An Overview of Recent Advances in the Applications of Click Chemistry in the Synthesis of Bioconjugates with Anticancer Activities

Design and synthesis of some novel hybrid molecules based on 4-thiazolidinone bearing pyridine-pyrazole scaffolds: molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations of its major constituent onto DNA gyrase inhibition

Due to multidrug resistance, microbial infections have become significant on a global level. As infections caused by several resistant bacteria and fungi severely harm mankind, scientists have developed new antibiotics to combat these infections. In order to develop novel antimicrobial agents, a series of 4-thiazolidinone-based 5-arylidene hybrids (5a-o) have been designed and synthesized to evaluate their antibacterial and antifungal activities. For the determination of the structure of a novel synthesized hybrid, various spectral techniques, e.g., IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and Mass spectroscopy, were used. Two bacterial gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), two gram-positive strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes), and one fungal strain (Candida albicans) were used to evaluate antimicrobial activity. Compounds 5c, 5g, and 5i were effective due to their MIC values of 62.5 μg/mL against tested bacterial strains (S. pyogenes (5c), P. aeruginosa (5g), and E. coli (5i), respectively.) and 250 μg/mL against C. albicans fungal strains, respectively. Additionally, molecular docking and 100 ns molecular dynamic simulations were carried out to investigate the stability of molecular contacts and to establish how the newly synthesized inhibitors fit together in the most stable conformations.

1,2,3-triazole and chiral Schiff base hybrids as potential anticancer agents: DFT, molecular docking and ADME studies

A series of novel 1,2,3-triazole and chiral Schiff base hybrids 2-6 were synthesized by Schiff base condensation reaction from pre-prepared parent component of the hybrids (1,2,3-triazole 1) and series of primary chiral amines and their chemical structure were confirmed using NMR and FTIR spectroscopies, and CHN elemental analysis. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for their anticancer activity against two cancer PC3 (prostate) and A375 (skin) and MRC-5 (healthy) cell lines by Almar Blue assay method. The compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the tested cancer cell lines. Among the tested compounds 3 and 6 showed very good activity for the inhibition of the cancer cell lines and low toxicity for the healthy cell lines. All the compounds exhibited high binding affinity for Androgen receptor modulators (PDB ID: 5t8e) and Human MIA (PDB ID: 1i1j) inhibitors compared to the reference anticancer drug (cisplatin). Structure activity relationships (SARs) of the tested compounds is in good agreement with DFT and molecular docking studies. The compounds exhibited desirable physicochemical properties for drug likeness.

PEG-mediated synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant studies of some new 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2-pyrazolines

A new series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2-pyrazoline derivatives (3a-l) are synthesized in good to excellent yields from the corresponding chalcones (1a-h) and acid hydrazides (2a-e) in polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400) as a green reaction medium. The newly synthesized 2-pyrazoline derivatives are screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. The synthesized trisubstituted pyrazolines displayed moderate to good antibacterial and antifungal properties as compared with the standard reference penicillin and fluconazole drugs. Additionally, the antioxidant potential of the 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2-pyrazolines is evaluated by OH and DPPH assay. The 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2-pyrazolines showed good radical scavenger activity and were found as good antioxidant agents.

Pyrazole-promoted synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-c] quinoline-1,3-diones in a novel diketene-based reaction

We describe the first classic example of green synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolones scaffolds by catalyst-free unusual reaction of diketene, isatin, and primary amines in ethanol in the presence of pyrazole as a promoter for 4 h. The whole structure of the new product was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The overall transformation involves the cleavage and generation of multiple carbon-nitrogen and carbon-carbon bonds. This report represents a simple and straightforward approach for the synthesis of pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline-1,3-diones, which has significant advantages like readily available precursors, non-use of toxic solvent, operational simplicity, mild conditions, good atom economy, and excellent yields; therefore it provides a green and sustainable strategy for access to a range of interesting N-containing heterocyclic compounds in medicinal and organic chemistry.

5-Amino-2-aryl-2H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides: Unique AIEE-gens and selective Hg2+ fluorosensors

