A review on recent progress in multicomponent reactions of pyrimidine synthesis

Indole-pyridine carbonitriles: multicomponent reaction synthesis and bio-evaluation as potential hits against diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a significant health disorder; therefore, researchers should focus on discovering new drug candidates. Methods: A series of indole-pyridine carbonitrile derivatives, 1-34, were synthesized through a one-pot multicomponent reaction and evaluated for antidiabetic and antioxidant potential. Results: In this library, 12 derivatives - 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10-12, 14, 15 and 31 - exhibited potent inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes, in comparison to acarbose (IC50 = 14.50 ± 0.11 μM). Furthermore, kinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity and molecular docking studies were used to interpret the type of inhibition, binding energies and interactions of ligands with target enzymes. Conclusion: These results indicate that the compounds may be promising hits for controlling diabetes mellitus and its related complications.

Green Synthesis of Aromatic Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles by Catalytic and Non-Traditional Activation Methods

Recent advances in the environmentally benign synthesis of aromatic N-heterocycles are reviewed, focusing primarily on the application of catalytic methods and non-traditional activation. This account features two main parts: the preparation of single ring N-heterocycles, and their condensed analogs. Both groups include compounds with one, two and more N-atoms. Due to the large number of protocols, this account focuses on providing representative examples to feature the available methods.

An expeditious on-water regioselective synthesis of novel arylidene-hydrazinyl-thiazoles as DNA targeting agents

A series of twenty novel (E)-arylidene-hydrazinyl-thiazole derivatives has been synthesized employing α-bromo-β-diketones, thiosemicarbazide, and aromatic/heteroaromatic aldehydes with a simple and facile one-pot multicomponent reaction passageway. This organic transformation proceeds efficiently in aqueous media and demonstrated a large functional group tolerance. The structures and stereochemistry of the regioisomeric product were rigorously characterized using heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments. The binding potential of the synthesized analogs with B-DNA dodecamer d(CGCGAATTCGCG)₂ was primarily screened using molecular modeling tools and further, mechanistic investigations (either groove or intercalation) were performed using various spectroscopic techniques such as UV-Visible, Fluorescence, and Circular dichroism. The absorption spectra showed a hyperchromic shift in the absorption maxima of ctDNA with successive addition of thiazole derivatives, implying groove binding mode of interactions, further supported by displacement assay and circular dichroism analysis. Furthermore, steady-state fluorescence analysis revealed the static mode of quenching and moderate bindings between the ligand and DNA biomolecule. The competitive studies showed that the derivatives having a pyridinyl (heteroaromatic) group in their structure, bind with the nucleic acid of calf-thymus (ctDNA) more effectively in the minor groove region as compared with the aromatic substitutions.

The vital use of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (MCR) in chemical synthesis

Multicomponent (MCRs) reactions are classified as one-pot reaction where more than two starting materials are employed to form a single product that contains the building blocks of the starting components. MCRs are considered a convenient approach in synthetic chemistry and have many advantages over the traditional one or two-component reaction, by reducing the number of sequential multiple steps required and often producing better yields. This chapter dissects the use of isocyanide-based MCRs and the elegant chemistry that they offer to build useful scaffolds in the chemical synthetic field. In addition MCRs are considered as one of the recognisable options for increasing “greenness” during the synthesis of pharmaceutical and industrial products.

Importance of Hybrid Catalysts toward the Synthesis of 5H-Pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2-ones/2,4-diones (Thiones)

The pyranopyrimidine core is a key precursor for medicinal and pharmaceutical industries due to its broader synthetic applications as well as its bioavailability. Among its four possible isomers, we found that 5H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffolds have a wide range of applicability, and in recent years, they have been intensively investigated, but the development of the main core is found to be more challenging due to its structural existence. In this review article, we cover all of the synthetic pathways that are employed for the development of substituted 4-aryl-octahydropyrano/hexahydrofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one (thiones) and 5-aryl-substituted pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidindione (2-thiones) derivatives through a one-pot multicomponent reaction using diversified hybrid catalysts such as organocatalysts, metal catalysts, ionic liquid catalysts, nanocatalysts, green solvents, catalyst-/solvent-free conditions, and miscellaneous catalysts as well as the mechanism and recyclability of the catalysts. This review mainly focuses on the application of hybrid catalysts (from 1992 to 2022) for the synthesis of 5H-pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffolds. This review will definitely attract the world's leading researchers to utilize broader catalytic applications for the development of lead molecules.

