N-Cyano Sulfoximines: COX Inhibition, Anticancer Activity, Cellular Toxicity, and Mutagenicity

Visible-Light-Triggered Synthesis of N-α-Ketoacylated Sulfoximines by Denitrogenative and Oxidative Functionalization of Vinyl Azides

We have introduced a sulfoximidation reaction initiated by visible light between α-phenyl vinyl azides and NH-sulfoximines. The cost-effective and readily accessible hypervalent iodine reagent (PIDA) easily promoted the oxidative sulfoximidation process to afford N-α-ketoacylated sulfoximines in good to high yields, involving the formation of two new C-O bonds and one C-N bond. Additionally, the protocol offers noteworthy advantages, including its metal-free and photocatalyst-free reaction and its broad substrate compatibility.

Progress in the Enantioselective Synthesis of Sulfur (VI) Compounds

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the prominence of enantioenriched sulfur(VI) compounds within the chemical science, particularly in the realm of bioactive molecules. However, the synthesis of these enantioenriched sulfur(VI) compounds has posed significant challenges, necessitating the exploration of diverse synthetic methods. Accordingly, this review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the latest advancements in the synthesis of sulfoximines, sulfonimidate esters, sulfonimidamides, and sulfonimidoyl halides, with a focus on developments since 1971.

Iridium(III)-Catalyzed C-H Cyclization of Sulfoximines with Diazo Meldrum's Acids for the Synthesis of Cyclic Sulfoximines

Iridium(III)-catalyzed C-H cyclization of sulfoximines with diazo Meldrum's acid provided cyclic sulfoximines with a carbonyl group in good to excellent yields. These compounds were easily converted into unsubstituted and arylated sulfoximines. Moreover, the vinyl triflates obtained from the cyclic sulfoximines underwent palladium(II)-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with a variety of aryl, arylalkynyl, and heteroatom (N and S) nucleophiles, affording a wide range of monosubstituted sulfoximines in high yields.

Intramolecular cyclization of N-cyano sulfoximines by N-CN bond activation

Metal-free halogenated anhydrides promote the intramolecular cyclization of N-cyano sulfoximines. Trifluoro- or trichloroacetic anhydride (TFAA or TCAA, respectively) activate the N-cyano groups of N-cyano sulfoximines, leading to the intramolecular cyclization of 2-benzamide-N-cyano sulfoximines 1. This method results in excellent yields of thiadiazinone 1-oxides 2. A full intramolecular cyclization pattern was suggested by (i) labeling experiments with 13C, (ii) isolating of N-trifluoroacetyl sulfoximine 1ac, and (iii) confirming the generation of the intermediate 1ad by LC/MS analysis.

Gold-Catalyzed Anti-Markovnikov Oxidation of Au-Allenylidene to Generate Alkylidene Ketene

It remains a long-standing challenge to directly convert alkynes to carboxylic derivatives. Herein, a unexpectedly anti-Markovnikov oxidation of a unique Au-allenylidene pathway instead of a traditional α-oxo gold carbene routine is disclosed for in situ formation and transformation of highly unsaturated alkylidene ketenes, which are subsequently trapped by broad nucleophiles such as alcohols, phenols, water, amines, and sulfoximines to easily access α,β-unsaturated drugs and natural product derivatives by a multicomponent reaction. Based on this scenario, polyacrylate and polyacrylamide are efficiently afforded by corresponding multicomponent polymerization.

Design, synthesis, and antifungal activities of novel sulfoximine derivatives for plant protection

BACKGROUND

Fungicides play a significant role in the integrated management of plant pathogens. However, the irrational application of fungicides with similar structures has led to development of cross-resistance, therefore there is a need to seek novel fungicides with new structures.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight novel sulfoximine derivatives incorporating nitroguanidine moieties were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as antifungal agents. The bioassay results indicated that most of the synthesized compounds displayed excellent fungicidal activities against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium graminearum, and Pyricularia grisea. Among these, compounds 6c₄ , 6c₅ , and 6c₆ exhibited remarkable fungicidal activities against P. grisea, with EC₅₀ values of 1.28, 1.17, and 1.68 μg mL^-1 , respectively. In addition, compound 6c₂ displayed the most potent activity against S. sclerotiorum (EC₅₀  = 3.64 μg mL^-1 ). Further in vivo fungicidal activity screening against S. sclerotiorum demonstrated that the protective and curative effects of compound 6c₂ were 98.1% and 91.3% at 25 μg mL^-1 , respectively, comparable to that of boscalid (94.4%, 89.6%). The preliminary mechanism study found that the hyphae of S. sclerotiorum treated with compound 6c₂ was abnormal with mycelial collapse and membrane permeability increase. The present findings can help to develop new fungicides for crop protection.