A series of fluorescent sensors based on small molecule were designed and fully characterised, demonstrating AIEE effect and revealing an outstanding ability to selectively detect Hg²⁺ ions. The structural and electronic properties were studied through quantum chemical calculations at (Time-Dependent) Density Functional Theory ((TD)-DFT) level. Carboxamides of 2-Aryl-1,2,3-Triazoles (CATs) showed significant differences in their photophysical properties depending on the structure of the substituent at amino function on the C5-atom in the heterocycle. When the tert-cycloalkylamino group (pyrrolidine, piperidine, azepane) was attached, the triazoles exhibited highly intensive blue fluorescence, with quantum yields (QYs) up to 95 % and lifetime up to 6.9 ns in different solvents, whereas the QYs of congeners bearing secondary alkylaminogroups (viz., NHMe, NHC₆H₁₁-cyclo) indicate low QYs (1-10 %). Nevertheless, all types of the obtained fluorophores demonstrated excellent AIEE effect and formed fluorescent nanoparticles in a binary mixtures of organic solvents and water. The introduction of the carboxamide function enhances the sensing properties of 2-aryl-1,2,3-triazoles, providing a selective fluorescence quenching reaction in the presence of Hg²⁺. The fluorescence intensity of the CATs declines with the addition of 1.0 eq. of Hg²⁺ into DMSO-water (v/v, 1:9). The other cations used did not induce any appreciable changes in fluorescence intensity. The CATs form a complex with Hg²⁺ with highly specific detection for Hg²⁺ over other competitive metal ions: the detection limits were determined to be 0.23 and 0.15 μM for the CATs 1b and 2c. The reverse effect was registered with the addition of ethylene diamine sodium salt; meanwhile, the CATs demonstrated more effective coordination with Hg²⁺ in comparison with cysteine. This last finding, as well as the ability to detect Hg²⁺, is very valuable for application within biology and medicine.

One-pot multicomponent synthesis of benzophenazine tethered tetrahydropyridopyrimidine derivatives

A simple, facile, and efficient green methodology has been developed for the synthesis of benzophenazine tethered tetrahydropyridopyrimidine derivatives by the one-pot four-component reaction of cinnamaldehyde/crotonaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, 1,3-dimethyl-6-amino uracil, and o-phenylenediamine in ethanol medium under reflux conditions using p-TSA as a catalyst. In this environmentally benign methodology, three C-N and two C-C bonds are formed in one pot. The hybrid products have three bioactive moieties such as benzophenazine, tetrahydropyridine, and pyrimidine. Operational simplicity, metal-free conditions, wide substrate scope, readily available starting materials, moderate to good yields of the desired products, presence of pharmaceutically active moieties, and easy purification process are the notable features of this methodology.

CuAAC ensembled 1,2,3-triazole linked nanogels for targeted drug delivery: a review

Copper(i) catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition (CuAAC), the quintessential example of 'click chemistry', provides an adaptable and adequate platform for the synthesis of nanogels for sustained drug release at targeted sites because of their better biocompatibility. The coupling of drugs, carried out via various synthetic routes including CuAAC, into long-chain polymeric forms like nanogels has exhibited considerable assurance in therapeutic advancements and intracellular drug delivery due to the progression of water solubility, evacuation of precocious drug release, and improved upthrust of the pharmacokinetics of the nanogels, thereby rendering them as better and efficient drug carriers. The inefficiency of drug transmission to the target areas due to the resistance of complex biological barriers in vivo is a major hurdle that impedes the therapeutic translation of nanogels. This review compiles the data of nanogels synthesized specifically via CuAAC 'click' methodology, as scaffolds for targeted drug delivery and their assimilation into nanomedicine. In addition, it elaborates the ability of CuAAC to graft specific moieties and conjugating biomolecules like proteins and growth factors, onto orthogonally functionalized polymer chains with various chemical groups resulting in nanogels that are not only more appealing but also more effective at delivering drugs, thereby enhancing their site-specific target approach and initiating selective therapies.

A practical flow synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles

A robust and versatile protocol for synthesis of 1-monosubstituted and 1,4-disubstituted 1H-1,2,3-triazoles was established under continuous flow conditions using copper-on-charcoal as a heterogeneous catalyst. This methodology allowed for the synthesis of a diverse set of substituted 1,2,3-triazoles with good functional group tolerance and high yields. 2-Ynoic acids were also used as small-chain alkyne donors in a decarboxylation/cycloaddition cascade, allowing gaseous reagents to be bypassed, delivering desired triazoles in high yields. The developed methodology was used to synthesize an antiepileptic agent, rufinamide, which was obtained in 96% isolated yield.

Copper-on-charcoal is an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for the alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction performed under continuous flow conditions. 2-Ynoic acids undergo decarboxylation/cycloaddition cascade giving triazoles bearing small alkyl chains.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Pancreatic Anticancer Activity of Novel 5-Fluorouracil-Coumarin Conjugates

Molecular hybridization consists of the combination of two or more non-identical pharmacophores in a single molecule. It has emerged as a promising strategy that allows the design of molecular frameworks with enhanced activity and affinity compared to their parent drugs. In this work, two novel hybrids that combine the well-known anticancer chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil with antioxidant coumarin derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by means of a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The conjugates showed good antioxidant properties and a high tendency to aggregate and form stable nanoparticles in aqueous media, with regular shape and uniform size. These materials have proven to be preferential cytotoxic agents in vitro against human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1, with an activity superior to free 5-fluorouracil. These results open up the possibility of exploiting the synergistic combination between 5-fluorouracil and coumarin derivatives and warrant further investigation of these hybrids as promising pancreatic anticancer agents.

