Electrochemical Diselenation of BODIPY Fluorophores for Bioimaging Applications and Sensitization of 1 O2.

We report a rapid, efficient, and scope-extensive approach for the late-stage electrochemical diselenation of BODIPYs. Photophysical analyses reveal red-shifted absorption - corroborated by TD-DFT and DLPNO-STEOM-CCSD computations - and color-tunable emission with large Stokes shifts in the selenium-containing derivatives compared to their precursors. In addition, due to the presence of the heavy Se atoms, competitive ISC generates triplet states which sensitize 1 O2 and display phosphorescence in PMMA films at RT and in a frozen glass matrix at 77 K. Importantly, the selenium-containing BODIPYs demonstrate the ability to selectively stain lipid droplets, exhibiting distinct fluorescence in both green and red channels. This work highlights the potential of electrochemistry as an efficient method for synthesizing unique emission-tunable fluorophores with broad-ranging applications in bioimaging and related fields.

Electrochemical Diselenation of BODIPY Fluorophores for Bioimaging Applications and Sensitization of 1 O2.

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Holger Braunschweig at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany and Eufrânio N. da Silva Júnior at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, UFMG, Brazil. The image depicts the electrochemical synthesis of selenium-containing BODIPY molecules with lightning symbolizing the electrifying synthetic process, while the surrounding elemental chaos hints at the red-shifted absorption and emission and the transformative photophysical properties of these new compounds. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202303883.

Multivariate Analysis of Solubility Parameters for Drug-Polymer Miscibility Assessment in Preparing Raloxifene Hydrochloride Amorphous Solid Dispersions.

The success of obtaining solid dispersions for solubility improvement invariably depends on the miscibility of the drug and polymeric carriers. This study aimed to categorize and select polymeric carriers via the classical group contribution method using the multivariate analysis of the calculated solubility parameter of RX-HCl. The total, partial, and derivate parameters for RX-HCl were calculated. The data were compared with the results of excipients (N = 36), and a hierarchical clustering analysis was further performed. Solid dispersions of selected polymers in different drug loads were produced using solvent casting and characterized via X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RX-HCl presented a Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) of 23.52 MPa1/2. The exploratory analysis of HSP and relative energy difference (RED) elicited a classification for miscible (n = 11), partially miscible (n = 15), and immiscible (n = 10) combinations. The experimental validation followed by a principal component regression exhibited a significant correlation between the crystallinity reduction and calculated parameters, whereas the spectroscopic evaluation highlighted the hydrogen-bonding contribution towards amorphization. The systematic approach presented a high discrimination ability, contributing to optimal excipient selection for the obtention of solid solutions of RX-HCl.

It Takes Two to Tango, Part II: Synthesis of A-Ring Functionalised Quinones Containing Two Redox-Active Centres with Antitumour Activities.

In 2021, our research group published the prominent anticancer activity achieved through the successful combination of two redox centres (ortho-quinone/para-quinone or quinone/selenium-containing triazole) through a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The combination of two naphthoquinoidal substrates towards a synergetic product was indicated, but not fully explored. Herein, we report the synthesis of 15 new quinone-based derivatives prepared from click chemistry reactions and their subsequent evaluation against nine cancer cell lines and the murine fibroblast line L929. Our strategy was based on the modification of the A-ring of para-naphthoquinones and subsequent conjugation with different ortho-quinoidal moieties. As anticipated, our study identified several compounds with IC50 values below 0.5 µM in tumour cell lines. Some of the compounds described here also exhibited an excellent selectivity index and low cytotoxicity on L929, the control cell line. The antitumour evaluation of the compounds separately and in their conjugated form proved that the activity is strongly enhanced in the derivatives containing two redox centres. Thus, our study confirms the efficiency of using A-ring functionalized para-quinones coupled with ortho-quinones to obtain a diverse range of two redox centre compounds with potential applications against cancer cell lines. Here as well, it literally takes two for an efficient tango!

Study of the Counter Cation Effects on the Supramolecular Structure and Electronic Properties of a Dianionic Oxamate-Based {NiII2} Helicate.

