Unravelling the Metal Sensing Activity of a Biologically Relevant Fluorescent Crown Ether: A Unified Experimental and Theoretical Study

1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) are biologically active. 1,4-DHP analogs with appropriate substituents also show characteristic fluorescence activity. Here, for the first time, we report a simple and easy synthesis of a novel fluorescent 1,4- DHP derivative of dibenzo[18]-crown-6 (2), which showed promising sensing ability towards physiologically important metal ions. The covalent linking of 1,4-DHP analog with dibenzo[18]-crown-6 instigates its fluorescence activity in (2) and makes it biologically relevant. (2) shows a noteworthy enhancement of fluorescence intensity toward Fe3+ and Ba2+ in methanol medium. DFT studies revealed that metal binding by the crown ether-O atoms leads to structural rigidity, enhancing the fluorescence intensity. Interestingly, (2) shows utility in the quantitative detection of Fe3+ ions in the biological (human blood serum) and food samples.

Multicomponent synthesis of chromophores – The one-pot approach to functional π-systems

Multicomponent reactions, conducted in a domino, sequential or consecutive fashion, have not only considerably enhanced synthetic efficiency as one-pot methodology, but they have also become an enabling tool for interdisciplinary research. The highly diversity-oriented nature of the synthetic concept allows accessing huge structural and functional space. Already some decades ago this has been recognized for life sciences, in particular, lead finding and exploration in pharma and agricultural chemistry. The quest for novel functional materials has also opened the field for diversity-oriented syntheses of functional π-systems, i.e. dyes for photonic and electronic applications based on their electronic properties. This review summarizes recent developments in MCR syntheses of functional chromophores highlighting syntheses following either the framework forming scaffold approach by establishing connectivity between chromophores or the chromogenic chromophore approach by de novo formation of chromophore of interest. Both approaches warrant rapid access to molecular functional π-systems, i.e. chromophores, fluorophores, and electrophores for various applications.

Fabrication of stable solid fluorescent starch materials based on Hantzsch reaction

In this paper, a series of fluorescent starches were prepared simply and effectively by Hantzsch multi-component reaction (MRC). These materials showed bright fluorescence emission. Notably, due to the existence of polysaccharide skeleton, starch molecules can effectively inhibit the common aggregation induced quenching effect caused by the aggregation of conjugated molecules in traditional organic fluorescent materials. Meanwhile, the stability of this material is so excellent that the fluorescence emission of the dried starch derivatives would not destroy after boiling at a high temperature in some common solvents, and even brighter fluorescence can be stimulated in alkaline solution. In addition to fluorescence, starch was also endowed with hydrophobic property by one-pot method connecting long alkyl chains. Compared with native starch, the contact angle of fluorescent hydrophobic starch increased from 29° to 134°. Furthermore, the fluorescent starch can be prepared into film, gel and coating by different processing methods. The preparation of these Hantzsch fluorescent starch materials provide a new way for the functional modification of starch materials and has great application potential in detecting, anti-counterfeiting, security printing and other related fields.

Solid-state silica gel-catalyzed synthesis of fluorescent polysubstituted 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridines

We present the green, highly atom-economical, solid-state silica gel-catalyzed synthesis of polysubstituted 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridines (DHPs) from commercially available materials, amines and ethyl propiolate. The DHP skeleton was assembled by heating the reactants and silica gel in a closed vessel. Aliphatic amines provided 1,4-isomers as the main or only DHP products, but the reactions of aromatic amines yielded a mixture of 1,4- and 1,2-isomers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the formation of a 1,2-DHP structure by the reaction of an amine with propiolic ester. Addition of 1 mass percent of H₂SO₄ to silica gel shifted the product distribution to 1,4-DHP as the main or the only isomer obtained. Experimental and theoretical analyses led to the identification of two key intermediates en route to DHPs and the explanation of the observed regioisomeric ratios. 1,2-DHPs show blue-cyan fluorescence in MeOH with the quantum yield Φ = 0.10-0.22 relative to quinine sulfate Φ = 0.58 and 1,4-DHPs show blue-violet fluorescence with Φ = 0.09-0.81.

Potent and Specific Activators for Mitochondrial Sirtuins Sirt3 and Sirt5

Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent protein deacylases involved in metabolic regulation and aging-related diseases. Specific activators for seven human Sirtuin isoforms would be important chemical tools and potential therapeutic drugs. Activators have been described for Sirt1 and act via a unique N-terminal domain of this isoform. For most other Sirtuin isoforms, including mitochondrial Sirt3-5, no potent and specific activators have yet been identified. We here describe the identification and characterization of 1,4-dihydropyridine-based compounds that either act as pan Sirtuin activators or specifically stimulate Sirt3 or Sirt5. The activators bind to the Sirtuin catalytic cores independent of NAD+ and acylated peptides and stimulate turnover of peptide and protein substrates. The compounds also activate Sirt3 or Sirt5 in cellular systems regulating, e.g., apoptosis and electron transport chain. Our results provide a scaffold for potent Sirtuin activation and derivatives specific for Sirt3 and Sirt5 as an excellent basis for further drug development.