Isatin Bis-Indole and Bis-Imidazothiazole Hybrids: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity

Isatin and its derivatives are important heterocycles found in nature and present in numerous bioactive compounds which possess various biological activities. Moreover, it is an essential building block in organic synthesis. The discovery of novel compounds active against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi is an urgent need, and the isatin may represent the suitable scaffold in the design of biologically relevant antimicrobials. A small library of 18 isatin hybrids was synthetized and evaluated for their antimicrobial potential on three reference strains: S. aureus, E. coli, both important human pathogens infamous for causing community- and hospital-acquired severe systemic infections; and C. albicans, responsible for devastating invasive infections, mainly in immunocompromised individuals. The study highlighted two lead compounds, 6k and 6m, endowed with inhibitory activity against S. aureus at very low concentrations (39.12 and 24.83 µg/mL, respectively).

A Quick Access to Structurally Diverse Triazoloquinazoline Heterocycles via the MIL-101(Cr)-Catalyzed One-Pot Multi-Component Reaction of a Series of Benzaldehydes, Dimedone, and 1H-1,2,4-Triazol-3-Amine Under Green Conditions

A one-pot multicomponent reaction of a variety of benzaldehydes, dimedone, and 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine for the efficient synthesis of quinazolinone derivatives under green conditions is reported. It was proved that MIL-101(Cr) could carry out successfully this multicomponent strategy to afford target products in high yields. The scope and limitation of this catalytic system concerning the aldehyde substrates were explored. Different aldehydes could be conveniently delivered to quinazolinones at room temperature with short reaction times in an atom-economy way. Notably, MIL-101(Cr) was also characterized by different analytic methods such as FT-IR, SEM, and EDX. The outstanding benefits of this methodology are the availability of substrates, using green conditions, excellent functional group compatibility, and reusability of catalysts, therefore providing easy access to a range of products of interest in organic and medicinal chemistry.

Recent Advances in Bioactive Flavonoid Hybrids Linked by 1,2,3-Triazole Ring Obtained by Click Chemistry

As a result of the biological activities of natural flavonoids, several synthetic strategies aiming to obtain analogues with improved potency and/or pharmacokinetic profile have been developed. Since the triazole ring has been associated with several biological activities and metabolic stability, hybridization with a 1,2,3-triazole ring has been increasingly reported over the last years. The feasible synthesis through copper (I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) has allowed the accomplishment of several hybrids. Since 2017, almost 700 flavonoid hybrids conjugated with 1,2,3-triazole, including chalcones, flavones, flavanones and flavonols, among others, with antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifouling activity have been reported. This review compiles the biological activities recently described for these hybrids, highlighting the mechanism of action and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.

Synthesis of Silver-Doxycycline Complex Nanoparticles and Their Biological Evaluation on MCF-7 Cell Line of the Breast Cancer

In the current study, we aim to evaluate the effect of the combination of silver and doxycycline (silver-doxycycline complex) on the viability of the MCF-7 cell line of the breast in comparison with each of them. The Ag-doxycycline NPs were synthesized using silver nitrate and doxycycline solutions. The synthesized Ag-doxycycline NPs were characterized with several analyses. Ag-doxycycline NPs with a concentration of 25 μM is significantly more effective in decreasing the viability of MCF-7 cells than Ag with the same concentration ( $P<0.05$ ). Doxycycline with a concentration of 6.25 μM also has a more potent effect on the viability of MCF-7 cells than Ag with the same concentration ( $P<0.05$ ). Ag-doxycycline NPs with a 25 μM concentration is more effective than the concentration of 3.125 μM ( $P<0.05$ ). Ag-doxycycline NPs were found to be more effective than AgNPs alone in inhibiting the growth of the MCF-7 cells. Also, the increasing utility of nanotechnology in multiple aspects of medicine can lead to using this technology in the treatment of different types of cancer in the future.

A recent overview on the synthesis of 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles

Diverse strategies for the efficient and attractive synthesis of a wide variety of relevant 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazole molecules are reported. The synthesis of this category of diverse fully functionalized 1,2,3-triazoles has become a necessary and unique research subject in modern synthetic organic key transformations in academia, pharmacy, and industry. The current review aims to cover a wide literature survey of numerous synthetic strategies. Recent reports (2017–2021) in the field of 1,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles are emphasized in this current review.

