Synthesis of Structurally Diverse Benzotriazoles via Rapid Diazotization and Intramolecular Cyclization of 1,2-Aryldiamines

Fluorescent α-amino acids via Heck-Matsuda reactions of phenylalanine-derived arenediazonium salts

The Heck-Matsuda coupling reaction of arenediazonium salts derived from L-phenylalanine with various alkenes has been developed. A two-step process involving the preparation of a tetrafluoroborate diazonium salt from a 4-aminophenylalanine derivative, followed by a palladium(0)-catalysed Heck-Matsuda coupling reaction allowed access to a range of unnatural α-amino acids with cinnamate, vinylsulfone and stilbene side-chains. Analysis of the photophysical properties of these unnatural α-amino acids demonstrated that the (E)-stilbene analogues exhibited fluorescent properties with red-shifted absorption and emission spectra and larger quantum yields than L-phenylalanine.

Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of Alkynyl- and Alkenyl-Fused Benzotriazole-Derived α-Amino Acids

Fluorescent unnatural α-amino acids are widely used as probes in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry. While a variety of structural classes have been developed, there is still a requirement for new environmentally sensitive analogues that can closely mimic proteinogenic α-amino acids. Here, we report the synthesis and fluorescent properties of highly conjugated, benzotriazole-derived α-amino acids designed to mimic l-tryptophan. Alkynyl-substituted analogues were prepared using three key steps, nucleophilic aromatic substitution with a 3-aminoalanine derivative, benzotriazole formation via a one-pot diazotization and cyclization process, and a Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. E-Alkenyl-substituted benzotriazoles were accessed by stereoselective partial hydrogenation of the alkynes using zinc iodide and palladium catalysis. The alkynyl analogues were found to possess higher quantum yields and stronger brightness and, a solvatochromic study with the most fluorogenic α-amino acids demonstrated sensitivity to polarity.

Synthesis, spectral characterization, and theoretical investigation of the photovoltaic properties of (E)-6-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)diazenyl)-2-octyl-benzoisoquinoline-1, 3-dione

This research work focuses on the synthesis, characterization through spectra (FT-IR, UV-vis, and ¹H-NMR) investigations, and the use of density functional theory (DFT) along with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) to investigate the electronic, structural, reactivity, photophysical properties, and the photovoltaic properties of a novel (E)-6-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)diazenyl)-2-octyl-benzoisoquinoline-1,3-dione. The structure of the synthesized compound was modeled using the Gaussian09W and GaussView6.0.16 softwares employing B3LYP and 6-31 + G(d) basis set. The DFT studies was performed in order to investigate the Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), charge distribution, Nonlinear Optics (NLO), and stability of the titled molecule. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap which corresponds to the difference between HOMO and LUMO energies of the studied compound was found to be 2.806 eV indicating stiff and smooth nature of the titled molecule. This accounts for the less stability and high chemical reactivity of the compound. The photovoltaic properties were conducted to evaluate the light harvesting efficiency (LHE), short circuit current density (J_SC), Gibbs free energy of injection ([Formula: see text]), open cycled voltage (V_OC) and Gibbs free energy regeneration ([Formula: see text]) and solar cell conversion efficiency. Interestingly, the results obtained were found to be in good agreement with other experimental and computational findings.

Highly Stable Univalent Copper of a Cu@Al/SBA-15 Nanocomposite Catalyzes the Synthesis of Fluorescent Aminobenzotriazoles Derivatives

With the development of green chemistry, it is still a challenge to maintain the unstable valence state of the metal in heterogeneous catalysts and realize new catalytic synthesis methods. In this paper, it is reported that an univalent copper nanocomposite (Cu@Al/SBA-15) can efficiently catalyze the formation of novel amino-containing benzotriazoles with great fluorescence properties in a new synthetic strategy. Subsequently, its application is further verified by an acylation reaction to produce a series of novel benzotriazoles derivatives with high yield. It is worth noting that the Cu@Al/SBA-15 nanocomposites not only enable the reaction completed with high yield in a short time, but can also be recycled many times without a significant reduction in activity, and the leaching of copper and aluminum species in reaction system is negligible. Finally, the detailed and feasible reaction mechanism is also provided.

One-pot synthesis of N-substituted benzannulated triazoles via stable arene diazonium salts

A mild and effective one-pot synthesis of 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-ones and benzothiatriazine-1,1(2H)-dioxide analogues has been developed. The method involves the diazotisation and subsequent cyclisation of 2-aminobenzamides and 2-aminobenzenesulfonamides via stable diazonium salts, prepared using a polymer-supported nitrite reagent and p-tosic acid. The transformation was compatible with a wide range of aryl functional groups and amide/sulfonamide-substituents and was used for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important targets. The synthetic utility of the one-pot diazotisaton-cyclisation process was further demonstrated with the preparation of an α-amino acid containing 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one.

A comprehensive assessment of a new series of 5',6'-difluorobenzotriazole-acrylonitrile derivatives as microtubule targeting agents (MTAs)

Microtubules (MTs) are the principal target for drugs acting against mitosis. These compounds, called microtubule targeting agents (MTAs), cause a mitotic arrest during G2/M phase, subsequently inducing cell apoptosis. MTAs could be classified in two groups: microtubule stabilising agents (MSAs) and microtubule destabilising agents (MDAs). In this paper we present a new series of (E) (Z)-2-(5,6-difluoro-(1H)2H-benzo[d] [1,2,3]triazol-1(2)-yl)-3-(R)acrylonitrile (9a-j, 10e, 11a,b) and (E)-2-(1H-benzo[d] [1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)-3-(R)acrylonitrile derivatives (13d,j), which were recognised to act as MTAs agents. They were rationally designed, synthesised, characterised and subjected to different biological assessments. Computational docking was carried out in order to investigate the potential binding to the colchicine-binding site on tubulin. From this first prediction, the di-fluoro substitution seemed to be beneficial for the binding affinity with tubulin. The new fluorine derivatives, here presented, showed an improved antiproliferative activity when compared to the previously reported compounds. The biological evaluation included a preliminary antiproliferative screening on NCI60 cancer cells panel (1-10 μM). Compound 9a was selected as lead compound of the new series of derivatives. The in vitro XTT assay, flow cytometry analysis and immunostaining performed on HeLa cells treated with 9a showed a considerable antiproliferative effect, (IC50 = 3.2 μM), an increased number of cells in G2/M-phase, followed by an enhancement in cell division defects. Moreover, β-tubulin staining confirmed 9a as a MDA triggering tubulin disassembly, whereas colchicine-9a competition assay suggested that compound 9a compete with colchicine for the binding site on tubulin. Then, the co-administration of compound 9a and an extrusion pump inhibitor (EPI) was investigated: the association resulted beneficial for the antiproliferative activity and compound 9a showed to be client of extrusion pumps. Finally, structural superimposition of different colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBIs) in clinical trial and our MDA, provided an additional confirmation of the targeting to the predicted binding site. Physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and druglikeness predictions were also conducted and all the newly synthesised derivatives showed to be drug-like molecules.