Synthesis, biological evaluation, and computational studies of N-benzyl pyridinium-curcumin derivatives as potent AChE inhibitors with antioxidant activity.

A library of N-benzylpyridinium-based compounds, 7a-j and 8a-j, was designed and synthesised as potential acetylcholinesterase) AChE (inhibitors. An in vitro assay for the synthesised compounds showed that most compounds had significant AChE inhibitory activities at the nanomolar and submicromolar levels. The benzyl (8a) and fluoro (8b) derivatives were the most active, with IC50 values ≤56 nM. Compound 7f, which had a benzyl moiety, showed the highest potency among all the target compounds, with an IC50 value of 7.5 ± 0.19 nM against AChE, which was higher than that of the activities of tacrine (IC50 = 30 ± 0.2 nM) and donepezil (IC50 = 14 ± 0.12 nM). Compounds with vanillin moieties exhibited antioxidant activity. Among the tested compounds, four derivatives (7f, 7 g, 8f, and 8 g) exhibited superior AChE inhibitory activity, with Ki values of 6-16 nM, which were potent in the same range as the approved drug, donepezil. These compounds showed moderate antioxidant activities, as indicated by the results of the ABTS assay.

The anticancer activity of the substituted pyridone-annelated isoindigo (5'-Cl) involves G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inactivation of CDKs in the promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The antileukemic potential of isoindigos make them desired candidates for understanding their mechanism of action. We have recently synthesized a novel group of pyridone-annelated isoindigos and identified the derivative 5'-Cl that is cytotoxic to various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of this compound on cell cycle of the promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. METHODS: HL-60 cells were treated with 5'-Cl and its effect on cell cycle stages were determined by flow cytometry. Expression of cyclins, cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin kinase inhibitors (CKIs) were determined by Western blotting, and activation of CDKs was studied using kinase assays. RESULTS: 5'-Cl remarkably arrested cell cycle in HL-60 cells at the G0/G1 phase in a dose and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, 5'-Cl treatment significantly inhibited expression of D-cyclins, CDK2 and CDK4 and suppressed phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein Rb, whereas it increased the level of CKI p21. Molecular modelling experiments show that 5'-Cl may compete with ATP for binding to the catalytic subunit of CDK2 and CDK4 that could lead to inhibition of these enzymes. Indeed, 5'-Cl inhibited the kinase activity of CDK2 and CDK4 both in cell free systems and in treated cells. 5'-Cl also inhibited cell cycle progression in several other tumor cell lines. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate the potent inhibitory effects of 5'-Cl on HL-60 cells could be mediated by arresting cells in the G0/G1 phase.

The pyridone-annelated isoindigo (5'-Cl) induces apoptosis, dysregulation of mitochondria and formation of ROS in leukemic HL-60 cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In our quest to develop an isoindigo with improved efficacy and bioavailability, we recently synthesized a series of novel substituted pyridone-annelated isoindigo and evaluated their antiproliferative effects. We identified the compound [(E)-1-(5'-Chloro-2'-oxoindolin-3'-ylidene)-6-ethyl-2,3,6,9-tetrahydro-2,9-dioxo-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-f] quinoline-8-carboxylic acid], abbreviated as 5'-Cl, which shows selective antiproliferative activities against various cancer cell lines mediated through apoptosis. Here we have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic activity of 5'-Cl in the human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. METHODS: We employed different methods to determine the apoptotic pathways triggered by 5'-Cl in HL-60 cells, using flow cytometry, nuclear staining, caspases activation, mitochondria functioning, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Western blotting techniques. RESULTS: Low concentrations (1-8 µM) of 5'-Cl inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity of this compound is found to be mediated by a caspase-dependent apoptosis. Also, there were indications of caspase independent apoptosis as z-VAD-FMK failed to fully rescue the cells from 5'-Cl-induced apoptosis. In addition, the compound triggered generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), caused depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane, decreased the level of cellular ATP, modulated the expression and phosphorylation of Bcl-2 leading to loss of its association with Bax and increased the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol of treated cells. The effects of 5'-Cl on mitochondria and apoptosis were substantially blocked in the presence of a combination between z-VAD-FMK and either of the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the growth inhibitory effects of 5'-Cl in HL-60 cells involve multiple pathways of apoptosis and dysregulation of mitochondrial functions.

Design synthesis and antibacterial activity studies of new thiadiazoloquinolone compounds.