A comprehensive survey upon diverse and prolific applications of chitosan-based catalytic systems in one-pot multi-component synthesis of heterocyclic rings

Heterocyclic compounds are among the most prestigious and valuable chemical molecules with diverse and magnificent applications in various sciences. Due to the remarkable and numerous properties of the heterocyclic frameworks, the development of efficient and convenient synthetic methods for the preparation of such outstanding compounds is of great importance. Undoubtedly, catalysis has a conspicuous role in modern chemical synthesis and green chemistry. Therefore, when designing a chemical reaction, choosing and or preparing powerful and environmentally benign simple catalysts or complicated catalytic systems for an acceleration of the chemical reaction is a pivotal part of work for synthetic chemists. Chitosan, as a biocompatible and biodegradable pseudo-natural polysaccharide is one of the excellent choices for the preparation of suitable catalytic systems due to its unique properties. In this review paper, every effort has been made to cover all research articles in the field of one-pot synthesis of heterocyclic frameworks in the presence of chitosan-based catalytic systems, which were published roughly by the first quarter of 2020. It is hoped that this review paper can be a little help to synthetic scientists, methodologists, and catalyst designers, both on the laboratory and industrial scales.

Supported Cu(II)-Schiff base: novel heterogeneous catalyst with extremely high activity for eco-friendly, one-pot and multi-component C-S bond-forming reaction toward a wide range of thioethers as biologically active cores

An effective and proficient process for the synthesis of a variety of thioethers via the one-step reaction of benzyl halides, aryl halides, and thiourea is presented. This strategy is a one-pot procedure to achieve a variety of thioethers without the requirement to thiols as starting compounds. A range of thioethers containing electron donating/electron-withdrawing functional groups were obtained with good to excellent yields under mild conditions. Moreover, the nanocatalyst exhibited excellent recyclability for the reaction, making it more sustainable. One-pot and multi-component synthesis, high yields of final products, green reaction media, high activity of nanocatalyst, simple separation of the products and catalyst, and high regioselectivity are several highlights of this method.

Design and Synthesis of New 5-aryl-4-Arylethynyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles with Valuable Photophysical and Biological Properties

Cu-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of methyl 2-azidoacetate to iodobuta-1,3-diynes and subsequent Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling were used to synthesize new triazoles derivatives: 5-aryl-4-arylethynyl-1H-1,2,3-triazoles. Investigation of their optical properties by using UV absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopies revealed that all molecules possess fluorescence properties with the values of the Stokes shift more than 100 nm. The photophysical behavior of the two most promising triazoles in polar and non-polar solvents was also studied.

Chelation-Assisted Interrupted Copper(I)-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne-Azide Domino Reactions: Synthesis of Fully Substituted 5-Triazenyl-1,2,3-triazoles

We describe the synthesis of 1,4-(disubstituted)-5-triazenyl-1,2,3-triazoles through a ligand-free domino copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne-azide process of chelating aryl azides bearing N-P═O, P═O, and SO₃H groups at the ortho position with a wide variety of acetylenes. DFT calculations reveal that Cu-chelation is a crucial factor in the interception of the CuAAC intermediate by the azide. The crystal structure of the catalytic species has been determined by X-ray diffraction.

Process-Controlled Regiodivergent Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloadditions: Tailor-made Syntheses of 4- and 5-Bromotriazoles from Bromo(phosphoryl)ethyne

We developed a regiodivergent syntheses of 4- and 5-bromo-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles in copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAACs) by taking advantage of bromo(phosphoryl)ethyne 1 as a bromoethyne equivalent. A one-shot dephosphorylative CuAAC of 1 afforded 4-bromotriazoles, which was transformed into a histone deacetylase 8 (HDAC8)-selective inhibitor, NCC-149. However, the direct CuAAC catalyzed by CuI/Cu(OAc)₂ provided 5-bromo-4-phosphoryltriazoles. The consecutive nucleophilic substitution of the bromo group with thiols followed by MeOK-promoted dephosphorylation gave 5-thio-substituted triazoles.

A systematic review on silica-, carbon-, and magnetic materials-supported copper species as efficient heterogeneous nanocatalysts in "click" reactions

In recent years, many inorganic silica/carbon-based and magnetic materials have been selected to arrest copper ions through a widespread range of anchoring and embedding methodologies. These inorganic supported nanocatalysts have been found to be efficient, environmentally friendly, recyclable, and durable. In addition, one of the vital issues for expanding new, stable, and reusable catalysts is the discovery of unique catalysts. The basis and foundation of this review article is to consider the recently published developments (2014-2019) in the synthesis and catalytic applications of copper supported by silica nanocomposites, carbon nanocomposites, and magnetic nanocomposites for expanding the "click" chemistry.