Phenylethynyl-pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine: A new potent and selective tool in the mGluR5 antagonists arena

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 12-Aryl-11-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2″,1″:3',4']pyrazino[1',2':1,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine-8(9H)-one Derivatives as Potential Cytotoxic Agents

In the present paper, a facile and efficient synthetic procedure has been applied to obtain dihydrodipyrrolo[1,2-a:2',1'-c]pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylates (5a-s), which have subsequently gone through the cyclization in the presence of hydrazine hydrate to afford 12-aryl-11-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[2″,1″:3',4']pyrazino[1',2':1,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine-8(9H)-ones (7a-q). The molecular structures of these novel compounds were extensively examined through the analysis of spectroscopic data in combination with X-ray crystallography techniques. Following that, the in vitro cytotoxic activities of all derivatives against three human cancer cell lines (Panc-1, PC3, and MDA-MB-231) were comprehensively evaluated alongside the assessment on normal human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells using the MTT assay. Among the compounds, the 3-nitrophenyl derivative (7m) from the second series showed the best antiproliferative activity against all tested cell lines, particularly against Panc-1 cell line, (IC50 = 12.54 μM), being nearly twice as potent as the standard drug etoposide. The induction of apoptosis and sub-G1 cell cycle arrest in Panc-1 cancer cells by compound 7m was confirmed through further assessment. Moreover, the inhibition of kinases and the induction of cellular apoptosis by compound 7m in Panc-1 cancer cells were validated using the Western blotting assay.

Pyrrole-Based Enaminones as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Indolizines and Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines Showing Potent Antifungal Activity

As a new approach, pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines were synthesized through the cyclization of 2-formylpyrrole-based enaminones in the presence of ammonium acetate. The enaminones were prepared with a straightforward method, reacting the corresponding alkyl 2-(2-formyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)acetates, 2-(2-formyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)acetonitrile, and 2-(2-formyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)acetophenones with DMFDMA. Analogous enaminones elaborated from alkyl (E)-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylates were treated with a Lewis acid to afford indolizines. The antifungal activity of the series of substituted pyrroles, pyrrole-based enaminones, pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines, and indolizines was evaluated on six Candida spp., including two multidrug-resistant ones. Compared to the reference drugs, most test compounds produced a more robust antifungal effect. Docking analysis suggests that the inhibition of yeast growth was probably mediated by the interaction of the compounds with the catalytic site of HMGR of the Candida species.

Cascade synthesis of indolizines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines from 2-formyl-1-propargylpyrroles

A straightforward synthesis of indolizines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines was performed through a cascade condensation/cyclization/aromatization reaction of substituted 2-formyl-N-propargylpyrroles with active methylene compounds such as nitromethane, alkyl malonates, methyl cyanoacetate and malononitrile. Under basic conditions, the reaction proceeded satisfactorily to provide the corresponding 6,7-disubstituted indolizines. The condensation of the pyrrolic analogues with ammonium acetate gave rise to pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines in high yields. N-Allenyl-2-formylpyrroles behaved as more reactive substrates than 2-formyl-N-propargylpyrroles, furnishing the expected indolizines in higher yields. Hence, an allenyl-containing intermediate was probably generated as the reactive species in the reaction mechanism of some N-propargyl pyrroles prior to the cyclization reaction.

One-pot three-component coupling access to 1,2-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1-phosphonates: multi-functionalization of a pyrazine unit

A new pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine chemical space with a poly-substituted pyrazine unit was readily accessed by Sc(OTf)₃-catalyzed one-pot three-component coupling of a pyrrole derivative, amine, and trialkylphosphite under environment-friendly conditions. The formation of multiple bonds (two C-N and one C-P) via a domino process consisting of the chemoselective Kabachnik-Fields reaction and intramolecular cyclodehydration allowed for the construction of highly functionalized pyrazines.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed C(sp)–C(sp2) Coupling: A Direct Approach to Multi-Substituted Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines

A direct synthesis of multi-substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines via palladium(II)-catalyzed C(sp)–C(sp2) cascade coupling and intramolecular cyclization in the presence of ligand was developed. This reaction originates from phenylboronic acids and readily synthesized 2-carbonyl- or 2-formylpyrroloacetonitriles, and affords products in good to excellent yields for a diversity of substrates. Additionally, a possible mechanism for the transformation is proposed.