Abstract New 9-(alkyl/aryl)-4-fluoro-6-oxo[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-h]quinoline-5-carboxylic acids and their esters were designed and synthesized. A detailed discussion of the reactions utilized in the preparation of the intermediate and target compounds is reported. All the newly synthesized compounds were fully characterized using all the physico-chemical means needed. All the intermediates and the final esters and acids were tested against bacterial and fungal strains. The acids 25a and 25c proved to be very active against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria with MIC 0.15-3 µg/mL. The structure-activity relationship of antibacterial thiadiazoloquinolones shows that compounds 25a and 25c are twice less potent than the corresponding cyclopropyl derivative 16. Therefore, the cyclopropyl moiety on N-9 seems to be the most suitable substituent.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new pyridone-annelated isoindigos as anti-proliferative agents.

A selected set of substituted pyridone-annelated isoindigos 3a-f has been synthesized via interaction of 5- and 6-substituted oxindoles 2a-f with 6-ethyl-1,2,9-trioxopyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-8-carboxylic acid (1) in acetic acid at reflux. Among these isoindigos, the 5'-chloro and 5'-bromo derivatives 3b and 3d show strong and selective antiproliferative activities against a panel of human hematological and solid tumor cell-lines, but not against noncancerous cells, suggesting their potential use as anticancer agents. In all the tested cell lines, compound 3b was a 25%-50% more potent inhibitor of cell growth than 3d, suggesting the critical role of the substitution at 5'-position of the benzo-ring E. The IC50 values after 48 hours incubation with the 5'-chloro compound 3b were 6.60 µM in K562, 8.21 µM in THP-1, 8.97 µM in HepG2, 11.94 µM in MCF-7 and 14.59 µM in Caco-2 cancer cells, while the IC50 values in noncancerous HEK-293 and L-929 were 30.65 µM and 40.40 µM, respectively. In addition, compound 3b induced higher levels apoptosis in K562 cells than 3d, as determined by annexin V/7-AAD flowcytometry analysis. Therefore, further characterization of the antitproliferative mechanisms of compounds 3b and 3d may provide a novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Some New N1-(8-fluoro-4-oxoquinolin-5-yl)amidrazones.

BACKGROUND: Hydrazonoyl chloride, accessible from the respective 5-amino-8-fluoro- 4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate, undergoes a reaction with sec-cyclic amines to generate N1-(1- ethyl-8-fluoro-4-oxoquinolin-5-yl)amidrazone carboxylates. INTRODUCTION: A novel set of N1-(1-ethyl-8-fluoro-4-oxoquinolin-5-yl)amidrazone carboxylates (7a-h) incorporating N-piperazines or related congeners was synthesized via interaction of the hydrazonoyl chloride (6), accessible from the respective 5-amino-8-fluoro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate, with the appropriate sec-cyclic amine. These new compounds were characterized by 1HNMR, 13C-NMR, and HRMS spectral data and screened for their anticancer activities. AIMS: This study aimed at the synthesis of novel N1-( 4-oxoquinolin-5-yl)amidrazone carboxylate derivatives and investigated their potential as anticancer agents. OBJECTIVE: The reaction of hydrazonoyl chloride with the appropriate sec-cyclic amine was applied to synthesize a novel set of N1-(1-ethyl-8-fluoro-4-oxoquinolin-5- yl)amidrazone carboxylates that incorporate N piperazines. METHODS: A direct reaction of piperazines and related sec-cyclic amines with N-(4-oxoquinolin-5- yl)nitrile imine (1,3-dipole) was carried out for 8-10 h. RESULTS: The 1,3-dipole, generated in situ from its hydrazonoyl chloride precursor in the presence of trimethylamine, is suitable for the facile synthesis of N1-(1-ethyl-8-fluoro-4-oxoquinolin-5- yl)amidrazone carboxylates. CONCLUSION: This study led to the successful synthesis of novel N1-(8-fluoro-4-oxoquinolin-5- yl)amidrazones. All the examined compounds showed moderate activity with reasonable IC50 values in the micromolar range compared to Doxorubicin.

Evaluation of Spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines-incorporating Isoquinoline Motif as Antitumor, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Agents.

