Heterocyclic N-Oxides - An Emerging Class of Therapeutic Agents

Computational Study of Selected Amine and Lactam N-Oxides Including Comparisons of N-O Bond Dissociation Enthalpies with Those of Pyridine N-Oxides

A computational study of the structures and energetics of amine N-oxides, including pyridine N-oxides, trimethylamine N-oxide, bridgehead bicyclic amine N-oxides, and lactam N-oxides, allowed comparisons with published experimental data. Most of the computations employed the B3LYP/6-31G* and M06/6-311G+(d,p) models and comparisons were also made between the results of the HF 6-31G*, B3LYP/6-31G**, B3PW91/6-31G*, B3PW91/6-31G**, and the B3PW91/6-311G+(d,p) models. The range of calculated N-O bond dissociation energies (BDE) (actually enthalpies) was about 40 kcal/mol. Of particular interest was the BDE difference between pyridine N-oxide (PNO) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Published thermochemical and computational (HF 6-31G*) data suggest that the BDE of PNO was only about 2 kcal/mol greater than that of TMAO. The higher IR frequency for N-O stretch in PNO and its shorter N-O bond length suggest a greater difference in BDE values, predicted at 10–14 kcal/mol in the present work. Determination of the enthalpy of sublimation of TMAO, or at least the enthalpy of fusion and estimation of the enthalpy of vaporization might solve this dichotomy. The “extra” resonance stabilization in pyridine N-oxide relative to pyridine was consistent with the 10–14 kcal/mol increase in BDE, relative to TMAO, and was about half the “extra” stabilization in phenoxide, relative to phenol or benzene. Comparison of pyridine N-oxide with its acyclic model nitrone (“Dewar-Breslow model”) indicated aromaticity slightly less than that of pyridine.

Isoquinolinequinone N-oxides as anticancer agents effective against drug resistant cell lines

The isoquinolinequinone (IQQ) pharmacophore is a privileged framework in known cytotoxic natural product families, caulibugulones and mansouramycins. Exploiting both families as a chemical starting point, we report on the structured development of an IQQ N-oxide anticancer framework which exhibits growth inhibition in the nM range across melanoma, ovarian and leukaemia cancer cell lines. A new lead compound (16, R6 = benzyl, R7 = H) exhibits nM GI50 values against 31/57 human tumour cell lines screened as part of the NCI60 panel and shows activity against doxorubicin resistant tumour cell lines. An electrochemical study highlights a correlation between electropositivity of the IQQ N-oxide framework and cytotoxicity. Adduct binding to sulfur based biological nucleophiles glutathione and cysteine was observed in vitro. This new framework possesses significant anticancer potential.

Repurposing Kir6/SUR2 Channel Activator Minoxidil to Arrests Growth of Gynecologic Cancers

Gynecologic cancers are among the most lethal cancers found in women, and, advanced stage cancers are still a treatment challenge. Ion channels are known to contribute to cellular homeostasis in all cells and mounting evidence indicates that ion channels could be considered potential therapeutic targets against cancer. Nevertheless, the pharmacologic effect of targeting ion channels in cancer is still understudied. We found that the expression of Kir6.2/SUR2 potassium channel is a potential favorable prognostic factor in gynecologic cancers. Also, pharmacological stimulation of the Kir6.2/SUR2 channel activity with the selective activator molecule minoxidil arrests tumor growth in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Investigation on the mechanism linking the Kir6.2/SUR2 to tumor growth revealed that minoxidil alters the metabolic and oxidative state of cancer cells by producing mitochondrial disruption and extensive DNA damage. Consequently, application of minoxidil results in activation of a caspase-3 independent cell death pathway. Our data show that repurposing of FDA approved K⁺ channel activators may represent a novel, safe adjuvant therapeutic approach to traditional chemotherapy for the treatment of gynecologic cancers.