Herein, we describe the synthesis, crystal structure, and electronic properties of {[K2(dmso)(H2O)5][Ni2(H2mpba)3]·dmso·2H2O}n (1) and [Ni(H2O)6][Ni2(H2mpba)3]·3CH3OH·4H2O (2) [dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide; CH3OH = methanol; and H4mpba = 1,3-phenylenebis(oxamic acid)] bearing the [Ni2(H2mpba)3]2- helicate, hereafter referred to as {NiII2}. SHAPE software calculations indicate that the coordination geometry of all the NiII atoms in 1 and 2 is a distorted octahedron (Oh) whereas the coordination environments for K1 and K2 atoms in 1 are Snub disphenoid J84 (D2d) and distorted octahedron (Oh), respectively. The {NiII2} helicate in 1 is connected by K+ counter cations yielding a 2D coordination network with sql topology. In contrast to 1, the electroneutrality of the triple-stranded [Ni2(H2mpba)3] 2- dinuclear motif in 2 is achieved by a [Ni(H2O)6]2+ complex cation, where the three neighboring {NiII2} units interact in a supramolecular fashion through four R22(10) homosynthons yielding a 2D array. Voltammetric measurements reveal that both compounds are redox active (with the NiII/NiI pair being mediated by OH- ions) but with differences in formal potentials that reflect changes in the energy levels of molecular orbitals. The NiII ions from the helicate and the counter-ion (complex cation) in 2 can be reversibly reduced, resulting in the highest faradaic current intensities. The redox reactions in 1 also occur in an alkaline medium but at higher formal potentials. The connection of the helicate with the K+ counter cation has an impact on the energy levels of the molecular orbitals; this experimental behavior was further supported by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) experiments and computational calculations.

Trinuclear Cobalt(II) Triple Helicate with a Multidentate Bithiazolebis(oxamate) Ligand as a Supramolecular Nanomagnet.

The cobalt(II)-mediated self-assembly of the potentially tris(chelating) N,N'-2,2'-(4,4'-bithiazole)bis(oxamate) (dabtzox) ligand gives a new metal-organic supramolecular nanomagnet of formula K6Co3(dabtzox)3·8H2O·MeOH (1) featuring a unique linear triple-stranded trinuclear structure of the helicate type.

Metal-Cocatalyst Interaction Governs the Catalytic Activity of MII-Porphyrazines for Chemical Fixation of CO2.

Chemical fixation of CO2 to produce cyclic carbonates can be a green and atomic efficient process. In this work, a series of porphyrazines (Pzs) containing electron-withdrawing groups and central MII ions (where M = Mg, Zn, Cu, and Co) were synthesized and investigated as catalysts for the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides. Then, the efficiency of the Pzs was tested by varying cocatalyst type and concentration, epoxide, temperature, and pressure. MgIIPz bearing trifluoromethyl groups (1) showed the best conversion, producing, selectively, 78% of propylene cyclic carbonate (PCC), indicating that a harder and stronger Lewis acid is more effective for epoxide activation. Moreover, cocatalyst variation showed a notable effect on the reaction yields. Spectrophotometric titrations, MALDI-TOF mass spectra, and theoretical calculations suggest poisoning of the catalyst when tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) and large amounts of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) were used in the system. The same was not observed for tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI), indicating that the metal-cocatalyst interaction may govern the reaction rate. In addition, two rare examples of crystalline structures were obtained, proving the distorted square pyramidal geometry with water molecule as axial ligand. This is one of the first studies reporting Pzs as catalysts for the chemical fixation of CO2, and we believe that the intricate balance between cocatalyst concentration and conversion efficiency shown here may aid future studies in the area.

Synthesis, anti-proliferative activity, theoretical and 1H NMR experimental studies of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts from isatin derivatives.

Quaternary or spirocyclic 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindole is considered a privileged scaffold. In other words, it is a molecular core present on several compounds with a wide spectrum of biological activities. Among its precursors, activated ketones (isatin nucleus) can be used as interesting starting points to Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts derivatives, a class of compounds with good cytotoxic potential. In this paper, we present the synthesis, anti-proliferative activity against lung cancer cell line and a theoretical conformational study of 21 of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts from isatin derivatives, by DFT quantum chemical calculations, followed by a SAR and QSAR analysis. Besides, an efficient synthetic protocol and good biological activity profile were highlighted interesting observations about 1H NMR experimental spectra, molecular modeling results and crystallographic data available.

