Total Syntheses of Ningalin A, Lamellarin O, Lukianol A, and Permethyl Storniamide A Utilizing Heterocyclic Azadiene Diels−Alder Reactions

Complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments and Z/E-stereoconfiguration determination of isomers of 1,4-diketone derivatives

Complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments and Z/E-stereoconfiguration determination for a series of new isomers of 1,4-diketone derivatives obtained via self-sorting tandem reaction were accomplished by means of one- and two-dimentional NMR experiments including 1H, 13C, gCOSY, gHSQC, gHMBC, and NOESY.

A simple approach to the synthesis of highly functionalized 3-alkylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-ol derivatives and related pyrroles

The reaction of various primary amines with acetylenic esters at ambient temperature in THF/H(2)O (50:50) produced related enaminones. Subsequently reaction of these in situ prepared enaminones with dibenzoylacetylene leads to 3-alkylidene-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-ol derivatives in good yields. The reaction of these products with various alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of HCl produced highly functionalized pyrroles in nearly quantitative yields.

Cascade Synthesis of Polyoxygenated 6H,11H-[2]Benzopyrano-[4,3-c][1]benzopyran-11-ones

2-(methoxymethoxymethyl)aryllead triacetates, obtained in situ from the corresponding arylboronic acids, reacted with 4-hydroxycoumarins, leading to 3-(2-methoxymethoxymethyl)aryl-4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives in good to high yields. These compounds underwent a cascade sequence of reactions, deprotection-halogenation-annulation, to afford polyoxygenated tetracyclic 6H,11H-[2]benzopyrano-[4,3-c] [1]benzopyran-11-ones in good yields. Some compounds showed a moderate cytotoxicity against human epithelial mammary HBL100 cells.

Synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles via a multimetal-catalyzed rearrangement-condensation-cyclization domino approach

[reaction: see text] In a convenient one-pot process, easily accessed propargyl vinyl ethers and aromatic amines are effectively converted into tetra- and pentasubstituted 5-methylpyrroles which can further be transformed into 5-formylpyrroles via IBX-mediated oxidation. The cascade reaction proceeds through a silver(I)-catalyzed propargyl-Claisen rearrangement, an amine condensation, and a gold(I)-catalyzed 5-exo-dig heterocyclization.

Reaction of Allenyl Esters with Sodium Azide: An Efficient Synthesis of E-Vinyl Azides and Polysubstituted Pyrroles

The nucleophilic addition of sodium azide to 1,2-allenyl esters can generate vinyl azides in excellent yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivities. Moreover, pyrroles are synthesized using 1-allyllic 1,2-allenyl esters as substrates in t-BuOH at 65 degrees C. The sequential reaction for pyrroles is developed on the basis of a novel domino process involving nucleophilic addition, cycloaddition, denitrogenation, and aromatization.

Direct Synthesis of Pyrroles from Imines, Alkynes, and Acid Chlorides: An Isocyanide-Mediated Reaction

[reaction: see text] A direct synthesis of pyrroles from imines, acid chlorides, and alkynes mediated by isocyanides is reported. This reaction proceeds with a range of each of these three substrates, providing a method to generate families of pyrroles in high yield. Mechanistic studies suggest this process proceeds via the generation of imino analogues of munchnones, which can undergo in situ coupling with alkynes to liberate isocyanate and form the pyrrole product.

Mechanistic Borderline between One-Step Hydrogen Transfer and Sequential Transfers of Electron and Proton in Reactions of NADH Analogues with Triplet Excited States of Tetrazines and Ru(bpy)32+*

Efficient energy transfer from Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, denotes the excited state) to 3,6-disubstituted tetrazines [R(2)Tz: R = Ph (Ph(2)Tz), 2-chlorophenyl [(ClPh)(2)Tz], 2-pyridyl (Py(2)Tz)] occurs to yield the triplet excited states of tetrazines ((3)R(2)Tz(*)), which have longer lifetimes and higher oxidizing ability as compared with those of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+). The dynamics of hydrogen-transfer reactions from NADH (dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) analogues has been examined in detail using (3)R(2)Tz(*) by laser flash photolysis measurements. Whether formal hydrogen transfer from NADH analogues to (3)R(2)Tz(*) proceeds via a one-step process or sequential electron and proton transfer processes is changed by a subtle difference in the electron donor ability and the deprotonation reactivity of the radical cations of NADH analogues as well as the electron-acceptor ability of (3)R(2)Tz(*) and the protonation reactivity of R(2)Tz(*)(-). In the case of (3)Ph(2)Tz(*), which is a weaker electron acceptor than the other tetrazine derivatives [(ClPh)(2)Tz; Py(2)Tz], direct one-step hydrogen transfer occurs from 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrH(2)) to (3)Ph(2)Tz(*) without formation of the radical cation (AcrH(2)(*)(+)). The rate constant of the direct hydrogen transfer from AcrH(2) to (3)Ph(2)Tz(*) is larger than that expected from the Gibbs energy relation for the rate constants of electron transfer from various electron donors to (3)Ph(2)Tz(*), exhibiting the primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect. On the other hand, hydrogen transfer from 9-isopropyl-10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrHPr(i)) and 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) to (3)R(2)Tz(*) occurs via sequential electron and proton transfer processes, when both the radical cations and deprotonated radicals of NADH analogues are detected by the laser flash photolysis measurements.

