Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione Derivatives as Potent Caspase-3 Inhibitors

Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive Dicarbofunctionalizations of Alkenes for the Synthesis of Difluorocarbonyl Oxindoles and Isoquinoline-1,3-diones

A novel and efficient strategy for the construction of difluorocarbonyl-oxindole and difluorocarbonyl-isoquinoline-1,3-dione derivatives involving nickel-catalyzed intramolecular Heck-type cyclizations followed by intermolecular cross-couplings has been developed. This approach features high functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope, and operational simplicity under mild conditions, thus providing a new method for the rapid difluorocarbonyl-functionalization of alkenes to construct the structurally diversified five- and six-membered heterocycles.

Dess-Martin Periodinane-Mediated Oxidative Coupling Reaction of Isoquinoline with Benzyl Bromide

Dess-Martin periodinane (DMP) is a broadly applicable oxidant in chemical synthesis. In this work, an efficient and convenient synthesis of N-substituted isoquinolinone derivatives mediated by DMP was achieved through the oxidative coupling reaction of functionalized isoquinoline with readily available benzyl bromide, which is a metal-free, mild, and practical method for synthesizing isoquinoline-1,3-dione or isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione derivatives in excellent yields. The H₂O¹⁸-labeling experiment was performed to gain insight into the possible mechanism for this reaction.

Palladium-Catalyzed and Photoinduced Benzylic C-H Carbonylation/Annulation under Mild Conditions

A Pd-catalyzed and photoinduced benzylic cascade benzylic C-H carbonylation/annulation reaction is realized under mild conditions (35 °C, 2 bar CO). The use of a catalytic amount of base is crucial for the reaction to achieve high yields. The reaction consists of a Pd-catalyzed generation of amidyl radical from O-benzyl hydroxylamide substrates and 1,5-HAT to give a benzylic radical, followed by carbonylation and annulation. Various homophthalimides, which could be readily converted to a number of bioactive compounds, could be obtained with up to 96% yield.

Controlled Photochemical Synthesis of Substituted Isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones, 3-Hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones, and Phthalimides via Amidyl Radical Cyclization Cascade

We report a controlled radical cyclization cascade of isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones, 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones, and phthalimides from o-alkynylated benzamides by metal-free photoredox catalyzed amidyl N-centered radical addition to the C-C triple bond using the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process under mild reaction conditions. A time tunable synthesis of 3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-ones and phthalimides via β-carbonyl-C(sp³) bond cleavage was also achieved under visible light irradiation. A mechanistic rationale for the radical cyclization cascade is supported by various control and quenching experiments as well as EPR studies.

Switchable synthesis of 1,4-bridged dihydroisoquinoline-3-ones and isoquinoline-1,3,4-triones through radical oxidation of isoquinolinium salts with phenyliodine(iii) diacetate

A switchable synthesis of 1,4-bridged dihydroisoquinoline-3-ones and isoquinoline-1,3,4-triones is developed via radical oxidation of isoquinolinium salts with PhI(OAc)2.

Biogenic synthesis of Pd-nanoparticles using Areca Nut Husk Extract: a greener approach to access α-keto imides and stilbenes

An eco-friendly green method for a one-step synthesis of palladium nanoparticles and their synthetic utility are reported.

Metal-free electrochemical synthesis of α-ketoamides via decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with isocyanides and water

A mild and convenient electrochemical protocol has been developed for the preparation of α-ketoamides via a decarboxylative coupling reaction of α-keto acids with isocyanides and water.

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of arylacetamides from benzyl formates and tertiary amines

A palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of arylacetamides via a C–N bond cleavage of tertiary amines with benzyl formates as the CO source has been disclosed. A variety of arylacetamides were obtained in very good yields under oxidant-free conditions.

The continuous-flow electrosynthesis of 4-(sulfonylmethyl)isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones from N-alkyl-N-methacryloyl benzamides under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions

An efficient and green electrochemical continuous flow approach has been developed for the synthesis of 4-(sulfonylmethyl)isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones through sulfonylation of alkenes under metal-free and oxidant-free conditions.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-ketoamides using water and dioxygen as the oxygen source

The reaction employing H₂O and O₂ as the co-oxygen source in the catalytic synthesis of α-ketoamides is described. This copper-catalyzed reaction is carried out in a tandem manner constituted by the hydroamination of alkyne, hydration of vinyl–Cu complex and subsequent oxidation. Isotope labeling and radical capture experiments reveal that the oxygen atom of α-ketone at α-ketoamides derives from O₂ and the oxygen atom of amide group originates from H₂O.

