Potential of several triazene derivatives against DENGUE viruses.

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV), an RNA Flavivirus transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus widespread in tropical, subtropical and also temperate regions. Symptoms range from a simple cold to a severe, life-threatening haemorrhagic fever. According to the WHO, it affects around 390 million people per year. No antiviral treatment for DENV is available, and the Dengvaxia vaccine is only intended for people over 9 years of age who have contracted dengue one time in the past, and shows serotype-specific effectiveness. There is therefore a crying need to discover new molecules with antiviral power against flaviviruses. The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-DENV activities and cytotoxicity of triazenes obtained by diazocopulation. Some triazenes were highly cytotoxic (16, and 25) to hepatocarcinoma Huh7 cells, whereas others displayed strong anti-DENV potential. The antiviral activity ranged from EC50 = 7.82 µM to 48.12 µM in cellulo, with a selectivity index (CC50/EC50) greater than 9 for two of the compounds (10, and 20). In conclusion, these new triazenes could serve as a lead to develop and optimize drugs against DENV.

Enantioselective Sequential Catalytic Arylation-Fukuyama Cross-coupling of 1,1-Biszincioalkane Linchpins.

1,1-Bis(iodozincio)alkanes are used as dinucleophilic linchpins in an enantioselective double cross-coupling reaction sequence involving aryl iodides and then thioesters. The two catalytic C-C bond-forming reactions are achieved in the same pot through two distinct palladium-based catalytic systems: a first non-enantioselective one delivering configurationally labile secondary benzylzinc species from an achiral precursor, and a second enantioconvergent one that operates a highly efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of the racemic intermediates. This strategy, new in the area of asymmetric synthesis through two consecutive electrophilic substitution reactions of geminated C(sp3 )-organodimetallics, provides useful methodology to access in a modular fashion acyclic α-disubstituted ketone products with very high enantiomeric purity.

Catalyst-Free Formal Conjugate Addition/Aldol or Mannich Multicomponent Reactions of Mixed Aliphatic Organozinc Reagents, π-Electrophiles and Michael Acceptors.

Catalyst-free multicomponent reactions of mixed alkylzinc reagents with Michael acceptors and aldehydes, ketones or activated imines are described. Primary, secondary and tertiary alkylzinc reagents, pre-generated in acetonitrile from the corresponding iodoalkanes, were used in the process, leading to the very efficient formation of a variety of ß-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. The imines showed more contrasting results, due to the direct addition of the organozinc compound to the C=N bond. Mechanistic assays involving TEMPO account for a polar instead of a radical character of the reaction.

Syntheses and crystal structure of 4-[(pyridin-3-yl)diazen-yl]morpholine and 1-[(pyridin-3-yl)diazen-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinoline.

Two new heterocyclic 1,2,3-triazenes were synthesized by diazo-tation of 3-amino-pyridine following respectively by coupling with morpholine or 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinoline. 4-[(Pyridin-3-yl)diazen-yl]morpholine (I), C9H12N4O, has monoclinic P21/c symmetry at 100 K, while 1-[(pyridin-3-yl)diazen-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinoline (II), C14H14N4, has monoclinic P21/n symmetry at 100 K. These 1,2,3-triazene derivatives were synthesized by the organic medium method by coupling reactions of 3-amino-pyridine with morpholine and 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinoline, respectively, and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mol-ecule of compound I consists of pyridine and morpholine rings connected by an azo moiety (-N=N-). In the mol-ecule of II, the pyridine ring and the 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinoline unit are also connected by an azo moiety. The double- and single-bond distances in the triazene chain are comparable for the two compounds. In both crystal structures, the mol-ecules are connected by C-H⋯N inter-actions, forming infinite chains for I and layers parallel to the bc plane for II.

Mixed Aliphatic Organozinc Reagents as Nonstabilized Csp3-Nucleophiles in the Multicomponent Mannich Reaction.

