FeIII, CuII and ZnII Complexes of the Rigid 9-Oxido-phenalenone Ligand-Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry, and Cytotoxic Properties.

The three complexes [Fe(opo)3], [Cu(opo)2], and [Zn(opo)2] containing the non-innocent anionic ligand opo- (opo- = 9-oxido-phenalenone, Hopo = 9-hydroxyphenalonone) were synthesised from the corresponding acetylacetonates. [Zn(opo)2] was characterised using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the paramagnetic [Fe(opo)3] and [Cu(opo)2] by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. While the EPR spectra of [Cu(opo)2] and [Cu(acac)2] in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution are very similar, a rather narrow spectrum was observed for [Fe(opo)3] in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution in contrast to the very broad spectrum of [Fe(acac)3] in THF (Hacac = acetylacetone, 2,4-pentanedione; acac- = acetylacetonate). The narrow, completely isotropic signal of [Fe(opo)3] disagrees with a metal-centred S = 5/2 spin system that is observed in the solid state. We assume spin-delocalisation to the opo ligand in the sense of an opo- to FeIII electron transfer. All compounds show several electrochemical opo-centred reduction waves in the range of -1 to -3 V vs. the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple. However, for CuII and FeIII the very first one-electron reductions are metal-centred. Electronic absorption in the UV to vis range are due to π-π* transitions in the opo core, giving Hopo and [Zn(opo)2] a yellow to orange colour. The structured bands ranging from 400 to 500 for all compounds are assigned to the lowest energy π-π* transitions. They show markedly higher intensities and slight shifts for the CuII (brown) and FeIII (red) complexes and we assume admixing metal contributions (MLCT for CuII, LMCT for FeIII). For both complexes long-wavelength absorptions assignable to d-d transitions were detected. Detailed spectroelectrochemical experiments confirm both the electrochemical and the optical assignments. Hopo and the complexes [Cu(opo)2], [Zn(opo)2], and [Fe(opo)3] show antiproliferative activities against HT-29 (colon cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell lines in the range of a few µM, comparable to cisplatin under the same conditions.

Crystal Structure of Catechol O-Methyltransferase Complexed with Nitecapone.

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) is known as an important drug-target protein in the field of Parkinson's disease. All clinically approved COMT inhibitors bring a 5-substituted-3-nitrocatechol ring as a pharmacophore, and they bind to COMT with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and an Mg2+ ion to form a quaternary complex (COMT/SAM/Mg2+/inhibitor). However, structural information about such quaternary complexes is only available for a few inhibitors. Here, a new crystal structure of COMT complexed with nitecapone (5), SAM and Mg2+ is revealed. Comparison of the structures of these complexes indicates that conformation of the catechol binding pocket is almost constant regardless of structure of the inhibitors. The only restriction of the side chain of inhibitors (i.e., the substituent at the 5-position of 3-nitrocatechol) seems to be that it does not make steric repulsion with COMT. However, recent crystallographic and biochemical studies suggest that COMT is a flexible protein, and its conformational flexibility seems crucial for its catalytic process. Based on this information, implications of these quaternary inhibitor complexes were investigated. Met 40 in the α2α3-loop makes atomic contacts with SAM or S-adenosylhomocysteine and the 3-position of the catechol inhibitor. This interaction seems to play a critical role in the affinity of the inhibitor and to stabilize the COMT/SAM/Mg2+/nitrocatechol inhibitor complex by fixing the flexible α2α3-loop.

Chemical and Biochemical Approaches for the Synthesis of Substituted Dihydroxybutanones and Di- and Tri-Hydroxypentanones.

