Innovative synthesis of drug-like molecules using tetrazole as core building blocks

Tetrazole is widely utilized as a bioisostere for carboxylic acid in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug development, enhancing the drug-like characteristics of various molecules. Typically, tetrazoles are introduced from their nitrile precursors through late-stage functionalization. In this work, we propose a novel strategy involving the use of diversely protected, unprecedented tetrazole aldehydes as building blocks. This approach facilitates the incorporation of the tetrazole group into multicomponent reactions or other chemistries, aiding in the creation of a variety of complex, drug-like molecules. These innovative tetrazole building blocks are efficiently and directly synthesized using a Passerini three-component reaction (PT-3CR), employing cost-effective and readily available materials. We further showcase the versatility of these new tetrazole building blocks by integrating the tetrazole moiety into various multicomponent reactions (MCRs), which are already significantly employed in drug discovery. This technique represents a unique and complementary method to existing tetrazole synthesis processes. It aims to meet the growing demand for tetrazole-based compound libraries and novel scaffolds, which are challenging to synthesize through other methods.

One-pot Ugi-azide and Heck reactions for the synthesis of heterocyclic systems containing tetrazole and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

A new method for the synthesis of heterocyclic systems containing tetrazole and tetrahydroisoquinoline is developed via the performance of one-pot Ugi-azide and Heck cyclization reactions. The integration of the multicomponent and post-condensation reactions in one-pot maximizes the pot-, atom-, and step-economy (PASE).

Immobilization of Ni(ii) complex on the surface of mesoporous modified-KIT-6 as a new, reusable and highly efficient nanocatalyst for the synthesis of tetrazole and pyranopyrazole derivatives

In this paper, KIT-6@SMTU@Ni was successfully synthesized via a new method of Ni(ii) complex stabilization on modified mesoporous KIT-6, as a novel and green heterogeneous catalyst. The obtained catalyst (KIT-6@SMTU@Ni) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) calculation, X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After complete characterization of the catalyst, it was successfully used for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles and pyranopyrazoles. Moreover, tetrazoles were synthesized from benzonitrile derivatives and sodium azide (NaN₃). All tetrazole products were synthesized with high TON, TOF and excellent yields (88-98%) in a reasonable time (0.13-8 h), demonstrating the efficiency and practicality of the KIT-6@SMTU@Ni catalyst. Furthermore, pyranopyrazoles were prepared through the condensation reaction of benzaldehyde derivatives with malononitrile, hydrazine hydrate and ethyl acetoacetate with high TON, TOF and excellent yields (87-98%) at appropriate times (2-10.5 h). KIT-6@SMTU@Ni could be reused for five runs without any re-activation. Significantly, this plotted protocol has prominent benefits, such as applying green solvents, the use of commercially available and low-cost materials, excellent separation and reusability of the catalyst, short reaction time, high yield of products and a facile work-up.

Stereoselective Synthesis of 12-Tetrazolyl Substituted (E)-5H-Quinazolino[3,2-a]quinazolines via Sequential Ugi-Azide/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/Addition/Ag(I)-Catalyzed Cyclization

A new efficient and stereoselective synthesis of 12-tetrazolyl substituted (E)-5H-quinazolino[3,2-a]quinazolines via sequential Ugi-azide/Staudinger/aza-Wittig/addition/Ag(I)-catalyzed cyclization was developed. The four-component reactions of 2-azidobenzaldehyde, 2-(alkynyl)benzenamine, isocyanide, and trimethylsilyl azide gave Ugi-azide intermediates, which were subsequently treated with triphenylphosphine and isocyanate to produce 12-tetrazolyl substituted (E)-5H-quinazolino[3,2-a]quinazolines in the presence of Ag(I) catalyst and K₂CO₃.

A Schiff base complex of lanthanum on modified MCM-41 as a reusable nanocatalyst in the homoselective synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles

In this work, mesoporous MCM-41 was modified by a new Schiff-base formed from the condensation of triethylenetatramine and 5-bromosalicylaldehyde. Then, it was used for the stabilization of lanthanum metal (La-Schiff base@MCM-41) as a homoselective, reusable, efficient and biocompatible catalyst in the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives. The synthesized tetrazoles were characterized using ¹H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy and methods to measure their physical properties. La-Schiff base@MCM-41 was characterized by using various techniques such as ICP, CHN, XRD, TGA, BET, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, EDS and WDX. This catalyst has good stability and a heterogeneous nature, enabling it to be easily recovered and reused several times without significant loss in catalytic activity. This present strategy has important advantages such as utilizing PEG as a green solvent, short reaction times, excellent yields, easy recycling of the catalyst and pure separation of the products. The recovered La-Schiff base@MCM-41 catalyst was characterized by using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and AAS.