One-pot Multicomponent Synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzoxazines and pyrrolo[1, 2-a]pyrazines in Water Catalyzed by Fe3O4@SiO2@L-Arginine-SA Magnetic Nanoparticles

AIMS

Synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzoxazines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines using magnetic nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND

One-pot, three component reaction for the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzoxazines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines is reported. For the synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzoxazines use of 2- aminophenols, dialkylacetylenedicarboxylates and β -nitrostyrene derivatives and Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines synthesized from reaction of ethylenediamine, dialkylacetylenedicarboxylates and β-nitrostyrene derivatives is discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

2-aminophenol (0.5 mmol) and dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (0.5 mmol) in water (3 ml) were stirred at room temperature for 10 min. Then, β-nitrostyrene (0.5 mmol) and Fe3O4@SiO2@LArginine- SA MNPs (0.07 g) were added and the mixture was refluxed for 5 h. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and the catalyst was separated with external magnet and product extracted with dichloromethane. More purification of products was performed by column chromatography (nhexane/ ethyl acetate 4:1). Ethylenediamine (0.6 mmol) was added to dialkylacetylenedicarboxylate (0.6 mmol) in 3 ml water and was stirred for 10 min at room temperature. Later, β -nitrostyrene (0.5 mmol) and Fe3O4@SiO2@L-Arginine-SA MNPs (0.06 g) were added to mixture reaction and refluxed for 3 h. After completion, the mixture reaction was cooled to room temperature and the catalyst was separated by an external magnet. Then, the product was extracted with dichloromethane. For more purification column chromatography was used (n-hexane/ethylacetate 1:1).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

In this research, we have synthesized new derivatives of pyrrolo[1,2- d][1.4]benzoxazines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines in green conditions consisting of use of water as a green solvent and magnetic nanoparticles.

CONCLUSION

In this research, we have synthesized new derivatives of pyrrolo[1,2-d][1.4]benzoxazines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines in green conditions consisting of use of water as a green solvent and magnetic nanoparticles which were easily separated from mixture with an external magnet and had the capability to be recovered and reused. Also, in this work, the yield was good and the time of reactions was low compared with prior research.

Expansion of chemical space based on a pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine core: Synthesis and its anticancer activity in prostate cancer and breast cancer cells

In connection with our continued research to generate new aza-fused heteroaromatic chemical scaffolds, we developed a highly atom-economical three-component route to novel 3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine ring skeleton multi-functionalized on the pyrazine unit. This [4+1+1] annulation approach led us to gain access to a new N-fused bicyclic chemical space having two distinctive functional groups (heteroaryl and aroyl) in a trans manner. Investigation of anticancer activity of the synthesized compounds and their derivatives revealed that (3R*,4S*)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-2-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)-3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-2-ium bromide (3h) has potent anticancer activity. 3h significantly inhibited cell viability in prostate cancer cells (PC-3) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with IC₅₀ value of 1.18 ± 0.05 μM and 1.95 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. In addition, 3h strongly reduced cell migration in a dose dependent manner, and induced apoptosis via caspase-3 activation and cleavage of PARP in PC-3 and MCF-7 cells. Our results in this study imply that 3h can be a potential anticancer agent against prostate cancer and breast cancer.

Fragment-Based Approaches for Allosteric Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (mGluR) Modulators

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are members of the class C G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR-s) and have eight subtypes. These receptors are responsible for a variety of functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems and their modulation has therapeutic utility in neurological and psychiatric disorders. It was previously established that selective orthosteric modulation of these receptors is challenging, and this stimulated the search for allosteric modulators. Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD) is a viable approach to find ligands binding at allosteric sites owing to their limited size and interactions. However, it was also observed that the structure-activity relationship of allosteric modulators is often sharp and inconsistent. This can be attributed to the characteristics of the allosteric binding site of mGluRs that is a water channel where ligand binding is accompanied with induced fit and interference with the water network, both playing a role in receptor activation. In this review, we summarize fragment-based drug discovery programs on mGluR allosteric modulators and their contribution identifying of new mGluR ligands with better activity and selectivity.