Highly sensitive colorimetric detection of glucose and uric acid in biological fluids using chitosan-modified paper microfluidic devices.

This paper describes the modification of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) with chitosan to improve the analytical performance of colorimetric measurements associated with enzymatic bioassays. Chitosan is a natural biopolymer extensively used to modify biosensing surfaces due to its capability of providing a suitable microenvironment for the direct electron transfer between an enzyme and a reactive surface. This hypothesis was investigated using glucose and uric acid (UA) colorimetric assays as model systems. The best colorimetric sensitivity for glucose and UA was achieved using a chromogenic solution composed of 4-aminoantipyrine and sodium 3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxy-benzenesulfonate (4-AAP/DHBS), which provided a linear response for a concentration range between 0.1 and 1.0 mM. Glucose and UA were successfully determined in artificial serum samples with accuracies between 87 and 114%. The limits of detection (LODs) found for glucose and UA assays were 23 and 37 µM, respectively. The enhanced analytical performance of chitosan-modified µPADs allowed the colorimetric detection of glucose in tear samples from four nondiabetic patients. The achieved concentration levels ranged from 130 to 380 µM. The modified µPADs offered analytical reliability and accuracy as well as no statistical difference from the values achieved through a reference method. Based on the presented results, the proposed µPAD can be a powerful alternative tool for non-invasive glucose analysis.

Dicopper(II) Metallacyclophanes with N,N'-2,6-Pyridinebis(oxamate): Solution Study, Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Magnetic Properties.

The complexing ability of copper(II) in solution by the ligand N,N'-2,6-pyridinebis(oxamic acid) (H4mpyba, H4L) was determined through potentiometric and UV-vis spectroscopy at 25 °C and 0.15 M NaCl. The logarithms of the equilibrium constants for its copper(II) complexes according to the eqs 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(H2L)2], 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(H2L) (HL)] + H, 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(HL)2] + 2H, 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(HL)(L)] + 3H, and 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2L2] + 4H were 12.02(7), 8.04(5), 1.26(6), -7.51(6), and -16.36(6), respectively. The knowledge of the solution behavior has supported the synthesis of three new compounds bearing the common building block Cu2L2(4-). Their formulas are (Me4N)4[Cu2(mpyba)2(H2O)2]·H2O (1), (Me4N)4[K2Na2Cu4(mpyba)4(H2O)6.8]·1.6H2O (2), and [Na6Cu2(mpyba)2Cl2(H2O)8]·7H2O (3) (Me4N(+) = tetramethylammonium cation). The [Cu2(mpyba)2(H2O)2](4-) tetraanionic unit, which is present in 1, has a [3,3] metallacyclophane-type motif connected by two N-Cu-N bonds. In 2, a heterotrimetallic decanuclear nanocage is formed through front-to-front assembly of two [Cu2(mpyba)2](4-) units, which also coordinate to potassium(I) and sodium(I) cations by means of carboxylate oxygens from oxamate. The structure of 3 consists of heterobimetallic layers of formula [Na6Cu2(mpyba)2Cl2(H2O)8] and crystallization water molecules, which are interlinked by hydrogen bonds leading to a supramolecular three-dimensional network. The investigation of the magnetic properties of 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K shows the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the dicopper(II) metallacyclophane unit [J = +6.85 (1), +7.40 (2), and +7.90 cm(-1) (3); H = -JSCu1·SCu2, where SCu1 = SCu2 = 1/2]. Theoretical calculations on 1-3 were carried to substantiate the nature and magnitude of the involved magnetic interactions and to support the occurrence of a spin polarization mechanism accounting for them.

Estimating mean crystallite size of magnetite using multivariate calibration and powder x-ray diffraction analysis.