Molecular recognition of pyrazine N,N'-dioxide using aryl extended calix[4]pyrroles

Calix[4]pyrrole (C4P)-based systems have been extensively explored as binding agents for anions and ion pairs. However, their capacity to act as molecular containers for neutral species remains underexplored. We report here the molecular recognition of pyrazine N,N'-dioxide (PZDO) using a series of aryl extended C4Ps including three α,α-diaryl substituted C4Ps (receptors 1-3), an α,β-diaryl substituted C4P (receptor 4) and an α,α,α,α-tetraaryl substituted C4P (receptor 5). Single crystal structural analyses of the 2 : 1 host-guest complexes between receptors 1-3 and PZDO revealed that the C4P subunits exist in an unusual partial cone conformation and that the PZDO guest is held within electron-rich cavities formed by the lower rims of the individual C4P macrocycle. In contrast, receptor 5 was seen to adopt the cone conformation in the solid state, allowing one PZDO molecule to be accommodated inside the upper-rim cavity. Evidence for guest-directed self-assembly is also seen in the solid state. Evidence for C4P-PZDO interactions in CD3CN/CD3OD solution came from 1H NMR spectroscopic titrations. Electrostatic potential maps created by means of density functional theory calculations were constructed. Density functional theory calculations were also performed to analyse the energetics of various limiting binding modes. On the basis of these studies, it is inferred that interactions between the 'two-wall' C4P derivatives (i.e. receptors 1-4) and PZDO involve a complex binding mode that differs from what has been seen in previous host-guest complexes formed between C4Ps and N-oxides. The present study thus paves the way for the further design of C4P-based receptors with novel recognition features.

Designing an Artificial Pathway for the Biosynthesis of a Novel Phenazine N-Oxide in Pseudomonas chlororaphis HT66

Aromatic N-oxides are valuable due to their versatile chemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. Natural phenazine N-oxides possess potent biological activities and can be applied in many ways; however, few N-oxides have been identified. Herein, we developed a microbial system to synthesize phenazine N-oxides via an artificial pathway. First, the N-monooxygenase NaphzNO1 was predicted and screened in Nocardiopsis sp. 13-12-13 through a product comparison and gene sequencing. Subsequently, according to similarities in the chemical structures of substrates, an artificial pathway for the synthesis of a phenazine N-oxide in Pseudomonas chlororaphis HT66 was designed and established using three heterologous enzymes, a monooxygenase (PhzS) from P. aeruginosa PAO1, a monooxygenase (PhzO) from P. chlororaphis GP72, and the N-monooxygenase NaphzNO1. A novel phenazine derivative, 1-hydroxyphenazine N'10-oxide, was obtained in an engineered strain, P. chlororaphis HT66-SN. The phenazine N-monooxygenase NaphzNO1 was identified by metabolically engineering the phenazine-producing platform P. chlororaphis HT66. Moreover, the function of NaphzNO1, which can catalyze the conversion of 1-hydroxyphenazine but not that of 2-hydroxyphenazine, was confirmed in vitro. Additionally, 1-hydroxyphenazine N'10-oxide demonstrated substantial cytotoxic activity against two human cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and HT-29. Furthermore, the highest microbial production of 1-hydroxyphenazine N'10-oxide to date was achieved at 143.4 mg/L in the metabolically engineered strain P3-SN. These findings demonstrate that P. chlororaphis HT66 has the potential to be engineered as a platform for phenazine-modifying gene identification and derivative production. The present study also provides a promising alternative for the sustainable synthesis of aromatic N-oxides with unique chemical structures by N-monooxygenase.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Flowers to Inhibit Proliferation of Acute and Chronic Primary Human Leukemia Cells, with Adipocyte Differentiation and in Silico Analysis of Interactions between Survivin Protein and Selected Secondary Metabolites