The reaction employing H₂O and O₂ as the co-oxygen source in the catalytic synthesis of α-ketoamides is described. This Cu-catalyzed reaction is carried out in a tandem manner constituted by hydroamination of alkyne, hydration of vinyl–Cu complex and subsequent oxidation.

Metal-Free Air Oxidation in a Convenient Cascade Approach for the Access to Isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones

Herein we describe a very useful application of the readily available trifunctional aromatic ketone methyl-2-(2-bromoacetyl)benzoate in reactions with primary amines. An unexpected in situ air oxidation that follows a cascade process allowed the access to a series of isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones, a class of heterocyclic compounds of great interest containing an oxygen-rich heterocyclic scaffold. A modification of the original protocol, utilizing a Staudinger reaction in the presence of trimethylphosphine, was necessary for the synthesis of Caspase inhibitor trione with free NH group.

In-flow photooxygenation of aminothienopyridinones generates iminopyridinedione PTP4A3 phosphatase inhibitors

A continuous flow photooxygenation of 7-aminothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-4(5H)-ones to produce 7-iminothieno[3,2-c]pyridine-4,6(5H,7H)-diones has been developed, utilizing ambient air as the sole reactant. N-H Imines are formed as the major products, and excellent functional group tolerance and conversion on gram-scale without the need for chromatographic purification allow for facile late-stage diversification of the aminothienopyridinone scaffold. Several analogs exhibit potent in vitro inhibition of the cancer-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP4A3, and the SAR supports an exploratory docking model.

Palladium-Catalyzed Serendipitous Synthesis of Arylglyoxylic Amides from Arylglyoxylates and N,N-Dialkylamides in the Presence of Halopyridines

A palladium-catalyzed synthesis of arylglyoxylic amides by the reaction of arylglyoxylates and N,N-dialkylamides in the presence of a 2,3-dihalopyridine has been realized for the first time. An anticipated 2,3-diaroylpyridine did not form in this reaction. The current study unveils an unprecedented role of 2,3-dihalopyridine toward this amidation. Our mechanistic study reveals that the arylglyoxylate could react with halopyridine to form a traceless activated pyridyl ester of arylglyoxylic acid, which upon subsequent reaction with amino surrogate, N,N-dialkylamides could form the arylglyoxylic amides.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Identification and Molecular Docking of Certain N-(2-{[2-(1H-Indol-2-ylcarbonyl) Hydrazinyl](oxo)Acetylphenyl)Acetamides and N-[2-(2-{[2-(Acetylamino)Phenyl](oxo)Acetylhydrazinyl)-2-Oxoethyl]-1H-Indole-2-Carboxamides: New Antimicrobial Agents

N-(2-{[2-(1H-Indol-2-ylcarbonyl)hydrazinyl](oxo)acetyl}phenyl)acetamides (5a–h) and N-[2-(2-{[2-(acetylamino)phenyl](oxo)acetyl}hydrazinyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamides (5i–l) were synthesized and characterized with different analytical tools. N-Acetylisatines 4a–d were subjected to ring opening at their C2 carbons with the aid of different indole-bearing hydrazides 3a,b and 7 to afford the respective glyoxylamides 5a–l. The antimicrobial activity of the target compounds 5a–l was assessed with the aid of Diameter of the Inhibition Zone (DIZ) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and certain fungal strains. The antimicrobial screening revealed that Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans are the most sensitive microorganisms towards the synthesized compounds 5a–l. In addition, compounds 5c and 5h emerged as the most active congeners towards Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed the possible binding mode of compounds 5c and 5h to their target proteins.

Aerobic oxidative amidation of alkynes using titanium oxide encapsulated cuprous iodide nanoparticles (CuI@TiO2)

A catalyst consisting of titanium oxide encapsulated cuprous iodide nanoparticles was prepared via a sol–gel method using inexpensive raw materials and was harnessed successfully in the oxidative amidation of alkynes via an environmentally benign and sustainable protocol.

Comprehensive spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H and 13C NMR) identification and computational studies on 1-acetyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and FT-Raman spectra of 1-acetyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione (N-acetylisatin) were recorded in the solid phase and analyzed. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities and atomic charges were calculated using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) calculations with a standard 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The fundamental vibrational modes of N-acetylisatin were analyzed and fully assigned with the aid of the recorded FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra. The simulated FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra showed good agreement with the experimental spectra. The stability of the molecule, arising from hyper-conjugative interactions and charge delocalization, was analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The dipole moment (µ), polarization (α) and hyperpolarization (β) values of N-acetylisatin were also computed. The potential energy distribution (PED) was computed for the assignment of unambiguous vibrational fundamental modes. The HOMO and LUMO energy gap illustrated the chemical activity of N-acetylisatin. The energy and oscillator strength were calculated by DFT. Gauge–including atomic orbital NMR (1H and 13C) chemical shift calculations were performed and compared with the experimental values. Thermodynamic properties (heat capacity, entropy and enthalpy) of the compound at different temperatures were also calculated.

