Polycyclic aromatic compounds as anticancer agents: synthesis and biological evaluation of some chrysene derivatives

Synthesis of Novel Nitro-Halogenated Aryl-Himachalene Sesquiterpenes from Atlas Cedar Oil Components: Characterization, DFT Studies, and Molecular Docking Analysis against Various Isolated Smooth Muscles

We report the synthesis of two novel halogenated nitro-arylhimachalene derivatives: 2-bromo-3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-1-nitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulene (bromo-nitro-arylhimachalene) and 2-chloro-3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-1,4-dinitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulene (chloro-dinitro-arylhimachalene). These compounds were derived from arylhimachalene, an important sesquiterpene component of Atlas cedar essential oil, via a two-step halogenation and nitration process. Characterization was performed using 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry, complemented by X-ray structural analysis. Quantum chemical calculations employing density functional theory (DFT) with the Becke3-Lee-Yang-parr (B3LYP) functional and a 6-31++G(d,p) basis set were conducted. The optimized geometries of the synthesized compounds were consistent with X-ray structure data. Frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) profiles were identified and discussed. DFT reactivity indices provided insights into the compounds' behaviors. Moreover, Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerprint analyses revealed significant intermolecular interactions within the crystal structures, predominantly H-H and H-O contacts. Molecular docking studies demonstrate strong binding affinities of the synthesized compounds to the active site of protein 7B2W, suggesting potential therapeutic applications against various isolated smooth muscles and neurotransmitters.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of cationic organoruthenium(ii) fluorene complexes: influence of the nature of the counteranion

In this study, five ruthenium arene complexes with fluorene-bearing N,N-(1) and N,O-(2) donor Schiff base ligands were synthesized and fully characterized. Cationic ruthenium complexes 3[X], ([Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)(Cl)(fluorene-N[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-pyridine)][X] (where X = BF₄, PF₆, BPh₄), were obtained by reacting ligand 1 with [Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)Cl₂]₂ in the presence of NH₄X salts, whereas neutral complex 4, Ru(η⁶-C₆H₆)(Cl)(fluorene-N[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-naphtholate), was isolated by reacting ligand 2 with the same precursor. It was possible to obtain a cationic version of the latter, 5[BF₄], by reacting 4 with AgBF₄ in the presence of pyridine. All compounds were fully characterized by NMR and HR-ESI-MS whereas some of them were also analyzed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Their in vitro antiproliferative activity was also assessed in human breast cancer cell lines, notably MCF-7 and T47D. Complex 4 and its cationic counterpart 5[BF₄] were found to be the most cytotoxic compounds of the series (IC₅₀ = 6.2-16.2 μM) and displayed higher antiproliferative activities than cisplatin in both cell lines. It was found that 5[BF₄] undergoes a ligand exchange reaction and readily converts to 4 in the presence of 0.1 M NaCl, explaining the similarity in their observed cytotoxicities. Whereas 3[BF₄] and 3[PF₆] were found inactive at the tested concentrations, 3[BPh₄] displayed a considerable cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 16.7-27.8 μM). Notably, 3[BPh₄], 4 (and 5[BF₄]) were active against T47D, a cisplatin resistant cell line. Interestingly, 4 (16.4 μM) was found to be less cytotoxic than 3[BPh₄] and cisplatin (6.6 and 7.9 μM, respectively) in breast healthy cells (MCF-12A). However, in comparison to 4 and cisplatin (at 10 μM), a lower in vivo toxicity was observed for complex 3[BPh₄] on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors as anticancer agents: a patent review (2014-2018)

INTRODUCTION

COX-2 is a key enzyme in the process of prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis. The products of this enzyme could play a major role as the mediators of the inflammatory response and some other medical states such as cancer. The design and synthesis of novel selective COX-2 inhibitors have always been attractive to researchers. This review discusses the structures of novel COX-2 inhibitors synthesized during the last five years and describes their efficacy as anticancer agents.

AREAS COVERED

It is well established that COX-2 is overexpressed in many different cancers and treatment with selective COX-2 inhibitors could relieve their symptoms and limit their adverse sequences.

EXPERT OPINION

The diversity of selective COX-2 inhibitors is mainly related to the types of scaffolds. Monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, and acyclic scaffolds with different pharmacological effects and toxicological profiles could be found in the family of selective COX-2 inhibitors. The great interest of the researchers in this field is due to the importance of selective COX-2 inhibitors as a relatively safe and effective set of compounds which could present different properties such as antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, anti-Alzheimer's disease, anti-Parkinson's disease, and anticancer.