Although the antidiabetic efficacy of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis flowers has been reported, antiproliferative and anti-obesity activities are yet to be explored. We examined the anti-obesity and antiproliferative potentials of different fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol) of N. abor-tristis flower extract for the first time using 3T3-L1 cells, primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from healthy and adult acute myeloid (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, recombinant Jurkat T cells, and MCF7 cell lines. The in vitro hypoglycemic activity was evaluated using the inhibition of α-amylase enzyme and glucose uptake by yeast cells. The percentage glucose uptake and α-amylase inhibitory activity increased in a dose-dependent manner in the crude and the tested fractions (hexane and ethyl acetate). Inhibition of the 3T3-L1 cells’ differentiation was observed in the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions, followed by the hexane fraction. Antiproliferative analyses revealed that Nyctanthes exerted a high specific activity against anti-AML and anti-CLL PBMC cells, especially by the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis indicated the presence of 1-heptacosanol (hexane fraction), 1-octadecene (hexane and chloroform fractions), and other organic compounds. Molecular docking demonstrated that phenol,2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) and 4-hydroxypyridine 1-oxide compounds showed specificity toward survivin protein, indicating the feasibility of N. abor-tristis in developing new drug leads against leukemia.

Heteroaromatic N-Oxides in Asymmetric Catalysis: A Review

An increasing interest in the synthesis and use of optically active pyridine N-oxides as chiral controllers for asymmetric reactions has been observed in the last few years. Chiral heteroaromatic N-oxides can work as powerful electron-pair donors, providing suitable electronic environments in the transition state formed within the reaction. The nucleophilicity of the oxygen atom in N-oxides, coupled with a high affinity of silicon to oxygen, represent ideal properties for the development of synthetic methodology based on nucleophilic activation of organosilicon reagents. The application of chiral N-oxides as efficient organocatalysts in allylation, propargylation, allenylation, and ring-opening of meso-epoxides, as well as chiral ligands for metal complexes catalyzing Michael addition or nitroaldol reaction, can also be found in the literature. This review deals with stereoselective applications of N-oxides, and how the differentiating properties are correlated with their structure. It contains more recent results, covering approximately the last ten years. All the reported examples have been divided into five classes, according to the chirality elements present in their basic molecular frameworks.

The direct C–H alkenylation of quinoline N-oxides as a suitable strategy for the synthesis of promising antiparasitic drugs

This review highlights the direct C–H alkenylation of quinoline N-oxides covering the metal-free and transition-metal catalysed protocols, and the regioselectivity during the synthesis of antiparasitic drugs based on quinoline scaffold.

I2-Promoted [4 + 2] cycloaddition of in situ generated azoalkenes with enaminones: facile and efficient synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridazines and pyridazines

A facile and efficient strategy for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridazines and pyridazines through I2-promoted [4 + 2] cycloaddition of in situ generated azoalkenes with enaminones has been developed. The switch in selectivity is attributed to the judicious choice of different reaction temperatures. The key features of this work include controllable and selective synthesis, good functional group tolerance, good to excellent reaction yields, metal/base-free conditions, and also applicability to one-pot methodology.

Ambient access to a new family of pyrrole-fused pyrazine nitrones via 2-carbonyl-N-allenylpyrroles

The chemo-, regio- and stereoselective synthesis of pyrrole-fused pyrazine nitrones via the direct reaction of 2-carbonyl-N-allenylpyrroles (readily accessible from the corresponding NH-pyrroles) with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride has been developed.

Metabolism by Aldehyde Oxidase: Drug Design and Complementary Approaches to Challenges in Drug Discovery

Aldehyde oxidase (AO) catalyzes oxidations of azaheterocycles and aldehydes, amide hydrolysis, and diverse reductions. AO substrates are rare among marketed drugs, and many candidates failed due to poor pharmacokinetics, interspecies differences, and adverse effects. As most issues arise from complex and poorly understood AO biology, an effective solution is to stop or decrease AO metabolism. This perspective focuses on rational drug design approaches to modulate AO-mediated metabolism in drug discovery. AO biological aspects are also covered, as they are complementary to chemical design and important when selecting the experimental system for risk assessment. The authors' recommendation is an early consideration of AO-mediated metabolism supported by computational and in vitro experimental methods but not an automatic avoidance of AO structural flags, many of which are versatile and valuable building blocks. Preferably, consideration of AO-mediated metabolism should be part of the multiparametric drug optimization process, with the goal to improve overall drug-like properties.

