (3b) decreased cell viability to 57.5% and, at 10 µM, showed an IC₅₀ value of 35.8 μM (imatinib, IC₅₀ = 0.08 μM). The results suggest that 3a, 3c, and 3d can be used as prototypes for the development of more potent and selective derivatives against lung cancer.

DNA-Compatible Diversification of Indole π-Activated Alcohols via a Direct Dehydrative Coupling Strategy

Indole-based diversification is highly desired in the DNA-encoded chemical library construction. Herein, we present a general strategy for on-DNA synthesis of diverse C3-functionalized indole derivatives via indole π-activated alcohol formation followed by direct dehydrative coupling. Highly efficient bond linkages of C-C, C-N, and C-S were achieved to fuse building blocks that are widely commercially available. DNA-encoding compatibility of the method has been further demonstrated to pave an avenue for application in constructing indole-focused three-dimensional libraries.

Isatin derivatives as broad-spectrum antiviral agents: the current landscape

In recent decades, several viruses have resulted in large outbreaks with serious health, economic and social consequences. The current unprecedented outbreak of the new coronavirus, SARS-COV-2, necessitates intensive efforts for delivering effective therapies to eradicate such a deadly virus. Isatin is an opulent heterocycle that has been proven to provide tremendous opportunities in the area of drug discovery. Over the last fifty years, suitably functionalized isatin has shown remarkable and broad-spectrum antiviral properties. The review herein is an attempt to compile all of the reported information about the antiviral activity of isatin derivatives with an emphasis on their structure-activity relationships (SARs) along with mechanistic and molecular modeling studies. In this regard, we are confident that the review will afford the scientific community a valuable platform to generate more potent and cost-effective antiviral therapies based on isatin templates.

Synthesis, solid state self-assembly driven by antiparallel π⋯π stacking and {⋯H-C-C-F}2 dimer synthons, and in vitro acetyl cholinesterase inhibition activity of phenoxy pendant isatins

A series of novel phenoxy pendant isatins PI1-12 have been synthesized in excellent yields by a simple nucleophilic substitution reaction involving isatins and 1-(2-bromoethoxy)-4-substituted benzenes, and characterized by their FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and GC-MS data, and in the case of PI4 by its single crystal X-ray analysis. The solid-state structure of PI4 showed an intriguing and unique 1D-supramolecular chain-based self-assembled structure, the driving force of which is mainly the strong antiparallel π⋯π stacking and {⋯H-C-C-F}₂ dimer synthons. This compound not only highlights the potential of the isatin moiety in forming strong antiparallel π⋯π stacking interactions but also provides a platform to have considerable insight into the nature, strength and directionality of much debated π-π and C-H⋯F-C interactions. The in vitro biological studies revealed that three phenoxy pendant isatins PI1, PI2 and PI4 are highly potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase enzyme with IC₅₀ values of 0.52 ± 0.073 μg ml^-1, 0.72 ± 0.012 μg ml^-1 and 0.68 ± 0.011 μg ml^-1, respectively, showing comparable activity to the standard drug, donepezil (IC₅₀ = 0.73 ± 0.015 μg ml^-1). A simple and efficient synthesis of phenoxy pendant isatins PI1-12 from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials, and their high potential of acetyl cholinesterase inhibition provide an attractive opportunity to find more effective medication for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Synthesis and biological evaluation of isatin oxime ether-tethered aryl 1H-1,2,3-triazoles as inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A series of isatin oxime ether-tethered aryl 1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrids were synthesized and screened for their in vitro antitubercular activity against the M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain.

Gold-coated iron oxide core–shell nanostructures for the oxidation of indoles and the synthesis of uracil-derived spirooxindoles

Synthesis of isatins and uracil-based spirooxindoles catalysed by Au/Fe3O4 core–shell nanoparticles under mild conditions and low reaction times.

Phenoxy pendant isatins as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors: reciprocal carbonyl⋯carbonyl interactions, antiparallel π⋯π stacking driven solid state self-assembly and biological evaluation

Carbonyl–carbonyl (CO⋯CO) interactions are recently explored noncovalent interactions of significant interest owing to their role in the stability of biomacromolecules. Currently, substantial efforts are being made to understand the nature of these interactions. In this study, twelve phenoxy pendant isatins 1–12 have been evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory potential in addition to the analysis of X-ray single crystals of 4 and 9. Both compounds 4 and 9 showed intriguing and unique self-assembled structures. The CO⋯CO and antiparallel displaced π⋯π stacking interactions are mainly involved in the formation of 1D-stair like supramolecular chains of 4 whereas antiparallel π⋯π stacking interactions drive the formation of 1D-columnar stacks of 9. These compounds not only highlight the potential of the isatin moiety in forming strong CO⋯CO and antiparallel π⋯π stacking interactions but also are interesting models to provide considerable insight into the nature of these interactions. The in vitro biological studies revealed that all twelve phenoxy pendant isatins 1–12 are highly potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase enzyme with IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.32 ± 0.17 to 150.13 ± 0.62 μM, showing many fold more potent activity than the standard drug, acarbose (IC₅₀ = 873.34 ± 1.67). Easy access and high α-glucosidase inhibition potential of these phenoxy pendant isatins 1–12 provide an attractive platform for finding more effective medication for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia.