Powder X-ray diffraction patterns for 29 samples of magnetite, acquired using a conventional diffractometer, were used to build PLS calibration-based methods and variable selection to estimate mean crystallite size of magnetite directly from powder X-ray diffraction patterns. The best IPLS model corresponds to the Bragg reflections at 35.4° (h k l = 3 1 1), 43.0° (h k l = 4 0 0), 53.6° (h k l = 4 2 2), and 57.0° (h k l = 5 1 1) in 2θ. The best model was a GA-PLS which produced a model with RMSEP of 0.9 nm, and a correlation coefficient of 0.9976 between mean crystallite sizes calculated using Williamson-Hall approach and the ones predicted by GA-PLS method. These results indicate that magnetite mean crystallite sizes can be predicted directly from Powder X-Ray Diffraction and multivariate calibration using PLS variable selection approach.

Intensity and lifetime ratiometric luminescent thermometer based on a Tb(III) coordination polymer.

A three-dimensional terbium(III) coordination polymer of formula [Tb(bttb)0.5(2,5-pzdc)0.5]n (1) [H4bttb = 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4'-carboxyphenyl)benzene and H2-2,5-pzdc = 2,5-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid] was obtained under hydrothermal conditions. The bttb4- tetraanion in 1 adopts the bridging and chelating-bridging pseudo-oxo coordination modes while the 2,5-pzdc2- dianion exhibits a rather unusual bis-bidentate bridging pseudo-oxo coordination mode, both ligands being responsible for the stiffness of the resulting 3D structure. Solid-state photoluminescent measurements illustrate that 1 exhibits remarkable green luminescence emission, the most intense band occurring in the region of 550 nm (5D4 → 7F5) with lifetimes at the millisecond scale. Thermometric performances of 1 reveal a maximum relative sensitivity (Sm) of 0.76% K-1 at 295 K (δT = 0.05 K), constituting a TbIII ratiometric solid luminescent thermometer over the physiological temperature range. Variable-temperature static (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1 in the temperature range 2.0-300 K show the expected behavior for the depopulation of the splitted mJ levels of the 7F7 ground state of the magnetically anisotropic terbium(III) ion plus a weak antiferromagnetic interaction through the carboxylate bridges. No significant out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility signals were observed for 1 in the temperature range 2.0-10.0 K, either in the absence or presence of a static dc magnetic field.

An additional methylene group driving the conformation and assembly of two arylsulfonamide para-alkoxychalcone hybrids.

The structures of two arylsulfonamide para-alkoxychalcones, namely, N-{4-[(E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]phenyl}benzenesulfonamide, C22H19NO4S, (I), and N-{4-[(E)-3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]phenyl}benzenesulfonamide, C23H21NO4S, (II), reveal the effect of the inclusion of one -CH2- group between the CH3 branch and the alkoxy O atom on the conformation and crystal structure. Although the molecular conformations and one-dimensional chain motifs are the same in both structures, their crystallographic symmetry, number of independent molecules and crystal packing are different. The crystal packing of (I) is stabilized by weak C-H...π and π-π interactions, while only C-H...π contacts occur in the structure of (II). The role of the additional methylene group in the crystal packing can also be seen in the fact that the alkoxy O atom is an acceptor in nonclassical hydrogen bonds only in the para-ethoxy analogue, (II). The remarkable similarity between the crystal packing features of (I) and (II) lies in the formation of N-H...O hydrogen-bonded ribbons, a synthon commonly found in related compounds.

cis-Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')bis-(pyridin-4-amine-κN(1))ruthenium(II) bis-(hexa-fluoridophosphate).

In the title complex, [Ru(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)(C(5)H(6)N(2))(2)](PF(6))(2), the Ru(II) atom is bonded to two α-diimine ligands, viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), in a cis configuration, in addition with with two 4-amino-pyridine (4Apy) ligands, resulting in a distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry. N-H⋯F hydrogen-bonding inter-actions play an important role in the crystal assembly: 2(1)-screw-axis-related complex mol-ecules and PF(6) (-) counter-ions alternate in helical chains formed along the a axis by means of these contacts. N-H⋯π contacts (H⋯centroid = 3.45 Å) are responsible for cross-linking between the helical chains along [001].

cis-Bis(2,2'-bipyridine-κ(2)N,N')bis-(pyridin-4-amine-κN(1))ruthenium(II) bis-(hexa-fluoridophosphate) acetonitrile monosolvate.