Current Advances in the Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pharmacologically Relevant 1,2,4,5-Tetrasubstituted-1H-Imidazole Derivatives

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In recent years, the synthesis and evaluation of the biological properties of 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted-1H-imidazole derivatives have been the subject of a large number of studies by academia and industry. In these studies it has been shown that this large and highly differentiated class of heteroarene derivatives includes high valuable compounds having important biological and pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, antifibrotic, antiuricemic, antidiabetic, antileishmanial and antiulcer activities.

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The present review with 411 references, in which we focused on the literature data published mainly from 2011 to 2017, aims to update the readers on the recent developments on the synthesis and biological evaluation of pharmacologically relevant 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted-1H-imidazole derivatives with an emphasis on their different molecular targets and their potential use as drugs to treat various types of diseases. Reference was also made to substantial literature data acquired before 2011 in this burgeoning research area.

A dynamic and electrostatic potential prediction of the prototropic tautomerism between imidazole 3-oxide and 1-hydroxyimidazole in external electric field

In order to obtain an optimum scheme for separating the proton-transfer tautomer, a dynamic investigation into the effect of the external electric field on the proton-transfer tautomeric conversion in imidazole 3-oxide and 1-hydroxyimidazole was carried out at the M06-2X/6-311++G** and CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,p) level, accompanied by the analysis of the surface electrostatic potentials. The results show that, for both the forward reaction "imidazole 3-oxide → N-hydroxyimidazole free radical → 1-hydroxyimidazole" and its reverse reaction processes, the fields parallel to the N→O or N-OH bond axis affect the barrier heights and rate constants considerably more than those parallel to the other orientations. As the field strength is increased along the orientation from the O to N atom, the chemical equilibrium moves toward the direction for the formation of 1-hydroxyimidazole, while the amount of imidazole 3-oxide is increased with the increased field strength along the opposite orientation. In the fields along the orientation consistent with the dipole moment, the electrostatic potentials and their variances "abnormally" increase for the transition states with the N→O bond in comparison with those in no field (they decrease generally), which enhances the nucleophilicity of the coordination O atom and the electrophilicity of the activated H atom. The analyses of the AIM (atoms in molecules) and NICS (nucleus-independent chemical shift) were used to explain the above anomaly. Graphical Abstract Electrostatic potentials and their variances "abnormally" increase in the external electric field, which greatly affects tautomeric conversion.

Stereoselective Synthesis of Atropisomeric Bipyridine N,N'-Dioxides by Oxidative Coupling

Bipyridine N,N'-dioxide is a structural fragment found in many bioactive compounds. Furthermore, chiral analogues secured their place as powerful Lewis base catalysts. The scope of the existing methods for the synthesis of atropisomeric bipyridine N,N'-dioxides is limited. Herein, we present a practical, highly chemo- and stereoselective method for oxidative dimerization of chiral pyridine N-oxides using O₂ as a terminal oxidant. A series of 13 axially chiral bipyridine N,N'-dioxides were synthesized in up to 75% yield.

Tailoring a Soluble Diiron Monooxygenase for Synthesis of Aromatic N-oxides

The aromatic N-oxides have received increased attention over the last few years due to their potential application in medicine, agriculture and organic chemistry. As a green alternative in their synthesis, the biocatalytic method employing whole cells of Escherichia coli bearing phenol monooxygenase like protein PmlABCDEF (from here on – PML monooxygenase) has been introduced. In this work, site-directed mutagenesis was used to study the contributions of active site neighboring residues I106, A113, G109, F181, F200, F209 to the regiospecificity of N-oxidation. Based on chromogenic indole oxidation screening, a collection of PML mutants with altered catalytic properties was created. Among the tested mutants, the A113G variant acquired the most distinguishable N-oxidations capacity. This new variant of PML was able to produce dioxides (quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine-1,4-dioxide) and specific mono-N-oxides (2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine-1-oxide) that were unachievable using the wild type PML. This mutant also featured reshaped regioselectivity as N-oxidation shifted towards quinazoline-1-oxide compared to quinazoline-3-oxide that is produced by the wild type PML.

Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic 6-Endo-Trig Cyclization of β,γ-Unsaturated Hydrazones for the Divergent Synthesis of Dihydropyridazines and Pyridazines

A divergent synthetic strategy to 1,6-dihydropyridazines and pyridazines through Cu(II)-catalyzed controllable aerobic 6-endo-trig cyclization was developed. The selectivity can be rationally tuned via the judicious choice of reaction solvent. It was found that the 1,6-dihydropyridazines were obtained in moderate to high yields with CH₃CN as the reaction solvent, whereas employment of AcOH directly afforded pyridazines in up to 92% yields, probably arising from the oxidation of the in situ generated 1,6-dihydropyridazines.

Accessing Multiple Classes of 2 H-Indazoles: Mechanistic Implications for the Cadogan and Davis-Beirut Reactions

The Cadogan cyclization is a robust but harsh method for the synthesis of 2 H-indazoles, a valuable class of nitrogen heterocycles. Although nitrene generation by exhaustive deoxygenation is widely accepted as the operating mechanism in the reductive cyclization of nitroaromatics, non-nitrene pathways have only been theorized previously. Here, 2 H-indazole N-oxides were synthesized through an interrupted Cadogan/Davis-Beirut reaction and are presented as direct evidence of competent oxygenated intermediates; mechanistic implications for both reactions are discussed. Isolation and characterization of these N-oxides enabled a formal Cadogan cyclization at room temperature for 2 H-indazole synthesis.

Asymmetric Mannich Reaction: Synthesis of Novel Chiral 5-(substituted aryl)-1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives with Anti-Plant-Virus Potency

A series of novel chiral 5-(substituted aryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives was synthesized in an enantioselective three-component Mannich reaction using cinchona alkaloid squaramide catalyst with excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% enantiomeric excess (ee)). The bioassay results showed that these derivatives possessed good to excellent activities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Mequindox induces apoptosis, DNA damage, and carcinogenicity in Wistar rats

Mequindox (MEQ) is a synthetic antibacterial agent. Recent studies showed that MEQ and its primary metabolites exhibit strong genotoxicity to mammalian cells, and MEQ induced carcinogenicity in mice. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to MEQ could lead to an increased risk of cancer later in life. In the present study, four groups of Wistar rats (55 rats/sex/group) were fed with diets containing MEQ (0, 25, 55, and 110 mg/kg) for 2 years. The results showed that the hematological system, liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands, as well as the developmental and reproductive systems, were the main targets for MEQ. Liver toxicity mediated by MEQ was associated with apoptosis and the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In addition, MEQ increased the incidence of tumors in rats. Phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) is identified as a biomarker of cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Our data demonstrated that γ-H2AX expression was significantly increased in tumors. Thus, high levels of DSB might be responsible for carcinogenesis in rats, and further investigation is absolutely required to clarify the exact molecular mechanisms for carcinogenicity caused by MEQ in vivo.

Extending (Q)SARs to incorporate proprietary knowledge for regulatory purposes: is aromatic N-oxide a structural alert for predicting DNA-reactive mutagenicity?