Ambient temperature synthesis of β,β′-fused nickel(ii) pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazinoporphyrins via a DBSA-catalyzed Pictet–Spengler approach

Synthesis of novel β,β′-fused nickel(ii) pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazinoporphyrins is accomplished for the first time at ambient temperature via a DBSA-catalyzed Pictet–Spengler approach.

N-[2-(3-Methyl-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-2-yl)ethyl]methanesulfonamide

In the title compound, C₁₁H₁₅N₃O₃S, the dihedral angle between the five- and six-membered rings is 1.13 (18)°. The ethyl­methane­sulfonamide group is in a (+)synclinal conformation. In the crystal, inter­molecular N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen-bond inter­actions link mol­ecules into zigzag ribbons parallel to the b axis. The ribbons are further connected by C—H⋯π inter­actions.

3-Phenyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-one

The mol­ecule of the title compound, C₁₃H₉NO₂, is slightly twisted with a dihedral angle of 4.85 (9)° between the nine-membered ring system and the phenyl ring. The nine non-H atoms of the 1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-one system are coplanar [r.m.s. deviation = 0.0122 (2) Å]. In the crystal, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions link mol­ecules into chains along [10]. The crystal studied was an inversion twin with a 0.48624 (9):0.51376 (9) domain ratio.

3-Methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-one

In the title mol­ecule, C₈H₇NO₂, all the non-H atoms lie essentially in the same plane (r.m.s. deviation = 0.019 Å) In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions link mol­ecules into chains along [100]. In addition, there are π–π stacking inter­actions between mol­ecules related by the c-glide plane, with alternating centroid–centroid distances of 3.434 (2) and 3.639 (2) Å.

Synthesis and SAR of novel, non-MPEP chemotype mGluR5 NAMs identified by functional HTS

This Letter describes the discovery and SAR of three novel series of mGluR5 non-competitive antagonists/negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) not based on manipulation of an MPEP/MTEP chemotype identified by a functional HTS approach. This work demonstrates fundamentally new mGluR5 NAM chemotypes with submicromolar potencies, and further examples of a mode of pharmacology 'switch' to provide PAMs with a non-MPEP scaffold.

Structure-activity relationships comparing N-(6-methylpyridin-yl)-substituted aryl amides to 2-methyl-6-(substituted-arylethynyl)pyridines or 2-methyl-4-(substituted-arylethynyl)thiazoles as novel metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 antagonists

The metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) has been implicated in anxiety, depression, pain, mental retardation, and addiction. The potent and selective noncompetitive mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP, 1) has been a critically important tool used to further elucidate the role of mGluR5 in these CNS disorders. In an effort to provide novel and structurally diverse selective mGluR5 antagonists, we previously described a set of analogues with moderate activity wherein the alkyne bond was replaced with an amide group. In the present report, extended series of both amide and alkyne-based ligands were synthesized. MGluR5 binding and functional data were obtained that identified (1) several novel alkynes with comparable affinities to 1 at mGluR5 (e.g., 10 and 20-23), but (2) most structural variations to the amide template were not well tolerated, although a few potent amides were discovered (e.g., 55 and 56). Several of these novel analogues show drug-like physical properties (e.g., cLogP range = 2-5) that support their use for in vivo investigation into the role of mGluR5 in CNS disorders.

Discovery and SAR of novel mGluR5 non-competitive antagonists not based on an MPEP chemotype

This Letter describes the discovery and SAR of three novel series of mGluR5 non-competitive antagonists/negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) not based on manipulation of an MPEP/MTEP chemotype. This work demonstrates fundamentally new mGluR5 NAM chemotypes with submicromolar potencies, and the first example of a mode of pharmacology 'switch' to provide PAMs with a non-MPEP scaffold.