TBAI/TBHP-Mediated Cascade Cyclization toward Sulfonylated Indeno[1,2-c]quinolines

Sulfonylated Indeno[1,2-c]quinoline Derivatives as Potent EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been considered a potential target for lung cancer therapy due to its essential role in regulating the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Although erlotinib, a potent EGFR tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) inhibitor, has been used as the first-line drug for lung cancer treatment, acquired drug resistance caused by the T790M secondary mutation of EGFR-TK inevitably develops after a median response duration of 9-13 months. Thus, the search for promising compounds to effectively target EGFR-TK has become an imperative necessity. In this study, the kinase inhibitory activities of a series of sulfonylated indeno[1,2-c]quinolines (SIQs) against EGFR-TK were experimentally and theoretically investigated. Among the 23 SIQ derivatives studied, eight compounds showed enhanced EGFR-TK inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ values of ca. 0.6-10.2 nM) compared to the known drug erlotinib (IC₅₀ of ∼20 nM). In a cell-based assay in human cancer cell lines with EGFR overexpression (A549 and A431 cells), the eight selected SIQs all showed more significant cytotoxicity against A431 than A549 cells, consistent with the higher EGFR expression in A431 cells. Molecular docking and FMO-RIMP2/PCM calculations revealed that SIQ17 occupies the ATP-binding site of EGFR-TK, where its sulfonyl group is mainly stabilized by C797, L718, and E762 residues. Triplicate 500 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations also confirmed the binding strength of SIQ17 in complex with EGFR. Overall, the potent SIQ compounds obtained in this work could be further optimized for developing novel anticancer drug candidates targeting EGFR-TK.

Radical bicyclization of 1,6-enynes with sulfonyl hydrazides by the use of TBAI/TBHP in the aqueous phase

A novel 5-exo-dig/6-endo-trig bicyclization of 1,6-enynes with sulfonyl hydrazides in the aqueous phase using the cheap and available tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI)-tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) combined system is reported. The resulting reaction of diverse nitrogen- and oxygen-polyheterocycles displays high chemical selectivity, high step-economy, and a moderate substrate scope. Moreover, iodosulfonylation can be realized by modulating the structure of the 1,6-enynes.

Cascade Oxidative Trifluoromethylthiolation and Cyclization of 3-Alkyl-1-(2-(alkynyl)phenyl)indoles

Persulfate-promoted radical cascade trifluoromethylthiolation and cyclization of 3-alkyl-1-(2-(alkynyl)phenyl)indoles with AgSCF₃ were investigated. This protocol provides a novel route to CF₃S-substituted indolo[1,2-a]quinoline-7-carbaldehydes and CF₃S-substituted indolo[1,2-a]quinoline-7-methanone derivatives via the formation of the C-SCF₃ bond and C-C bond and benzylic carbon oxidation in a single step. This reaction can accommodate a broad range of functional groups. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data confirm the chemical structure of the product. A scale-up experiment and radical inhibition experiments were operated in the reaction system. Photophysical properties of some selected 5-((trifluoromethyl)thio)indolo[1,2-a]quinoline-7-carbaldehydes were studied by UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Electrochemical trifluoromethylation of 2-isocyanobiaryls using CF3SO2Na: synthesis of 6-(trifluoromethyl)phenanthridines

An efficient trifluoromethylation of 2-isocyanobiaryls was developed through the constant current electrolysis, employing sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (CF₃SO₂Na) as the trifluoromethyl source. The method enabled the syntheses of a series of 6-(trifluoromethyl)phenanthridine derivatives in moderate to high yields under metal- and oxidant-free conditions. A gram-scale synthesis highlights the synthetic versatility of the reported protocol.

Iodo-sulphonylation of 1,6-enynones: a metal-free strategy to synthesize N-substituted succinimides

An iodine-mediated radical cyclization of 1,6-enynones with sulphonyl hydrazides using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant has been developed for the synthesis of iodo-sulphonylated-succinimide derivatives. The notable advantages of the developed method are metal-free conditions, broad functional group tolerance, column chromatography-free purification, high stereoselectivity (E isomer), shorter reaction times, and the cascade construction of three new bonds (C-S, C-I, and C-C). The synthetic application of the iodo-functionality has been extended to the Heck coupling reaction with acrylonitrile and to the Suzuki coupling reaction with benzene boronic acid.

Transition-Metal-Free Radical-Triggered Hydrosulfonylation and Disulfonylation Reaction of Substituted Maleimides with Sulfonyl Hydrazides

A convenient and practical hydrosulfonylation and disulfonylation of substituted maleimides was realized using sulfonyl hydrazides as the sulfur reagent and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. The advantages of the reactions include mild and transition-metal-free reaction conditions, good functional group tolerance, and readily available starting materials. The radical species-induced pathway is also demonstrated by mechanistic studies.