Two novel 1,2,4,5-tetrazines that participate in inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reactions with an unexpected regioselectivity

[reaction: see text] Two new unsymmetrical 1,2,4,5-tetrazines, 3-methylsulfinyl-6-methylthio-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (4) and 3-(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino-6-methylsulfinyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (5), were prepared, and the scope of their participation in intermolecular inverse electron demand Diels-Alder reactions was defined. As anticipated, sulfoxides 4 and 5 (4 > 5) display a reactivity that is substantially greater than that of their corresponding sulfides (2 and 3), being derived from their enhanced electron-deficient character and resulting in a wider range of potential dienophile choices or the use of milder reaction conditions. The cycloaddition reactions were expectedly regioselective, typically producing a single cycloadduct, ensuring their synthetic utility, but both were found to proceed with a regioselectivity opposite what would be anticipated and complementary to that observed with 2 and 3.

Efficient Pyrrole Synthesis Using Double Nucleophilic Addition to α,β-Unsaturated Imines with Plural Nucleophiles

[reaction: see text] 2,3,5-Trisubstituted pyrroles were prepared in a regioselective manner using the double nucleophilic addition of alpha,alpha-dialkoxy ketene silyl acetals and ketene sily thioacetals or trimethylsilyl cyanide to alpha,beta-unsaturated imines followed by acid-promoted cyclization and oxidation with DDQ. Using this methodology an imidazole glycerol phosphate dehydratase inhibitor (IGPDI) possessing a monopyrrole aldehyde moiety was synthesized.

Preparation and characterization of novel pyrrol-3-ones attached to α/β-amino acids, esters and amides

Various alpha/beta amino acid derivatives 5 were attached to compounds 3 to yield 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-ones amino acids derivatives 6. This rare heterocyclic amino acid skeleton including the pyrrolo[1,2-b][1,3]oxazol moiety was also successfully prepared in the esteric form. The structure of the new compounds was characterized by spectroscopic methods.

Ring-Opening Cyclization of Alkylidenecyclopropyl Ketones with Amines. An Efficient Synthesis of 2,3,4-Trisubstituted Pyrroles

An efficient synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyrroles via intermolecular cyclization of alkylidenecyclopropyl ketones with amines was observed. The addition of anhydrous MgSO4 improved the yields of the products 3. A possible mechanism involving the distal cleavage of the C-C bond of cyclopropane ring was proposed.

Domino metal-free allene-β-lactam-based access to functionalized pyrroles

A novel transition metal-free domino reaction sequence in allene-beta-lactams, leading to the biologically relevant pyrrole frame has been developed using a sodium methoxide-methanol system.

Remarkable oxidizing ability of triplet excited states of tetrazines produced by photosensitization with Ru(bpy)32+

An efficient energy transfer from Ru(bpy)3(2+)* (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, * denotes the excited state) to tetrazines occurs to yield the triplet excited states of tetrazines, which have much longer lifetimes and higher oxidizing ability as compared with those of Ru(bpy)3(2+)*.

Total synthesis of ningalin D

A concise (nine-step) and effective (19% overall yield) total synthesis of ningalin D (1a) is disclosed and is based on a key 1,2,4,5-tetrazine --> 1,2-diazine --> pyrrole Diels-Alder strategy to assemble a fully substituted pyrrole core central to its structure. Additional highlights of the synthesis include a double Dieckmann condensation to introduce the C and D aryl rings enlisting substituents judiciously placed on the dienophile and intrinsic to the widely used tetrazine 2, a highly effective Suzuki coupling of the resulting C and D phenol triflates for introduction of the sterically demanding F and G aryl rings, and an unusually effective formal oxidative decarboxylation reaction cascade initiated by a Curtius rearrangement to directly provide the biphenylene quinone methide found imbedded in the structure of ningalin D. The cytotoxic and multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal activity of ningalin D, its derivatives, and the key synthetic intermediates are detailed.