Synthesis of 4-Tetrazolyl-Substituted 3,4-Dihydroquinazoline Derivatives with Anticancer Activity via a One-Pot Sequential Ugi-Azide/Palladium-Catalyzed Azide-Isocyanide Cross-Coupling/Cyclization Reaction

A new one-pot preparation of 4-tetrazolyl-3,4-dihydroquinazolines has been reported. The Ugi-azide reactions of 2-azidobenzaldehydes, amines, trimethylsilyl azide, and isocyanides produced azide intermediates without separation, which were treated with isocyanides to give 4-tetrazolyl-3,4-dihydroquinazoline derivatives through a sequential Palladium-catalyzed azide-isocyanide cross-coupling/cyclization reaction in moderate to good yields. The biological evaluation demonstrated that compound 6c inhibited breast cancer cells well and displayed broad applications for synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

Metal-free oxoammonium salt-mediated C(sp3)-H oxidative Ugi-azide multicomponent reaction

In this work, an efficient oxidative C(sp³)-H Ugi-azide multicomponent reaction of cyclic benzylic amines to the corresponding α-tetrazolo compounds using a TEMPO salt as mild hydride abstractor-type oxidant is reported. This simple one-pot approach allows the direct functionalization of N-heterocycles such as tetrahydroisoquinolines with a variety of isocyanides and NaN₃ as a practical azide source. The reaction proceeds at room temperature and without the need of acid additives, allowing for the use of sensitive substrates, while minimizing isocyanide polymerization to provide the desired heterocycle-tetrazole products in synthetically useful yields (up to 99%).

Investigation of Fe3O4@boehmite NPs as efficient and magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst in the homoselective synthesis of tetrazoles

Magnetic boehmite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@boehmite NPs) were synthesized from a hybrid of boehmite and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. At first, boehmite nanoparticles (aluminum oxide hydroxide) were prepared via a simple procedure in water using commercially available materials such as sodium hydroxide and aluminum nitrate. Then, these nanoparticles were magnetized using Fe₃O₄ NPs in a basic solution of FeCl₂·4H₂O and FeCl₃·6H₂O. Fe₃O₄@boehmite NPs have advantages of both boehmite nanoparticles and Fe₃O₄ magnetic materials. Magnetic boehmite nanoparticles have been characterized by various techniques such as TEM, SEM, EDS, WDX, ICP, FT-IR, Raman, XRD and VSM. SEM and TEM images confirmed that particles size are less than 50 nm in diameter with a cubic orthorhombic structure. Then, Fe₃O₄@boehmite NPs were applied as a homoselective, highly efficient, cheap, biocompatibility, heterogeneous and magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst in the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives. Fe₃O₄@boehmite NPs can be recycled for several runs in the synthesis of tetrazoles. Also, all tetrazoles were isolated in high yields, which reveals high activity of Fe₃O₄@boehmite NPs in the synthesis of tetrazole derivatives. Fe₃O₄@boehmite NPs shows a good homoselectivity in synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole derivatives.

Magnetic boehmite nanoparticles were synthesized from a hybrid of boehmite and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Then, it was applied as a homoselective, highly efficient, cheep, heterogeneous and recoverable nanocatalyst in the synthesis of tetrazole derivative.

Asymmetric synthesis of polycyclic spiroindolines via the Dy-catalyzed cascade reaction of 3-(2-isocyanoethyl)indoles with aziridines

An asymmetric cascade reaction catalyzed by a chiral N,N′-dioxide–Dy(iii) complex was realized to construct the valuable [6,5,5,6] tetracyclic spiroindolines with good yields and enantioselectivities by a concise and one-step protocol.

N-Iodosuccinimide-Promoted [3 + 2] Annulation Reaction of Aryldiazonium Salts with Guanidines To Construct Aminotetrazoles

A N-iodosuccinimide (NIS)-promoted [3 + 2] annulation reaction of aryldiazonium salts with guanidines has been developed for the construction of previously elusive 2-aryl-5-amino-2H-tetrazoles. This transformation takes advantage of readily available starting materials, proceeds under metal-free, mild, and robust conditions, and holds broad functional group compatibility. The utility of this protocol is further manifested via coupling, annulation, deamination, and denitrogenation derivatizations.

Catalytic asymmetric multicomponent reactions of isocyanide, isothiocyanate and alkylidene malonates

Several unique chiral 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-2-thiones were made readily available by carrying out, in each case, a chiral-Mg(OTf)₂/N,N'-dioxide-complex-promoted formal [2+1+2] cycloaddition in the presence of tetraethylenediamine. Control experiments revealed that in situ-generated ammonium thiocyanate was crucial for maintaining high enantioselectivity through its inhibition of the HNCS-induced racemization of the products.

Enantioselective Isocyanide-based Multicomponent Reaction with Alkylidene Malonates and Phenols

A highly enantioselective isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction catalyzed by a chiral N,N'-dioxide/Mg^II complex was reported. A wide range of substrates were tolerated in this reaction, including alkyl- and aryl-substituted isocyanides with alkylidene malonates and various phenols, affording the corresponding phenoxyimidate products in good to excellent yields (up to 94% yield) with good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95.5:4.5 er). A catalytic cycle and transition state were proposed to rationalize the reaction process and enantiocontrol.

A nickel nanoparticle engineered CoFe2O4/SiO2-NH2@carboxamide composite as a novel scaffold for the oxidation of sulfides and oxidative coupling of thiols

The purpose of this work was to prepare a new Ni-carboxamide complex supported on CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (CoFe2O4/SiO2-NH2@carboxamide-Ni). The carboxamide host material unit generated cavities that stabilized the nickel nanoparticles effectively and prevented the aggregation and separation of these particles on the surface. This compound was appropriately characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, FE-SEM, ICP-OES, EDX, XRD, TGA analysis, VSM, and X-ray atomic mapping. The catalytic oxidation of sulfides and oxidative coupling of thiols in the presence of the designed catalyst was explored as a highly selective catalyst using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a green oxidant. The easy separation, simple workup, excellent stability of the nanocatalyst, short reaction times, non-explosive materials as well as appropriate yields of the products are some outstanding advantages of this protocol.

Chemoselective synthesis of fully substituted pyrroles via a one-pot four-component isocyanide-based reaction

Small-ring heterocycles comprising pyrrole and pyrazole are well known for their rich biological properties. In this article, an efficient green sonochemical approach was designed for the synthesis of novel, fully substituted pyrroles connected to pyrazole scaffolds via a one-pot, four-component isocyanide-based sequential reaction. This reaction was carried out using various 5-amino-pyrazoles, aldehydes, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and isocyanides for the synthesis of fully functionalized pyrroles with high chemoselectivity in the presence of a catalytic amount of PTSA·H2O, in good to excellent yields under ultrasound irradiation. This waste-free (-H2O) reaction exhibited a high atom economy and step economy via creating four new bonds, including two C-N and two C-C bonds, and the formation of two five-member heterocycles which are connected in a single operation. The mechanism of this four-component domino process involved sequential imination-dipolar cyclization-[1,5]-H shift reactions. The synthesized compounds possess interesting fluorescence features, and the bioactive scaffolds might attract great interest in the fields of clinical diagnostics and biomedical research in the future.

Magnetization of biochar nanoparticles as a novel support for fabrication of organo nickel as a selective, reusable and magnetic nanocatalyst in organic reactions

Waste recycling is important process in green chemistry and economic efficiency. Herein, magnetized biochar nanoparticles were modified under green and environmentally friendly method and further were applied as reusable catalyst in organic reactions.

Recent advances in multi-component reactions and their mechanistic insights: a triennium review

This review summarizes the recent developments in MCRs, incorporating different strategies along with their mechanistic aspects.

Catalytic Direct Construction of Cyano-tetrazoles

Cyano-tetrazole is the first reported compound that bears four nitrogen atoms in a single five-membered ring. This unique molecular scaffold has long been ignored after its discovery in 1885, mainly attributed to the scarcity of available synthetic methods. Indeed, the most popular approach to tetrazoles (that is the cycloaddition reaction between nitriles and azides) has inevitably excluded the possibility of introducing valuable cyano groups to decorate the final heterocyclic cores. Here, we describe a completely different disconnection strategy to the long time-pursued cyano-tetrazoles via a simple, direct, and practical cycloaddition transformation between readily accessible aryl diazonium salts and diazoacetonitrile. This method provides both regioisomers of disubstituted tetrazoles from the same set of starting materials in a metal cation controlled fashion.

