Selective reduction of aromatic azides with hexamethyldisilathiane: synthesis of new 2-azidopyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines

Isolation, chemistry, and biology of pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine natural products

The isolation of the antitumor antibiotic anthramycin in the 1960s prompted extensive research into pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines (PBD) as potential therapeutics for the treatment of cancers. Since then, nearly 60 PBD natural products have been isolated and evaluated with regard to their biological activity. Synthetic studies and total syntheses have enabled access to PBD analogues, culminating in the development of highly potent anticancer agents. This review provides a summary of the occurrence and biological activity of PBD natural products and covers the strategies employed for their total syntheses.

Efficient solid-phase synthesis of highly functionalized 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-one derivatives and related compounds by intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions

Due to their widespread biological activities and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, benzodiazepines were among the first classes of small molecules to be synthesized on solid supports. Since then, there have been numerous reports on the synthesis of similar skeletons. We have employed the T1 triazene linker to yield 1,4-benzodiazepin-5-one. Starting from various substituted triazene resins, cleavage in the presence of an azide donor, such as trimethylsilylazide, gave rise to aryl azides. Intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions produced the appropriately functionalized N-heterocycles. By using this route, the natural product deoxyvasicinone and related compounds were prepared.

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines and their conjugates by azido reductive cyclization strategy as potential DNA-binding agents

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines via azido reductive cyclization process employing FeCl3-NaI reagent system. This methodology has been extended for the preparation of new nicotinamido-pyrrolobenzodiazepine hybrids linked through piperazino-alkane-oxy spacers that exhibit good DNA binding affinity.

Synthesis and biological activity of fluoroquinolone-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine conjugates

Fluoroquinolones have been synthesized and linked to DC-81 at C8 position through different alkyl chain spacers. These PBD conjugates have exhibited good DNA binding affinity, and a representative compound shows promising in vitro anticancer activity.