Straightforward synthesis of triazoloacyclonucleotide phosphonates as potential HCV inhibitors

Design, synthesis, and anti-respiratory syncytial virus potential of novel 3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)furoxazine-fused benzimidazole derivatives

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of serious lower respiratory tract infections in infants, children, and older persons. Currently, the only approved anti-viral chemotherapeutic drug for RSV treatment is ribavirin aerosol; however, its significant toxicity has led to restricted clinical use. In a previous study, we developed various benzimidazole derivatives against RSV. In this study, we synthesised 3-azide substituted furoxazine-fused benzimidazole derivatives by sulfonylation and azide substitution of the 3-hydroxyl group of the furoxazine-fused benzimidazole derivatives. Subsequently, a series of 3-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-substituted furoxazine-fused benzimidazole derivatives were synthesised using the classical click reaction. Biological evaluations of the target compounds indicated that compound 4a-2 had higher activity against RSV (EC50 = 12.17 μM) and lower cytotoxicity (CC50 = 390.64 μM). Compound 4a-2 exerted anti-viral effects against the RSV Long strain by inhibiting apoptosis and the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors caused by viral infection in vitro. Additionally, the clinical symptoms of the virus-infected mice were markedly relieved, and the viral load in the lung tissues was dramatically decreased. The biosafety profile of compound 4a-2 was also favourable, showing no detectable adverse effects on any of the major organs in vivo. These findings underscore the potential of compound 4a-2 as a valuable therapeutic option for combating RSV infections while also laying the foundation for further research and development in the field.

Regioselective Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of 1,5-Disubstituted 1,2,3-Triazole Derivatives of Pyrimidine Nucleobases

1,2,3-triazoles are versatile building blocks with growing interest in medicinal chemistry. For this reason, organic chemistry focuses on the development of new synthetic pathways to obtain 1,2,3-triazole derivatives, especially with pyridine moieties. In this work, a novel series of 1,5-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles functionalized with pyrimidine nucleobases were prepared via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction in a regioselective manner for the first time. The N1-propargyl nucleobases, used as an alkyne intermediate, were obtained in high yields (87-92%) with a new two-step procedure that selectively led to the monoalkylated compounds. Then, FeCl₃ was employed as an efficient Lewis acid catalyst for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between different aryl and benzyl azides and the N1-propargyl nucleobases previously synthesized. This new protocol allows the synthesis of a series of new 1,2,3-triazole derivatives with good to excellent yields (82-92%). The ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) analysis showed good pharmacokinetic properties and no violations of Lipinsky's rules, suggesting an appropriate drug likeness for these new compounds. Molecular docking simulations, conducted on different targets, revealed that two of these new hybrids could be potential ligands for viral and bacterial protein receptors such as human norovirus capsid protein, SARS-CoV-2 NSP13 helicase, and metallo-β-lactamase.

Advance of structural modification of nucleosides scaffold

With Remdesivir being approved by FDA as a drug for the treatment of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), nucleoside drugs have once again received widespread attention in the medical community. Herein, we summarized modification of traditional nucleoside framework (sugar + base), traizole nucleosides, nucleoside analogues assembled by other drugs, macromolecule-modified nucleosides, and their bioactivity rules. 2′-“Ara”-substituted by –F or –CN group, and 3′-“ara” substituted by acetylenyl group can greatly influence their anti-tumor activities. Dideoxy dehydrogenation of 2′,3′-sites can enhance antiviral efficiencies. Acyclic nucleosides and L-type nucleosides mainly represented antiviral capabilities. 5-F Substituted uracil analogues exihibit anti-tumor effects, and the substrates substituted by –I, –CF₃, bromovinyl group usually show antiviral activities. The sugar coupled with 1-N of triazolid usually displays anti-tumor efficiencies, while the sugar coupled with 2-N of triazolid mainly represents antiviral activities. The nucleoside analogues assembled by cholesterol, polyethylene glycol, fatty acid and phospholipid would improve their bioavailabilities and bioactivities, or reduce their toxicities.