Cyclic Imines in Ugi and Ugi-Type Reactions

Ugi four-component reactions (U-4CRs) are widely recognized as being highly efficient for the synthesis of pseudopeptides. However, the products of these reactions are not so interesting as drug candidates because they are not conformationally restricted enough for a potent interaction with biological targets. One possible way to overcome this problem is to replace amine and oxo components in the U-4CRs with cyclic imines in so-called Joullié-Ugi three-component reactions (JU-3CRs). This approach provides a robust single-step route to peptide moieties connected to N-heterocyclic motifs that are found as core skeletons in many natural products and pharmaceutical compounds. JU-3CRs also provide much better diastereoselectivity than their four-component analogues. We survey here the redesign of many synthetic routes for the efficient preparation of a wide variety of three-, five-, six-, and seven-membered heterocyclic compounds connected to the peptide backbone. Additionally, in the Ugi reactions based on the cyclic imines, α-acidic isocyanides, or azides can be replaced with normal isocyanides or acids, respectively, leading to the synthesis of N-heterocycles attached to oxazoles or tetrazoles, which are of great pharmaceutical significance. This Review includes all research articles related to Ugi reactions based on the cyclic imines to the year 2020 and will be useful to chemists in designing novel synthetic routes for the synthesis of individual and combinatorial libraries of natural products and drug-like compounds.

Saturated Five-Membered Thiazolidines and Their Derivatives: From Synthesis to Biological Applications

In past decades, interdisciplinary research has been of great interest for scholars. Thiazolidine motifs behave as a bridge between organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry and compel researchers to explore new drug candidates. Thiazolidine motifs are very intriguing heterocyclic five-membered moieties present in diverse natural and bioactive compounds having sulfur at the first position and nitrogen at the third position. The presence of sulfur enhances their pharmacological properties, and, therefore, they are used as vehicles in the synthesis of valuable organic combinations. They show varied biological properties viz. anticancer, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant activity and so on. This diversity in the biological response makes it a highly prized moiety. Based on literature studies, various synthetic approaches like multicomponent reaction, click reaction, nano-catalysis and green chemistry have been employed to improve their selectivity, purity, product yield and pharmacokinetic activity. In this review article, we have summarized systematic approaches for the synthesis of thiazolidine and its derivatives, along with their pharmacological activity, including advantages of green synthesis, atom economy, cleaner reaction profile and catalyst recovery which will help scientists to probe and stimulate the study of these scaffolds.

Nucleophilic Isocyanation

Isonitriles are frequently employed as both substrates for organic transformations and ligands for organometallic chemistry. However, despite the wide application of the isonitriles, their synthesis generally depends on the traditional dehydration of N-formamide. "Nucleophilic isocyanation" using cyanide as an N-nucleophile is another straightforward strategy affording the corresponding isonitriles. This method has been available since the 19th century but is still an immature procedure and is therefore more rarely used. In this review, we summarize the concepts and recent progress in nucleophilic isocyanation, including the relatively rare examples of catalytic isocyanation.

The status of isocyanide-based multi-component reactions in Iran (2010-2018)

Isocyanides as key intermediates and magic reactants have been widely applied in organic reactions for direct access to a broad spectrum of remarkable organic compounds. Although the history of these magical compounds dates back more than 100 years, it still has been drawing widespread attention of chemists who confirmed their versatility and effectiveness. Because of their wide spectrum of pharmacological, industrial and synthetic applications, many reactions with the utilization of isocyanides are reported in the literature. In this context, Iranian scientist played a significant role in the growth of isocyanides chemistry. The present review article covers literature from the period starting from 2010 onward and encompasses new synthetic routes and organic transformation involving isocyanides by Iranian researchers. During this period, a diverse range of isocyanide-based multi-component reactions (I-MCRs) has been reported such as a new modification of Ugi, post-Ugi, Passerini and Groebke-Blackburn-Bienayme condensation reactions, isocyanide-based [1 + 4] cycloaddition reactions, isocyanide-acetylene-based MCRs, isocyanide and Meldrum's acid-based MCRs, several unexpected reactions besides green mediums and novel catalytic systems for the synthesis of diverse kinds of pharmaceutically and industrially remarkable heterocyclic and linear organic compounds. This review also emphasizes the neoteric applications of I-MCR for the synthesis of valuable peptide and pseudopeptide scaffolds, enzyme immobilization and functionalization of materials with tailorable properties that can play important roles in the plethora of applications.

Palladium fabricated on boehmite as an organic–inorganic hybrid nanocatalyst for C–C cross coupling and homoselective cycloaddition reactions

Pd-adenine@boehmite has been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, BET, SEM, EDS, WDX, TGA, XRD and AAS techniques and further was used as catalyst in organic reactions. The reused catalyst was characterized by TEM, EDS, WDX, AAS and FT-IR techniques.