I2-Catalyzed Carbonylation of α-Methylene Ketones to Synthesize 1,2-Diaryl Diketones and Antiviral Quinoxalines in One Pot

An efficient approach for the synthesis of 1,2-diaryl diketones was developed from readily available α-methylene ketones by catalysis of I2. In the same oxidation system, a novel one-pot procedure was established for the construction of antiviral and anticancer quinoxalines. The reactions proceeded well with a wide variety of substrates and good functional group tolerance, affording desired compounds in moderate to excellent yields. Quinoxalines 4ca and 4ad inhibited viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudoviruses into HEK-293T-ACE2h host cells as dual blockers of both human ACE2 receptor and viral spike RBD with IC50 values of 19.70 and 21.28 μM, respectively. In addition, cytotoxic evaluation revealed that 4aa, 4ba, 4ia, and 4ab suppressed four cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 6.25 to 28.55 μM.

Metal-free regioselective cascade sulfonylation-cyclization of 3-aza-1,5-enynes with sulfur dioxide and aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates to construct 1,2-dihydropyridines

Radical cascade cyclization of tethered alkynes has emerged as an efficient tool to construct small but complex cyclic compounds. However, it currently relies on aryl or heteroaryl-tethered alkynes to give...

Photocatalyst-, metal- and additive-free, regioselective radical cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of benzimidazoles derivatives with sulfonyl chlorides induced by visible light

Herein, an environmental and practical protocol for the visible-light-triggered regioselective radical cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of unactivated alkenes towards synthesis of polycyclic benzimidazoles containing sulfone group has been developed. Notably, the control...

Sulfonyl radical triggered selective iodosulfonylation and bicyclization of 1,6-dienes

A novel sulfonyl radical triggered selective iodosulfonylation and bicyclization of 1,6-dienes has been described for the first time. High selectivity and efficiency, mild reaction conditions, excellent functional group compatibility, and broad substrate scope are the attractive features of this synthetic protocol, which provides a unique platform for precise radical cyclization.

Direct Synthesis of Sulfonylated Spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidines] by Silver-Mediated Sulfonylation of Acrylamides Coupled with Indole Dearomatization

A dearomative tandem spiro-cyclization reaction of N-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl]methacrylamide derivatives with sulfinate sodium in the presence of AgNO₃ and K₂CO₃ is reported, which produced sulfonylated spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidines] in medium to excellent yields. The characteristics of this transformation contain good functional group tolerance and ease of operation.

Highly Selective Synthesis of 2-tert-Butoxy-1-Arylethanones via Copper(I)-Catalyzed Oxidation/tert-Butoxylation of Aryl Olefins with TBHP

A practical and environmentally friendly protocol for the selective oxidation of aryl olefins to arylethanone derivatives by using a Cu(I) catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) has been developed. A series of 2-tert-butoxy-1-arylethanones were obtained in moderate to good yields under mild conditions with high selectivity. In this method, TBHP acts not only as an oxidant but also as the tert-butoxy and carbonyl oxygen sources. This enables one-step oxidation/tert-butoxylation. Various allyl peroxides were also synthesized from allyl substrates.

Copper-catalysed three-component carboiodination of arynes: expeditious synthesis ofo-alkynyl aryl iodides

A copper-catalysed three-component reaction of arynes, terminal alkynes, and NIS provides an expeditious approach too-alkynyl aryl iodides.

Synthesis of Sulfonylated Lactams by Copper-Mediated Aminosulfonylation of 2-Vinylbenzamides with Sodium Sulfinates

Treatment of 2-vinylbenzamide derivatives with sulfinate sodium in the presence of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O led to an intra/intermolecular aminosulfonylation reaction to produce sulfonylated lactams in moderate to good yields. The developed method features the easily available and stable sulfone reagents, ease of operation, and a broad functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of cyclic gem-dinitro compounds via radical nitration of 1,6-diynes with Fe(NO3)3·9H2O

Cyclic gem-dinitro compounds were obtained via nitration of 1,6-diynes using Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O as the nitrating agent.

Photoredox-catalyzed cascade annulation of N-propargylindoles with sulfonyl chlorides: access to 2-sulfonated 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles

A photoredox-catalyzed cascade radical reaction of N-propargylindoles and sulfonyl chlorides to 2-sulfonated 9H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles under external oxidant-free conditions was developed.

Synthesis of 3-substituted quinolin-2(1H)-ones via the cyclization of o-alkynylisocyanobenzenes

A facile synthesis of various functionalized 3-substituted quinolin-2(1H)-ones through Ag(i) nitrate-catalyzed cyclization of o-alkynylisocyanobenzenes is described. The reaction allows rapid and convenient access to 3-substituted quinolin-2(1H)-one scaffolds in moderate to good yields.