BACKGROUND: A series of novel 2-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-spiro[oxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines] were synthesized by a one-pot three-component reaction involving dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, 3- phenylimidazo[5,1-a]isoquinoline and N-alkylisatins in chloroform at ∼60 °C for 24 h. AIMS: This study aimed at the synthesis of novel spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines derivatives and in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity affinities in cross-correlations with their antiinflammation and radical scavenging capacities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to use a one-pot, three-component reaction to synthesize a novel set of spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines derivatives. METHOD: A novel set of spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines (8a-i) was synthesized by a one-pot threecomponent reaction involving dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, 3-phenylimidazo[5,1-a]isoquinoline and N-alkylisatins in chloroform at ∼60 °C for 24 h. These new compounds were characterized by 1HNMR, 13C-NMR, and HRMS spectral data and screened for their antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. RESULTS: The new synthetic spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines (8a-i)-tested compounds displayed significant anti-inflammatory properties and were noncytotoxic on PDL fibroblasts. However, they lacked antioxidative-DPPH radical scavenging capabilities. Notably, Doxorubicin and cisplatin demonstrated antiproliferative effects on various cancer monolayers. Moreover, compounds 8b, 8d, 8f, 8h, and 8i exhibited pronounced viability reduction properties in colorectal and pancreatic cancer monolayers, as well as across skin, lung, prostate, and cervical adenocarcinomas, with higher cytotoxicity in mammary cancer cells MCF7 and T47D. None of the tested compounds had significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus or E. coli. However, compounds 8c, 8d, and 8f exhibited notable antifungal properties, indicating potential for further investigation. CONCLUSION: Eight new synthetic spiro[indoline-3,3-pyrroles] were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory effects and promising cytotoxicity against various cancer monolayers, especially in colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Some compounds also exhibited antifungal properties. However, they did not exhibit significant antibacterial activity.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of model cyclopentene-[g]annelated isoindigos.

A set of cyclopenten-[g]annelated isoindigos (5a-g) has been prepared and tested for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against MCF-7 and HL60 cells. Among, the N-1-methyl-5'-nitro derivative (5g) displayed the highest activity against HL60 cells (IC50 = 67 nM) and acted as the most potent Flt3 inhibitor. Compounds 5d-g exhibited moderate activity against MCF-7 (IC50 = 50-80 µM).

Thermodynamic control synthesis of spiro[oxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines] via 1,4-dipolar cycloaddition utilizing imidazo[1,5-a]quinoline.

A series of novel 2-(quinolin-2-yl)-spiro[oxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines] were synthesized by one-pot three-component reaction involving dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, 1-phenylimidazo[1,5-a]quinoline and N-alkylisatins in chloroform at ∼60 °C for 24 h. Structures of these new spiro derivatives were deduced from HRMS and NMR spectral data. A plausible mechanism for the observed thermodynamic control pathway is presented herewith. Interestingly, the spiro adduct, derived from 5-chloro-1-methylisatin, exhibited excellent antiproliferative activity on MCF7, A549 and Hela human cell lines (IC50 ≃ 7 µM).

Thiophene ring-opening reactions VI. Attempted cyclization towards [fused]-tricyclic system involving a thiolate anion and suitably located electrophilic carbon.

Model α-chloro-ß-nitrothieno[2,3-c]pyridazines incorporating N1-(aryl) entity appended with ortho-methoxycarbonyl or trifluoromethyl group were prepared via intramolecular cyclization of their respective N-arylhydrazone precursors. Interaction of these substrates with N'-(p-fluorophenyl)benzothiohydrazide, in the presence of NEt3, furnished the respective 1,3,4-thiadiazoline-pyridazine thiolate hybrids that were S-methylated to produce the corresponding "sulfanyl" derivatives. Their structures were deduced from spectral data, and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

8-Amino-7-(aryl/hetaryl)fluoroquinolones. An emerging set of synthetic antibacterial agents.

This study reports the synthesis of seven new 8-amino-7-(aryl/hetaryl)fluoroquinolones and their antibacterial activity against 10 bacteria associated with microbial infections and foodborne illnesses. These fluoroquinolones are prepared via the reactions of selected aryl(hetaryl)boronic acids with ethyl-7chloro-6-fluoro-8-nitroquinolone-3-carboxylate, under Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling conditions. Nitro group reduction of the latter resulted in the corresponding 8-aminoquinolone-3-esters which upon hydrolysis formed the respective 8-amino-7-(aryl/hetaryl)-quinolone-3-carboxylic acids. The latter compounds were tested against selected Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumonia) and Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus feacalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus). The tested fluoroquinolones showed a significant antimicrobial activity against most of the tested bacterial strains. The antimicrobial activity of some of the tested compounds were comparable to or higher than a wide range of standard antibiotics including ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem. The results highlight the new synthesized 8-amino-7-(aryl/hetaryl)fluroquinolones as promising candidates for new antimicrobial drugs to treat bacterial infections. This study highlights that the newly synthetic 8-amino-7-(aryl/hetaryl)fluroquinolones are promising candidates for new antimicrobial drugs to treat human diseases including foodborne illnesses.