Catalyzed Methods to Synthesize Pyrimidine and Related Heterocyclic Compounds

This review covers articles published in the period from 2010 to mid-2022 on synthetic advances in the formation of pyrimidine and related heterocyclic compounds. Special emphasis has been given to the different types of cycloadditions, taking into account the number of their components and leading to the formation of the pyrimidine ring. Due to the large number of publications on the Biginelli reaction and related reactions, this will be dealt with in a separate review in the near future.

Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidines: Isosteres of Nifedipine and Evaluation of Their Calcium Channel Blocking Efficiency

Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases related to it remain the leading medical challenges globally. Several drugs have been synthesized and commercialized to manage hypertension. Some of these drugs have a dihydropyrimidine skeleton structure, act as efficient calcium channel blockers, and affect the calcium ions' intake in vascular smooth muscle, hence managing hypertension. The synthesis of such moieties is crucial, and documenting their structure-activity relationship, their evolved and advanced synthetic procedures, and future opportunities in this area is currently a priority. Tremendous efforts have been made after the discovery of the Biginelli condensation reaction in the synthesis of dihydropyrimidines. From the specific selection of Biginelli adducts to the variation in the formed intermediates to achieve target compounds containing heterocylic rings, aldehydes, a variety of ketones, halogens, and many other desired functionalities, extensive studies have been carried out. Several substitutions at the C3, C4, and C5 positions of dihydropyrimidines have been explored, aiming to produce feasible derivatives with acceptable yields as well as antihypertensive activity. The current review aims to cover this requirement in detail.

Recent Advances in the Development of Pyrimidine-based CNS Agents

BACKGROUND

In the past few decades, considerable progress has been made in CNS drug discovery, and various new CNS agents have been developed. Pyrimidine is an important scaffold in the area of medicinal chemistry. Recently, pyrimidine-containing compounds have been successfully designed as potent CNS agents. Substantial research has been carried out on pyrimidine-bearing compounds to treat different disorders of CNS in various animal models.

METHODS

Utilizing various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science, the literature review was conducted. The specifics of significant articles were discussed with an emphasis on the potency of pyrimidines derivatives possessing CNS activity.

RESULTS

Recent papers indicating pyrimidine derivatives with CNS activity were incorporated into the manuscript. (46) to (50) papers included different pyrimidine derivatives as 5-HT agonist/antagonists, (62) to (67) as adenosine agonist/antagonist, (70) to (75) as anticonvulsant agents, (80) to (83) as cannabinoid receptor agonists, (102) to (103) as nicotinic and (110) as muscarinic receptor agonists. The remaining papers (113) to (114) represented pyrimidine-based molecular imaging agents.

CONCLUSION

Pyrimidine and its derivatives have been studied in detail to evaluate their efficacy in overcoming multiple central nervous system disorders. The article covers the current updates on pyrimidine-based compounds as potent CNS and molecular imaging agents and will definitely provide a better platform for the development of potent pyrimidine-based CNS drugs in the near future.

Microwave Induced Green Synthesis: Sustainable Technology for Efficient Development of Bioactive Pyrimidine Scaffolds

Microwave radiation is used as a heating source during the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. The heating mechanisms involved in microwave-induced synthesis include dipolar polarization and ionic conduction. This heating technology follows the green protocol as it involves the use of recyclable organic solvents during synthesis. The microwave heating approach offers a faster rate of reaction, easier work-up procedure, and higher product yield with purity and also reduces environmental pollution. So, microwave heating is applied as a sustainable technology for the efficient production of pyrimidine compounds as one of the heterocyclic moieties. Pyrimidine is a six-membered nitrogenous heterocyclic compound that plays a significant role due to several therapeutic applications. This moiety acts as an essential building block for generating drug candidates with diverse biological activities, including anti-cancer (capecitabine), anti-thyroid (propylthiouracil), antihistaminic (pemirolast), antimalarial (pyrimethamine), antidiabetic (alloxan), antihypertensive (minoxidil), anti-inflammatory (octotiamine), antifungal (cyprodinil), antibacterial (sulfamethazine), etc. This review is focused on the synthesis of pyrimidine analogs under microwave irradiation technique and the study of their therapeutic potentials.