CONCLUSION

Novel sulfoximine derivatives containing nitroguanidine possess potential antifungal activity, and the unique structure may offer an alternative option for fungicide development in the future. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Silver-mediated Room Temperature Reactions for the Synthesis of N-α-Ketoacyl Sulfoximines and N-α,β-Unsaturated Acyl Sulfoximines

Here, we report a silver-mediated coupling of acetylenes with sulfoximines to synthesize N-α-ketoacyl sulfoximines and N-α,β-unsaturated acyl sulfoximines. The reactions are performed under an open atmosphere using the oxidant K₂S₂O₈ and the ligand 2,2-bipyridyl. However, the fate of the product formation is controlled by the type of substrate used. The coupling between aryl acetylenes and sulfoximines afforded the N-α-ketoacylsulfoximines, while the alkyl acetylenes provided the N-α,β-unsaturated acyl sulfoximines. Controlled experiments reveal the differential reactivity patterns of substrates. The labeling ¹⁸O experiments showed that water is the source of the incoming oxygen atom for the keto group of N-α-ketoacyl sulfoximines and N-α,β-unsaturated acyl sulfoximines.

Modular Two-Step Route to Sulfondiimidamides

Sulfur functional groups are common motifs in bioactive molecules. Sulfonamides are most prevalent but related aza-derivatives, in which oxygen atoms are replaced by imidic nitrogens, such as sulfoximines and sulfonimidamides, are gaining attraction. Despite this activity, the double aza-variants of sulfonamides, termed sulfondiimidamides, are almost completely absent from the literature. The reason for this is poor synthetic accessibility. Although a recent synthesis has established sulfondiimidamides as viable motifs, the length of the route and the capricious nature of the key sulfondiimidoyl fluoride intermediates mean that direct application to discovery chemistry is challenging. Herein, we describe a two-step synthesis of sulfondiimidamides, exploiting a hypervalent iodine-mediated amination as the key step. The starting materials are organometallic reagents, an unsymmetrical sulfurdiimide, and amines. The method allowed >40 examples to be prepared, including derivatives of three sulfonamide-based drugs. The operational simplicity, broad scope, and concise nature make this route attractive for discovery chemistry applications.

Visible-Light-Induced N-Acylation of Sulfoximines

A metal-, base-, and additive-free N-acylation of sulfoximines was developed under mild conditions using organic photoredox catalyst. This green strategy featured broad substrate scope, good compatibility with air, and high yields (up to 96%). It could be further applied to amino acid modifications and α-keto N-acyl sulfoximine synthesis without any complicated transformations or operations.

Stereospecific α-(hetero)arylation of sulfoximines and sulfonimidamides

The occurrence of sulfoximines and sulfonimidoyl groups in biologically active molecules within pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals has notably increased in the past decade. This increase has prompted a wave of discovery of methods to install S(VI) functionality into complex organic molecules. Traditional synthetic methods to form α-substituted sulfonimidoyl motifs rely on S-C bond disconnections and typically require control of the stereogenic S-centre or late-stage modification at sulfur, and comprise multistep routes. Here, we report the development of a stereospecific, modular S_NAr approach for the introduction of sulfonimidoyl functional groups into heterocyclic cores. This strategy has been demonstrated across 85 examples, in good to excellent yield, of complex and diverse heterocycles. Sulfoximines, sulfonimidamides and sulfondiimines are all compatible nucleophiles in the S_NAr reaction and hence, the methodology was applied to the synthesis of four sulfoximine-containing pharmaceuticals. Of these synthetic applications, most notably ceralasertib, an ATR inhibitor currently in clinical trials, was synthesized in an eight-step procedure on a gram-scale.

Metal-Free, Acid-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition of NH-Sulfoximines to para-Quinone Methides: Accessing to Diarylmethine Imino Sulfanone

We have reported an efficient and metal-free method for the construction of α-diarylmethine imino sulfanone using acid-catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition of sulfoximines on para-quinine methides (p-QMs). This method showed broad functional group tolerance and a wide range of substrate scope with good to excellent yield. The excellent protocol exhibits mild reaction conditions with high atom economy. The practicability of the present method was supported by a Gram-scale reaction.

Synthesis of Benzothiadiazine-1-oxides by Rhodium-Catalyzed C-H Amidation/Cyclization

A rhodium-catalyzed C-H amidation/cyclization sequence provides benzothiadiazine-1-oxides from sulfoximines and 1,4,2-dioxazol-5-ones in good yields. The reaction is characterized by a high functional group tolerance and, in contrast to most previous transformations of this type, is well-suited for S-alkyl-S-aryl-substituted sulfoximines.