In the title complex, [Ru(C(10)H(8)N(2))(2)(C(5)H(6)N(2))(2)](PF(6))(2)·CH(3)CN, the Ru(II) atom is bonded to two α-diimine ligands, viz. 2,2'-bipyridine, in a cis configuration and to two 4-amino-pyridine (4Apy) ligands in the expected distorted octa-hedral configuration. The compound is isostructural with [Ru(C(10)H(8)N(2))(2)(C(5)H(6)N(2))(2)](ClO(4))(2)·CH(3)CN [Duan et al. (1999 ▶). J. Coord. Chem.46, 301-312] and both structures are stabilized by classical hydrogen bonds between 4Apy ligands as donors and counter-ions and acetonitrile solvent mol-ecules as acceptors. Indeed, N-H⋯F inter-actions give rise to an inter-molecularly locked assembly of two centrosymmetric complex mol-ecules and two PF(6) (-) counter-ions, which can be considered as the building units of both crystal architectures. The building blocks are connected to one another through hydrogen bonds between 4Apy and the connecting pieces made up of two centrosymmetric motifs with PF(6) (-) ions and acetonitrile mol-ecules, giving rise to ribbons running parallel to [011]. 2(1)-Screw-axis-related complex mol-ecules and PF(6) (-) counter-ions alternate in helical chains formed along the a axis by means of these contacts.

3-phenacylideneoxindoles as a new class of antifungal compounds against Paracoccidioides spp.

Aims: Considering the need to identify new compounds with antifungal action, the activity of five 3-phenacylideneoxindoles compounds was evaluated. Materials & methods: The compounds were synthesized, and their antifungal activity was elucidated through minimum inhibitory concentration tests and interaction assay with other antifungals. Potential targets of compounds were predicted in silico. Results: 3-phenacylideneoxindoles compounds inhibited fungal growth with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration ranging from 3.05 to 12.26 µM. The compounds demonstrated high selectivity index and presented a synergistic effect with itraconazole. In silico prediction revealed the pentafunctional AROM polypeptide, enolase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and kinases as proteins targets of the compound 4a. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that 3-phenacylideneoxindoles is a potential new class of antifungal compounds for paracoccidioidomycosis treatment.

Patients affected by paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) require long-term treatment, which commonly influences their adherence. In addition, only three drugs are in clinical use, which indicates the relevance of research in identifying new drugs for treating PCM. Thus, five drugs were tested in the laboratory to verify whether they could prevent the growth of the fungus without being toxic to humans. In addition, whether these compounds in combination with drugs used to treat PCM could be even more potent was evaluated. All compounds tested efficiently inhibited the growth of Paracoccidioides, the fungus that causes PCM. One drug was identified that, combined with itraconazole, decreased the required dose of both the discovered compound and itraconazole needed to inhibit fungal growth. Using computational tools, this work suggests how the new drug could act against the fungus. The results demonstrate a potential new treatment option, but more studies are needed to confirm the safety of these drugs.

2,5-Diketopiperazines via Intramolecular N-Alkylation of Ugi Adducts: A Contribution to the Synthesis, Density Functional Theory Study, X-ray Characterization, and Potential Herbicide Application.

To investigate the herbicidal potential of 2,5-diketopiperazines (2,5-DKPs), we applied a known protocol to produce a series of 2,5-DKPs through intramolecular N-alkylation of Ugi adducts. However, the method was not successful for the cyclization of adducts presenting aromatic rings with some substituents at the ortho position. Results from DFT calculations showed that the presence of voluminous groups at the ortho position of a benzene ring results in destabilization of the transition structure. Lower activation enthalpies for the SN2-type cyclization of Ugi adducts were obtained when bromine, instead of a chlorine anion, is the leaving group, indicating that the activation enthalpy for the cyclization step controls the formation of the 2,5-DKP. Some Ugi adducts and 2,5-DKPs formed crystals with suitable qualities for single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collection. Phytotoxic damage of some 2,5-DKPs on leaves of the weed Euphorbia heterophylla did not differ from those caused by the commercial herbicide diquat.

The discrete role of chlorine substitutions in the conformation and supramolecular architecture of arylsulfonamides.

