Iodide catalyzed synthesis of 2-aminobenzoxazoles via oxidative cyclodesulfurization of phenolic thioureas with hydrogen peroxide

Coumarins-lipophilic cations conjugates: Efficient mitocans targeting carbonic anhydrases

Being aware of the need to develop more efficient therapies against cancer, herein we disclose an innovative approach for the design of selective antiproliferative agents. We have accomplished the conjugation of a coumarin fragment with lipophilic cations (triphenylphosphonium salts, guanidinium) for providing mitochondriotropic agents that simultaneously target also carbonic anhydrases IX and XII, involved in the development and progression of cancer. The new compounds prepared herein turned out to be strong inhibitors of carbonic anhydrases IX and XII of human origin (low-to-mid nM range), also endowed with high selectivity, exhibiting negligible activity towards cytosolic CA isoforms. Key interactions with the enzyme were analysed using docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Regarding their in vitro antiproliferative activities, an increase of the tether length connecting both pharmacophores led to a clear improvement in potency, reaching the submicromolar range for the lead compounds, and an outstanding selectivity towards tumour cell lines (S.I. up to >357). Cytotoxic effects were also analysed on MDR cell lines under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Chemoresistance exhibited by phosphonium salts, and not by guanidines, against MDR cells was based on the fact that the former were found to be substrates of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the pump responsible for extruding foreign chemicals; this situation was reversed by administrating tariquidar, a third generation P-gp inhibitor. Moreover, phosphonium salts provoked a profound depolarization of mitochondria membranes from tumour cells, thus probably compromising their oxidative metabolism. To gain insight into the mode of action of title compounds, continuous live cell microscopy was employed; interestingly, this technique revealed two different antiproliferative mechanisms for both families of mitocans. Whereas phosphonium salts had a cytostatic effect, blocking cell division, guanidines led to cell death via apoptosis.

A Facile Synthesis of 2-Aminobenzoxazines Based on Iodine­Catalyzed Desulfurative Cyclization

A facile and environmentally benign access to N-aryl/alkyl-4H-benzoxazin-2-amines is achieved from 1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl/alkyl]-3-phenylthioureas under transition-metal-free conditions. The conversions occur smoothly in the presence of a catalytic amount of molecular iodine and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature to afford moderate to good yields (28–90%) of the desired products within 2 hours. This method reports the first examples of the catalytic transformations of 1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl/alkyl]-3-phenylthioureas into N-aryl/alkyl-4H-benzoxazin-2-amines based on desulfurative cyclization.

2-Aminobenzoxazole-appended coumarins as potent and selective inhibitors of tumour-associated carbonic anhydrases

We have carried out the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a small library of 2-aminobenzoxazole-appended coumarins as novel inhibitors of tumour-related CAs IX and XII. Substituents on C-3 and/or C-4 positions of the coumarin scaffold, and on the benzoxazole moiety, together with the length of the linker connecting both units were modified to obtain useful structure-activity relationships. CA inhibition studies revealed a good selectivity towards tumour-associated CAs IX and XII (K_i within the mid-nanomolar range in most of the cases) in comparison with CAs I, II, IV, and VII (K_i > 10 µM); CA IX was found to be slightly more sensitive towards structural changes. Docking calculations suggested that the coumarin scaffold might act as a prodrug, binding to the CAs in its hydrolysed form, which is in turn obtained due to the esterase activity of CAs. An increase of the tether length and of the substituents steric hindrance was found to be detrimental to in vitro antiproliferative activities. Incorporation of a chlorine atom on C-3 of the coumarin moiety achieved the strongest antiproliferative agent, with activities within the low micromolar range for the panel of tumour cell lines tested.

Water-Tolerant ortho-Acylation of Phenols

A metal-free, water-tolerant, and one-pot process for ortho-acylation of phenols promoted by the iodine source/hydrogen peroxide system has been developed. This transformation undergoes ether formation, iodocyclization, C-C bond cleavage, and oxidative hydrolysis in a one-step manner, which is supported by control experiments.

Iodine-Mediated Facile One-Pot Access to N-Aryl-2-benzoxazolamines

Facile, iodine-mediated access to N-aryl-2-benzoxazolamines has been achieved in a one-pot manner under mild reaction conditions. Reaction of 2-aminophenols and aryl isothiocyanates afforded N-aryl-2-benzoxazolamines in the presence of molecular iodine and pyridine in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature in moderate to excellent yields.

Protection against chemical submission: naked-eye detection of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages

Chemosensors for naked-eye detection of the submission drug GHB in beverages.

A Cu2O/TBAB-promoted approach to synthesize heteroaromatic 2-amines via one-pot cyclization of aryl isothiocyanates with ortho-substituted amines in water

An efficient approach to synthesize heteroaromatic 2-amines from one-pot desulfurization/dehydrogenative cyclization of aryl isothiocyanates with ortho-substituted amines in water was developed. This approach tolerated a wide range of functional groups on the aromatic ring, providing a practical and environment-friendly process to synthesize heteroaromatic 2-amines in moderate to excellent yields. A plausible mechanism was proposed and the role of TBAB and Cu2O in the present strategy was suggested with the help of ESI mass spectrometry.

Metal-Free Synthesis of 2- N, N-Dialkylaminobenzoxazoles Using Tertiary Amines as the Nitrogen Source

The unprecedented reaction of tertiary amines with 2(3 H)-benzoxazolones has been investigated. In the presence of the Ph₃P-I₂ reagent system, the reaction of both acyclic and cyclic aliphatic tertiary amines led to the formation of 2- N, N-dialkylaminobenzoxazoles with the selective cleavage of an alkyl group. Especially, N-(2-iodoethyl)piperazinyl derivatives were rapidly produced in good yields when using DABCO as the nitrogen source. Only in the cases when the nucleophilicity of the substrates exceeds that of the amine, competitive self-condensation of benzoxazolones then proceeds preferentially. ³¹P{¹H}-NMR study suggested the involvement of an aryloxyphosphonium intermediate and/or possibly 2-iodobenzoxazole which activates the C-2 position of benzoxazolones toward nucleophilic aromatic substitution.

Iodine-catalyzed guanylation of amines withN,N′-di-Boc-thiourea

Iodine-catalyzed guanylation of amines withN,N′-di-Boc-thiourea is especially useful for both electronically and sterically deactivated primary anilines.

Iodide/H₂O₂ Catalyzed Intramolecular Oxidative Amination for the Synthesis of 3,2'-Pyrrolidinyl Spirooxindoles

An ammonium iodide/hydrogen peroxide-mediated intramolecular oxidative amination of 3-aminoalkyl-2-oxindoles was achieved, affording the corresponding 3,2'-pyrrolidinyl spirooxindoles and their 6- or 7-membered analogous in moderate to high yields. This metal-free procedure features very mild reaction conditions, non-toxicity and easily handled hydrogen peroxide as a clean oxidant.