Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in 4-chloro-2-trichloromethylquinazoline series is possible despite a side dimerization reaction

Target fishing reveals PfPYK-1 and PfRab6 as potential targets of an antiplasmodial 4-anilino-2-trichloromethylquinazoline hit compound

We present investigations about the mechanism of action of a previously reported 4-anilino-2-trichloromethylquinazoline antiplasmodial hit-compound (Hit A), which did not share a common mechanism of action with established commercial antimalarials and presented a stage-specific effect on the erythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum at 8 < t < 16 h. The target of Hit A was searched by immobilising the molecule on a solid support via a linker and performing affinity chromatography on a plasmodial lysate. Several anchoring positions of the linker (6,7 and 3') and PEG-type linkers were assessed, to obtain a linked-hit molecule displaying in vitro antiplasmodial activity similar to that of unmodified Hit A. This allowed us to identify the PfPYK-1 kinase and the PfRab6 GTP-ase as potential targets of Hit A.

8-Alkynyl-3-nitroimidazopyridines display potent antitrypanosomal activity against both T. b. brucei and cruzi

An antikinetoplastid pharmacomodulation study was done at position 8 of a previously identified pharmacophore in 3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine series. Twenty original derivatives bearing an alkynyl moiety were synthesized via a Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction and tested in vitro, highlighting 3 potent (40 nM ≤ EC₅₀ blood stream form≤ 70 nM) and selective (500 ≤ SI ≤ 1800) anti-T. brucei brucei molecules (19, 21 and 22), in comparison with four reference drugs. Among these hit molecules, compound 19 also showed the same level of activity against T. cruzi (EC₅₀ amastigotes = 1.2 μM) as benznidazole and fexinidazole. An in vitro comet assay showed that nitroaromatic derivative 19 was not genotoxic. It displayed a low redox potential value (-0.68 V/NHE) and was shown to be bioactivated by type 1 nitroreductases both in Leishmania and Trypanosoma. The SAR study indicated that an alcohol function improved aqueous solubility while maintaining good activity and low cytotoxicity when the hydroxyl group was at position beta of the alkyne triple bond. Hit-compound 19 was also evaluated regarding in vitro pharmacokinetic data: 19 is BBB permeable (PAMPA assay), has a 16 min microsomal half-life and a high albumin binding (98.5%). Moreover, compound 19 was orally absorbed and was well tolerated in mouse after both single and repeated administrations at 100 mg/kg. Its mouse plasma half-life (10 h) is also quite encouraging, paving the way toward further efficacy evaluations in parasitized mouse models, looking for a novel antitrypanosomal lead compound.

Titanium Tetraiodide/Trimethylsilyl Iodide Synergistically Induced Cyclization of N-(2-Cyanophenyl)benzamides into 2-Aryl-4-iodoquinazolines

Synthesis of 2-aryl-4-iodoquinazolines is developed using titanium tetraiodide/trimethylsilyl iodide synergistically induced cyclization of N-(2-cyanophenyl)benzamides. The cyclization reactions proceeded to give the 2-aryl-4-iodoquinazolines in moderate to high yields. Remarkable synergetic effect of titanium tetraiodide and trimethylsilyl iodide was observed to promote the cyclization. The method was applied to the formal synthesis of a potent analgesic agent.

A concise construction of 4-alkynylquinazolines via [4 + 2] annulation of 4-alkynylbenzoxazinanones with acylhydroxamates under transition-metal-free conditions

A concise and highly efficient method for the construction of valuable 4-alkynylquinazolines under transition-metal-free conditions was developed via [4 + 2] annulation of 4-alkynylbenzoxazinanones with acylhydroxamates in good to excellent yields.

Looking for new antiplasmodial quinazolines: DMAP-catalyzed synthesis of 4-benzyloxy- and 4-aryloxy-2-trichloromethylquinazolines and their in vitro evaluation toward Plasmodium falciparum

A DMAP catalyzed synthesis of new 4-benzyloxy- and 4-aryloxy-2-trichloromethylquinazolines was studied, in a view to react 4-chloroquinazolines with poorly nucleophilic alcohols such as benzylic alcohols, via a simple and cheap SNAr reaction approach. A fast (1 h) general operating procedure, affording good reaction yields, was achieved under microwave irradiation. Thus, a series of 35 molecules was obtained and evaluated in vitro on the K1 multi-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strain, in parallel with a cytotoxicity assessment on the human HepG2 cell line. 5 hit-molecules were identified, presenting both promising antiplasmodial activity (1.5 μM < IC50 < 2 μM) and low cytotoxicities (25 μM < CC50 < 45 μM). Apart for 2 molecules, the global series displayed a satisfying solubility in the aqueous biological media. Structure-activity relationships showed that the molecules presenting a benzyloxy moiety were less cytotoxic than the ones bearing a phenoxy moiety at position 4 of the quinazoline ring. It also appeared that the introduction of a heteroaryl moiety afforded inactive compounds. Finally, the most active and selective molecules (Selectivity Index = 22-27) were the ones presenting either an unsubstituted benzyloxy group or a phenoxy group, this last bearing a p-bromo or an o-acetyl substituent.

Synthesis of novel 1,5-disubstituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinazolines and their evaluation for anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant activities

A new series of 1,5-disubstituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinazoline derivatives were prepared from 2-chloro-4-substituted quinazolines, propargyl alcohol, and secondary amines through novel multi-component reactions.

Advances in metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of halogenated quinazolinones and their quinazoline derivatives

Halogenated quinazolinones and quinazolines are versatile synthetic intermediates for the metal-catalyzed carbon–carbon bond formation reactions such as the Kumada, Stille, Negishi, Sonogashira, Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck cross-coupling reactions or carbon-heteroatom bond formation via the Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling to yield novel polysubstituted derivatives. This review presents an overview of the application of these methods on halogenated quinazolin-4-ones and their quinazolines to generate novel polysubstituted derivatives.