Two arylsulfonamide derivatives, N-(4-acetylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide, C(14)H(13)NO(3)S, and N-(4-acetylphenyl)-2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonamide, C(14)H(11)Cl(2)NO(3)S, differing by the absence or presence of two chloro substituents on one of the phenyl rings, were synthesized and characterized in order to establish structural relationships and the role of chloro substitution on the molecular conformation and crystal assembly. Both arylsulfonamides form inversion-related dimers through C-H···π and π-π interactions. These dimers pack in a similar way in the two structures. The substitution of two H atoms at the 2- and 5-positions of one phenyl ring by Cl atoms did not substantially alter the molecular conformation or the intermolecular architecture displayed by the unsubstituted sulfonamide. The structural information controlling the assembly of such compounds in their crystal phases is in the (phenyl)benzenesulfonamide molecular framework.

Building-up host-guest helicate motifs and chains: a magneto-structural study of new field-induced cobalt-based single-ion magnets.

In this work, we present the synthetic pathway, a refined structural description, complete solid-state characterization and the magnetic properties of four new cobalt(ii) compounds of formulas [Co(H2O)6][Co2(H2mpba)3]·2H2O·0.5dmso (1), [Co(H2O)6][Co2(H2mpba)3]·3H2O·0.5dpss (2), [Co2(H2mpba)2(H2O)4]n·4nH2O (3), and [Co2(H2mpba)2(CH3OH)2(H2O)2]n·0.5nH2O·2ndpss (4) [dpss = 2,2'-dipyridyldisulfide and H4mpba = 1,3-phenylenebis(oxamic) acid], where 2 and 4 were obtained from [Co(dpss)Cl2] (Pre-I) as the source of cobalt(ii). All four compounds are air-stable and were prepared under ambient conditions. 1 and 2 were obtained from a slow diffusion method [cobalt(ii) : H2mpba2- molar ratio used 1 : 1] and their structures are made up of [Co2(H2mpba)3]2- anionic helicate units and [Co(H2O)6]2+ cations, exhibiting supramolecular three-dimensional structures. Interestingly, a supramolecular honeycomb network between the helicate units interacting with each other through R22(10) type hydrogen bonds occurs in 2 hosting one co-crystallized dpss molecule. On the other hand, for the first time, linear (3) and zigzag (4) cobalt(ii) chains were isolated by slow evaporation of stirred solutions of mixed solvents with cobalt(ii) : H2mpba2- in 1 : 2 molar ratio at room temperature. Magnetic measurements of Pre-I revealed a quasi magnetically isolated S = 3/2 spin state with a significant second-order spin-orbit contribution as expected for tetrahedrally coordinated cobalt(ii) ions. The analysis of the variable temperature static (dc) magnetic susceptibility data through first- (1 and 3) and second-order spin-orbit coupling models (2 and 4) reveals the presence of magnetically non-interacting high-spin cobalt(ii) ions with easy-axis (1 and 4)/easy-plane magnetic anisotropies (2 and 4) with low rhombic distortions. Dynamic (ac) magnetic measurements for Pre-I and 1-4 below 8.0 K show that they are examples of field-induced Single-Ion Magnets (SIMs).

Carbamoyl-N-aryl-imine-urea: a new framework to obtain a putative leishmanicidal drug-candidate.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected parasitic disease, and current treatment includes limitations of toxicity, variable efficacy, high costs and inconvenient doses and treatment schedules. Therefore, new leishmanicidal drugs are still an unquestionable medical need. In this paper we described the design conception of a new framework, the carbamoyl-N-aryl-imine-urea, to obtain putative leishmanicidal drug-candidates. Compounds 9a-e and 10a-e were designed and synthesized and their leishmanicidal activity was studied in comparison to pentamidine, miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate. The conformational profile of the new carbamoyl-N-aryl-imine-urea framework was investigated by X-ray diffraction studies, using compound 9a as a model. The plasma stability of this putative peptide mimetic subunit was studied for compound 10e (LASSBio-1736). Among the congeneric series, LASSBio-1736 was identified as a new antileishmanial drug-candidate, displaying plasma stability, cytotoxicity against amastigote forms of L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis, and leishmanicidal activity in a cutaneous leishmaniasis murine model, without preliminary evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity.