Synthetic Route to 4,4a- and 3,4-Dihydroxanthones through [4+2] Cycloaddition and Base-Assisted Sigmatropic Rearrangement

Design, Synthesis, and Antiproliferative Activity of Benzopyran-4-One-Isoxazole Hybrid Compounds

The biological significance of benzopyran-4-ones as cytotoxic agents against multi-drug resistant cancer cell lines and isoxazoles as anti-inflammatory agents in cellular assays prompted us to design and synthesize their hybrid compounds and explore their antiproliferative activity against a panel of six cancer cell lines and two normal cell lines. Compounds 5a-d displayed significant antiproliferative activities against all the cancer cell lines tested, and IC₅₀ values were in the range of 5.2-22.2 μM against MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, while they were minimally cytotoxic to the HEK-293 and LLC-PK1 normal cell lines. The IC₅₀ values of 5a-d against normal HEK-293 cells were in the range of 102.4-293.2 μM. Compound 5a was screened for kinase inhibitory activity, proteolytic human serum stability, and apoptotic activity. The compound was found inactive towards different kinases, while it completely degraded after 2 h of incubation with human serum. At 5 μM concentration, it induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 by 50.8%. Overall, these findings suggest that new benzopyran-4-one-isoxazole hybrid compounds, particularly 5a-d, are selective anticancer agents, potentially safe for human cells, and could be synthesized at low cost. Additionally, Compound 5a exhibits potential anticancer activity mediated via inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis.

Asymmetric Organocatalyzed Cascade Reactions─Merging the pseudo-Halogen and Halogen Effect with Dienamine Catalysis

The combination of asymmetric organocatalysis with the (pseudo)-halogen effect enables the formation of chiral norcarane scaffolds in high yields and selectivities (up to 92% yield, >99% ee, and >95:5 d.r.). This was achieved by reacting (pseudo)-halogenated 3-vinyl chromones with in situ generated chiral dienamines in an inverse electron demand [4 + 2] cycloaddition followed by an intramolecular S_N2 reaction. These scaffolds could easily undergo photoinduced rearrangements or lactonization to form intricate chiral ring structures.

A Flexible Synthetic Approach to Fluorescent Chromeno[4,3-b]pyridines and Pyrano[3,2-c]chromenes from Electron-Deficient 3-Vinylchromones

We report a flexible approach to the synthesis of phenanthrene-like heterocycles through organocatalytic ANRORC (Addition of the Nucleophile, Ring Opening, and Ring Closure) reaction of electron-deficient 3-vinylchromones with cyanoacetamide. Addition of highly basic DBU (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene) or tetramethylguanidine (TMG) at 80 °C leads to chromeno[4,3-b]pyridines in good yields, whereas Et3 N at 20 °C made it possible to obtain the less accessible pyrano[3,2-c]chromenes and their 2-imines. The synthesis proceeds in mild conditions (EtOH, 20-80 °C), is versatile and applicable for a wide scope of reactants. The obtained compounds show bright fluorescence in the range 460-595 nm with high quantum yields (up to 0.84) in various solvents (MeCN, DMSO, EtOH, H2 O).

Synthesis and Reactivity of Electron-Deficient 3-Vinylchromones

The reported methods and data for the synthesis and reactivity of electron-deficient 3-vinylchromones containing electron-withdrawing­ groups at the exo-cyclic double bond are summarized and systematized for the first time. The main methods for obtaining these compounds are Knoevenagel condensation, Wittig reaction, and palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings. The most important chemical properties are transformations under the action of mono- and dinucleophiles, ambiphilic cyclizations, and cycloaddition reactions. The cross-conjugated and polyelectrophilic dienone system in 3-vinylchromones provides their high reactivity and makes these compounds valuable building blocks for the preparation of more complex heterocyclic systems. Chemical transformations of 3-vinylchromones usually begin with an attack of the C-2 atom and are accompanied by the opening of the pyrone ring followed by recyclization, in which the carbonyl group of chromone, an exo-double bond or a substituent on it can take part. The mechanisms of the reactions are discussed, the conditions for their implementation are described, and the yields of the resulting products are given. This review focuses on an analysis and generalization of the knowledge that has accumulated on the chemistry of electron-deficient 3-vinylchromones, mostly over the past 15 years.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of 3-Vinylchromones

3 Reactions with Mononucleophiles

4 Reactions with Dinucleophiles

5 Ambiphilic Cyclization

6 Cycloaddition Reactions

7 Other Reactions

8 Conclusion

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 1,2-dihydroxanthones enabled by one-pot Claisen condensation/cyclization reactions

A mild, efficient method for the synthesis of 1,2-dihydroxanthones by a one-pot reaction was developed under waste-induced relay catalysis.