Efficient one-pot, three-component procedure to prepare new α-aminophosphonate and phosphonic acid acyclic nucleosides

An efficient one-pot three-component Kabachnik-Fields reaction of aldehydes (acyclic nucleosides), amines (or amino acid), and triethyl phosphite proceeded for the synthesis of aminophosphonates using natural phosphate coated with iodine (I₂@NP) as a catalyst. The novel α-aminophosphonate and phosphonic acid acyclic nucleosides were tested for their anti-HCV and anti-HIV activities. The molecular docking showed that the non-activity of these compounds could be due to the absence of hydrophobic pharmacophores.

Magnetic γFe2O3@Sh@Cu2O: an efficient solid-phase catalyst for reducing agent and base-free click synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles

A hybrid magnetic material γFe₂O₃@Sh@cu₂O was easily prepared from Shilajit (Sh) decorated Fe₃O₄ and copper acetate. The prepared magnetic hybrid material was fully characterized using different analysis, including Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). All these analysis revealed that during coating of Fe₃O₄@Sh using copper salt (II), synchronized redox sorption of Cu^II to Cu^I occurs at the same time as the oxidation of Fe₃O₄ to γFe₂O₃. This magnetic catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity for regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles via one pot three-component click reaction of sodium azide, terminal alkynes and benzyl halides in the absence of any reducing agent. High yields, short reaction time, high turnover number and frequency (TON = 3.5 * 10⁵ and TOF = 1.0 * 10⁶ h⁻¹ respectively), easy separation, and efficient recycling of the catalyst are the strengths of the present method.

CuSO4/KI As Catalyst for the Synthesis of 1,4-Disubstituted-1,2,3-Triazolo-Nucleosides

A simple and inexpensive procedure has been developed for the selective formation of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazolo-nucleosides starting from organic azides and terminal alkynes, mediated by in situ generated copper(I) catalyst from readily available CuSO4 and KI.

Design, Synthesis, and Antiviral Activity of Novel Ribonucleosides of 1,2,3-Triazolylbenzyl-aminophosphonates

A novel series of ribonucleosides of 1,2,3-triazolylbenzyl-aminophosphonates was synthesized through the Kabachnik-Fields reaction using I2 as catalyst followed by copper-catalyzed cycloaddition of the azide-alkyne reaction (CuAAC). All structures of the newly prepared compounds were characterized by (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR, and HRMS spectra. The structures of 2e, 2f, 3d, and 3g were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. These compounds were tested against various strains of DNA and RNA viruses; compounds 4b and 4c showed a modest inhibitory activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and compound 4h displayed modest inhibitory activity against Coxsackie virus B4.

Phosphonylated Acyclic Guanosine Analogues with the 1,2,3-Triazole Linker

A novel series of {4-[(2-amino-6-chloro-9H-purin-9-yl)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}alkylphosphonates and {4-[(2-amino-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-9H-purin-9-yl)methyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl}alkylphosphonates as acyclic analogues of guanosine were synthesized and assessed for antiviral activity against a broad range of DNA and RNA viruses and for their cytostatic activity toward three cancerous cell lines (HeLa, L1210 and CEM). They were devoid of antiviral activity; however, several phosphonates were found slightly cytostatic against HeLa cells at an IC₅₀ in the 80–210 µM range. Compounds (1R,2S)-17k and (1S,2S)-17k showed the highest inhibitory effects (IC₅₀ = 15–30 µM) against the proliferation of murine leukemia (L1210) and human T-lymphocyte (CEM) cell lines.