Selective partial reduction of various heteroaromatic compounds with bridgehead nitrogen via Birch reduction protocol

[reaction: see text] For the first time various heteroaromatic compounds with bridgehead nitrogen, including indolizines, bispyrrolopyrimidines, pyrroloquinolines, pyrroloisoquinolines, and bispyrrolopyrazines, were selectively partially reduced under Birch reduction conditions. It was found that the double bond in the fused heterocycles which possesses the highest LUMO density can be selectively reduced under these conditions. Indolizine 6, containing an ester group at C-6, was reductively alkylated to give dihydroindolizines 8 and 9 possessing a quaternary carbon center in good yield. It was found that ambident substrate 12, under Birch reduction conditions, underwent smooth partial reduction to give 4,5-dihydroquinoline 14 as a sole product with no evidence of reduction of the side chain olefin. It was also shown that electron-rich pyrroloisoquinoline 15, which cannot be reduced via catalytic hydrogenation conditions, was efficiently transformed into its dihydrocounterpart 16 by using the Birch reduction protocol. Finally, it was shown that various fused diazines were smoothly and stereoselectively reduced under Birch reduction conditions to give trans-4,5-disubstituted dihydropyrimidines 30 and 32 in virtually quantitative yields.

Study on Photochromism of Diarylethenes with a 2,5-Dihydropyrrole Bridging Unit: A Convenient Preparation of 3,4-Diarylpyrroles from 3,4-Diaryl-2,5-dihydropyrroles

Symmetric and nonsymmetric diarylethenes with a 2,5-dihydropyrrole bridging unit have been prepared, and the photochromic properties are investigated. Both symmetric and nonsymmetric diarylethenes with 2,5-dihydropyrrole bridging units undergo reversible ring-opening and ring-closing photoisomerization reactions in nonpolar solvents with UV/vis light, and some of them exhibit good fatigue resistance and no marked degradation detected after 10 cycles via an on/off switch. In polar solvents, however, photochromic diarylethenes with 2,5-dihydropyrrole bridging units produce 3,4-diarylpyrrole derivatives instead of the ring-closing isomer of diarylethenes with UV light irradiation. A class of N-substituted 3,4-diphenylethenes with 2,5-dihydropyrrole bridging units were prepared and used as templates to investigate the conversion reactions. The mechanism of photoconversion of 3,4-diaryl-2,5-dihydropyrroles to 3,4-diarylpyrroles was explored as well.

Potent reversal of multidrug resistance by ningalins and its use in drug combinations against human colon carcinoma xenograft in nude mice

PURPOSE

To evaluate the pharmacological properties and the possible therapeutic applications of a series of synthetic marine natural product analogs, ningalins (N1-N6), in terms of cytotoxicity, MDR-reversing activity, and enhancement of drug combinations with antitumor agents in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

XTT assays, [3H]azidopine binding to P-glycoprotein (Pgp), cellular accumulation and efflux of labeled drugs were carried out in vitro. Drug combinations using combination index, dose-reduction index, and isobologram were performed in vitro and enhancement of efficacy in drug combinations against human colon carcinoma HCT-116 xenografts were conducted with nude mice.

RESULTS

N3 at sub-IC50 cytotoxic concentration (10 microM) was capable of enhancing vinblastine (VBL) cytotoxicity toward human leukemic CCRF-CEM cells about 50,000-fold as measured by the decrease of IC50 of VBL. For CCRF-CEM/VBL1000 (1,500-fold resistant to VBL and overexpressing Pgp), N3 and N5 enhanced VBL cytotoxicity as much as 6.2 million-fold and 210,000-fold, respectively. Moreover, N3 and N5 collaterally made CCRF-CEM/VBL1000 cells 4,000-fold and 130-fold, respectively, more susceptible to VBL than the parent CCRF-CEM cells. In human mammary carcinoma cells MX-1/paclitaxel which were 170-fold resistant to taxol and 38-fold resistant to VBL, N3 was capable of enhancing VBL effect as much as 6,000-fold. Combination therapy on murine P388/doxorubicin (DX) leukemia with DX+N3 or taxol+N3 achieved greater efficacy than the therapy with each drug alone. Impressively, nude mice, bearing human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells, treated with a suboptimal dosage of taxol in combination with N3, N5 or N6 led to shrinkage of established tumor and achieved total tumor remission, while taxol alone had no tumor disappearance in this xenograft model. Furthermore, the enhancement of antitumor effect by ningalins, at least in parts, are due to inhibiting Pgp which was supported by the observation that the ningalins compete for [3H]azidopine binding to Pgp, increase the cellular accumulation of VBL or taxol, and inhibit drug efflux from the tumor cells.