Fe3O4@Glycerol-Cu as a novel heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalyst for the green synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes

In the present study, the Fe₃O₄@Glycerol-Cu complex supported magnetically as a nanoparticle was prepared by grafting. Firstly, Fe₃O₄ NPs were synthesized by FeCl₃.6H₂O and FeCl₂.4H₂O according to the reported method, and subsequently, the prepared MNP with 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane. After that, the support-glycerol was functionalized on the surface of MNP-(CH₂)₃Cl for graft and stabilization of copper metal. Our purpose is to use the Fe₃O₄@Glycerol-Cu as a green, recoverable, novel, and affordable nanocatalyst in the effective synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes. FT-IR, XRD, TGA, BET, VSM, TEM, and SEM-EDX techniques were examined to characterize this nanocatalyst. This result demonstrates that copper and organic compounds have appropriately reacted, with the support of MNP-(CH₂)₃Cl, and the crystalline structure have preserved in the MNP-(CH₂)₃Cl/Glycerol-Cu nanocatalyst confirmed the formation of the base Cu complex grafted on the surface of the nanoparticles. Finally, as can be seen, the nanoparticle size is 5-15 nm. This heterogeneous nanocatalyst illustrated excellent recyclable behavior, and can be used several times without notable reduction of its activity.

1,2,4‐Triazole and benzimidazole fused dihydropyrimidine derivatives: Design, green synthesis, antibacterial, antitubercular, and antimalarial activities

This study reports the design and synthesis of novel 1,2,4-triazolo/benzimidazolo-pyrimidine linked 1-benzyl-4-[(p-tolyloxy)methyl]-1,2,3-triazole derivatives as potent antimicrobial agents according to their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, antitubercular as well as antimalarial activities. An efficient, ecologically benign, and facile multicomponent synthesis was employed to synthesize these derivatives. The synthesis is accelerated with the mild and eco-friendly organocatalyst tetrabutylammonium bromide, providing a yield of 82%-96% within the short reaction time of 0.5-1.5 h. Compared with the MIC values of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin on the respective strains, compound d2 showed better activity against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes and compound d8 showed better MIC against Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, compounds d3, d4, and d5 showed potent MIC values against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All triazolo-pyrimidine derivatives d1-d8 showed potent inhibitory action against Gram-positive strains. Compound e3 showed good potency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. The IC₅₀ values of d3 and e2 indicated better activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Collectively, these derivatives depict potent multifaceted activity and provide promising access for further antimicrobial and antimalarial investigations.

DFT, ADMET and Molecular Docking Investigations for the Antimicrobial Activity of 6,6'-Diamino-1,1',3,3'-tetramethyl-5,5'-(4-chlorobenzylidene)bis[pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione]

Heterocyclic compounds, including pyrimidine derivatives, exhibit a broad variety of biological and pharmacological activities. In this paper, a previously synthesized novel pyrimidine molecule is proposed, and its pharmaceutical properties are investigated. Computational techniques such as the density functional theory, ADMET evaluation, and molecular docking were applied to elucidate the chemical nature, drug likeness and antibacterial function of molecule. The viewpoint of quantum chemical computations revealed that the molecule was relatively stable and has a high electrophilic nature. The contour maps of HOMO-LUMO and molecular electrostatic potential were analyzed to illustrate the charge density distributions that could be associated with the biological activity. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealed details about the interaction between donor and acceptor within the bond. Drug likeness and ADMET analysis showed that the molecule possesses the agents of safety and the effective combination therapy as pharmaceutical drug. The antimicrobial activity was investigated using molecular docking. The investigated molecule demonstrated a high affinity for binding within the active sites of antibacterial and antimalarial proteins. The high affinity of the antibacterial protein was proved by its low binding energy (-7.97 kcal/mol) and a low inhibition constant value (1.43 µM). The formation of four conventional hydrogen bonds in ligand-protein interactions confirmed the high stability of the resulting complexes. When compared to known standard drugs, the studied molecule displayed a remarkable antimalarial activity, as indicated by higher binding affinity (B.E. -5.86 kcal/mol & Ki = 50.23 M). The pre-selected molecule could be presented as a promising drug candidate for the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

Gold-coated iron oxide core–shell nanostructures for the oxidation of indoles and the synthesis of uracil-derived spirooxindoles

Synthesis of isatins and uracil-based spirooxindoles catalysed by Au/Fe3O4 core–shell nanoparticles under mild conditions and low reaction times.

Ni-citric acid coordination polymer as a practical catalyst for multicomponent reactions

Coordinative polymers (CP) are a subclass of Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with porous microstructures which have been widely synthesized in recent years and applied in various fields especially in catalysis science. In this work Coordinative polymers (CP) of nickel and citric acid (CA) was prepared as a new catalyst (Ni-CP) and applied in organic multicomponent reactions. The obtained catalyst was characterized by SEM, WDX, EDS, AAS, FT-IR, XRD and BET analysis. N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms indicate good BET surface area for Ni-CP; therefore can be employed as an efficient catalyst in multicomponent reactions for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline and 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one derivatives. Finally, this catalyst was recovered and reused several consecutive times.