1,4-Dihydropyridine: synthetic advances, medicinal and insecticidal properties

1,4-Dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) is one of the foremost notable organic scaffolds with diverse pharmaceutical applications. This study will highlight recent accomplishments in the construction of 1,4-DHP with structural and functional modifications using multi-component one-pot and green synthetic methodologies. The various intrinsic therapeutic applications, ranging from calcium channel blocker, anti-oxidative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anticoagulants, anti-cholinesterase, neuro-protective, and other miscellaneous activities, have been summarized with a focus on their structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigations. In addition, the insecticidal properties have been collated and discussed. Researchers in the fields of medicinal chemistry and drug development will find the summarized conclusions of this study incredibly informative, instructional, and valuable.

Lessons in Organic Fluorescent Probe Discovery

Fluorescent probes have gained profound use in biotechnology, drug discovery, medical diagnostics, molecular and cell biology. The development of methods for the translation of fluorophores into fluorescent probes continues to be a robust field for medicinal chemists and chemical biologists, alike. Access to new experimental designs has enabled molecular diversification and led to the identification of new approaches to probe discovery. This review provides a synopsis of the recent lessons in modern fluorescent probe discovery.

Studies on chemoselective synthesis of 1,4- and 1,2-dihydropyridine derivatives by a Hantzsch-like reaction: a combined experimental and DFT study

In the experimental process of preparing diethyl 3,5-dicarboxylate-1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) by a Hantzsch-like reaction, it was found that a by-product named diethyl 3,5-dicarboxylate-1,2-dihydropyridine (1,2-DHP) was produced in the reaction. To discuss this phenomenon, the effects of the reaction conditions on the yield ratio of 1,4-DHP and 1,2-DHP were studied by using aromatic amines, aromatic aldehydes and ethyl propiolate as raw materials. The mechanisms for the formation of 1,4-DHP and 1,2-DHP were proposed based on the isolated intermediate named diethyl 4-((phenylamino)methylene)pent-2-enedioate generated by the Michael addition of aniline and ethyl propiolate. The transition state structures were optimized and the reaction energy barriers of intermediates in the speculated mechanisms were calculated by DFT calculations at the M062X/def2TZVP//B3LYP-D3/def-SVP level. It was found that the reaction energy barriers and dominant configurations of intermediates IM2 and IM3' are the determinants for the chemoselectivity. Together, these results demonstrate a high chemoselectivity in the synthesis of 1,4-DHPs and 1,2-DHPs by a Hantzsch-like reaction and that 1,4-DHPs and 1,2-DHPs can be easily obtained under different conditions.

Metal-free multicomponent reactions: a benign access to monocyclic six-membered N-heterocycles

The advent of multicomponent reactions in the synthesis of heterocycles and their ever burgeoning applications in drug development, materials chemistry, and catalysis, have attracted a great deal of current scientific interest. In particular, the metal-free multicomponent synthesis of six membered N-heterocycles has undergone intensive research over the last two decades offering an environmentally benevolent means contrary to traditional metal catalysed reactions. To the best of our knowledge, there exists no exclusive review on the metal-free multicomponent synthesis of six membered N-heterocyles, and hence the present report highlights the progress on metal-free multicomponent reactions with their advantages and mechanistic insights to access monocyclic six-membered N-heterocycles including pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine and their hydrogenated derivatives. The literature is covered since 2000, and the contents offer not only striking methods for divergent synthesis of six-membered N-heterocycles but also put forward some new insights into the exploration of metal-free multicomponent chemistry.

Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,4-Dihydropyridines by Oxidative NHC Catalysis

The unprecedented desymmetrization of prochiral dialdehydes catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes under oxidative conditions was applied to the highly enantioselective synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) starting from 3,5-dicarbaldehyde substrates. Synthetic elaboration of the resulting 5-formyl-1,4-DHP-3-carboxylates allowed for access to the class of pharmaceutically relevant 1,4-DHP-3,5-dicarboxylates (Hantzsch esters). DFT calculations suggested that the enantioselectivity of the process is determined by the transition state involving the oxidation of the Breslow intermediate by the external quinone oxidant.

New 1,2-Dihydropyridine-Based Fluorophores and Their Applications as Fluorescent Probes

New 1,2-dihydropyridine (1,2-DHP)-based fluorophores 1a-1h were designed and synthesized by a one-pot four-component condensation reaction using dienaminodioate, aldehydes, and an in situ-generated hydrazone mediated by trifluoroacetic acid. The photophysical properties of 1,2-DHPs were studied in detail, and a few of them exhibited selective mitochondrial staining ability in HeLa cell lines (cervical cancer cells). A detailed photophysical investigation led to the design of 1,2-DHP 1h as an optimal fluorophore suitable for its potential application as a small molecule probe in the aqueous medium. Also, 1,2-DHP 1h exhibited sixfold enhanced emission intensity than its phosphorylated analogue 1h' in the long wavelength region (λ_em ≈ 600 nm), which makes 1,2-DHP 1h' meet the requirement as a bioprobe for protein tyrosine phosphatases, shown in L6 muscle cell lysate.

Construction of 3,5-dinitrated 1,4-dihydropyridines modifiable at 1,4-positions by a reaction of β-formyl-β-nitroenamines with aldehydes

A novel and efficient method for the synthesis of 4-substituted 3,5-dinitro-1,4-dihydropyridines by a reaction of β-formyl-β-nitroenamines with aldehydes was developed.