CONCLUSION

The profound enhancement of antitumor cytotoxicity of vinblastine and taxol in vitro by ningalins may have multiple mechanisms including the MDR-reversing effects. The mechanisms for collateral sensitivity by ningalins against sensitive (parent) cells are not yet clear. The marked enhancement of therapeutic effect of taxol by ningalins against xenograft tumors in nude mice suggests potential applications of therapeutic use of ningalins.

Multidrug resistance reversal activity of permethyl ningalin B amide derivatives

A series of amide derivatives of permethyl ningalin B were prepared and examined as multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal agents illustrating that the C5 carboxylate is widely tolerant of such derivatization.

Lamellarin D: a novel pro-apoptotic agent from marine origin insensitive to P-glycoprotein-mediated drug efflux

Lamellarin D (LAM-D) is a marine alkaloid endowed with potent cytotoxic activities against various tumor cells, in particular human prostate cancer cells and leukemia cells. Its cytotoxic action is dependent, at least in part, to its capacity to inhibit topoisomerase I. P388CPT5 murine leukemia cells resistant to the reference topoisomerase I poison camptothecin (CPT) are cross-resistant to LAM-D but the relative resistance index (RRI) is significantly reduced with LAM-D (RRI=21) compared to CPT (RRI=103). To comprehend further the mechanism of action of this novel marine antitumor agent, we have investigated the influence of the P glycoprotein (Pgp) on the cytotoxicity of LAM-D and the proapoptotic effects induced by the alkaloid. P388CPT5 cells, expressing a mutated top1 gene, display a functional Pgp, as judged from cytometry experiments performed with cells treated with rhodamine 123 or calcein-ester whereas no Pgp activity was detected with the parental P388 cells. P388CPT5 cells are also cross-resistant to the topoisomerase II poisons doxorubicin and etoposide but the resistance is abolished in the presence of verapamil or quinine (at non toxic concentrations) which reverse the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. In contrast, the RRI measured with LAM-D and CPT remain unchanged in the presence of the two MDR reversal agents. The effects of LAM-D on the cell cycle progression were different in the parental P388 cells compared with the CPT-resistant which were blocked in the S and subsequently G2-M phases of the cell cycle. Cytometry experiments with the JC-1 fluorescent marker revealed that LAM-D and CPT promoted apoptosis in parental P388 cells via an activation of the mitochondrial pathway. In contrast, a massive depolarisation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and a nuclear fragmentation were detected only with LAM-D on P388CPT5 cells. This in vitro work identifies LAM-D as a potent pro-apoptotic agent and its cytotoxic action is fully maintained in multidrug-resistant cells compared to the sensitive parental cell line.

Heterocyclic α-Alkylidene Cyclopentenones Obtained via a Pauson−Khand Reaction of Amino Acid Derived Allenynes. A Scope and Limitation Study Directed toward the Preparation of a Tricyclic Pyrrole Library

The synthesis of a novel class of tricyclic pyrroles has been accomplished by using a Pauson-Khand/Stetter/Paal-Knorr reaction sequence. Full details of the Pauson-Khand reaction of amino acid tethered allenynes 4a-e and 9a-d are disclosed. The study of this reaction led to the discovery of an unprecedented substituent effect on the diastereoselectivity of the Mo(CO)6 mediated allenic Pauson-Khand reaction. It was found that amino acid tethered allenynes with aromatic side chains afford alpha-alkylidene cyclopentenones with the opposite diastereoselectivity compared to those with aliphatic side chains. This effect has been attributed to complexation of the metal mediator to the aromatic ring in the substrate. Furthermore, an isomerization of one of the diastereomers of the alpha-alkylidene cyclopentenones was encountered, leading to eventual decomposition. The stable diastereomers were found to react well in the Stetter reaction leading to 1,4-diketones that were converted to pyrroles. The observation that the first generation of 2-alkyl-substituted pyrroles was unstable led to a second generation of 2-carboxamide pyrroles with sufficient stability for biological tests which are in progress.

A Novel One-Pot Synthesis of Some New Interesting Pyrrole Derivatives

[reaction: see text] 11-(1H-Pyrrol-1-yl)-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline and 3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)indolin-2-one derivatives have been synthesized in good yields in a novel, one-pot, and efficient process by condensation of 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one or isatin derivatives with 4-hydroxyproline on solid-support montmorillonite K10 under microwave irradiation.