Pronounced Inhibition Shift from HIV Reverse Transcriptase to Herpetic DNA Polymerases by Increasing the Flexibility of α-Carboxy Nucleoside Phosphonates

Alpha-carboxynucleoside phosphonates (α-CNPs) are novel viral DNA polymerase inhibitors that do not need metabolic conversion for enzyme inhibition. The prototype contains a cyclopentyl linker between nucleobase and α-carboxyphosphonate and preferentially (50- to 100-fold) inhibits HIV-1 RT compared with herpetic DNA polymerases. A synthesis methodology involving three steps has been developed for the synthesis of a series of novel α-CNPs, including a Rh(II)-catalyzed O-H insertion that connects the carboxyphosphonate group to a linker moiety and an attachment of a nucleobase to the other end of the linker by a Mitsunobu reaction followed by final deprotection. Replacing the cyclopentyl moiety in the prototype α-CNPs by a more flexible entity results in a selectivity shift of ∼ 100-fold in favor of the herpetic DNA polymerases when compared to selectivity for HIV-1 RT. The nature of the kinetic interaction of the acyclic α-CNPs against the herpetic DNA polymerases differs from the nature of the nucleobase-specific kinetic interaction of the cyclopentyl α-CNPs against HIV RT.

Mn(iii)-mediated phosphonation–azidation of alkenes: a facile synthesis of β-azidophosphonates

A new and general method for the synthesis of β-azidophosphonates has been achieved through Mn(OAc)₃-mediated radical oxidative phosphonation–azidation of alkenes.

Design, synthesis, antiviral and cytostatic activity of ω-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)(polyhydroxy)alkylphosphonates as acyclic nucleotide analogues

The efficient synthesis of a new series of polyhydroxylated dibenzyl ω-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)alkylphosphonates as acyclic nucleotide analogues is described starting from dibenzyl ω-azido(polyhydroxy)alkylphosphonates and selected alkynes under microwave irradiation. Selected O,O-dibenzylphosphonate acyclonucleotides were transformed into the respective phosphonic acids. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses and for cytostatic activity against murine leukemia L1210, human T-lymphocyte CEM and human cervix carcinoma HeLa cells. Compound (1S,2S)-16b exhibited antiviral activity against Influenza A H3N2 subtype (EC50=20μM-visual CPE score; EC50=18μM-MTS method; MCC >100μM, CC50 >100μM) in Madin Darby canine kidney cell cultures (MDCK), and (1S,2S)-16k was active against vesicular stomatitis virus and respiratory syncytial virus in HeLa cells (EC50=9 and 12μM, respectively). Moreover, compound (1R,2S)-16l showed activity against both herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) in HEL cell cultures (EC50=2.9 and 4μM, respectively) and feline herpes virus in CRFK cells (EC50=4μM) but at the same time it exhibited cytotoxicity toward uninfected cell (MCC⩾4μM). Several other compounds have been found to inhibit proliferation of L1210, CEM as well as HeLa cells with IC50 in the 4-50μM range. Among them compounds (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-16l were the most active (IC50 in the 4-7μM range).

Novel acyclic phosphonylated 1,2,3-triazolonucleosides with an acetamidomethyl linker: synthesis and biological activity

A new series of 4-substituted [(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetamido]methylphosphonates as acyclic nucleotide analogs were synthesized from diethyl (2-chloroacetamido)methylphosphonate via azidation followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with selected alkynes derived from natural nucleobases or their mimetics. All compounds were tested for their antiviral activities against DNA and RNA viruses as well as for cytostatic activity or cytotoxicity. Among all tested compounds, [(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetamido]methylphosphonate 6e substituted with the N(3)-Bz-benzuracil moiety showed activity against the vesicular stomatitis virus (EC50 = 45 µM) in HeLa cell cultures.

Synthesis of new 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-quinazoline nucleoside and acyclonucleoside analogues

In this study, we describe the synthesis of 1,4-disustituted-1,2,3-triazolo-quinazoline ribonucleosides or acyclonucleosides by means of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between various O or N-alkylated propargyl-quinazoline and 1'-azido-2',3',5'-tri-O-benzoylribose or activated alkylating agents under microwave conditions. None of the compounds selected showed significant anti-HCV activity in vitro.