Chiral Analogues of PFI-1 as BET Inhibitors and Their Functional Role in Myeloid Malignancies

Structural analogues of PFI-1 varying at the sulfur core were prepared, and their activities as BET inhibitors in myeloid cell lines and primary cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia were studied. Docking calculations followed by molecular dynamics simulations revealed the binding mode of the newly prepared inhibitors, suggesting explanations for the observed high enantiospecificity of the inhibitory activity.

5-Carbonyl-1,3-oxazine-2,4-diones from N-Cyanosulfoximines and Meldrum's Acid Derivatives

At elevated temperatures, N-cyanosulfoximines react with Meldrum's acid derivatives to give sulfoximines with N-bound 5-carbonyl-1,3-oxazine-2,4-dione groups. A representative product was characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The product formation involves an unexpected molecular reorientation requiring several sequential bond-forming and -cleaving processes.

Novel Broccoli Sulforaphane-Based Analogues Inhibit the Progression of Pancreatic Cancer without Side Effects

The naturally occurring isothiocyanate sulforaphane, found in Brassicaceae vegetables, is promising in cancer treatment, e.g., by the normalization of enhanced levels of NF-κB-signaling in tumor stem cells. We chemically synthesized seven sulforaphane analogues by substitution of the sulfinyl group (S(O)) to either sulfimidoyl (S(NR)) or sulfonimidoyl (S (O) (NR)) groups, and characterized them in the cell lines of pancreatic cancer and several other tumor entities, including the NCI-60 cell panel. MTT and colony forming assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, microRNA arrays, bioinformatics, tumor xenotransplantation, and Kaplan Meier survival curves were performed. Compared to sulforaphane, the analogue SF102 was most efficient in inhibition of viability, colony formation, tumor growth, and the induction of apoptosis, followed by SF134. Side effects were not observed, as concluded from the body weight and liver histology of chick embryos and survival of C. elegans nematodes. Among 6659 differentially regulated microRNAs, miR29b-1-5p, and miR-27b-5p were downregulated by sulforaphane compared to controls, but upregulated by SF102 and SF134 compared to sulforaphane, suggesting differential signaling. Each substance was involved in the regulation of several NF-κB-related target genes. In conclusion, sulforaphane analogues are promising for the development of highly active new drugs in cancer treatment.

General Method for the Asymmetric Synthesis of N-H Sulfoximines via C-S Bond Formation

A versatile method for the synthesis of enantioenriched N-H sulfoximines is reported. The approach stems from the organomagnesium-mediated ring opening of novel cyclic sulfonimidate templates. The reactions proceed in high yield and with excellent stereofidelity with alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl Grignard reagents. The chiral auxiliary is readily removed from the resultant sulfoximines via an unusual oxidative debenzylation protocol that utilizes molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. This provides a general strategy for the synthesis of highly enantioenriched N-H sulfoximines.

Synthesis of NH-Sulfoximines by Using Recyclable Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents under Aqueous Micellar Conditions

The synthesis of NH-sulfoximines from sulfides has been first developed under mild conditions in an aqueous solution with surfactant TPGS-750-M as the catalyst at room temperature. In this newly developed process, a simple and convenient recycling strategy to regenerate the indispensable hypervalent iodine(III) is used. The resulting 1,2,3-trifluoro-5-iodobezene can be recovered almost quantitively from the mixture by liquid-liquid extraction and then oxidized to give the corresponding iodine(III) species. This optimized procedure is compatible with a broad range of functional groups and can be easily performed on a gram scale, providing a green protocol for the synthesis of sulfoximines.

Synthesis of glycosyl sulfoximines by a highly chemo- and stereoselective NH- and O-transfer to thioglycosides

The first highly stereoselective sulfoximine formation directly from sulfides is achieved in the preparation of unprecedented glycosyl sulfoximines. X-ray analysis and a computational model establish the configuration at sulfur.

N-(2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoropyridyl)sulfoximines: synthesis, X-ray crystallography, and halogen bonding

N-(Tetrafluoropyridyl)sulfoximines are obtained from NH-sulfoximines and pentafluoropyridine under solution-based or mechanochemical conditions, and the solid-state structures of 26 products have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Ligand-Free, Quinoline N-Assisted Copper-Catalyzed Nitrene Transfer Reaction To Synthesize 8-Quinolylsulfimides

An efficient copper-catalyzed, quinolyl N-directed nitrene transfer reaction to 8-quinolylsulfides was described. A variety of 8-quinolylsulfimides with different functional groups were synthesized in moderate to high yields. The obtained 8-quinolylsulfimides were proved to be promising novel type of bidentate ligands in Pd(II)-catalyzed allylic alkylation.

