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Ye J, Kan CH, Yang X, Ma C. Inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase function and protein-protein interactions: a promising approach for next-generation antibacterial therapeutics. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1471-1487. [PMID: 38784472 PMCID: PMC11110800 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00690e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens necessitates the urgent development of new antimicrobial agents with innovative modes of action for the next generation of antimicrobial therapy. Bacterial transcription has been identified and widely studied as a viable target for antimicrobial development. The main focus of these studies has been the discovery of inhibitors that bind directly to the core enzyme of RNA polymerase (RNAP). Over the past two decades, substantial advancements have been made in understanding the properties of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and gaining structural insights into bacterial RNAP and its associated factors. This has led to the crucial role of computational methods in aiding the identification of new PPI inhibitors to affect the RNAP function. In this context, bacterial transcriptional PPIs present promising, albeit challenging, targets for the creation of new antimicrobials. This review will succinctly outline the structural foundation of bacterial transcription networks and provide a summary of the known small molecules that target transcription PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon Hong Kong SAR China
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230032 China
| | - Cheuk Hei Kan
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital Shatin Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Cong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Kowloon Hong Kong SAR China
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Ye J, Kan CH, Zheng Y, Tsang TF, Chu AJ, Chan KH, Yang X, Ma C. Sulfonamidyl derivatives of sigmacidin: Protein-protein interaction inhibitors targeting bacterial RNA polymerase and sigma factor interaction exhibiting antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:106983. [PMID: 38016396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase is an essential enzyme involved in bacterial transcription, playing a crucial role in RNA synthesis. However, it requires the association with sigma factors to initiate this process. In our previous work, we utilized a structure-based drug discovery approach to create benzoyl and benzyl benzoic acid compounds. These compounds were designed based on the amino acid residues within the key binding site of sigma factors, which are crucial for their interaction with RNA polymerase. By inhibiting bacterial transcription, these compounds exhibited notable antimicrobial activity, and we coined them as sigmacidins to highlight their resemblance to sigma factors and the benzoic acid structure. In this study, we further modified the compound scaffolds and developed a series of sulfonamidyl benzoic acid derivatives. These derivatives displayed potent antimicrobial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 1 µg/mL, demonstrating their efficacy against bacteria. Furthermore, these compounds demonstrated low cytotoxicity, indicating their potential as safe antimicrobial agents. To ascertain their mechanism of action in interfering with bacterial transcription, we conducted biochemical and cellular assays. Overall, this study showcases the effectiveness of sulfonamidyl benzoic acid derivatives as antimicrobial agents by targeting protein-protein interactions involving RNA polymerase and sigma factors. Their strong antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity implicate their potential in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cheuk Hei Kan
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yingbo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tsz Fung Tsang
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Adrian Jun Chu
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - King Hong Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Cong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Ye J, Yang X, Ma C. Ligand-Based Drug Design of Novel Antimicrobials against Staphylococcus aureus by Targeting Bacterial Transcription. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010339. [PMID: 36613782 PMCID: PMC9820117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a common human commensal pathogen that causes a wide range of infectious diseases. Due to the generation of antimicrobial resistance, the pathogen becomes resistant to more and more antibiotics, resulting in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and even multidrug-resistant S. aureus (MDRSA), namely 'superbugs'. This situation highlights the urgent need for novel antimicrobials. Bacterial transcription, which is responsible for bacterial RNA synthesis, is a valid but underutilized target for developing antimicrobials. Previously, we reported a novel class of antimicrobials, coined nusbiarylins, that inhibited bacterial transcription by interrupting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between two transcription factors NusB and NusE. In this work, we developed a ligand-based workflow based on the chemical structures of nusbiarylins and their activity against S. aureus. The ligand-based models-including the pharmacophore model, 3D QSAR, AutoQSAR, and ADME/T calculation-were integrated and used in the following virtual screening of the ChemDiv PPI database. As a result, four compounds, including J098-0498, 1067-0401, M013-0558, and F186-026, were identified as potential antimicrobials against S. aureus, with predicted pMIC values ranging from 3.8 to 4.2. The docking study showed that these molecules bound to NusB tightly with the binding free energy ranging from -58 to -66 kcal/mol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Pharmacy, Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Correspondence: (X.Y.); (C.M.)
| | - Cong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Correspondence: (X.Y.); (C.M.)