Sodium Bismuthate Mediated Oxidation study of Hydrofluorenes

The product distribution of sodium bismuthate mediated oxidation of several hydrofluorenes was found to depend on the structure of the starting materials and reaction conditions.

A Novel Catalytic role of Molecular Iodine in the Oxidation of Benzylic Alcohols: Microwave-Assisted Reaction

Molecular iodine was used to catalyse the oxidation of several benzylic alcohols to the corresponding ketones under the microwave-irradiated method, and the role of iodine was explored.

Synthesis of Tricyclic β-Lactams via Palladium Acetate-Induced Heck Reaction

Synthesis of tricyclic β-lactams via palladium acetate mediated cyclization of the unsaturated bromo β-lactam was accomplished in good yield.

An Efficient Approach towards the Synthesis, Crystal Structures, DFT and Cytotoxic Activity of Highly Congested 11-Aryl-10,12-Dihydrodiindino[1,2-b‘,2′,1′-e]Pyridine

An efficient and novel method for the synthesis of a series of 11-aryl-10,12-dihydrodiindino[1,2- b‘,2′,1′- e]pyridine via one-pot multi-component reactions of aldehydes, indan-1-one and ammonium acetate has been delineated. All prepared compounds were structurally elucidated by IR, UV-Vis, 1H and 13C NMR and X-ray diffraction techniques. The molecules adopted monoclinic crystal system with P21/ c space group and almost similar unit cell dimensions. The X-ray molecular geometries of the studied compounds were in excellent agreement with those computed by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The energies of the frontier orbitals calculated by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory enabled monitoring the reactivity and stability of the title molecules. The non-linear optical properties (NLO) and pNA were also computed and discussed. Compounds have shown broad spectrum cytotoxic activity against some human tumour cell lines; two of them rendering the most profound effect.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds as anticancer agents: synthesis and biological evaluation of methoxy dibenzofluorene derivatives

Synthesis of a new methoxy dibenzofluorene through alkylation, cyclodehydration and aromatization in a one-pot operation is achieved for the first time. Using this hydrocarbon, a few derivatives are prepared through aromatic nitration, catalytic hydrogenation, coupling reaction with a side chain and reduction. The benzylic position of this hydrocarbon with the side chain is oxidized and reduced. Some of these derivatives have demonstrated excellent antitumor activities in vitro. This study confirms antitumor activity depends on the structures of the molecules.

Bismuth nitrate-induced novel nitration of estradiol: an entry to new anticancer agents

Direct nitration of estradiol was carried out using metal nitrates on solid surfaces under mild condition, and a combination of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate impregnated KSF clay was found to be the best reagent to synthesize 2- and 4-nitroestradiol effectively. Furthermore, various basic side chains were introduced, through O-linker at C-3, to these nitroestradiols. The ability of these derivatives to cause cytotoxicity in Estrogen Receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cell lines, as well as cancer cell lines of other origins, was examined. Qualitative structure activity relationship (SAR) has also been studied. We found that a basic side chain containing either a piperidine or morpholine ring, when conjugated to 2-nitroestradiol, was particularly effective at causing cytotoxicity in each of the cancer cell lines examined. Surprisingly, this effective cytotoxicity was even seen in ER-negative breast cancer cells.

A green approach toward quinoxalines and bis-quinoxalines and their biological evaluation against A431, human skin cancer cell lines

Background: The objective of this study was to develop a practical green procedure to synthesize quinoxalines and bis-quinoxalines and evaluate their inhibitory effects on the viability of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. Method: A series of quinoxaline and bis-quinoxaline derivatives have been designed and synthesized following a microwave-assisted and bismuth nitrate-catalyzed eco-friendly route. A detailed comparison has been made between microwave-induced protocol with the reactions occurred at room temperature. The structure of the compounds have been elucidated by various spectroscopic methods and finally confirmed by x-ray crystallographic analyses. Results: Two quinoxaline derivatives, compounds 6 and 12 have demonstrated inhibitory effects on the viability of A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells when compared with HaCaT nontumorigenic human keratinocyte cells. Conclusion: Notably, compound 6 inhibits Stat3 phosphorylation/activation in A431 skin cancer cells.