6′-Amino-5,7-dibromo-2-oxo-3′-(trifluoromethyl)-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-5′-carbonitrile

The multicomponent reactions are environmentally benign synthetic methods of building-up of complex molecules and several levels of structural diversity for diverse applications. Spirooxindoles are an important synthetic target possessing extended biological activity and drug discovery applications. In this communication, the multicomponent transformation of 5,7-dibromoisatin, malononitrile, and 5-(trifluoromethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one in EtOH at reflux in the presence of sodium acetate was carefully investigated to give 6′-amino-5,7-dibromo-2-oxo-3′-(trifluoromethyl)-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-5′-carbonitrile in excellent yield. The structure of the new compound was established by means of elemental analysis, mass and nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy.

Iron-Catalyzed Alkyne-Based Multicomponent Synthesis of Pyrimidines under Air

An iron-catalyzed sustainable, economically affordable, and eco-friendly synthetic protocol for the construction of various trisubstituted pyrimidines is described. A wide range of trisubstituted pyrimidines were prepared using a well-defined, easy to prepare, bench-stable, and phosphine-free iron catalyst featuring a redox-noninnocent tridentate arylazo pincer under comparatively mild aerobic conditions via dehydrogenative functionalization of alcohols with alkynes and amidines.

Recent Advances in the Green Synthesis of Heterocycles: From Building Blocks to Biologically Active Compounds

Recent advances in the environmentally benign synthesis of common heterocycles are described. This account features three main parts; the preparation of non-aromatic heterocycles, one-ring aromatic heterocycles and their condensed analogs. Due to the great variety of and high interest in these compounds, this work focuses on providing representative examples of the preparation of the target compounds.

N-Directed Pd-Catalyzed Photoredox-Mediated C–H Arylation for Accessing Phenyl-Extended Analogues of Biginelli/Suzuki-Derived Ethyl 4-Methyl-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine-5-carboxylates

The availability and application of direct, functional group-compatible C–H activation methods for late-stage modification of small-molecule bioactives and other valuable materials remains an ongoing challenge in organic synthesis. In the current study, we demonstrate that a LED-activated, photoredox-mediated, Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed C–H arylation, employing a phenyldiazonium aryl source and either tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) or (2,2′-bipyridine)bis[3,5-di-fluoro-2-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl-kN][phenyl-kC]iridium(III) as photoredox initiator, may successfully produce unprecedented mono- and bis-phenyl derivatives of functionality-rich 2,6-diphenylpyrimidine substrates at room temperature. The series of 19 substrates employed herein, which share the biologically-relevant 4-methyl-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine-5-carboxylate scaffold, were generated via a synthetic route involving (3-component) Biginelli condensation, oxidative dehydrogenation of the obtained 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one to 2-hydroxypyrimidine, O-sulfonylation, and Suzuki-Miyaura C–C cross-coupling. Submission of these substrates to pyrimidine-N-atom-directed C–H arylation conditions led to regioselective phenylation at the ortho site(s) of the pyrimidine-C2-connected phenyl ring, revealing substituent-dependent electronic and steric effects. A focused library of 18 mono- and 10 bis-phenyl derivatives was generated. Its members exhibit interesting 3D and peripheral substitution features that render them promising for evaluation in drug discovery efforts.

Synthesis of 1,8-Dioxo-decahydroacridine Derivatives via Ru-Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Multicomponent Reaction

A Ru-catalyzed acceptorless dehydrogenative multicomponent reaction has been developed. This reaction offers a cost-effective and simple operational strategy to synthesize biologically active 1,8-dioxodecahydroacridine derivatives. The protocol provides a wide range of substrate scope and various functional groups are also well tolerated under the reaction condition. To shed light on the mechanistic and kinetic study, some controlled experiments and deuterium labeling experiments were executed. A time-dependent product distribution experiment is also presented and the reaction scale-up is performed to highlight the practical utility of this strategy.