Synthesis and Acaricidal- and Insecticidal-Activity Evaluation of Novel Oxazolines Containing Sulfiliminyl Moieties and Their Derivatives

Sulfimides and sulfoximines are highly relevant for medicinal chemistry and crop protection, as the resulting products can reveal interesting bioactivities. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a series of novel 2,4-diphenyl-1,3-oxazolines containing sulfiliminyl and sulfoximinyl moieties. The acaricidal and insecticidal activities of the new compounds were evaluated and indicated that these compounds exhibited excellent acaricidal activities against spider mite larvae and eggs. The LC₅₀ values of 6a-7, 6b-3, 6b-4, 6c-2, and 6c-4 against spider mite larvae were about 4 to 6 times lower than that of the commercial insecticide etoxazole (0.0221 mg L^-1), and the LC₅₀ value of 6a-4 against spider mite eggs was 0.0006 mg L^-1, which was 10 times lower than that of etoxazole (0.0063 mg L^-1). At the same time, most of the compounds showed insecticidal activity though their structure-activity relationships that were different. Oxazolines containing an N-cyano sulfiliminyl moiety at the para position of the 4-phenyl group exhibited better insecticidal activities against cotton bollworm and corn borer than etoxazole, whereas the compounds containing groups derived from sulfiliminyl and sulfoximinyl had weak insecticidal activities. This research again proved that the substituent type at the para site of the 4-phenyl moiety has a decisive role on the biological activity and insecticidal spectrum.

Persulfate-promoted oxidative C–N bond coupling of quinoxalinones andNH-sulfoximines

A simple approach for a direct sulfoximination of quinoxalinonesviaK₂S₂O₈-mediated oxidative coupling is reported.

Anti-glioma Activity of Dapsone and Its Enhancement by Synthetic Chemical Modification

The sulfone dapsone is an old antibiotic used for the treatment of mycobacterial and protozoal infections. We postulated before that dapsone might possess biological activity exceeding its anti-infectious properties and that it could potentially be repurposed for the treatment of glioma. To test this hypothesis, we treated established and primary cultured glioma cells with dapsone or several dapsone analogues which we previously synthesized (D2-D5) and determined effects on proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and migration. While dapsone and its synthetic analogues D2-D5 displayed only modest anti-proliferative activity, important neoplastic features such as anchorage-independent growth, clonogenic survival and directed migration were significantly inhibited by dapsone treatment. Moreover, dapsone analogues D3, D4 and D5 yielded even enhanced anti-glioma activity against different pro-neoplastic features. Overall these data suggest that dapsone provides activity against glioma which can be further enhanced by molecular modifications. These compounds could potentially serve as a therapeutic adjunct to the treatment of gliomas in a repurposing approach.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids and sulfoximines

The formation of N-aroylsulfoximines via a copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of α-keto acids with NH-sulfoximines is reported.

Access to N-cyanosulfoximines by transition metal-free iminations of sulfoxides

Sulfoxides are stereospecifically converted to N-cyanosulfoximines using N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as oxidising agent and cyanamide as nucleophilic amine source.

Synthesis of a Sulfonimidamide-Based Analog of Tasisulam and Its Biological Evaluation in the Melanoma Cell Lines SKMel23 and A375

Tasisulam is a promising antitumor agent with complex pharmacology, which is used as an antiproliferative agent in patients with metastatic melanoma and other solid tumors. Phase 2 melanoma studies showed promising results but had to be stopped because of insufficient tasisulam clearance leading to toxic side effects. To reduce the negative effects of tasisulam, we synthesized a novel sulfonimidamide-based analog to evaluate its antiproliferative effects in comparison to the original compound by performing a cell proliferation assay in melanoma cell lines SKMel23 and A375. The results revealed that the analog had inhibitory effects on the proliferation comparable to tasisulam in both investigated cell lines. These results could contribute to a reduced toxicity of tasisulam and lead to further clinical trials in metastatic melanoma.

Metal-Free, Phosphonium Salt-Mediated Sulfoximination of Azine N-Oxides: Approach for the Synthesis of N-Azine Sulfoximines

Herein, we report a simple and metal-free method for the synthesis of N-azine sulfoximines by the nucleophilic substitution of azine N-oxides with NH-sulfoximines. The present method works at room temperature with wide functional group compatibility and gives several unprecedented N-azine sulfoximines. The reaction conditions were also found suitable with enantiopure substrates and furnished products without any racemization. It also finds an application in the sulfoximination of azine-based functional molecules such as 2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, and quinine.