Thiophene Ring-opening Reactions III: One-Pot Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of 1,3,4-Thiadiazoline-Benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazine Hybrids†.

INTRODUCTION: The preparation of model 6-chloro-5-nitrothieno[2,3-c]pyridazines incorporating (2'-halo-5'-nitrophenyl) entity is described. Interaction of these substrates with N'-(aryl)benzothiohydrazides, in the presence of triethylamine, followed a formal [4+1] annulation, furnishing the respective 1,3,4-thiadiazoline-benzothiazolo [3,2-b]pyridazine hybrids directly. This one-pot synthesis implies thiophene ring-opening and two consecutive intramolecular cyclizations. The structures of the synthesized new hybrids are supported by MS, NMR, and IR spectral data and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These hybrids exhibit antiproliferative activity with notable selectivity against solid tumor cell lines (IC50: 4-18 µM). AIMS: This study aimed at exploring the scope and applicability of thiophene ring-opening reaction towards the synthesis of new thiadiazoline-[fused]tricyclic conjugates. BACKGROUND: α-Chloro-ß-nitrothienopyridazine underwent ring-opening upon reacting with N'-(aryl)benzothiohydrazides generating 1,3,4-thiadiazoline-benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazines. OBJECTIVE: This new thiophene ring-opening reaction is applied to the one-pot synthesis of thiadiazoline-benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazine couples. METHOD: A direct interaction of α-chloro-ß-nitrothienopyridazine with N'-(aryl)benzothio-hydrazide at room temperature for 1-2 h occurred. RESULT: a-Chloro-ß-nitrothieno[2,3-c]pyridazines are suitable substrates for the facile synthesis of thiadiazoline-benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazine hybrids. CONCLUSION: This novel ring-opening reaction proceeds via formal [4+1] annulation and provides a versatile approach to various conjugated and/or fused five-membered heterocycles.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of tetracyclic thienopyridones as antibacterial and antitumor agents.

A facile synthesis of model 4-oxopyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[3,2-b]indole-3-carboxylic acids 9a-e was achieved via Stille arylation of 2-chloro-3-nitro-4-oxothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylate and a subsequent microwave-assisted phosphite-mediated Cadogan reaction. The new compounds were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity. Compounds 9a-c and 9e exhibited very high potency against Gram positive Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium at concentrations 0.000015-0.007 µg/mL. They also displayed excellent activity towards other Gram positive bacilli and staphylococci and Gram negative Haemophilus influenzae, being in most cases superior or equal to commercial fluoroquinolones. Both 9a and 9c were inhibitors of the DNA gyrase activity. As concerns antitumor properties, compounds 9b-e showed growth inhibition of MCF-7 breast tumor and A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells with IC(50) 1.6-2.8 µM and 2.6-6.9 µM, respectively, coupled with absence of cytotoxicity towards normal cells. These compounds are promising as dual acting chemotherapeutics.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of tetracyclic fluoroquinolones as antibacterial and anticancer agents.

A simple and efficient synthesis of 6-fluoro-4-oxopyrido[2,3-a]carbazole-3-carboxylic acids (13a-e) and a structurally related 6-fluoro-4-oxothieno[2',3':4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-h]quinoline (13f) was achieved via Stille arylation of 7-chloro-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate and a subsequent microwave-assisted phosphite-mediated Cadogan reaction. The new compounds were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity. The ability of 13a-f to inhibit the activity of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV was also investigated. The thieno isostere (13f) emerged as the most active antibacterial, while the 9-fluoro derivative (13e) was the most potent against multidrug-resistant staphylococci. Compounds 13a, 13c-f displayed growth inhibition against MCF-7 breast tumor and A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells coupled with an absence of cytotoxicity toward normal human-derm fibroblasts (HuDe). Compound 13e was the most active anticancer against MCF-7 cells, with greater potency than ellipticine (IC(50) 0.8 and 1.6muM, respectively). The most active compounds in this series show promise as dual acting anticancer and antibacterial chemotherapeutics.