Design, synthesis, antiviral and cytotoxic evaluation of novel acyclic phosphonate nucleotide analogues with a 5,6-dihydro-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyridazine-4,7-dione system

ABSTRACT

A series of diethyl 2-(4,5-dimethoxycarbonyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)alkylphosphonates was synthesised from ω-azidoalkylphosphonates and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and was further transformed into the respective diamides, dihydrazides, and 5,6-dihydro-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyridazine-4,7-diones as phosphonate analogues of acyclic nucleosides having nucleobases replaced with substituted 1,2,3-triazoles. All compounds containing P-C-C-triazole or P-C-C-CH2-triazole moieties exist in single conformations in which the diethoxyphosphoryl and substituted 1,2,3-triazolyl or substituted (1,2,3-triazolyl)methyl groups are oriented anti. All phosphonates were evaluated in vitro for activity against a variety of DNA and RNA viruses. None of the compounds were endowed with antiviral activity. They were not cytostatic at 100 μM.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

“Quick and click” assembly of functionalised indole rings via metal-promoted cyclative tandem reactions

An efficient and convenient synthesis of a variety of decorated indoles using a three-component tandem metal-catalysed process is described.

Multicomponent click synthesis of new 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of pyrimidine nucleobases: promising acidic corrosion inhibitors for steel

A series of new mono-1,2,3-triazole derivatives of pyrimidine nucleobases were synthesized by one-pot copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions between N-1-propargyluracil and thymine, sodium azide and several benzyl halides. The desired heterocyclic compounds were obtained in good yields and characterized by NMR, IR, and high resolution mass spectrometry. These compounds were investigated as corrosion inhibitors for steel in 1 M HCl solution, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The results indicate that these heterocyclic compounds are promising acidic corrosion inhibitors for steel.

The synthesis, antiviral, cytostatic and cytotoxic evaluation of a new series of acyclonucleotide analogues with a 1,2,3-triazole linker

The efficient synthesis of a new series of acyclonucleotide analogues with a 1,2,3-triazole linker is described starting from diethyl azidomethyl-, 2-azidoethyl-, 3-azidopropyl-, 4-azidobutyl-, 2-azido-1-hydroxyethyl-, 3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl- and 3-azido-1-hydroxypropylphosphonates and selected alkynes under microwave irradiation. Several O,O-diethylphosphonate acyclonucleotides were transformed into the respective phosphonic acids. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses and cytostatic activity against murine leukaemia L1210, human T-lymphocyte CEM and human cervix carcinoma HeLa cells. Acyclonucleotide 22e exhibited activity against both herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) in HEL cell cultures (EC₅₀ = 17 μM) and feline herpes virus (EC₅₀ = 24 μM) in CRFK cell cultures, while compounds 20k, 21k, 22k and 23k preferentially inhibited proliferation of human T-lymphocyte CEM cells at IC₅₀ in the 2.8–12 μM range.

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Nucleotide analogues with aliphatic linker between phosphorus and 1,2,3-triazole.

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Efficient synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole analogues of nucleotides.

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Antiviral activity and inhibitory effect on the proliferation of CEM cells.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 1,2,3-triazolonucleotides

A general procedure for the preparation of 1,2,3-triazole analogs of nucleosides from diethyl 2-azidoethoxymethyl- and 2-azidoethoxyethylphosphonates was elaborated. The application of microwave irradiation shortened the reaction time to 10 min in comparison to ca. 48 h when 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions were performed under standard conditions. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for inhibitory activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses. None of the compounds were antivirally active at subtoxic concentrations. Compound 17k exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human T-lymphocyte cells (IC50=64 µM for CEM).

Chemical architecture and applications of nucleic acid derivatives containing 1,2,3-triazole functionalities synthesized via click chemistry

There is considerable attention directed at chemically modifying nucleic acids with robust functional groups in order to alter their properties. Since the breakthrough of copper-assisted azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC), there have been several reports describing the synthesis and properties of novel triazole-modified nucleic acid derivatives for potential downstream DNA- and RNA-based applications. This review will focus on highlighting representative novel nucleic acid molecular structures that have been synthesized via the “click” azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Many of these derivatives show compatibility for various applications that involve enzymatic transformation, nucleic acid hybridization, molecular tagging and purification, and gene silencing. The details of these applications are discussed. In conclusion, the future of nucleic acid analogues functionalized with triazoles is promising.