An expeditious iodine-catalyzed synthesis of 3-pyrrole-substituted 2-azetidinones

2-Azetidinones and pyrroles are two highly important classes of molecules in organic and medicinal chemistry. A green and practical method for the synthesis of 3-pyrrole-substituted 2-azetidinones using catalytic amounts of molecular iodine under microwave irradiation has been developed. Following this method, a series of 3-pyrrole- substituted 2-azetidinones have been synthesized with a variety of substituents at N-1 and at C-4. The procedure is equally effective for mono- as well as polyaromatic groups at the N-1 position of the 2-azetidinone ring. The C-4 substituent has no influence either on the yield or the rate of the reaction. Optically pure 3-pyrrole-substituted 2-azetidinones have also been synthesized following this methodology. No deprotection/rearrangement has been identified in this process, even with highly acid sensitive group-containing substrates. A plausible mechanistic pathway has also been suggested based on the evidence obtained from ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The extreme rapidity with excellent reaction yields is believed to be the result of a synergistic effect of the Lewis acid catalyst (molecular iodine) and microwave irradiation.

Microwave-assisted polystyrene sulfonate-catalyzed synthesis of novel pyrroles

Background

Pyrroles are widely distributed in nature and important biologically active molecules. The reaction of amines with 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran is a promising pathway for the synthesis of pharmacologically active pyrroles under microwave irradiation.

Results

Microwave-induced polystyrenesulfonate-catalyzed synthesis of pyrroles from amines and 2,5-diemthoxytetrahydrofuran has been accomplished with excellent yield. This method produces pyrroles with polyaromatic amines.

Conclusion

The present procedure for the synthesis of N-aromatic substituted pyrroles will find useful application in the area of pharmacologically active molecules.

Polystyrenesulfonate-catalyzed synthesis of novel pyrroles through Paal-Knorr reaction

BACKGROUND

The classical Paal-Knorr reaction is one of the simplest and most economical methods for the synthesis of biologically important and pharmacologically useful pyrrole derivatives.

RESULTS

Polystyrenesulfonate-catalyzed simple synthesis of substituted pyrroles following Paal-Knorr reaction has been accomplished with an excellent yield in aqueous solution. This method also produces pyrroles with multicyclic polyaromatic amines.

CONCLUSIONS

The present procedure for the synthesis of N-polyaromatic substituted pyrroles will find application in the synthesis of potent biologically active molecules.

A microwave-assisted bismuth nitrate-catalyzed unique route toward 1,4-dihydropyridines

The classical Hantzsch reaction is one of the simplest and most economical methods for the synthesis of biologically important and pharmacologically useful 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives. Bismuth nitrate pentahydrate under microwave irradiation is proven to act as a very efficient catalyst for a one-pot, three-component synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines in excellent yields from diverse amines/ammonium acetate, aldehydes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds within 1–3 min under solvent-free conditions. The present environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridines is suitable for library synthesis and it will find application in the synthesis of potent biologically active molecules. The excellent yield and extreme rapidity of the method is due to a concurrent effect of the catalyst and microwave irradiation.

Spectroscopic, electronic structure and natural bond orbital analysis of o-fluoronitrobenzene and p-fluoronitrobenzene: a comparative study

Experimental FTIR, FT-Raman and FT-NMR spectroscopic studies of o-fluoronitrobenzene and p-fluoronitrobenzene have been carried out. A detailed quantum chemical calculations have been performed using DFT/B3LYP method with 6-311++G** and 6-31G** basis sets. Complete vibrational analyses of the compounds were performed. The temperature dependence of thermodynamic properties has been analysed. The atomic charges, electronic exchange interaction and charge delocalisation of the molecule have been performed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Molecular electrostatic surface potential (MESP), total electron density distribution and frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) are constructed at B3LYP/6-311++G** level to understand the electronic properties. The charge density distribution and site of chemical reactivity of the molecules have been obtained by mapping electron density isosurface with electrostatic potential surfaces (ESP). The electronic properties, HOMO and LUMO energies were measured by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra were recorded and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated. The (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecules in chloroform solvent and in gas phase were calculated by using the Gauge-Independent Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method and are found to be in good agreement with experimental values. The theoretical parameters obtained at B3LYP levels have been compared with the experimental values.

A truly green synthesis of α-aminonitriles via Strecker reaction

Background

The classical Strecker reaction is one of the simplest and most economical methods for the synthesis of racemic α-aminonitriles (precursor of α-amino acids) and pharmacologically useful compounds.

Results

Indium powder in water is shown to act as a very efficient catalyst for one-pot, three-component synthesis of α-aminonitriles from diverse amines, aldehydes and TMSCN. This general rapid method is applicable to a wide range of amines and aldehydes and produces products in excellent yield.