Pyrimidine-based EGFR TK inhibitors in targeted cancer therapy

Despite significant improvements of new treatment options, cancer continues to represent as one of the most common and fatal disease. The EGFR signaling pathway is considered as a significant approach in targeted therapy of cancers. Blocking the EGFR-driven pathway by inhibiting the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR have shown considerable improvement in cancer therapy. In an effort to identify EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), several small molecules especially pyrimidine containing derivatives have been designed by applying molecular simulation and evaluated the emergence of epigenetic mutation and resistance problems restricted the long-term effectiveness of such medication and explained the need for further investigations in this field. In recent years, the studies have been focused on genetic alterations on EGFR tyrosine kinase domain, which led to the design and synthesis of more selective and effective inhibitors. Herein, we give an overview of the importance and status of EGFR inhibitors in cancer therapy. In addition, we provide an update of the recent advances in design, discovery and development of novel pyrimidine containing compounds as promising selective EGFR TK inhibitors.

Accelerated five-component spiro-pyrrolidine construction at the air-liquid interface

Multi-component reactions assemble complex molecules in a highly effective way, however, they often suffer from long reaction times. We demonstrate that acceleration of a five-component spiro-pyrrolidine construction can be achieved in microdroplets and thin films. The deposition method and mild heating are crucial factors for product formation. Three key intermediates were captured by mass spectrometry to elucidate the tandem reaction mechanism. We also found that hydrogen bonding can significantly flatten the energy barrier at the air-liquid interface.

Green synthesis and biological activities assessment of some new chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) composed of γ-Fe₂O₃ and hydroxyapatite (HAp) were modified by hexamethylen-1,6-diisocyanate (HMDI) followed by thiourea dioxide and used as recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of some newly derivatives of chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine. The products were synthesized in excellent yields via one-pot three-component reactions of 3-cyano-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-pyridin-2(1H)-one with aldehydes and dimedone under solvent-free conditions. The successful synthesis of products were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), proton/carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H/¹³C NMR), and mass spectroscopies as well as physical data (e.g., melting points and elemental composition). The in vitro antioxidant and antifungal activities of the synthesized samples were evaluated using scavenging effects on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, respectively. Based on results, the chromeno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives exhibited excellent biological activities that qualified them for biomedical applications.

Microwave-Assisted Regioselective Suzuki Coupling of 2,4-Dichloropyrimidines with Aryl and Heteroaryl Boronic Acids

Suzuki coupling reaction has been often used for the preparation of a diverse set of substituted pyrimidines. In this study, the Suzuki coupling of 2,4-dichloropyrimidines with aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids was investigated. A thorough screening of reaction conditions and the use of microwave irradiation led to a very efficient and straightforward synthetic procedure providing C4-substituted pyrimidines in good to excellent yields. Short reaction time (15 min) and extremely low catalyst loading (0.5 mol%) are the main advantages of our tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) catalyzed microwave-assisted procedure, which could be used for quick and low-cost regioselective preparation of substituted pyrimidine rings.

Rational Design, Synthesis, In Vitro, and In Silico Studies of Dihydropyrimidinone Derivatives as β-Glucuronidase Inhibitors

In the current study, a series of dihydropyrimidinone derivatives were rationally designed as β-glucuronidase inhibitors. These designed compounds were successfully synthesized and characterized through various spectroscopic techniques such as IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and EI-MS. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) of synthesized derivatives to inhibit β-glucuronidase was also established. In vitro biological evaluations revealed that 4i as the most potent compound in this series has an IC50 value of 31.52 ± 2.54 μM compared to the standard D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (IC50 = 41.32 ± 1.82 µM). Also, molecular docking and dynamics studies of the most potent compound are performed to evaluate interactions between the active compound and binding site.

A review on multicomponent reactions catalysed by zero-dimensional/one-dimensional titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials: Promising green methodologies in organic chemistry

Heterogeneous catalysis has currently become an emerging tool for the design and development of sustainable manufacturing processes in order to obtain advanced intermediates, fine chemicals, and bioactive molecules. This field has been considered efficient and eco-friendly, as it investigates the utilization of non-hazardous metals for atom-economical reactions. Nanomaterials have created a significant impact on scientific and engineering advancements due to their tunable properties with superior performance over their massive counterparts. Due to the increased demand for heterogeneous catalysts in industries and academia, different transition metal oxides have been made into substantial nanostructures. Among them, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanomaterials have received more attention on account of their chemical stability, low cost, dual acid-base properties, good oxidation rate and refractive index. Different modifications of TiO₂ extend their applications as active catalysts or catalyst supports in diverse catalytic processes, such as photovoltaics, lithium batteries, pigments and others. One-dimensional (1-D) TiO₂ nanostructures such as nanotubes, nanowires and nanorods have achieved greater importance owing to the unique properties of improved porosity, decreased inter-crystalline contacts, large surface-to-volume ratio, superior dispersibility, amplified accessibility of hydroxyl (-OH) groups and presence of good concentrations of Brønsted/Lewis acid sites. Since the discovery, 1-D TiO₂ nanostructures have served good photocatalytic applications, but were less explored in organic transformations. While many articles and reviews have covered the applications of 0-D and 1-D TiO₂ nanostructured materials (NSMs) in photoelectrochemical reactions and solar cells, there are other interesting applications of these as well. In contrast to the conventional multi-step processes that utilise the stepwise formation of individual bonds, one-pot conversions based on multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have acquired much significance in contemporary organic synthesis. This paper presents a critical review on history, classification, design and synthetic utility of titania-based nanostructures, which could be used as robust solid-acid catalysts and catalyst supports for MCRs. Further, to put ideas into perspective, the introduction and applications of MCRs for various organic transformations have been discussed.