Design, synthesis, antiviral, and cytotoxic evaluation of novel phosphonylated 1,2,3-triazoles as acyclic nucleotide analogues

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of diethyl 2-azidoethyl-, 3-azidopropyl-, 2-azido-1-hydroxyethyl-, 3-azido-2-hydroxypropylphosphonates with selected N-propargyl nucleobases gave a series of the phosphonylated 1,2,3-triazole acyclonucleosides in which the phosphonate residue and nucleobases were linked by three- and four-carbon chains. Under standard conditions (TMSBr, ethanol), all synthesized O,O-diethylphosphonates were transformed into the respective phosphonic acids. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses. Unfortunately, no antiviral activity was observed at 100 μM.

Borononucleotides as substrates/binders for human NMP kinases: enzymatic and spectroscopic evaluation

Borononucleotides are a family of natural nucleotide monophosphate analogues with a 5'-boronic acid function. As B-O-P linkages are known to be unstable in solution, we evaluated the ability of borononucleotides to be recognized by nucleoside monophosphate kinases and eventually foil the phosphorylation process. In this context, and with the idea of probing the influence of their size, shape, and flexibility, a library of borononucleotides were synthetized starting from the borononucleotide analogue of thymidine, which was shown to behave as a slow substrate of human TMP kinase. This study thus constitutes a good starting point for the development of new monophosphate mimics as potential substrates or ligands for NMP kinases.

Design, synthesis, antiviral and cytostatic evaluation of novel isoxazolidine nucleotide analogues with a 1,2,3-triazole linker

Azidation (TMSN(3), SnCl(4)) of a 9:1 mixture of trans- and cis-5-acetoxy-2-methylisoxazolidin-3-yl-3-phosphonates at the anomeric carbon atom led to the formation of the equimolar mixture of cis- and trans-5-azido-2-methylisoxazolidin-3-yl-3-phosphonates, which were efficiently separated. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of pure trans- and cis-5-azidoisoxazolidin-3-yl-3-phosphonates with selected alkynes gave the respective nucleoside mimetics containing a 1,2,3-triazole linker. The (1,2,3-triazolyl)isoxazolidine phosphonates obtained herein were evaluated in vitro for activity against a variety of DNA and RNA viruses. None of the compounds were endowed with antiviral activity at subtoxic concentrations. Compounds 15f-j and 16f-j were cytostatic in the higher micromolar range.

Efficient one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted 6-[(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]uracils through the “click” protocol

The preparation of several triazolo acyclic nucleosides and triazolo acyclic nucleoside phosphonates is described. The synthetic methodology has been developed as an efficient one-pot Cu(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne Huisgen “click” cycloaddition. A novel Cu(I)-catalyzed decarboxylation reaction of 1-substituted 1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acids at room temperature was observed and used for the preparation of 1-substituted 1H-1,2,3-triazoles. As congeners of TPI (Taiho pharmaceutical inhibitor), the prepared compounds were screened as potential inhibitors of human thymidine phosphorylase, but no inhibitory activity was observed.

Synthesis of new C5-(1-substituted-1,2,3-triazol-4 or 5-yl)-2'-deoxyuridines and their antiviral evaluation

The synthesis and antiviral evaluation of a series of C5-(1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazolo)-nucleoside derivatives is described. The key steps of this synthesis are regioselective Huisgen's 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, using either copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) or ruthenium-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (RuAAC) under microwave activation. Some compounds among the 5a-l series possess activity against herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, human cytomegalovirus and vaccinia virus. Their cytostatic activities were determined against murine leukemia cells, human T-lymphocyte cells and cervix carcinoma cells. Compounds were also evaluated on a wide panel of RNA viruses, including Vesicular stomatitis virus, influenza viruses type A (H1N1 and H3N2) and B in MDCK cell cultures, parainfluenza-3 virus, reovirus-1, Sindbis virus and Punta Toro virus in Vero cell cultures and Vesicular stomatitis, Coxsackie B4 and respiratory syncytial virus, with no specific antiviral effect.