A convenient method for the synthesis and resolution of Tröger base

Synthesis and Isolation of a Homochiral Nanohoop Composed of a Tröger's Base and Hexaparaphenylene

The synthesis of a new nanohoop containing a stereogenic Tröger's base skeleton tethered to a curved hexaparaphenylene ([6]CPP) is reported. The TB[6]CPP nanohoop possesses a stable C2 symmetrical structure, which promotes the allowed transition that gives rise to pale blue emission with a quantum yield of ~0.69, surpassing the value of the more symmetrical [8]CPP. Moreover, TB[6]CPP shows chiroptical properties including circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence with a moderate dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of ~2.1×10-3.

A chiral spiroborate anion from diphenyl-l-tartramide [B{l-Tar(NHPh)2}2]−applied to some challenging resolutions

A chiral spiroborate anion [B{l-Tar(NHPh)₂}₂]⁻is effective in challenging high yield, 1-pot resolutions, as for the S-2-phenylpropylammonium salt shown.

Synthesis of chiral 2,3-disubstituted 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane derivatives

Racemic 2,3-diaryl-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) derivatives are synthesized from the readily accessible piperazines in 50-64% yield by cyclization using ethylene bromide, triethylamine, and KI at 80 °C. The enantiomerically enriched 2,3-diphenylpiperazine and the 2,3-bis(1-naphthyl)piperazine derivatives are prepared by a resolution method using commercially available optically active acids, yielding the corresponding DABCO derivatives in 51-64% yield with up to 99% ee. This mild cyclization can also be applied to enantiopure camphanyldiamine derivatives, and the products are obtained in 72-86% yields.

Design and synthesis of Tröger's base ditopic receptors: host-guest interactions, a combined theoretical and experimental study

Two flexible Tröger's base ditopic receptors C4TB and C5TB incorporating monoaza crown ether were designed and synthesized for bisammonium ion complexation. A comprehensive study of host-guest interactions was established by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Bisammonium chloride (A1) with a shorter alkyl chain spacer showed the highest affinity for the receptors. M06-2X/cc-pVTZ calculations including the solvent effects on host-guest complexes were employed to explain and rationalize the experimental trends. The short N-H···O or N-H···N hydrogen-bond distances observed in the range of 1.71-1.98 Å indicate the existence of a strong charge assisted hydrogen bonding between the host and the guest. The unusual behaviour (higher binding constant) of A5 in (1)H NMR titration is traced to the conformational folding of the guest.

Discovery of Tröger's base analogues as selective inhibitors against human breast cancer cell line: design, synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation

A library of structurally diverse Tröger's base analogues has been constructed via unusual amination of methylene bridge employing Vilsmeier-Haack conditions as well as by the incorporation of five and six membered heterocycles on the aromatic core of Tröger's base framework. The constructed structurally diverse frameworks were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against a panel of three human cancer lines A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), MDAMB-231 (breast) and SK-N-SH (neuroblastoma). From the activity profile obtained, a redesign of Tröger's base analogues led to the construction of more potent molecular entities. The study led to development of a series of compounds with MDAMB-231 cell line specific cytotoxicity. Of the 30 compounds synthesized and evaluated, 7 compounds were found to possess cytotoxicity that is equivalent or better than standard drug doxorubicin against MDAMB-231 cell line while only one compound was found to be active against SK-N-SH cell line.

Asymmetric synthesis of N-stereogenic molecules: diastereoselective double aza-Michael reaction

A novel approach towards the asymmetric synthesis of N-stereogenic molecules via double aza-Michael addition was developed. The diastereomeric ratio can be increased by a thermodynamically controlled isomerization mechanism. Simple separation and functionalization of the products afford N-stereogenic compounds in high enantiomeric purity.

Modular Synthesis of Optically Active Tröger's Base Analogues

For the first time, enantioselective catalysis was applied for the preparation of Tröger's base derivatives affording N-stereogenic building blocks not only in excellent enantiomeric purity but also in an easily scalable fashion. Enzymatic kinetic resolution proved efficient to yield functionalized Tröger's bases, which can be subsequently modified by various chemical methods without any erosion of stereogenic information. In concert with a preparatively convenient protocol for the synthesis of the racemic substrates from commercially available anilines, a highly practicable and flexible route towards a wide range of enantiopure Tröger's base analogues is provided.

Stabilization and structural alteration of the G-quadruplex DNA made from the human telomeric repeat mediated by Tröger's base based novel benzimidazole derivatives

Ligand-induced stabilization of the G-quadruplex DNA structure derived from the single-stranded 3'-overhang of the telomeric DNA is an attractive strategy for the inhibition of the telomerase activity. The agents that can induce/stabilize a DNA sequence into a G-quadruplex structure are therefore potential anticancer drugs. Herein we present the first report of the interactions of two novel bisbenzimidazoles (TBBz1 and TBBz2) based on Tröger's base skeleton with the G-quadruplex DNA (G4DNA). These Tröger's base molecules stabilize the G4DNA derived from a human telomeric sequence. Evidence of their strong interaction with the G4DNA has been obtained from CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation, and UV-vis titration studies. These ligands also possess significantly higher affinity toward the G4DNA over the duplex DNA. The above results obtained are in excellent agreement with the biological activity, measured in vitro using a modified TRAP assay. Furthermore, the ligands are selectively more cytotoxic toward the cancerous cells than the corresponding noncancerous cells. Computational studies suggested that the adaptive scaffold might allow these ligands to occupy not only the G-quartet planes but also the grooves of the G4DNA.

Stereoselective synthesis of configurationally stable functionalized ethano-bridged Tröger bases

New functionalized ethano-bridged Tröger bases are readily prepared using a simple alkylation/rearrangement sequence which affords configurationally stable derivatives as single stereoisomers (de > 96%).