Synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-4(10H)-one derivatives and evaluation of their interactions with DNA

Pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles as inhibitors of oncoproteins ubiquitin specific protease 5 and MYCN in the childhood cancer neuroblastoma

The MYCN oncogene and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key driver genes in the childhood cancer, neuroblastoma. We recently described a novel pyridobenzimidazole analogue, SE486-11, which enhanced the therapeutic effectiveness of HDAC inhibitors by increasing MYCN ubiquitination through effects on the deubiquitinase, ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5). Here we describe the synthesis of a novel series of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives, and an evaluation of their cytopathic effects against non-malignant and human neuroblastoma cell lines. Among the tested analogues, 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine (3a) was the most active compound against neuroblastoma cells (IC50 ≤ 2 µM), with low cytotoxicity (IC50 ≥ 15 µM) to normal cells. We show compound 3a bound to USP5 protein (Kd = 0.47 µM) in vitro and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors against neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, knockdown of USP5 and MYCN in treated neuroblastoma cells showed that both USP5 and MYCN expression was necessary for the cytopathic activity of compound 3a, thus providing a clinically relevant rationale for further development of this of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole.

One-Pot Synthesis of Benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-ones Using a Hybrid Catalyst Supported on Magnetic Nanoparticles in Green Solvents

The conversion of soluble polyoxometalate into insoluble polyoxometalate is considered to be one of the major challenges in synthetic organic chemistry. Here, polyoxometalate was bonded to the salt part of an organic branch immobilized on the silica-coated Fe3 O4 nanoparticle and characterized using various techniques. The fabricated complex was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in a novel one-pot reaction for synthesis of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-ones using aromatic amines, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD), derivatives of benzaldehyde and 2-aminobenzimidazole in water/ethanol as a green solvent. 21 derivatives of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-2-one were synthesized by this method and fully characterized. The high stability of the catalyst showed that it can be reused for 6 times without decreasing in activity. The combination of new synthetic method, new ferromagnetic heterogeneous nano-catalyst, green solvent and simple separation method were presented in this work.

Targeting the KRAS oncogene: Synthesis, physicochemical and biological evaluation of novel G-Quadruplex DNA binders

The oncogene KRAS is involved in the pathogenesis of many tumors such as pancreatic, lung and colorectal cancers, thereby representing a relevant target for the treatment of these diseases. The KRAS P1 promoter contains a nuclease hypersensitive, guanine-rich sequence able to fold into a G-quadruplex motif (G4). The stabilization of this G4 structure by small molecules is emerging as a feasible approach to downregulate KRAS expression. Here, a set of novel stabilizing molecules was identified through a virtual screening campaign on the NMR structure of the 22-mer KRAS G4. The most promising hits were then submitted to structure-activity relationships studies which allowed improving their binding affinity and selectivity over double helix DNA and different G4 topologies. The best derivative (19) underwent fluorescence titration experiments and further computational studies to disclose its binding mechanism to KRAS G4. Finally, biological assays showed that this compound is capable to reduce the viability of colorectal cancer cells in which mutated KRAS acts as a driver oncogene. Thus, 19 might represent the prototype of a new class of drugs for the treatment of tumors that, expressing mutated forms of KRAS, are refractory to current therapeutic regimens.

4-Substituted Benzenesulfonamides Incorporating Bi/Tricyclic Moieties Act as Potent and Isoform-Selective Carbonic Anhydrase II/IX Inhibitors

As a part of our efforts to expand chemical diversity in the carbonic anhydrases inhibitors (CAIs), three small series of polyheterocyclic compounds (4-6) featuring the primary benzenesulfonamide moiety linked to bi/tricyclic scaffolds were investigated. Highly effective inhibitors against the target tumor-associated hCA IX (low nanomolar/subnanomolar potency levels) showing significant functional selectivity profile toward hCA I, II, and IV isozymes were identified. Molecular docking studies clarified the reasons behind the activity and selectivity of the new compounds.

Regiochemistry of cyclocondensation reactions in the synthesis of polyazaheterocycles

The syntheses of several polyazaheterocycles are demonstrated. The cyclocondensation reactions between β-enaminodiketones [CCl₃C(O)C(=CNMe₂)C(O)-CO₂Et] and aromatic amidines resulted in glyoxalate-substituted pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinone, thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidinone and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole. Pyrazinones and quinoxalinones were obtained through the reaction of these glyoxalates with ethylenediamine and 1,2-phenylenediamine derivatives. On the other hand, the reaction of glyoxalates with amidines did not lead to the formation of imidazolones, but rather N-acylated products were obtained. All the products were isolated in good yields. DFT-B3LYP calculations provided HOMO/LUMO coefficients, charge densities, and the stability energies of the intermediates, and from these data it was possible to explain the regiochemistry of the products obtained. Additionally, the data were a useful tool for elucidating the reaction mechanisms.

1-Benzyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate as an Efficient and Green Reaction Medium for the Synthesis of Pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles

A series of pyrimido[1,2- a]benzimidazole derivatives has been synthesised in high yields in the ionic liquid [bmim]+ BF4-. The structures of the products were characterised by IR, 1H NMR, and HRMS spectroscopy. The reaction work-up is simple and the ionic liquid is easily separated from the products for reuse.

Tandem reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman alcohols derived from acrylic nitrile with 2-aminobenzimidazole in ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl/H2O

The tandem reaction of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) alcohols 1a–1l derived from acrylic nitrile with 2-aminobenzimidazole (2) in ionic iquid (IL) [BMIM]Cl/H2O without additional catalyst was developed for the efficient synthesis of benzimidazol[1,2-a]pyrimidin-7(8H)-imine compounds. The tandem reaction included aza-Michael addition and intramolecular addition of an amino group to the cyano group in one pot. The combination of ionic liquid and water was found to be the best reaction medium, which played a role for accelerating the tandem reaction.

Comparative studies on conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis of a series of 2,4-di and 2,3,4-trisubstituted benzimidazo[1,2-a] pyrimidines and their antimicrobial activities

Comparative studies were performed on a series of 2,4-di and 2,3,4-trisubstituted benzimidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, which were synthesized with conventional and microwave heating methods. In microwave irradiation method, approximately, 95–97.5% of the reaction time was increased and 1–45% yield increase was obtained. All compounds were able to inhibit the growth of the screened microorganisms in vitro with MIC values between 3.9–250 μg mL−1. The highest activity was expressed by compound IIId (2,4-diphenyl-benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a] pyrimidine), which has the MIC value of 3.9 μg mL−1 and 31.2 μg mL-1 for Penicillium natatum ATCC 24791 and E. faecalis ATCC 29212, respectively.