Intramolecular Gold-Catalyzed and NaH-Supported Cyclization Reactions of N-Propargyl Indole Derivatives with Pyrazole and Pyrrole Rings: Synthesis of Pyrazolodiazepinoindole, Pyrazolopyrazinoindole, and Pyrrolopyrazinoindole

Amidative Cyclization of Alkynyl Esters to Access Pyrazin-1(2H)-ones: Application to the Synthesis of Peramine and Dibromophakellin

Herein, we report an efficient 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD)-catalyzed tandem intermolecular amidation and regioselective intramolecular 6-exo-dig cyclization of alkynyl esters to efficiently access pyrazine-1(2H)-one scaffolds. This organo-catalyzed [5 + 1] annulation features a broad substrate scope concerning both annulating partners. Total syntheses of peramine and formal syntheses of dibromophakellin natural products were achieved to show the application potential of the method.

Synthesis and Biological Activities of Pyrazino[1,2-a]indole and Pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-one Derivatives

This review concerns the synthesis and biological activities of pyrazino[1,2-a]indoles and pyrazino[1,2-a]indol-1-ones reported since 1997 and the discovery of biological activity of pyrazinoindole derivatives. In the first part, we first presented the synthetic routes that have been reported from a methodological point of view to access the pyrazinoindole unit according to cyclization reactions using or not using metal catalysts. Then, syntheses and neuropsychiatric, auto-immune, anti-infectious and anti-cancer properties of pyrazinoindoles were detailed. In the second part, we first reported the main accesses to pyrazinoindol-1-one substrates according to Michael reactions, metal-catalyzed and metal-free cyclization reactions. The syntheses and anti-cancer, anti-infectious, anti-allergenic and neuropsychiatric properties of pyrazinoindolones were next described and discussed.

Palladium and Copper: Advantageous Nanocatalysts for Multi-Step Transformations

Metal nanoparticles have been deeply studied in the last few decades due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, finding a wide range of applications in several fields. Among them, well-defined nano-structures can combine the main advantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts. Especially, catalyzed multi-step processes for the production of added-value chemicals represent straightforward synthetic methodologies, including tandem and sequential reactions that avoid the purification of intermediate compounds. In particular, palladium- and copper-based nanocatalysts are often applied, becoming a current strategy in the sustainable synthesis of fine chemicals. The rational tailoring of nanosized materials involving both those immobilized on solid supports and liquid phases and their applications in organic synthesis are herein reviewed.

Cycloisomerization of π-Coupled Heteroatom Nucleophiles by Gold Catalysis: En Route to Regiochemically Defined Heterocycles

Since the dawn of millennium, catalytic gold chemistry is at the forefront to set off diverse organic reactions via unique activation of π-bonded molecules. Within this purview, cycloisomerization of heteroatom nucleophiles linked to a π-system is one of the well recognized chemistry for the construction of numerous heterocyclic cores. Though the rudimentary aspects of this transformation are reviewed by several groups in different timeline, a holistic view on regiochemistry of such reactions went largely overlooked. Hence, this account emphasizes the gold catalyzed regioselective cycloisomerization of structurally distinctive π-connected hetero-nucleophiles leading to different heterocycles documented in the last two decades. From an application perspective, this account also highlights those methodologies which find a role in the total synthesis of natural products. Wherever appropriate, mechanistic details and contributing factors for selectivity are also discussed.