(Quantitative) structure-activity relationship or (Q)SAR predictions of DNA-reactive mutagenicity are important to support both the design of new chemicals and the assessment of impurities, degradants, metabolites, extractables and leachables, as well as existing chemicals. Aromatic N-oxides represent a class of compounds that are often considered alerting for mutagenicity yet the scientific rationale of this structural alert is not clear and has been questioned. Because aromatic N-oxide-containing compounds may be encountered as impurities, degradants and metabolites, it is important to accurately predict mutagenicity of this chemical class. This article analysed a series of publicly available aromatic N-oxide data in search of supporting information. The article also used a previously developed structure-activity relationship (SAR) fingerprint methodology where a series of aromatic N-oxide substructures was generated and matched against public and proprietary databases, including pharmaceutical data. An assessment of the number of mutagenic and non-mutagenic compounds matching each substructure across all sources was used to understand whether the general class or any specific subclasses appear to lead to mutagenicity. This analysis resulted in a downgrade of the general aromatic N-oxide alert. However, it was determined there were enough public and proprietary data to assign the quindioxin and related chemicals as well as benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole 1-oxide subclasses as alerts. The overall results of this analysis were incorporated into Leadscope's expert-rule-based model to enhance its predictive accuracy.

Direct N-O bond formation via oxidation of amines with benzoyl peroxide

Herein, we report a general and efficient method for direct N-O bond formation without undesirable C-N bond (amide) formation starting from commercially available amines and benzoyl peroxide. The oxidation of 1,2-diamines to furnish bis-(benzoyloxy)-1,2-diamines is reported for the first time. We found that a significant amount of water (BPO : water = 3 : 1) in combination with Cs2CO3 is necessary to achieve high selectivity and yield. The reaction conditions are applicable to a wide range of 1,2-diamine and 1,2-disubstituted-1,2-diamine substrates. Additionally this method is highly applicable to primary and secondary amines. Further, the present method can access chiral bis-hydroxamic acids and bis-hydroxyl amines in just two steps from 1,2-diamines. The reaction conditions are simple, mild and inert atmosphere free. The synthetic potential of this methodology is further demonstrated in the short synthesis of a chiral BHA ligand.

Direct Functionalization of C(sp2)-H Bond in Nonaromatic Azaheterocycles: Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling (CDC) of 2H-Imidazole 1-Oxides with Pyrroles and Thiophenes

The C(sp²)-H bond functionalization methodology was first applied to carry out the palladium-catalyzed oxidative C-H/C-H coupling reactions of 2H-imidazole 1-oxides with pyrroles and thiophenes. As a result, a number of novel 5-heteroarylated 2H-imidazole 1-oxides, which are of particular interest in the design of bioactive molecules and advanced materials, have been synthesized in yields up to 78%. The detailed H/D-exchange experiments have also been performed to elucidate some mechanistic features of this cross-dehydrogenative coupling process.

Simple and scalable electrochemical synthesis of 2,1-benzisoxazoles and quinoline N-oxides

At carbon electrodes in a scalable electrosynthetic way to two classes of useful heterocycles.

Copper-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling between quinazoline-3-oxides and indoles

A novel and simple protocol for the synthesis of 4-(indole-3-yl)quinazolines via cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinazoline-3-oxides and indoles under an air atmosphere has been developed.

Discovery of phenylsulfonylfuroxan derivatives as gamma globin inducers by histone acetylation

N-oxide derivatives 5(a-b), 8(a-b), and 11(a-c) were designed, synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo as potential drugs that are able to ameliorate sickle cell disease (SCD) symptoms. All of the compounds demonstrated the capacity to releasing nitric oxide at different levels ranging from 0.8 to 30.1%, in vivo analgesic activity and ability to reduce TNF-α levels in the supernatants of monocyte cultures. The most active compound (8b) protected 50.1% against acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions, while dipyrone, which was used as a control only protected 35%. Compounds 8a and 8b inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation by 84% and 76.1%, respectively. Both compounds increased γ-globin in K562 cells at 100 μM. The mechanisms involved in the γ-globin increase are related to the acetylation of histones H3 and H4 that is induced by these compounds. In vitro, the most promising compound (8b) was not cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic.

Selective Heteroaryl N-Oxidation of Amine-Containing Molecules

The first examples of nonenzymatic N-oxidation of heteroarenes in the presence of amines are reported. Pyridine, quinoline, and isoquinoline N-oxides are selectively formed in the presence of more reactive aliphatic and alicyclic amines by use of an in situ protonation strategy and an iminium salt organocatalyst. Application to late-stage functionalization that mimics phase 1 metabolism of small-molecule drugs is also demonstrated.

2-Chloro-4-nitropyridine N-oxide

In the title compound, C5H3ClN2O3 (systematic name: 2-chloro-4-nitropyridin-1-ium-1-olate), the nitro group is essentially coplanar with the aromatic ring, with a twist angle of 6.48 (8)°. The molecular packing exhibits a herringbone pattern with the zigzag running along the b axis; here, there are no short contacts, hydrogen bonds, or π–π interactions.

Organic dye-photocatalyzed fluoroalkylation of heteroarene-N-oxide derivatives

A direct C_Het–H perfluoroalkylation reaction of heteroaromatic-N-oxides has been achieved. Acid-catalyzed transformation of the perfluoroalkylated-N-oxides leads to 2-(perfluoroalkyl)benzo[f][1,3]oxazepines. De-oxygenation of the perfluoroalkylated heteroaromatic-N-oxides affords a regioselective radical perfluoroalkylation protocol.

Double-strand cleavage of DNA by a polyamide-phenazine-di-N-oxide conjugate

Phenazine and its derivatives have been widely applied as nucleic acid cleavage agents due to active oxygen activating the C-H bond of the substrate. However, diffusion of oxygen radicals limits their potential applications in the DNA-targeted metal-free drug. Introduction of groove binder moiety such as polyamide enhanced the regional stability of radical molecules and reduced cytotoxicity of the drugs. In this work, we described the design and synthesis of a polyamide-modified phenazine-di-N-oxide as a DNA double-strand cleavage agent. The gel assays showed the hybrid conjugates can effectively break DNA double strands in a non-random manner under physiological conditions. The probable binding mode to DNA was investigated by sufficient spectral experiments, revealing weak interaction between hybrid ligand and nucleic acid molecules. The results of our study have implications on the design of groove-binding hybrid molecules as new artificial nucleases and may provide a strategy for developing efficient and safe DNA cleavage reagents.

The octet rule in chemical space: generating virtual molecules

We present a generator of virtual molecules that selects valid chemistry on the basis of the octet rule. Also, we introduce a mesomer group key that allows a fast detection of duplicates in the generated structures. Compared to existing approaches, our model is simpler and faster, generates new chemistry and avoids invalid chemistry. Its versatility is illustrated by the correct generation of molecules containing third-row elements and a surprisingly adept handling of complex boron chemistry. Without any empirical parameters, our model is designed to be valid also in unexplored regions of chemical space. One first unexpected finding is the high prevalence of dipolar structures among generated molecules.

T. Vo A, Tristan A, Carreño L, Quijada M, Nguyen VT, Perry G, Larionov OV, Lleonart R, Fernández PL. Identification of Inhibitors of CD36-Amyloid Beta Binding as Potential Agents for Alzheimer's Disease

Neuroinflammation is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Amyloid β has a central role in microglia activation and the subsequent secretion of inflammatory mediators that are associated with neuronal toxicity. The recognition of amyloid β by microglia depends on the expression of several receptors implicated in the clearance of amyloid and in cell activation. CD36 receptor expressed on microglia interacts with fibrils of amyloid inducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines and amyloid internalization. The interruption of the interaction CD36-amyloid β compromises the activation of microglia cells. We have developed and validated a new colorimetric assay to identify potential inhibitors of the binding of amyloid β to CD36. We have found seven molecules, structural analogues of the Trichodermamide family of natural products that interfere with the interaction CD36-amyloid β. By combining molecular docking and dynamics simulations, we suggested the second fatty acids binding site within the large luminal hydrophobic tunnel, present in the extracellular domain of CD36, as the binding pocket of these compounds. Free energy calculations predicted the nonpolar component as the driving force for the binding of these inhibitors. These molecules also inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β by peritoneal macrophages stimulated with fibrils of amyloid β. This work serves as a platform for the identification of new potential anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Effects of N-Oxidation on Heteroaromatic Macrocycles: Synthesis, Electronic Structures, Spectral Properties, and Reactivities of Tetraazaporphyrin meso-N-Oxides