Development of an efficient, one-pot, multicomponent protocol for synthesis of 8-hydroxy-4-phenyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives

A one-pot quick and efficient multicomponent reaction has been developed for the synthesis of a new series of functionalized 8-hydroxy-4-phenyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives using 30 mol% ammonium acetate in ethanol as solvent. This economical protocol run smoothly to give variety of quinoline derivatives in 55% to 98% yield from inexpensive reagents and catalyst in mild reaction conditions. Various spectroscopic techniques like FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, and EI-MS were used to study and confirm their structure.

Visible-light-mediated synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted furan-2-one derivatives via a bifunctional organo photocatalyst

This protocol demonstrates sustainable synthesis of furan-2-one derivatives using organo photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation and DFT studies of the compound.

Androstano-arylpyrimidines: Novel small molecule inhibitors of MDR1 for sensitizing multidrug-resistant breast cancer cells

Apart from the numerous physiological functions of MDR1, it is widely known for its role in granting multidrug resistance to cancer cells. This ATP-driven transmembrane protein exports a wide range of chemotherapeutic agents from cancer cells, thereby deterring drugs to reach effective intracellular concentrations. Thus, inhibition of MDR1 expression or function would be a viable option to enhance the accumulation of cytotoxic agents in cancer cells which in turn could improve significantly the success rate of chemotherapy. Although, several pharmacological inhibitors have been designed and tested in the past, due to their unsuccessful translation to clinical application, there is still ongoing research to find suitable compounds to manipulate MDR1 function and potentially overturn multidrug resistance. In the present study, we demonstrate that novel DHT-derived A-ring-fused arylpyrimidinone derivatives, based on their acetylation status, can inhibit MDR1 efflux activity in MDR1 overexpressing multidrug-resistant breast adenocarcinoma cells. Strikingly, all derivatives carrying an acetoxy group on the sterane d-ring were highly potent in hindering Rhodamine 123 export via MDR1, however deacetylated molecules were not capable to exert a similar effect on multidrug resistant cancer cells. The possible molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the efflux pump inhibiting function of acetylated derivatives were dissected using the most potent MDR1 inhibitor, compound 10g and its deacetylated counterpart (11g). Importantly, molecule 10g was able to sensitize drug resistant cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, further verifying the highly advantageous nature of efflux pump inhibition upon chemotherapy. Our experiments also revealed that neither mitochondrial damage, nor MDR1 gene regulation could lay behind the MDR1 inhibitory function of compound 10g. Molecular docking studies were carried out to analyze the interactions of 10g and 11g with MDR1, however no significant differences in their binding properties were observed. Nevertheless, our results indicate that the ER stress inducing potential of molecule 10g might be the fundamental mechanism behind its inhibitory action on MDR1. With additional studies, our work can yield a structural platform for a new generation of small molecule MDR1 inhibitors to sensitize drug resistant cancer cells and at the same time it elucidates the exemplary involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the molecular events to defeat multidrug resistance.

Multicomponent Polymerization for π-Conjugated Polymers

Structurally complex π-conjugated polymers hold great promise as key components in sensor and electronic devices; however, their syntheses have not been a trivial task. From a synthetic efficiency perspective, it would be more attractive to access these materials using convenient and efficient methods from simple building blocks. One such synthetic tool, multicomponent polymerization, can accommodate modularity and provide highly efficient syntheses. This feature article outlines several multicomponent polymerization strategies for the synthesis of various π-conjugated polymers, which are classified based upon how the monomers are aligned during polymerization. Additionally, the challenges and outlooks of this field are highlighted and discussed.