Expeditious access of chromone analogues via a Michael addition-driven multicomponent reaction

A Michael addition-driven four-component reaction (4-CR) with four Ugi inputs was developed and utilized for the synthesis of chromone derivatives and tetrazole substituted chromones under mild reaction conditions.

Combining the Ugi-azide multicomponent reaction and rhodium(III)-catalyzed annulation for the synthesis of tetrazole-isoquinolone/pyridone hybrids

An efficient sequence based on the Ugi-azide reaction and rhodium(III)-catalyzed intermolecular annulation has been established for the preparation of tetrazole-isoquinolone/pyridone hybrids. Several N-acylaminomethyltetrazoles were reacted with arylacetylenes to form the hybrid products in moderate to very good yields. The method relies on the capacity of the rhodium catalyst to promote C(sp2)-H activation in the presence of a suitable directing group. The Ugi-azide reaction provides broad molecular diversity and enables the introduction of the tetrazole moiety, which may further assist the catalytic reaction by coordinating the metal center. The scope of the isoquinolones is very wide and may be extended to the preparation of complex compounds having heterocyclic moieties such as pyridone, furan, thiophene and pyrrole, as well as the corresponding benzo-fused derivatives. The developed procedure is simple, reproducible and does not require inert conditions.

N-Morpholinomethyl-5-lithiotetrazole: A Reagent for the One-Pot Synthesis of 5-(1-Hydroxyalkyl)tetrazoles

An efficient, one-pot method for the preparation of 5-(1-hydroxyalkyl)tetrazoles is reported. N-Morpholinomethyl-5-lithiotetrazole, generated by the deprotonation of 4-(N-tetrazolylmethyl)morpholine with LiHMDS, undergoes addition to ketones and aldehydes (both aromatic and aliphatic) to form 5-(1-hydroxyalkyl)tetrazoles in a high yield, after acidic workup. The reported protocol displays a broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance, avoids the use of cyanide- or azide-based reagents, and provides access to sterically congested and unsaturated tetrazoles, which are difficult to access by other means.

Novel Positive Allosteric Modulators of Glutamate Transport Have Neuroprotective Properties in an in Vitro Excitotoxic Model

Dysfunction of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, such as stroke, brain trauma, epilepsy, and several neurodegenerative disorders. EAAT2 is the main transporter subtype responsible for glutamate clearance in the brain, and plays a key role in regulating neurotransmission and preventing excitotoxicity. Therefore, compounds that increase the activity of EAAT2 have therapeutic potential for neuroprotection. In previous studies, we used virtual screening approaches to identify novel positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of EAAT2. These compounds were shown to selectively increase the activity of EAAT2 and increase V_max of transport, without changing substrate affinity. In this work, our major effort was to investigate whether increasing the activity of EAAT2 by allosteric modulation would translate to neuroprotection in in vitro primary culture models of excitotoxicity. To investigate potential neuroprotective effects of one EAAT2 PAM, GT949, we subjected cultures to acute and prolonged excitotoxic insults by exogenous application of glutamate, or oxidative stress by application of hydrogen peroxide. GT949 administration did not result in neuroprotection in the oxidative stress model, likely due to damage of the glutamate transporters. However, GT949 displayed neuroprotective properties after acute and prolonged glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. We propose that this compound prevents excess glutamate signaling by increasing the rate of glutamate clearance by EAAT2, thereby preventing excitotoxic damage and cell death. This novel class of compounds is therefore an innovative approach for neuroprotection with potential for translation in in vivo animal models of excitotoxicity.

N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylene-diaminium-N,N′-disulfonic acid trifluoroacetate and pyridinium-N-sulfonic acid hydrogen sulfate as highly effective dual-functional catalysts for the preparation of N,N′-alkylidene bisamides

In this research, Brønsted-acidic ionic liquids N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene-diaminium-N,N′-disulfonic acid trifluoroacetate ([TMEDSA][TFA]2) and pyridinium-N-sulfonic acid hydrogen sulfate ([Py-SO3H][HSO4]) have been introduced as dual-functional catalysts for the green, simple and effective preparation of N,N′-alkylidene bisamides by the reaction of primary amides (2 eq.) with arylaldehydes (1 eq.) under solvent-free conditions. The reaction results and conditions of the catalysts have been compared with the previously reported ones. [TMEDSA][TFA]2 and [Py-SO3H][HSO4] were superior to the previously reported catalysts in terms of two or more of these factors: reaction times (10–45 min), yields (86–98%), temperature and the reaction conditions. Additionally, a plausible and attractive mechanism based on dual functionality of the catalysts has been proposed.