Polyhydroxylated compounds are building blocks for the synthesis of carbohydrates and other natural products. Their synthesis is mainly achieved by different synthetic versions of aldol-coupling reactions, catalyzed either by organocatalysts, enzymes, or metal-organic catalysts. We have investigated the formation of 1,4-substituted 2,3-dihydroxybutan-1-one derivatives from para- and meta-substituted phenylacetaldehydes by three distinctly different strategies. The first involved a direct aldol reaction with hydroxyacetone, dihydroxyacetone, or 2-hydroxyacetophenone, catalyzed by the cinchona derivative cinchonine. The second was reductive cross-coupling with methyl- or phenylglyoxal promoted by SmI2, resulting in either 5-substituted 3,4-dihydroxypentan-2-ones or 1,4 bis-phenyl-substituted butanones, respectively. Finally, in the third case, aldolase catalysis was employed for synthesis of the corresponding 1,3,4-trihydroxylated pentan-2-one derivatives. The organocatalytic route with cinchonine generated distereomerically enriched syn-products (de = 60-99%), with moderate enantiomeric excesses (ee = 43-56%) but did not produce aldols with either hydroxyacetone or dihydroxyacetone as donor ketones. The SmI2-promoted reductive cross-coupling generated product mixtures with diastereomeric and enantiomeric ratios close to unity. This route allowed for the production of both 1-methyl- and 1-phenyl-substituted 2,3-dihydroxybutanones at yields between 40-60%. Finally, the biocatalytic approach resulted in enantiopure syn-(3 R,4 S) 1,3,4-trihydroxypentan-2-ones.

Synthesis and Stereochemical Revision of the Aromatic Polyketide NFAT-133.

NFAT-133, isolated from Streptomyces sp., is an immunosuppressive, antidiabetic, and antitrypanosomal aromatic polyketide with three contiguous stereocenters. The first enantioselective total synthesis of the proposed structure of NFAT-133 [(10R,11R,12S)-1] and its C10 epimer [(10S,11R,12S)-1] was achieved from a known aromatic ester (5) by a 10-step sequence that featured chiral auxiliary-directed asymmetric alkylation and the Evans asymmetric aldol reaction as the chirality-inducing steps. The 1H and 13C NMR data as well as the specific rotation value of natural NFAT-133 were not identical to those of the proposed structure, but were in good agreement with those of its C10 epimer. This led us to conclude that the absolute configuration of NFAT-133 should be revised to 10S, 11R, and 12S.

Synthesis and biological activity of a potent optically pure autoinducer-2 quorum sensing agonist.

Quorum sensing (QS) regulates population-dependent bacterial behaviours, such as toxin production, biofilm formation and virulence. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is to date the only signalling molecule known to foster inter-species bacterial communication across distantly related bacterial species. In this work, the synthesis of pure enantiomers of C4-propoxy-HPD and C4-ethoxy-HPD, known AI-2 analogues, has been developed. The optimised synthesis is efficient, reproducible and short. The (4S) enantiomer of C4-propoxy-HPD was the most active compound being approximately twice as efficient as (4S)-DPD and ten-times more potent than the (4R) enantiomer. Additionally, the specificity of this analogue to bacteria with LuxP receptors makes it a good candidate for clinical applications, because it is not susceptible to scavenging by LsrB-containing bacteria that degrade the natural AI-2. All in all, this study provides a new brief and effective synthesis of isomerically pure analogues for QS modulation that include the most active AI-2 agonist described so far.

Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking evaluation, antidepressant, and anti-Alzheimer effects of dibenzylidene ketone derivatives.

Novel bioactive compounds as synthetic analogs of the potent herbal medicines can be optimized as potential drug candidates for various neurologic disorders. This study was performed to investigate the newly synthesized dibenzylidene ketone derivatives: (2E,6E)-2,6-dibenzylidene cyclohexanone (A1K1) and (1E,4E)-5-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpenta-1,4-diene-3-one (A2K2) and evaluate its potential anti-Alzheimer's and anti-depressant properties. Both the derivatives are chemically characterized by using HNMR and CNMR techniques. Auto Dock Vina program was used to investigate ligand-protein affinity. Forced swim test, tail suspension test, open field test, Y-maze test, and Morris water maze test (MWM) models were employed to evaluate anti-depressant and anti-Alzheimer's activity of dibenzylidene ketone derivatives in mice. Both A1K1 and A2K2 showed high binding affinities against various proteins involved in depression and Alzheimer's mechanisms like monoamine oxidase B, acetylcholinesterase, norepinephrine transporter 2, serotonin transporter, dopamine receptor, serotonin receptor modulator, and beta-amyloid targets. A1K1 and A2K2 dose-dependently (0.1-1 mg/kg) decreased immobility time, while increased swimming and climbing time of mice in forced swim test (FST). A1K1 and A2K2 decreased animal immobility time in TST. In the open field test, both A1K1 and A2K2 increased the number of ambulations and rearings. A1K1 and A2K2 dose-dependently (0.5-1.0 mg/kg) increased spontaneous alternation behavior (%) and the number of entries of mice in Y-maze test. In the MWM test, A1K1 and A2K2 decreased escape latency time. Overall, both in-silico and in-vivo investigations of A1K1 and A2K2, report their therapeutic potential for antidepressant and anti-Alzheimer properties. Hence, these compounds possess potent neuroprotective properties and may be further evaluated for their therapeutic potential in various neurological disorders.