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Upadhyay R, Khalifa Z, Patel D, Patel AB. Rhodanine‐Incorporated Indole Derivatives as Pharmacologically Vital Hybrids. ChemistrySelect 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202203896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachana Upadhyay
- Department of Chemistry Government College Daman (Affiliated to Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Surat Daman (U.T.) 396210 India
| | - Zebabanu Khalifa
- Department of Chemistry Government College Daman (Affiliated to Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Surat Daman (U.T.) 396210 India
| | - Divyesh Patel
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Vadodara 390002 India
| | - Amit B. Patel
- Department of Chemistry Government College Daman (Affiliated to Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Surat Daman (U.T.) 396210 India
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Kandemir H, İzgi S, Cınar I, Cebeci F, Dirican E, Saglam MF, Sengul IF. Methoxy‐Activated Indole‐7‐Carbohydrazides; Synthesis, Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties. J Heterocycl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jhet.4562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Kandemir
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science Tekirdag Namık Kemal University Turkey
| | - Samet İzgi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science Tekirdag Namık Kemal University Turkey
| | - Irfan Cınar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Kastamonu University Kastamonu Turkey
| | - Fatma Cebeci
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences Bayburt University Bayburt Turkey
| | - Ebubekir Dirican
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences Bayburt University Bayburt Turkey
| | - Mehmet F. Saglam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Gebze Technical University, Gebze Kocaeli Turkey
| | - Ibrahim F. Sengul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science Gebze Technical University, Gebze Kocaeli Turkey
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Qiu Y, Chu AJ, Tsang TF, Zheng Y, Lam NM, Li KSL, Ip M, Yang X, Ma C. Synthesis and biological evaluation of nusbiarylin derivatives as bacterial rRNA synthesis inhibitor with potent antimicrobial activity against MRSA and VRSA. Bioorg Chem 2022; 124:105863. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Yıldız M, Bingul M, Zorlu Y, Saglam MF, Boga M, Temel M, Koca MS, Kandemir H, Sengul IF. Dimethoxyindoles based thiosemicarbazones as multi-target agents; synthesis, crystal interactions, biological activity and molecular modeling. Bioorg Chem 2022; 120:105647. [PMID: 35121556 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known as one of the most devastating neurodegenerative disease diagnosed for the old-aged people and cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) can be used as an effective palliative treatment for AD. A range of novel monomeric and dimeric indole based thiosemicarbazone derivatives 17-28 was synthesized in order to target cholinesterases (ChE). Biological importance of the targeted compounds 17-28 was investigated by employing the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes along with three different antioxidant property determination assays, namely DPPH free radical scavenging, ABTS cationic radical decolarization, and CUPRAC cupric reducing antioxidant capacity. The compounds 18 and 19 displayed the best inhibitor activity against BChE with IC50 values of 7.42 and 1.95 μM, respectively. The antioxidant potentials were found to be moderate for DPPH and ABTS assays and the compounds 28 and 18 were the most potent candidates for both antioxidant assays. Cupric reducing capacity was the most promising assay and the compounds 25, 26 and 28 provided better inhibition values than all the standards. Further binding mode and affinity studies performed by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Accordingly, the compound 19 is the most plausible candidate that can compete with galantamine (GNT), a common pharmaceutics targeting both cholinesterase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhal Yıldız
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Tekirdag Namık Kemal University, Turkey
| | - Murat Bingul
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dicle University, Diyarbakır 21280, Turkey
| | - Yunus Zorlu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Mehmet F Saglam
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Boga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dicle University, Diyarbakır 21280, Turkey
| | - Mutesir Temel
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Serdar Koca
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Hakan Kandemir
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Tekirdag Namık Kemal University, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim F Sengul
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
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Wenholz DS, Miller M, Dawson C, Bhadbhade M, Black DS, Griffith R, Dinh H, Cain A, Lewis P, Kumar N. Inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase transcription complex. Bioorg Chem 2021; 118:105481. [PMID: 34801947 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A series of hybrid compounds that incorporated anthranilic acid with activated 1H-indoles through a glyoxylamide linker were designed to target bacterial RNA polymerase holoenzyme formation using computational docking. Synthesis, in vitro transcription inhibition assays, and biological testing of the hybrids identified a range of potent anti-transcription inhibitors with activity against a range of pathogenic bacteria with MICs as low as 3.1 μM. A structure activity relationship study identified the key structural components necessary for inhibition of both bacterial growth and transcription. Correlation of in vitro transcription inhibition activity with in vivo mechanism of action was established using fluorescence microscopy and resistance passaging using Gram-positive bacteria showed no resistance development over 30 days. Furthermore, no toxicity was observed from the compounds in a wax moth larvae model, establishing a platform for the development of a series of new antibacterial drugs with an established mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Wenholz
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2502, Australia
| | - Michael Miller
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Catherine Dawson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Mohan Bhadbhade
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - David StC Black
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2502, Australia
| | - Renate Griffith
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2502, Australia
| | - Hue Dinh
- Department of Biological Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Amy Cain
- Department of Biological Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Peter Lewis
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2502, Australia.