Heteroaromatic N-oxides such as pyridine and quinoline N-oxides are well studied in organic chemistry, and N-oxide formation has long been utilized for tuning the reactivities of heteroaromatics. However, the scope of aromatic N-oxidation is still restricted to relatively small azine or azole skeletons, and there has been little investigation of the photophysical/chemical effects of N-oxidation on larger heteroaromatic systems. Here, the synthesis and unique properties of new macrocyclic heteroaromatic N-oxides, tetraazaporphyrin (TAP) meso-N-oxides, are reported. N-Oxidation of TAP reduced the 18π-aromaticity of the TAP ring compared with that of the parent TAP owing to the cross-conjugated resonance structure. The optical properties of TAPs were significantly changed by N-oxidation: the N-oxides did not exhibit azaporphyrin-like but instead porphyrin-like optical properties, that is, weak Q absorption bands, strong Soret absorption bands, and weak fluorescence. These features can be explained by the near-degenerate frontier molecular orbitals resulting from N-oxide formation. Singlet oxygen quantum yields were greatly increased to almost quantitative levels by N-oxidation. The N-oxides showed near-IR-responsive photoredox properties and were suitable as both oxidants and sensitizers for oxidation reactions. Protonation of the N-oxides restored TAP-like intense Q bands and red fluorescence, offering a potential design strategy for fluorescence switches.

Insights into the structural patterns of the antileishmanial activity of bi- and tricyclic N-heterocycles

The influence of various structural patterns in a series of novel bi- and tricyclic N-heterocycles on the activity against Leishmania major and Leishmania panamensis has been studied and compounds that are active in the low micromolar region have been identified. Both quinolines and tetrahydrooxazinoindoles (TOI) proved to have significant antileishmanial activities, while substituted indoles were inactive. We have also showed that a chloroquine analogue induces Leishmania killing by modulating macrophage activation.

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of 3-(Substituted)-2-(4-oxo-2-phenylquinazolin-3(4H)-ylamino)quinazolin-4(3H)-one

A series of novel 3-(substituted)-2-(substituted quinazolinylamino)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized by the reaction of 3-(substituted)-2-hydrazino-quinazoline-4(3H)-ones with 2-phenyl-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one. The starting materials 3-(substituted)-2-hydrazino-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized from various primary amines by a multistep synthesis. All the title compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity using ciprofloxacin as reference standard. Compounds 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-oxo-2-phenylquinazolin-3(4H)-ylamino)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (9a) and 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-oxo-2-phenylquinazolin-3(4H)-ylamino)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (9h) emerged as the most active compounds of the series. These compounds have shown most potent antibacterial activity against the tested organisms of Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis having zone of inhibition values of 1.1 cm and 1.4 cm for compound 9a 1.2 cm and 1.0 cm for compound 9h, respectively.

The Biological Fight Against Pathogenic Bacteria and Protozoa

The animal gastrointestinal tract is a tube with two open ends; hence, from the microbial point of view it constitutes an open system, as opposed to the circulatory system that must be a tightly closed microbial-free environment. In particular, the human intestine spans ca. 200 m² and represents a massive absorptive surface composed of a layer of epithelial cells as well as a paracellular barrier. The permeability of this paracellular barrier is regulated by transmembrane proteins known as claudins that play a critical role in tight junctions.

Recent Advances in the C-H-Functionalization of the Distal Positions in Pyridines and Quinolines

This review summarizes recent developments in the C-H-functionalization of the distal positions of pyridines, quinolines and related azaheterocycles. While the functionalization of the C2 position has been known for a long time and is facilitated by the proximity to N1, regioselective reactions in the distal positions are more difficult to achieve and have only emerged in the last decade. Recent advances in the transition metal-catalyzed distal C-H-functionalization of these synthetically-important azaheterocycles are discussed in detail, with the focus on the scope, site-selectivity and mechanistic aspects of the reactions.