Synthesis of novel (E)-2-((anthracen-9-ylmethylene)amino)pyridin-3-ol and its transition metal complexes: Multispectral characterization, biological evaluation and computational studies

Transition metal complexes of triazole-based bioactive ligands: synthesis, spectral characterization, antimicrobial, anticancer and molecular docking studies

In the present research work, four new heterocyclic Schiff base ligands (1–4) were synthesized by the condensation of 4-(4-amino-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)phenol with salicylaldehyde derivatives in 1:1 molar ratio. The synthesized Schiff base ligands were allowed for complexation with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) metal ions. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds (1–20) was elucidated with the help of various spectral and physicochemical techniques. Spectroscopic data confirm the tridentate nature of ligands which coordinate to the metal via deprotonated oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and thiol sulphur. Conductivity data showed the non-electrolytic nature of complexes. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in-vitro antimicrobial activity against four pathogenic bacterial strains and two pathogenic fungal strains. The observed results of microbial activity reveals that compound 3 and its complexes (13–16) were found most potent against the pathogenic strains. In addition, the anticancer activity of all the synthesized compounds was evaluated against human carcinoma cell lines i.e. HCT-116, DU145 and A549 using MTT assay. Among the tested compounds 12, 19, and 20 were found to show promising potency against the cancer cell lines. To rationalize the preferred modes of interaction of most potent compounds with the active site of human EGFR protein (PDB id: 5XGM), molecular docking studies were performed.

Substituted 9-Anthraldehydes from Dibenzocycloheptanol Epoxides via Acid-Catalyzed Epoxide Opening/Semipinacol Rearrangement

Starting from benzaldehyde derivatives, the corresponding dibenzocycloheptenol could be prepared in five steps. Under both substrate (secondary vs tertiary alcohol and the substituents on the aromatic ring(s)) and condition control, the subsequent epoxidation and acid-catalyzed epoxide opening/semipinacol rearrangement/aromatization afforded the corresponding 9-anthraldehydes in good yields, up to 88% over two steps. The presence of the electron-withdrawing group(s) on the aromatic ring(s) suppressed the rate of the epoxidation while the subsequent semipinacol rearrangement step required heating; the presence of the electron-donating group(s), on the other hand, frequently led to the decomposition during the epoxidation. From the mechanistic studies, the semipinacol rearrangement of the epoxide could precede the ionization at the bisbenzylic position, yielding the aldehyde intermediate. The ensuing dehydrative aromatization led to the formation of 9-anthraldehyde. Conversely, nucleophilic addition to the aldehyde and dehydrative aromatization with concomitant loss of formic acid led to anthracene.