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Abstract
The low G + C Gram-positive bacteria represent some of the most medically and industrially important microorganisms. They are relied on for the production of food and dietary supplements, enzymes and antibiotics, as well as being responsible for the majority of nosocomial infections and serving as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance. Control of gene expression in this group is more highly studied than in any bacteria other than the Gram-negative model Escherichia coli, yet until recently no structural information on RNA polymerase (RNAP) from this group was available. This review will summarize recent reports on the high-resolution structure of RNAP from the model low G + C representative Bacillus subtilis, including the role of auxiliary subunits δ and ε, and outline approaches for the development of antimicrobials to target RNAP from this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Miller
- School Of Environmental And Life Sciences, University Of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Aaron J Oakley
- School Of Environmental And Life Sciences, University Of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter J Lewis
- School Of Environmental And Life Sciences, University Of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,School Of Chemistry And Molecular Bioscience, University Of Wollongong And Illawarra Health And Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, Nsw, Australia
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Madhvi, Utreja D, Sharma S. Barbiturates: A Review of Synthesis and Antimicrobial Research Progress. Curr Org Synth 2021; 19:31-55. [PMID: 33855946 DOI: 10.2174/1570179418666210414104857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Barbituric acid and its derivatives have turned heads for several years as an indispensable class of compounds in the pharmaceutical industry because of their vast assortment of biological activities such as anticonvulsants, hypnotics, anti-diabetic, antiviral, anti-AIDS, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant etc. Plethoras of studies have shed light on the properties, synthesis, and reactivity of these compounds. The depiction of multiple biological activities by barbiturates compelled us and by virtue of which herein we have mediated over the progress of synthesis of numerous kinds of compounds derived from barbituric acid with well-known and typical examples from 2016 to the present. OBJECTIVE The review focuses on the advancements in methods of synthesis of barbituric acid derivatives and their applications as antimicrobial agents. CONCLUSION This review will help future researchers to analyze the previous studies and to explore new compounds for the development of efficient antimicrobial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhvi
- Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004. India
| | - Divya Utreja
- Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004. India
| | - Shivali Sharma
- Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004. India
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Molecular Diversity via Tetrasubstituted Alkenes Containing a Barbiturate Motif: Synthesis and Biological Activity. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25245868. [PMID: 33322563 PMCID: PMC7763037 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of a molecularly diverse library of tetrasubstituted alkenes containing a barbiturate motif is described. Base-induced condensation of N1-substituted pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-triones with 5-(bis(methylthio)methylene)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione gave 3-substituted 5-(methylthio)-2H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,7(1H,3H)-triones (‘pyranopyrimidinones’), regioselectively. A sequence of reactions involving ring-opening of the pyran moiety, displacement of the methylthio group with an amine, re-formation of the pyran ring, and after its final cleavage with an amine, gave tetrasubstituted alkenes (3-amino-3-(2,4,6-trioxotetrahydropyrimidin-5(2H)-ylidene)propanamides) with a diversity of substituents. Cleavage of the pyranopyrimidinones with an aniline was facilitated in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol under microwave irradiation. Compounds were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. No compounds exhibited activity against E. coli, whilst one compound was weakly active against S. aureus. Three compounds were strongly active against S. pombe, but none was active against C. albicans.
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Chauhan J, Luthra T, Sen S. Iodine-Catalyzed Metal-Free Oxidative Ring Opening of 1-Aryltetrahydro-β-carbolines: Facile Synthesis of C-2 Aroyl and Aryl Methanimino Indole Derivatives. European J Org Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201800879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Chauhan
- Department of Chemistry; School of Natural Sciences; Shiv Nadar University; 201314 Chithera, Dadri Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Tania Luthra
- Department of Chemistry; School of Natural Sciences; Shiv Nadar University; 201314 Chithera, Dadri Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Subhabrata Sen
- Department of Chemistry; School of Natural Sciences; Shiv Nadar University; 201314 Chithera, Dadri Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh India
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