Synthesis and biological evaluation of 7-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[1,5- a ]pyrimidines as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents

Trifluoromethyl-β-dicarbonyls as Versatile Synthons in Synthesis of Heterocycles

Trifluoromethyl group relishes a privileged position in the realm of medicinal chemistry because its incorporation into organic molecules often enhances the bioactivity by altering pharmacological profile of molecule. Trifluoromethyl-β-dicarbonyls have emerged as pivotal building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry due to their facile accessibility, stability and remarkable versatility. Owing to presence of nucleophilic and electrophilic sites, they offer multifunctional sites for the reaction. This review covers a meticulous exploration of their multifaceted role, encompassing an in-depth analysis of mechanism, extensive scope, limitations and wide-ranging applications in diverse organic synthesis, covering the literature from the 21st century. This comprehensive review encapsulates the applications of trifluoromethyl-β-dicarbonyls and their synthetic equivalents as precursors of complex and diverse heterocyclic scaffolds, fused heterocycles and spirocyclic compounds having medicinal and material importance. Their potent synthetic utility in cyclocondensation reactions with binucleophiles, cycloaddition reactions, C-C bond formations, asymmetric multicomponent reactions using classical/solvent-free/catalytic synthesis have been presented. Influence of unsymmetrical trifluoromethyl-β-diketones on regioselectivity of transformation is also reviewed. This review will benefit the synthetic and pharmaceutical communities to explore trifluoromethyl-β-dicarbonyls as trifluoromethyl building blocks for fabrication of heterocyclic scaffolds having implementation into drug discovery programs in the imminent future.

Preparation of Some New Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant, Antibacterial (MIC and ZOI) Activities, and Cytotoxic Effect on MCF-7 Cell Lines

This study aims to synthesize some novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives, and investigate their biological activities. These compounds exhibited good to high antioxidant activities [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capabilities]. Among them, Ethyl 5-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)-7-hydroxy-2-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate (3h) showed the highest antioxidant activity [Half-maximal Inhibitory Concentration (IC50 )=15.34 μM] compared to ascorbic acid (IC50 =13.53 μM) as a standard compound. Their antibacterial activities were investigated against two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli). The results showed that Ethyl 7-hydroxy-5-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate (3i) has the best antibacterial activity against Gram-positive B. subtilis [Zone of Inhibition (ZOI)=23.0±1.4 mm, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)=312 μM]. Also, the cytotoxicity of these compounds was assessed against breast cancer cell lines [human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7)], which 7-Hydroxy-2-methyl-5-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile (3f) displayed the most cytotoxicity (IC50 =55.97 μg/mL), in contrast with Lapatinib (IC50 =79.38 μg/mL) as a known drug.

A Molecular Insight into Pyrazole Congeners as Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Antimalarial Agents

BACKGROUND

Pyrazole is a bioactive heterocyclic congener found in a wide range of biological and pharmacological applications. Due to their multiple prospective uses, developing innovative pyrazoles and analogues, disclosing revolutionary ways for synthesizing this nucleus, investigating diverse potencies of that heterocycle, and seeking for possible applications of pyrazoles are all growing more significant Objectives: Pyrazole scaffolds have been proven to be successful as antimicrobial, anticancer, antimalarial therapeutic against multiple targets like DNA gyrase, topoisomerase IV, Hsp90, and several kinase enzymes. Its moiety has absorbed the attention of many scientists to research chemical and pharmacological profile due to this miscellany in the biotic region.

RESULTS

The review covers pyrazole scaffolds with a variety of biological functions, as well as attempts to connect the structure-activity relationship. Multiple pyrazole analogues have been produced as lead compounds, and their activities have been evaluated.

CONCLUSION

The combination of pyrazole with other pharmacophores in a molecule might lead to novel potent therapeutic medicines, which could aid in the development of potent lead compounds.

Multicomponent synthesis and preliminary anti-inflammatory activity of lipophilic diphenylamines

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the most prescribed medications for pain but the incidence of adverse effects -especially during chronic treatment- points out the requirement of new analgesics. In this study, we showed an efficient two-steps synthesis of diphenylamine-containing dipeptides consisting of a multicomponent process followed by a Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reaction. We prepared 16 diphenylamine derivatives and evaluated their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity through an ear edema model using 12-O-tetradecanoylpholbol-13-acetate. Furthermore, the toxicity of the more potent compounds in the Artemia salina model and their cell viability using murine RAW 264.7 cells is reported. The fluorinated compound 10k becomes a reliable candidate since it reduced the TPA-induced edema to 92%, lacked cytotoxicity against murine macrophages, and had minimal toxicity in Artemia salina.