Sonochemistry in organocatalytic enamine-azide [3+2] cycloadditions: A rapid alternative for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoyl carboxamides

We described herein the use of sonochemistry in the organocatalytic enamine-azide [3+2] cycloadditions of β-oxo-amides with a range of substituted aryl azides. These sonochemical promoted reactions were found to be amenable to a range of β-oxo amides or aryl azides, providing an efficient access to new N-aryl-1,2,3-triazoyl carboxamides in good to excellent yields and short times of reaction.

Iodine-catalyzed oxidative multiple C–H bond functionalization of isoquinolines with methylarenes: an efficient synthesis of isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones

An iodine-catalyzed multiple C–H bond functionalization of isoquinolines with methylarenes via a successive benzylic sp³ C–H iodination/N-benzylation/amidation/double sp² C–H oxidation sequence to yield isoquinoline-1,3,4(2H)-triones is developed for the first time.

Solvent-free one-pot oxidation of ethylarenes for the preparation of α-ketoamides under mild conditions

Here we developed a highly efficient solvent-free, one-pot procedure for synthesizing α-ketoamides from ethylarenes and amines, by oxidizing a C–H bond sp³ center.

Copper-Catalysed Couplings of N-Substituted-N-Methacryloylbenzamides with Isopropanol to Generate Hydroxyl-Substituted Isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-Dione Derivatives

A copper-catalysed free-radical cascade cyclisation of N-substituted- N-methacryloylbenzamides with isopropanol has been developed, which allows convenient access to various hydroxyl-substituted isoquinoline-1,3(2 H,4 H)-dione derivatives.

Cu(i)-Functionalized SBA-16: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of α-ketoamides under moderate conditions

An efficient catalyst based on the cage-like mesoporous material SBA-16 as the support and Cu(i) as active sites has been successfully prepared. The catalyst demonstrated high catalytic activity (up to 88%) in the direct oxidative synthesis of α-ketoamides between acetophenone and piperidine, employing O2 from open air as the oxidant without other additives. A heterogeneous catalyst was applied in this reaction for the first time, and the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction system by filtration and reused several times without a significant loss of activity.

Cascade alkylarylation of substituted N-allylbenzamides for the construction of dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones and isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones

An oxidative reaction for the synthesis of 4-alkyl-substituted dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones with N-allylbenzamide derivatives as starting materials has been developed. The radical alkylarylation reaction proceeds through a sequence of alkylation and intramolecular cyclization. The substituent on the C–C double bond was found to play a key role for the progress of the reaction to give the expected products with good chemical yields. Additionally, N-methacryloylbenzamides were also suitable substrates for the current reaction and provided the alkyl-substituted isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones in good yield.

Copper–TEMPO-catalyzed synthesis of α-ketoamides via tandem sp3C–H aerobic oxidation and amination of phenethyl alcohol derivatives

The first synthesis of α-ketoamides from phenethyl alcohol derivatives, simple and readily available substrates, was achieved.

A two-step continuous synthesis of α-ketoamides and α-amino ketones from 2° benzylic alcohols using hydrogen peroxide as an economic and benign oxidant

A practical two-step flow synthesis of α-ketoamides and α-amino ketones via direct oxidative coupling between 2° benzylic alcohols and amines was developed.

Room temperature copper-catalyzed oxidative amidation of terminal alkynes for the synthesis of α-ketoamides using O-benzoyl hydroxylamines as aminating reagent and oxidant

A novel and convenient copper-catalyzed oxidative amidation for the synthesis of α-ketoamides has been successfully developed, which uses easily available O-benzoyl hydroxylamines as aminating reagent and oxidant.

Small Molecule Active Site Directed Tools for Studying Human Caspases

Caspases are proteases of clan CD and were described for the first time more than two decades ago. They play critical roles in the control of regulated cell death pathways including apoptosis and inflammation. Due to their involvement in the development of various diseases like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, or autoimmune disorders, caspases have been intensively investigated as potential drug targets, both in academic and industrial laboratories. This review presents a thorough, deep, and systematic assessment of all technologies developed over the years for the investigation of caspase activity and specificity using substrates and inhibitors, as well as activity based probes, which in recent years have attracted considerable interest due to their usefulness in the investigation of biological functions of this family of enzymes.