Evaluation of ferrocenyl-containing γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam-derived tetramates as potential antiplasmodials.

A series of ferrocenyl-containing γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam tetramates were prepared in 2-3 steps through ring opening-ring closure (RORC) process of γ-ylidene-tetronate derivatives in the presence of ferrocenyl alkylamines. The compounds were screened in vitro for their antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) clones of P. falciparum, displaying activity in the range of 0.12-100 µM, with generally good resistance index. The most active ferrocene in these series exhibited IC50 equal to 0.09 µM (3D7) and 0.12 µM (W2). The low cytotoxicity of the ferrocenyl-containing γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam tetramates against Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial (HUVEC) cell line demonstrated selective antiparasitic activity. The redox properties of these ferrocene-derived tetramates were studied and physico-biochemical studies evidenced that these derivatives can exert potent antimalarial activities via a mechanism distinct from ferroquine.

7-Chloro-4-aminoquinoline γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam derived-tetramates as a new family of antimalarial compounds.

In this Letter we report on an efficient and short 2-3 steps synthesis of γ-hydroxy-γ-lactam derived-tetramates bearing a 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline skeleton and their evaluation as potent antimalarials. These molecules were obtained through ring opening-ring closure (RORC) process of γ-ylidene-tetronate derivatives in the presence of 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline-derived amines. In vitro antimalarial activity of these new γ-lactams was evaluated against Plasmodium falciparum clones of variable sensitivity (3D7 and W2) and they were found to be active in the range of 14-827nM with generally good resistance index. A preliminary SAR study is also presented to explain these results. Finally, the most active compounds did not show in vitro cytotoxicity when tested against Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) up to concentration of 50µM and they were stable at pH 7.4 for at least 48h.

Efficient oxidation of 1,2-diols into alpha-hydroxyketones catalyzed by organotin compounds.

Electrochemical oxidation of 1,2-diols with a catalytic amount of an organotin compound and a bromide ion as mediators has been developed. Various cyclic and acyclic 1,2-diols were oxidized into the corresponding alpha-hydroxyketones in good to excellent yields without C-C bond cleavage. Also, oxidation with the use of chemical oxidants was accomplished in the presence of a catalytic amount of an organotin compound. These reactions could discriminate 1,2-diols from isolated hydoxyl groups or 1,3-diols. In the case of a conformationally restricted cyclic 1,2-diol, the axial hydroxyl group was oxidized exclusively. Mono-, di-, and trialkylated tin compounds were examined as mediators and dialkylated tin compounds showed higher catalytic activity than mono- and trisubstituted ones. Me(2)SnCl(2) was found to be the most suitable mediator for the selective oxidation.