Efficient microwave-assisted Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of 3-bromo pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5(4H)-one: towards a new access to 3,5-diarylated 7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives

A convenient and efficient synthetic route to C3-arylated 7-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one derivatives has been reported starting from 3-bromo-7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one through a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The arylation (heteroarylation) strategy can be performed using a wide variety of aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids and requiring a tandem catalyst XPhosPdG2/XPhos to avoid the debromination reaction. These optimized conditions were successfully extended to the synthesis of 7-, 8- and 9-arylated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazol-2-ones from their corresponding brominated starting materials. Furthermore, the second C-5 arylation of C3-arylated pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-ones was achieved under standard Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling conditions, after activating the C–O bond of the lactam function with PyBroP, giving access to a small library of 3,5-diarylated 7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in good to excellent yields. The interest of this approach has been highlighted by the synthesis of a known anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, a preliminary biological evaluation has revealed that a number of derivatives display micromolar IC₅₀ values against monoamine oxidase B, an important target in the field of neurodegenerative disorders.

A convenient and efficient synthetic route to C3-arylated 7-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one derivatives has been reported starting from 3-bromo-7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one through a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.

Efficient Access to 3,5-Disubstituted 7-(Trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines Involving SNAr and Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions

An efficient and original synthesis of various 3,5-disubstituted 7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines is reported. A library of compounds diversely substituted in C-3 and C-5 positions was easily prepared from a common starting material, 3-bromo-7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-one. In C-5 position, a S_NAr type reaction was achieved by first activating the C–O bond of the lactam function with PyBroP (Bromotripyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate), followed by the addition of amine or thiol giving monosubstituted derivatives, whereas in C-3 position, arylation was performed via Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling using the commercially available aromatic and heteroaromatic boronic acids. Moreover, trifluoromethylated analogues of potent Pim1 kinase inhibitors were designed following our concise synthetic methodology.

Pyridine and Pyrimidine Derivatives as Privileged Scaffolds in Biologically Active Agents

Pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives have received great interest in recent pharmacological research, being effective in the treatment of various malignancies, such as myeloid leukemia, breast cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Most of the FDA approved drugs show a pyridine or pyrimidine core bearing different substituents. The aim of this review is to describe the most recent reports in this field, with reference to the newly discovered pyridineor pyrimidine-based drugs, to their synthesis and to the evaluation of the most biologically active derivatives. The corresponding benzo-fused heterocyclic compounds, i.e. quinolines and quinazolines, are also reported.

Ex Situ Generation of Difluorodiazoethane (CF2HCHN2): Application in the Regioselective Synthesis of CF2H-Containing Pyrazoles

A new method for the ex situ generation of difluorodiazoethane (CF₂HCHN₂) and a procedure for its efficient use in [3 + 2] cycloaddition with nitroolefins by the AcOH/O₂ catalyst system were developed by using a simple two-chamber system. The method provides a facile and straightforward access to a series of 4-substituted 5-difluoromethyl-3-nitro-1H-pyrazoles that are of interest in medicinal chemistry. Interestingly, the key factor for the success of this method is the efficient preparation of CF₂HCHN₂ by an ex situ process.

Recent Highlights on the Synthesis of Pyrazoles with Antimicrobial Activity

Background:

Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms such as pyrazoles have a long history and applicability in the field of medicinal chemistry. Many compounds containing pyrazole moiety have been reported in the available literature for their prominent biological activities, including antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms. Over the years, there has been a concern with the many health problems associated with the dramatic increase of microbial infections and resistance to standard drugs, so there is a need for the development of more effective antimicrobial agents. Pyrazoles and their derivatives are promising candidates to bypass these problems with good safety profiles, and there is a wide range of synthetic methodologies for their obtainment. This review aims to compact a literature survey (2012-2017) very informative and helpful for researchers who wish to study or continue the development of new, potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds.

Methods:

This review encompasses reports on the synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of synthetic pyrazoles from the year 2012 to 2017, which were extracted from bibliographic databases such as PubMed, scielo, sciencedirect, scifinder, and scopus. The main keywords in our search were “pyrazole” and “antimicrobial activity”, in which we made efforts to include synthetic and biological methodologies that can be useful for laboratories of different levels of infrastructure. Moreover, inclusion/ exclusion criteria was applied to select quality reports which could demonstrate different tools of antimicrobial evaluation, focusing on the advances made in the area, such as evaluation in silico and exploration of the possible mechanism of action for active compounds.