The use of mixed aliphatic organozinc reagents in the multicomponent Mannich reaction is described. A large variety of primary, secondary, and tertiary organozinc reagents, secondary amines and aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes could be used for the straightforward preparation of densely substituted amines. The three-component reaction could additionally be performed starting from alkyl halides under reductive (Barbier-type) conditions.

Straightforward Synthesis of Spirocyclic Tetrahydrofurans by a Reductive MCR/Iodoetherification Sequence.

A straightforward and modular sequence for the synthesis of substituted spirocyclic tetrahydrofurans is described. The strategy relies on a reductive cobalt-catalyzed three-component reaction between a cyclic ketone, an acrylate, and a vinylic bromide followed by an intramolecular iodoetherification of the resulting γ-hydroxyalkene. Some functional group interconversions allowed the preparation of more varied spirocyclic compounds.

Preparation of mono-substituted malonic acid half oxyesters (SMAHOs).

The use of mono-substituted malonic acid half oxyesters (SMAHOs) has been hampered by the sporadic references describing their preparation. An evaluation of different approaches has been achieved, allowing to define the best strategies to introduce diversity on both the malonic position and the ester function. A classical alkylation step of a malonate by an alkyl halide followed by a monosaponification gave access to reagents bearing different substituents at the malonic position, including functionalized derivatives. On the other hand, the development of a monoesterification step of a substituted malonic acid derivative proved to be the best entry for diversity at the ester function, rather than the use of an intermediate Meldrum acid. Both these transformations are characterized by their simplicity and efficiency, allowing a straightforward access to SMAHOs from cheap starting materials.

Decarboxylative Mannich Reactions with Substituted Malonic Acid Half-Oxyesters.

The decarboxylative Mannich reaction between imines and substituted malonic acids half-oxyesters (SMAHOs) has been developed using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as an organocatalyst. The reaction proceeds under simple reaction conditions and tolerates a broad range of substrates, affording general access to ß2,3-aminoesters, the syn diastereomer being the major one. An alternative multicomponent protocol has also been developed to increase the overall eco-compatibility of the process.

Controlled decomposition of SF6 by electrochemical reduction.

The electroreduction of SF6 is shown at ambient temperature in acetonitrile using an array of platinum microelectrodes to improve the electrical detection. Its half reduction potential occurs at -2.17 V vs Fc+/Fc. The exact number of electrons for the full consumption of sulfur hexafluoride was determined and this gas further quantitatively transformed into environmentally benign fluoride anion and sulfur by electrochemical reduction.

Multicomponent Aromatic and Benzylic Mannich Reactions through C-H Bond Activation.

Multicomponent Mannich reactions through C-H bond activation are described. These transformations allowed for the straightforward generation of densely substituted benzylic and homo-benzylic amines in good yields. The reaction involves a reaction between two transient species: an organometallic species, generated by transition-metal-catalyzed sp2 or sp3 C-H bond activation and an in situ generated imine. The use of an acetal as an aldehyde surrogate was found essential for the reaction to proceed. The process could be successfully applied to RhIII -catalyzed sp2 C-H bond functionalization and extended to CuII -catalyzed sp3 C-H bond functionalization.

Synthesis of α,ß-Disubstituted Acrylates via Galat Reaction.

Galat reactions between aldehydes and substituted malonic acids half oxyester were found to be efficiently catalyzed by morpholine in refluxing toluene. This transformation allows the stereoselective synthesis of diverse α,ß-disubstituted acrylates in moderate to good yields. This method constitutes an attractive alternative to existing methods in terms of scope and eco-compatibility.

CoI -Catalyzed Barbier Reactions of Aromatic Halides with Aromatic Aldehydes and Imines.

The reductive Barbier coupling of aromatic halides and electrophiles has been achieved using a CoBr2 /1,10-phenanthroline catalytic system and over stoichiometric amounts of zinc. The reaction displayed a broad scope of substrates, including (hetero)aryl chlorides as pro-nucleophiles and aldehydes or imines as electrophiles, leading to diarylmethanols and diarylmethylamines in moderate to excellent yields, respectively.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-amino-, 3-alkoxy- and 3-aryloxy-6-(hetero)arylpyridazines as potent antitumor agents.

