Advances in Microwave-Assisted Synthesis for Five-Membered N-Heterocycle Synthesis

Microwave prompted solvent-free synthesis of new series of heterocyclic tagged 7-arylidene indanone hybrids and their computational, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity study

In this study, we report the expeditious synthesis of ten new antifungal and antioxidant agents containing heterocyclic linked 7-arylidene indanone moiety. The solvent-free microwave technique, ample substrate scope, superfast synthesis, and very simple operation are noteworthy features of this protocol. Antifungal activities of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated against four fungal strains namely Rhizophus oryzae, Mucor mucido, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Most of the compounds were shown strong inhibition of the investigated fungal agents. In vitro, antioxidant potential against DPPH and OH radicals affirmed that the synthesized compounds are good to excellent radicals scavenging agents. The cytotoxicity data of the synthesized compounds towards HL-60 cells uncovered that the synthesized compounds display very low to negligible cytotoxicity. The structural and quantum chemical parameters of the synthesized compounds were explored by employing density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP functional using 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The compound 3a is discussed in detail for the theoretical and experimental correlation. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) at CAM-B3LYP functional with 6-311G(d,p) basis set was used for the electronic absorption study in the gas phase and indichloromethane and benzene solvents. The UV-Visible absorption peaks and fundamental vibrational wavenumbers were computed and a good agreement between observed and theoretical results has been achieved. From the DFT and antifungal activity correlation, it has been found that the 7-heteroarylidene indanones with more stabilized LUMO energy levels display good antifungal potential.

The microwave-assisted syntheses and applications of non-fused single-nitrogen-containing heterocycles

Microwave technology has emerged as a great tool for the efficient synthesis of organic compounds and it provides opportunities for chemists to achieve chemical transformations that tend to be challenging using classical approaches. Additionally, N-heterocycles are well-known for their medicinal/biological significance, along with their applications as excellent building blocks in chemical synthesis. The dominance of N-heterocycles in drug molecules and other pharmacological agents makes them attractive scaffolds, which encourages chemists to develop a wide range of strategies towards the greener synthesis and functionalization of these heterocycles. In this regard, we have collated and discussed literature relating to the microwave-assisted synthesis and the modification of non-(benzo)fused single-nitrogen-containing N-heterocycles from the past decade. The role of the microwave technique and its benefits over the conventional approach have also been emphasized in terms of overall reaction efficiency, reaction time, yield, reduced side-product generation, neat and clean reactions, chemo-/regio-/enantio-selectivity, and the use of mild reagents/reaction conditions to achieve the objectives of green and sustainable chemistry.

Synthesis and glutathione reductase inhibitory properties of 5-methyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one's aryl Schiff base derivatives

Glutathione reductase (GR) is responsible for the existence of the reduced glutathione (GSH) molecule, a crucial antioxidant against oxidative stress reagents. The antimalarial activities of some redox active compounds are attributed to their inhibition of antioxidant flavoenzyme GR, and inhibitors are therefore expected to be useful for the treatment of malaria. In this work, a fast and effective synthesis and the GR inhibitory properties of 5-methyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one's aryl Schiff base derivatives are reported. For this aim, the triazol nucleus was obtained, which was substituted with identical groups: ester, hydrazide, and Schiff base system at the N-2 and N-4 nitrogen atoms. The majority of the reactions were carried out by utilizing both microwave and conventional methods in order to compare their yields and reaction times. Beside this, the occuring E/Z geometrical isomers from the CN double bond and the cis/trans amide conformers at the CONH single bond were studied. In the biological activity section of this work, it was found that all synthesized compounds have better inhibitory activity than N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea against GR; especially, two molecules, 6e and 6f, are the best among them. The evidence indicates that these Schiff base derivatives, with triazole ring, are strong GR inhibitors and novel antimalaria candidates.