Reaction of nitrilimines with 2-substituted aza-heterocycles. Synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyridine and pyrimido[2,1-d]1,2,3,5- tetrazine.

The reaction of nitrilimine 6a with ethyl pyridine-2-acetate (7) gave the corresponding pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyridine 8, while the reaction of 6b containing an ester moiety afforded the acyclic adduct 9. The reaction of 6a with 2-aminopyrimidine (10) gave the novel unexpected pyrimido[2,1-d]1,2,3,5-tetrazine 11. Acyclic adducts 16 and 17 were obtained from the reaction of 6b with 2-cyanomethylbenzimidazole (14) and 2-aminobenzimidazole (15), respectively.

1,4-Dihydroxy-quinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-dione.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(8)H(6)N(2)O(4), contains one half-mol-ecule; a twofold rotation axis bisects the molecule. The quinoxaline ring is planar, which can be attributed to electron delocalization. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into R(2) (2)(10) motifs, leading to layers, which inter-act via phen-yl-phenyl inter-actions (C⋯C distances in the range 3.238-3.521 Å).

Facile synthesis of some novel pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[2,3-b][1,4]thiazine-8-carboxylic acids.

Model tetrahydropyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[2,3-b][1,4]thiazines 9a-c were synthesized via reductive lactamization, using sodium dithionite, of the respective 2-[(carboxyalkyl)thio]-3-nitro-4,7-dihydrothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acids 7a-c. The latter derivatives were made via interaction of 2-chloro-7-cyclopropyl-3-nitro-4,7-dihydrothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid (6) with each of alpha-mercaptoacetic, alpha-mercaptopropionic, and alpha-mercaptosuccinic acids and triethylamine in aqueous acetone at room temperature. The structures of 7a-7c and 9a-9c are supported by microanalytical and spectral (IR, MS, NMR) data. Compounds 9a and 9c showed potent inhibitory activity against the IGROV1 (Ovarian Cancer) cell line.

Heterocycles [h]fused onto 4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid, part IV. Convenient synthesis of substituted hexahydro [1,4]thiazepino[2,3-h]quinoline-9-carboxylic acid and its tetrahydroquino[7,8-b]benzothiazepine homolog.

Substituted [1,4]thiazepino[2,3-h]quinolinecarboxylic acid 3 is prepared by PPA-catalyzed thermal lactamization of the respective 8-amino-7-[(2-carboxyethyl)thio]-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 9. The latter synthon is obtained by reduction of the 8-nitro-1,4-dihydroquinoline precursor 8 which, in turn, is made accessible via interaction of 3-mercaptopropionic acid with 7-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-nitro-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid 7 in the presence of triethylamine. A benzo-homolog of 3, namely tetrahydroquino[7,8-b]benzothiazepine-3-carboxylic acid 6, is analogously prepared via the reaction of 2-mercaptobenzoic acid with 7, followed by reduction of the resulting 7-[(2-carboxyphenyl)thio]-8-nitro product 10 into the corresponding 8-amino derivative 11, and subsequent lactamization. The structures assigned to 3, 6 and 8-11 are based on microanalytical and spectral (IR, MS, NMR) data.

3-Mercaptopropionic acid-nitrile imine adducts. An unprecedented cyclization into 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ones and -2(3H)-thiones.

3-Mercaptopropionic acid-nitrile imine acyclic adducts (6a-c) undergo cyclocondensation with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole to afford the respective 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-(3H)-ones (7a-c). Corresponding 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-thiones (8a-c) were likewise produced from 6a-cand 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole, with consequent elimination of the propionate moiety. The constitution of these heterocyclic products follows from analytical and spectral data and is confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination for 7b.

An alternative synthesis of 2-(N-arylhydrazono)-1-benzothiophen-3-ones.

In the presence of triethylamine, 2-mercaptobenzoic acid readily adds onto acylhydrazonoyl chlorides (1a-c) (precursors of the reactive nitrile imine 1,3-dipolar species) to afford good yields of the corresponding 2-[(2-oxo-1-arylhydrazonopropan-1-yl)mercapto]benzoic acids (2a-c). The latter acyclic adducts, in THF in the presence of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole, undergo intramolecular cyclization involving the activated carboxy and the enol functionality to deliver the respective 2-(N-arylhydrazono)-3-oxobenzothiophenes (3a-c). In the solid state, the latter compounds adopt the (Z)-geometry around the C=N double bond as evidenced by single crystal X-ray structure determination for 3b.