Results:

Thirty-four papers were included in this work, which was displayed chronologically from the year 2012 to 2017 in order to enhance the advances made in the area, with at least five reports from each year. We found that the most commonly tested bacterial strains are Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and from the year 2016 onwards Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most common tested fungal strains are Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger. The majority of articles expressed the antimicrobial results as a zone of inhibition, leading to the determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and a probable mechanism of action for the most prominent compounds, considering cytotoxicity. Aromatic aldehydes and ketones are key reactants to obtain important precursors for the synthesis of pyrazoles, such as chalcones, together with alkyl or phenylhydrazines and thiosemicarbazide. A great variation in the reported MICs was found as there is no standard maximum limit, but many compounds exhibited antimicrobial activity comparable or better than standard drugs, from which 10 reports active compounds with MIC lower than 5 μg mL-1.

Conclusion:

The findings of this work support the importance of pyrazole moiety in the structure of antimicrobial compounds and the versatility of synthetic methodologies to obtain the target products. Results clearly indicate that they are attractive target compounds for new antimicrobial drugs development. We hope that this information will guide further studies on continuing the search for more effective, highly active antimicrobial agents.

Design, Synthesis and Antitumor Evaluation of Novel Pyrazolopyrimidines and Pyrazoloquinazolines

A series of N-aryl-7-aryl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines 18a⁻u and N-aryl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines 25a⁻c were designed and synthesized via the reaction of 5-aminopyrazoles 11a⁻c with enaminones 12a⁻g or 19, respectively. The new compounds were screened for their in vitro antitumor activity toward liver (HepG-2) and breast (MCF-7) human cancer cells using 3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide MTT assay. From the results, it was found that all compounds showed dose-dependent cytotoxic activities against both HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells. Two compounds 18o and 18a were selected for further investigations. Cell cycle analysis of liver (HepG-2) cells treated with 18o and breast (MCF-7) cells treated with 18a showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and pro-apoptotic activity as indicated by annexin V-FITC staining.

5-Aminopyrazole as precursor in design and synthesis of fused pyrazoloazines

The condensation of 5-aminopyrazole with various bielectrophilic moieties results in the formation of pyrazoloazines, an interesting array of fused heterocyclic systems. The development of new synthetic routes towards pyrazoloazines for their biological and medicinal exploration is an attractive area for researchers throughout the world. The present review focuses on various synthetic methods developed in the last decade for the synthesis of differently substituted pyrazoloazines by a broad range of organic reactions by means of 5-aminopyrazole as a precursor.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazolopyrimidines derivatives as anticancer and anti-5-lipoxygenase agents

A novel series of 6-aryl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-ones 3a-h were synthesized in a single step via condensation of carboxamide 2 with some aromatic aldehydes (presence of iodine). Treatment of aminopyrazole 1a with acetic anhydride afforded pyrazolopyrimidines 4 which on treatment with ethyl chloroacetate in refluxing dry DMF furnished a single product identified as ethyl 2-(3,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-5(4H)-yl) acetate 5. On the other hand, esterification of compound 6 with different alcohol, led to the formation of new esters linked pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinones hybrids 7a-f. The reaction of compound 2 with 3-propargyl bromide gave the compound 8 used as a dipolarophile to access to triazoles (4- and 5-regioisomers (9a-e) and (10a-e), respectively) via the 1,3-dipoar cycloaddition reaction. Finally, condensation reaction of aminopyrazole 1b with α-cyanocinnamonitiles gave the new pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3,6-dicarbonitriles 11a-e. Structures of compounds were established on the basis of (1)H/(13)C NMR and ESI-HRMS. Compounds were screened for their cytotoxic (HCT-116 and MCF-7) and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition activities. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) was discussed.

Antimony(III) complexes with 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidines: Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation

Novel pyrimidine compound bearing disulfide bridge, 5,5'-disulfanediylbis(2-amino-4,6-dimetoxypyrimidine) (3) was synthesized by reduction of 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxy-5-thiocyanatopyrimidine for the first time, and its structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Novel binuclear antimony(III) compound of (3), {Sb[5,5'-disulfanediylbis(2-amino-4,6-dimetoxypyrimidine)]Cl3}2 (4) and mononuclear antimony(III) compounds, SbL2Cl3, [L: 2-amino-5-thiol-4,6-dimethoxy pyrimidine (2) and 2-amino-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-ylthio)-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine (6)] were synthesized and characterized with the help of elemental analysis, molecular conductivity, FT-IR, (1)H-NMR and LC-MS techniques. The geometrical structures optimized by a DFT/B3LYP/LANL2DZ method of the compounds, indicated that monomeric compounds have square pyramidal shape. Both antileishmanial activity against Leishmania tropica promastigote and glutathione reductase inhibitory activity were determined in vitro. The results showed that (3) has the best biological activity.