Design, Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, and Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation of Indole- and Benzimidazole-Based Compounds as Pro-Apoptotic Agents Targeting Bcl-2 Protein

Cancer is a multifactorial disease necessitating identification of novel targets for its treatment. Inhibition of Bcl-2 for triggered pro-apoptotic signaling is considered a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Within the current work, we aimed to design and synthesize a new series of benzimidazole- and indole-based derivatives as inhibitors of Bcl-2 protein. The market pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor, obatoclax, was the lead framework compound for adopted structural modifications. The obatoclax’s pyrrolylmethine linker was replaced with straight alkylamine or carboxyhydrazine methylene linkers providing the new compounds. This strategy permitted improved structural flexibility of synthesized compounds adopting favored maneuvers for better fitting at the Bcl-2 major hydrophobic pocket. Anti-cancer activity of the synthesized compounds was further investigated through MTT-cytotoxic assay, cell cycle analysis, RT-PCR, ELISA and DNA fragmentation. Cytotoxic results showed compounds 8a, 8b and 8c with promising cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231/breast cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 12.69 ± 0.84 to 12.83 ± 3.50 µM), while 8a and 8c depicted noticeable activities against A549/lung adenocarcinoma cells (IC₅₀ = 23.05 ± 1.45 and 11.63 ± 2.57 µM, respectively). The signaling Bcl-2 inhibition pathway was confirmed by molecular docking where significant docking energies and interactions with key Bcl-2 pocket residues were depicted. Moreover, the top active compound, 8b, showed significant upregulated expression levels of pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic of genes; Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, -8, and -9 through RT-PCR assay. Improving the compound’s pharmaceutical profile was undertaken by introducing 8b within drug-solid/lipid nanoparticle formulation prepared by hot melting homogenization technique and evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, particle size, and zeta potential. Significant improvement was seen at the compound’s cytotoxic activity. In conclusion, 8b is introduced as a promising anti-cancer lead candidate that worth future fine-tuned lead optimization and development studies while exploring its potentiality through in-vivo preclinical investigation.

Catalyst-free facile synthesis of polycyclic indole/pyrrole substituted-1,2,3-triazoles

A general and catalyst-free access to the fused polycyclic N-heterocycles via an intramolecular azide-alkene cascade reaction under mild reaction conditions has been developed. The reaction is applicable to both indole and pyrrole substrates, and a variety of substituents are tolerated. The entire sequence can be carried out in a one-pot operation. This methodology provides a sustainable and efficient access to a variety of novel polycyclic indole/pyrrole substituted-1,2,3-triazoles.

Facile synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole-fused indolo- and pyrrolo[1,4]diazepines, DNA-binding and evaluation of their anticancer activity

A facile synthetic strategy has been developed for the generation of structurally diverse N-fused heterocycles. The formation of fused 1,2,3-triazole indolo and pyrrolodiazepines proceeds through an initial Knoevenagel condensation followed by intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction at room temperature without recourse to the traditional Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-cancer activity against the NCI 60 cell line panel. Among the tested compounds, 3a and 3h were found to exhibit potent inhibitory activity against many of the cell lines. Cell cycle analysis indicated that the compounds inhibit the cell cycle at sub G1 phase. The DNA- nano drop method, viscosity experiment and docking studies suggested these compounds possess DNA binding affinity.

Nickel(II)-Catalyzed [5 + 1] Annulation of 2-Carbonyl-1-propargylindoles with Hydroxylamine To Synthesize Pyrazino[1,2-a]indole-2-oxides in Water

An atom-economical and practical method for the efficient synthesis of various pyrazino[1,2-a]indole-2-oxides was developed through a nickel(II)-catalyzed [5 + 1] annulation of 2-carbonyl-1-propargylindoles with hydroxylamine in water without using an organic solvent. The reaction involved an initial condensation of 2-carbonyl-1-propargylindoles with hydroxylamine to afford oxime intermediates, which then underwent a nickel(II)-catalyzed 6-exo-dig cyclization. Preliminary studies showed that (n-Bu)₄NI served as a phase transfer catalyst and promoted the formation of active nickel(II) species. More importantly, the nickel(II) salt and phase transfer catalyst-in-water could be recycled seven times, and a gram scalable product was easily obtained in good yields through a filtration and washing protocol.