Conclusions

The present one-pot, three-component environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles will find application in the synthesis of complex biologically active molecules.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds as anticancer agents: Evaluation of synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be significant environmental carcinogens. Additionally, various planar ring systems are capable of intercalating with DNA, leading to a number of drugs that possess chemotherapeutic activity. In this study, three new polyaromatic compounds with a side chain were synthesized, and spectroscopic as well as elemental analyses were performed. The addition of the long chains to either chrysene or pyrene caused a red-shift in the spectral emission when compared to the corresponding polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons itself. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the three novel polyaromatic compounds was evaluated in vitro in a panel of cultured mammalian cell lines. The pyrenyl ether demonstrated better cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin against colon (HT-29) as well as cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. In conclusion, three new compounds were synthesized and investigated in this study. This novel method is likely to play a role in other areas of research.

A highly efficient bismuth salts-catalyzed route for the synthesis of α-aminophosphonates

A convenient synthesis of different types of α-amino phosphonates via one-pot solvent-free three component reactions of aldehydes, amines and phosphites catalyzed by bismuth salts has been investigated. Bismuth triflate is found to be the most effective catalyst for this reaction.

An effective microwave-induced iodine-catalyzed method for the synthesis of quinoxalines via condensation of 1,2-diamines with 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds

A microwave-induced iodine-catalyzed simple, rapid and convenient synthesis of different types of quinoxalines via condensation of 1,2-diamines with 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds has been accomplished with an excellent yield.

An expeditious synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles via microwave-induced iodine-catalyzed reactions under solventless conditions

An expeditious synthesis of N-substituted pyrroles has been developed by reacting 2,5-dimethoxy tetrahydrofuran and several amines using a microwave-induced molecular iodine-catalyzed reaction under solventless conditions.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel dibenzofluorene derivatives as anticancer agents

The novel synthesis of dibenzofluorene has been achieved by a cyclodehydration method. Several derivatives have also been prepared using this hydrocarbon. These compounds have been tested against a number of cancer cell lines in vitro, and useful selectivity has been observed.

Remarkable iodine-catalyzed synthesis of novel pyrrole-bearing N-polyaromatic beta-lactams

Because of their interesting biological properties various methods for the synthesis of substituted pyrroles are described in the literature. However, synthesis of pyrroles fused with a β-lactam ring has not been reported. Our group has demonstrated synthesis and biological evaluation of various β-lactams as anticancer agents. The anticancer activities of these compounds have prompted us to study the synthesis of pyrroles bound to the β-lactams. We have identified an expeditious synthetic method for the preparation of pyrroles fused with β-lactams by reacting 3-amino β-lactams with acetonylacetone in the presence of catalytic amounts (5 mol%) of molecular iodine at room temperature. It has also been discovered that the reaction gives products under domestic and automated microwave oven irradiation. To our knowledge, there are no other prior reports that describe the synthesis of pyrrole-substituted β-lactams.

Synthesis of some new mono- and bis-polycyclic aromatic spiro and bis-nonspiro-beta-lactams

Some new mono-and bis-polycyclic aromatic spiro-beta-lactams and bis-non spiro-polycyclic aromatic beta-lactams have been synthesized from imines derived from anthracene-9-carbaldehyde, 2-naphtaldehyde and a ketene derived from 9H-xanthene-9-carboxylic acid and phenoxyacetic acid by a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. The cycloadducts were characterized by spectral data, including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and elemental analyses. The configurations of some of these mono-spiro-beta-lactams were established by X-ray crystal analysis.

Asymmetric synthesis of anticancer beta-lactams via Staudinger reaction: utilization of chiral ketene from carbohydrate

We describe herein asymmetric synthesis of a novel anticancer beta-lactam following Staudinger reaction with chiral carbohydrate as the ketene component with an achiral imine. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies of these beta-lactams are also reported here.

Investigation of the structural and harmonic vibrational properties of 2-nitro-, 4-nitro- and 5-nitro-m-xylene by ab initio and density functional theory

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman spectra of 2-nitro-m-xylene (2NMX), 4-nitro-m-xylene (4NMX) and 5-nitro-m-xylene (5NMX) have been recorded in the range 4000-400 and 4000-100 cm(-1), respectively. The experimental vibrational frequency was compared with that obtained theoretically by ab initio HF and DFT-B3LYP gradient calculations employing the standard 6-31G(d,p) basis set for the optimised geometries of the compounds. The complete vibrational assignment, analysis and correlation of the fundamental modes of the compounds were carried out using the experimental FTIR and FT-Raman data, and ab initio and DFT quantum chemical studies. The geometrical parameters and the wavenumbers of normal modes of vibration obtained from the HF and DFT methods are in good agreement with the experimental values. The potential energy distribution of the fundamental modes was calculated with ab initio force fields utilising Wilson's FG matrix method. The influence of bulky methyl groups on the nitro group fundamental modes and on the ring skeletal vibrations are investigated.