Carbonyl–carbonyl (CO⋯CO) interactions are recently explored noncovalent interactions of significant interest owing to their role in the stability of biomacromolecules.

Alkylation of Isatins with Trichloroacetimidates

N-Alkylation of isatins can be achieved utilizing trichloroacetimidate electrophiles and a Lewis acid catalyst. These reactions provide access to N-alkyl isatins, versatile scaffolds which are often employed in the synthesis...

Nickel-Catalyzed Arylcarbamoylation of Alkenes of N-(o-Iodoaryl)acrylamides with Nitroarenes via Reductive Aminocarbonylation: Facile Synthesis of Carbamoyl-Substituted Oxindoles

Nickel-catalyzed arylcarbamoylation reactions of alkenes of N-(o-haloaryl)acrylamides with CO and nitroarenes via reductive aminocarbonylation to produce carbamoyl-substituted oxindoles with an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center are presented. Starting with N-(o-haloaryl)acrylamides, simple CO, and inexpensive nitroarenes and using a Ni catalyst, a dinitrogen-based ligand, a Zn reductant, a TMSCl additive, and a base system, this protocol enables the synthesis of various carbamoyl-substituted oxindoles and allows the efficient late-stage derivatization of valuable molecules.

Ugi Reaction Synthesis of Oxindole-Lactam Hybrids as Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Molecular hybridization is a valuable approach in drug discovery. Combining it with multicomponent reactions is highly desirable, since structurally diverse libraries can be attained efficiently in an eco-friendly manner. In this work, isatin is used as the key building block for the Ugi 4-center 3-component reaction synthesis of oxindole-lactam hybrids, under catalyst-free conditions. The resulting oxindole-β-lactam and oxindole-γ-lactam hybrids were evaluated for their potential to inhibit relevant central nervous system targets, namely cholinesterases and monoamine oxidases. Druglikeness evaluation was also performed, and compounds 4eca and 5dab exhibited great potential as selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors, at the low micromolar range, with an interesting predictive pharmacokinetic profile. Our findings herein reported suggest oxindole-lactam hybrids as new potential agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The Ligand Free Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Regioselective 1,2-Addition of Enol Silanes to Quinones to Access 4-Hydroxy-4-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)cyclohexadien-1-ones and Synthetic Applications

In contrast to the conventional 1,4-addition process, regioselective 1,2-addition of silyl enol ethers to quinones can now be achieved via a palladium(II) enolate pathway that provides access to 4-hydroxy-4-(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one derivatives. This quinone alkylation protocol proceeds under mild reaction conditions at ambient temperature under open air and does not require either an external ligand for the palladium or the use of a base. Additionally, the cyclohexadienone products have been exploited as synthetic precursors for the construction of fused heteroaryl systems.

Isatin-hydrazide conjugates as potent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors: Synthesis, structure and invitro evaluations

Managing diabetes that is a global life-threatening problem, remains a challenge for the scientific community. The inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes which are responsible for the digestion of dietary carbohydrates is an effective strategy to control postprandial hyperglycemia. Herein, we report the novel and highly potent inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, namely isatin-hydrazide conjugates 1a - 1j that are easily accessed in two steps from simple and inexpensive commercially available isatin. The in vitro bio-evaluations of these compounds revealed that conjugates 1a, 1h and 1f are highly potent inhibitors of α-amylase with IC₅₀ values of 19.6, 12.1 and 18.3 µg/ml, respectively as compared to the standard, acarbose (IC₅₀ = 36.2 µg/ml). Similarly, the conjugates 1a, 1b, 1d, 1f and 1i showed significant activity against α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ values of 14.8, 25.6, 13.2, 14.5 and 16.5 µg/ml, respectively as compared to the acarbose (IC₅₀ = 34.5 µg/ml). Notably, the compounds 1a and 1f were found to be highly potent against both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, demonstrating about two-fold better inhibitory activity than the reference inhibitor. Molecular docking studies were performed to recognize the possible binding modes of the compounds with the active pocket of the enzymes. The results of this study divulge the potential of these compounds as powerful and inexpensive lead molecules for future investigations.