Indole derivatives as multifunctional drugs: Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant, photoprotective and antiproliferative activity of indole hydrazones

Two series of indole derivatives 4-17, 20-22 were easily prepared and assayed for their radical-scavenging ability. Arylidene-1H-indole-2-carbohydrazones showed different extent antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP and ORAC assays. Good antioxidant activity is related to the number and position of hydroxyl groups on the arylidene moiety as well as to the presence of methoxy or 4-(diethylamino) group. On the contrary low antioxidant activity is showed by the isomeric 1H-indol-2-yl(methylene)-benzohydrazides. Furthermore, hydrazones 4-17 showed photoprotective capacities with satisfactory in vitro SPF as compared to the commercial PBSA sunscreen filter. The indole 16 and 17, showing the best antioxidant and photoprotective profile, were included in different formulation and their topical release was evaluated. Varying the formulation composition, it was possible to optimize skin adsorption and solubility of the active indole in the formulation. The antiproliferative effect of the hydrazones 4-17 was tested on human erythroleukemia K562 and melanoma Colo-38 cells. Hydrazones 11, 16 and 17 showed growth inhibition at sub micromolar concentrations on both cell lines. These results indicate indole hydrazones as potential multifunctional molecules especially in the treatment of neoplastic diseases being the good antioxidant properties of 16 and 17 correlated to their high antiproliferative activity.

Silver-catalyzed synthesis of pyrrolopiperazine fused with oxazine/imidazole via a domino approach: evaluation of anti-cancer activity

Ag-Catalyzed synthesis of pyrrolopiperazine fused with oxazine/imidazole by the reaction of δ-alkynyl aldehydes and nucleophilic amines was performed. Several of these compounds were found to exhibit anti-cancer activity against cancer cell lines.

Nucleophilic and electrophilic cyclization of N-alkyne-substituted pyrrole derivatives: Synthesis of pyrrolopyrazinone, pyrrolotriazinone, and pyrrolooxazinone moieties

Intramolecular nucleophilic and electrophilic cyclization of N-alkyne-substituted pyrrole esters is described. Efficient routes towards the synthesis of pyrrolopyrazinone, pyrrolotriazinone and pyrrolooxazinone have been developed. First, N-alkyne-substituted pyrrole ester derivatives were synthesized. Introduction of various substituents into the alkyne functionality was accomplished by a copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. Nucleophilic cyclization of N-alkyne-substituted methyl 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates with hydrazine afforded the 6-exo-dig/6-endo-dig cyclization products depending on the electronic nature of the substituents attached to the alkyne. On the other hand, cyclization of N-alkyne-substituted methyl 1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylates with iodine only resulted in the formation of the 6-endo-dig cyclization product regardless of the substitution of the alkyne functionality.

Cu nanoparticles immobilized on montmorillonite by biquaternary ammonium salts: a highly active and stable heterogeneous catalyst for cascade sequence to indole-2-carboxylic esters

Cu-Q-MMT catalyst was prepared by immobilizing Cu nanoparticals on the biquaternary ammonium salts modified montmorillonite and exhibited high activity for cascade sequence to indole-2-carboxylic esters.

Transition metal-catalyzed site- and regio-divergent C–H bond functionalization

The regioselectivity of C–H functionalization reactions can be redirected to obtain regioisomeric products form the same starting materials.

A rare γ-pyranopyrazole skeleton: design, one-pot synthesis and computational study

Drawing upon a consecutive amide coupling and intramolecular cyclisation pathway, a one-pot, straightforward synthetic route has been developed for a range of pyrazole fused γ-pyrone derivatives. The reaction mechanism proposed for the chemoselective formation of γ-pyranopyrazole is furthermore fully supported by experimental and computational studies.

New route to 1,4-oxazepane and 1,4-diazepane derivatives: synthesis from N-propargylamines

N-Propargylamines are one of the most useful and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis that are successfully transformed into many significant N-heterocycles.

New page to access pyridine derivatives: synthesis from N-propargylamines

The pyridine is one of the simplest, yet most important N-heterocycles.