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Novel 1,4-Pentadien-3-one Derivatives Containing a 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Moiety.

1,4-Pentadien-3-one derivatives derived from curcumin possess excellent inhibitory activity against plant viruses. On the basis of this finding, a series of novel 1,4-pentadien-3-one derivatives containing a 1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety were designed and synthesized, and their structures confirmed by IR, ¹H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The antiviral activities of the title compounds were evaluated against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in vivo. The assay results showed that most of compounds had remarkable antiviral activities against TMV and CMV, among which compounds 4b, 4h, 4i, 4k, 4o, and 4q exhibited good curative, protection, and inactivation activity against TMV. Compounds 4h, 4i, 4k, 4l, 4o, and 4q exhibited excellent protection activity against TMV, with EC50 values of 105.01, 254.77, 135.38, 297.40, 248.18, and 129.87 µg/mL, respectively, which were superior to that of ribavirin (457.25 µg/mL). In addition, preliminary SARs indicated that small electron-withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring were favorable for anti-TMV activity. This finding suggests that 1,4-pentadien-3-one derivatives containing a 1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety may be considered as potential lead structures for discovering new antiviral agents.

Synthesis and characterization of fac-[M(CO)3(P)(OO)] and cis-trans-[M(CO)2(P)2(OO)] complexes (M = Re, (99m)Tc) with acetylacetone and curcumin as OO donor bidentate ligands.

The synthesis and characterization of neutral mixed ligand complexes fac-[M(CO)3(P)(OO)] and cis-trans-[M(CO)2(P)2(OO)] (M = Re, (99m)Tc), with deprotonated acetylacetone or curcumin as the OO donor bidentate ligands and a phosphine (triphenylphosphine or methyldiphenylphosphine) as the monodentate P ligand, is described. The complexes were synthesized through the corresponding fac-[M(CO)3(H2O)(OO)] (M = Re, (99m)Tc) intermediate aqua complex. In the presence of phosphine, replacement of the H2O molecule of the intermediate complex at room temperature generates the neutral tricarbonyl monophosphine fac-[Re(CO)3(P)(OO)] complex, while under reflux conditions further replacement of the trans to the phosphine carbonyl generates the new stable dicarbonyl bisphosphine complex cis-trans-[Re(CO)2(P)2(OO)]. The Re complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography showing a distorted octahedral geometry around Re. Both the monophosphine and the bisphosphine complexes of curcumin show selective binding to ß-amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease. At the (99m)Tc tracer level, the same type of complexes, fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3(P)(OO)] and cis-trans-[(99m)Tc(CO)2(P)2(OO)], are formed introducing new donor combinations for (99m)Tc(I). Overall, ß-diketonate and phosphine constitute a versatile ligand combination for Re(I) and (99m)Tc(I), and the successful employment of the multipotent curcumin as ß-diketone provides a solid example of the pharmacological potential of this system.

Probing autoinducer-2 based quorum sensing: the biological consequences of molecules unable to traverse equilibrium states.