Various 3-amino-, 3-aryloxy- and alkoxy-6-arylpyridazines have been synthesized by an electrochemical reductive cross-coupling between 3-amino-, 3-aryloxy- or 3-alkoxy-6-chloropyridazines and aryl or heteroaryl halides. In vitro antiproliferative activity of these products was evaluated against a representative panel of cancer cell lines (HuH7, CaCo-2, MDA-MB-231, HCT116, PC3, NCI-H727, HaCaT) and oncogenicity prevention of the more efficient derivatives was highlighted on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 468-Luc prior establishing their interaction with p44/42 and Akt-dependent signaling pathways.

A mild electroassisted synthesis of (hetero)arylphosphonates.

The electrochemically-assisted synthesis of (hetero)arylphosphonates from (hetero)aryl halides and dimethyl phosphite is described. Very mild and simple conditions are employed as the cross-coupling is carried out in galvanostatic mode, in an undivided cell at room temperature, using NiBr2bpy as the easily available pre-catalyst and acetonitrile as the solvent. In addition, both aryl bromides and iodides can be used as well, providing the corresponding (hetero)arylphosphonates in generally good yields. A mechanism involving the in situ generation of a Ni ate complex is proposed.

Co(I)-Catalyzed [3 + 2] Annulation of o-Haloaryl Imines with Alkenes for the Synthesis of Indanamines.

The use of a CoBr2/1,10-phenanthroline catalytic system together with Zn as the reductant was developed to prepare diversely substituted indanamines by a Co(I)-catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of o-haloaryl imines with electron-deficient alkenes in good yields. The use of Mn as the reductant allowed the elaboration of a three-component version of this reaction. These conditions were also found to be suitable for the activation of various halides and were extended to the preparation of the indenamine and strigolactam scaffolds.

Synthesis of Indolines by a Zn-Mediated Mannich Reaction/Pd-Catalyzed Amination Sequence.

1,2-Disubstituted indolines have been prepared in fair to good yields by a Zn-mediated organometallic Mannich reaction, followed by an intramolecular Pd-catalyzed aromatic amination. The reactions are easy to set up and compatible with a large variety of simple or commercially available reagents. The method was further extended to the preparation of a 1,2,3-trisubstituted indoline.

Cobalt-Catalyzed Reductive Multicomponent Synthesis of ß-Hydroxy- and ß-Aminocarbonyl Compounds under Mild Conditions.

The cobalt-catalyzed multicomponent reaction between sp2 -hybridized organic halides, Michael acceptors, and unsaturated electrophiles has been developed. The reaction proceeds through a formal conjugate addition/aldol or aza-aldol (Mannich) tandem reaction initiated by the in situ metalation of the organic halide by cobalt catalysis. The essentially new reaction conditions that have been developed are very mild and atom-economic. Under these conditions, a broad range of ß-hydroxy- and ß-aminocarbonyl compounds are obtained in good to high yields.

Synthesis of 2,3-di- and 2,2,3-trisubstituted-3-methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactones as potent antitumor agents.

Various 2,3-substituted γ-butyrolactones have been synthesized by three-component reaction of aryl bromides, dimethyl itaconate and carbonyl compounds. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of these products was evaluated against a representative panel of cancer cell lines (KB, HCT116, MCF7, MCF7R, PC3, SK-OV3, HL60 and HL60R). One compound (4x) displays a good anti-proliferative activity with IC50 in the sub-micromolar range. The mechanism of action has been investigated using flow cytometry.

A multicomponent approach to the synthesis of N-sulfonyl ß(2,3)-amino esters.

The multicomponent synthesis of α,ß-disubstituted N-sulfonyl ß-amino esters is described. It involves a zinc-mediated, cobalt-catalyzed three-component reaction between sulfonylimines, acrylates and organic bromides. A possible mechanism is proposed, emphasizing the intermediate formation of an organocobalt as the initiator of a Mannich-like process.