Bacteria have developed a cell-to-cell communication system, termed quorum sensing (QS), which allows for the population-dependent coordination of their behavior via the exchange of chemical signals. Autoinducer-2 (AI-2), a class of QS signals derived from 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentandione (DPD), has been revealed as a universal signaling molecule in a variety of bacterial species. In spite of considerable interest, the study of putative AI-2 based QS systems remains a challenging topic in part due to the rapid interconversion between the linear and cyclic forms of DPD. Herein, we report the design and development of efficient syntheses of carbocyclic analogues of DPD, which are locked in the cyclic form. The synthetic analogues were evaluated for the modulation of AI-2-based QS in Vibrio harveyi and Salmonella typhimurium. No agonists were uncovered in either V. harveyi or S. typhimurium assay, whereas weak to moderate antagonists were found against V. harveyi. On the basis of NMR analyses and DFT calculations, the heterocyclic oxygen atom within DPD appears necessary to promote hydration at the C3 position of cyclic DPD to afford the active tetrahydroxy species. These results also shed light on the interaction between the heterocyclic oxygen atom and receptor proteins as well as the importance of the linear form and dynamic equilibrium of DPD as crucial requirements for activation of AI-2 based QS circuits.

An efficient synthesis of the precursor of AI-2, the signalling molecule for inter-species quorum sensing.

Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a signalling molecule for bacterial inter-species communication. A synthesis of (S)-4,5-dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione (DPD), the precursor of AI-2, is described starting from methyl glycolate. The key step was an asymmetric reduction of a ketone with (S)-Alpine borane. This new method was highly reproducible affording DPD for biological tests without contaminants. The biological activity was tested with the previously available assays and compared with a new method using an Escherichia coli reporter strain thus avoiding the use of the pathogenic Salmonella reporter.

New one-pot synthesis of spiro[furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6,5'-pyrimidine]pentaones and their sulfur analogues.

Reaction of barbituric acid (BA), 1,3-dimethyl barbituric acid (DMBA) and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) with cyanogen bromide and various aldehydes in presence of triethylamine afforded a new class of heterocyclic stable 5-alkyl and/or 5-aryl-1H, 1'H-spiro[furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6,5'-pyrimidine]2,2',4,4',6'(3H,3'H,5H)-pentaones which are dimeric forms of barbiturate (uracil and thiouracil derivatives) at 0 °C to ambient temperatures. Structure elucidation is proved by X-ray crystallography, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR, CHN and mass analyses techniques. Mechanisms of the formations are discussed.

Synthesis and bioluminescence-inducing properties of autoinducer (S)-4,5-dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione and its enantiomer.

The autoinducer (4S)-4,5-dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione ((S)-DPD, AI-2) facilitates chemical communication, termed 'quorum sensing', amongst a wide range of bacteria, The synthesis of (S)-DPD is challenging in part due to its instability. Herein we report a novel synthesis of (S)-DPD via (2S)-2,3-O-isopropylidene glyceraldehyde, through Wittig, dihydroxylation and oxidation reactions, with a complimentary asymmetric synthesis to a key precursor. Its enantiomer (R)-DPD, was prepared from d-mannitol via (2R)-2,3-O-isopropylideneglyceraldehyde. The synthesized enantiomers of DPD have AI-2 bioluminescence-inducing properties in the Vibrio harveyi BB170 strain.

A general method for the synthesis of 3,5-diarylcyclopentenones via friedel-crafts acylation of vinyl chlorides.

A general approach for the synthesis of 3,5-diarylcyclopentenones was developed. Key aspects of this approach are the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-type cyclization of vinyl chlorides and subsequent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The requisite vinyl chloride-bearing arylacetic acid precursors are readily available by straightforward alkylation of arylacetic acid esters and undergo cyclization to yield 3-chloro-5-aryl-2-cyclopentenones when treated with AlCl(3). The vinylogous acid chloride functionality present in these immediate products allows for further elaboration via Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling chemistry, leading to a diverse array of products.

Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing by AI-2 analogs.

Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) has been suggested to serve as a universal interspecies quorum sensing signaling molecule. We have synthesized a set of AI-2 analogs with small incremental changes in alkyl substitution on C-2 and evaluated them for their agonistic and antagonistic potential as quorum sensing (QS) attenuators in two different bacterial species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio harveyi. Unexpectedly, several of the analogs were found to function as synergistic QS agonists in V. harveyi, while two of these analogs inhibit QS in P. aeruginosa.

Fluorescence and metal-ion recognition properties of acetylacetone-based ligands.

A new acetylacetone-based ligand (Ligand 1) bearing pyrene unit was synthesized and the fluorescence and metal-ion recognition properties were investigated in the presence of a different metal ion in acetonitrile solution. The fluorescence emission of Ligand 1 was strongly quenched by complexation with Cu(2+) while no significant change was observed in the presence of other metal ions. The metal-ion selectivity changed from Cu(2+) to Ni(2+) when glycine moiety (-NH-CH2-CO-) was introduced into Ligand 1 as spacer. This result implies that hydrogen-bonding induced by the glycine moiety affects the binding ability of ligands to metal ions, resulting in change of the metal-ion selectivity.

An unexpected switch in the modulation of AI-2-based quorum sensing discovered through synthetic 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione analogues.

Quorum sensing (QS) has traditionally referred to a mechanism of communication within a species of bacteria. However, emerging research implicates QS in interspecies communication and competition, and such systems have been proposed in a wide variety of bacteria. The AI-2-based QS system represents the most studied of these proposed interspecies systems, and has been proposed to regulate diverse functions such as bioluminescence, expression of virulence factors, and biofilm formation. As such, the development of modulatory compounds, both agonists and antagonists, is of great interest for the treatment of bacterial infections and the study of unknown AI-2-based QS systems. Toward this end, we have designed and synthesized a panel of 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione/AI-2 analogues and evaluated their effects on the AI-2 QS of various bacteria. The panel of compounds exhibited differential effects in the bacterial cell lines examined, providing a platform for the development of broad-spectrum modulators of AI-2-based QS.

[Derivatives of phenylpentanone in cultured mycelium of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii and the syntheses of their compounds].

A new perfumed dihydro-gamma-pyrone, 2-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrane-4-one (12) and seven components of C6-C5 phenylpentanone derivatives have been isolated from the neutral essential oil parts in cultured mycelium of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii. These compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and syntheses. The derivatives are odorant components. The perfumed components in cultured mycelium were maximized amount at 7 days.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Acacen-Type Ligands and Their Coordination Compounds.

A highly modular synthetic method for the preparation of acacen-type ligands and their coordination compounds was developed. A series of 46 acacen-type ligands were synthesized by a combinatorial acid-catalyzed transamination between six primary diamines and eight enaminones. The bis-enaminone products were used as tetradentate ligands for coordination of copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II), and palladium(II). Dependence of the preferred E- or Z-configuration of the enaminone ligand on the α-substituent of the enaminone moiety in solution was determined by NMR and confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The copper(II) complexes were tested for their suitability as catalysts in 3 + 2 cycloaddition of azomethine imine to methyl propiolate.

1-(4-Methylphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one (Pyrovalerone) analogues: a promising class of monoamine uptake inhibitors.

Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are essential for neurotransmission in the mammalian system. These three neurotransmitters have been the focus of considerable research because the modulation of their production and their interaction at monoamine receptors has profound effects upon a multitude of pharmacological outcomes. Our interest has focused on neurotransmitter reuptake mechanisms in a search for medications for cocaine abuse. Herein we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of an array of 2-aminopentanophenones. This array has yielded selective inhibitors of the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters with little effect upon serotonin trafficking. A subset of compounds had no significant affinity at 5HT1A, 5HT1B, 5HT1C, D1, D2, or D3 receptors. The lead compound, racemic 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one 4a, was resolved into its enantiomers and the S isomer was found to be the most biologically active enantiomer. Among the most potent of these DAT/NET selective compounds are the 1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- (4u) and the 1-naphthyl- (4t) 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-pentan-1-one analogues.

Antimycobacterial evaluation of novel [4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbonyl]pyridine derivatives synthesized by microwave-mediated Michael addition.

The focus of this study is the synthesis and biological activity evaluation of a series of dibenzalaceton derivatives (3a-3n) and novel [4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbonyl]pyridine derivatives (5a-5g) against Mycobacterium bovis, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Dibenzalacetone derivatives were synthesized by benzaldehyde derivatives. The [4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbonyl]pyridine derivatives were synthesized by Michael addition reaction and using green chemistry microwave-mediated method. All compounds were evaluated against BCG and the activity expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in µM. The result showed good activity for all the compounds especially compounds (3a), (3n), and (5a) illustrated high activity (7.03, 8.10 and 5.37 µM, respectively).