Synthesis of some imidazolyl-substituted 2-benzylidene indanone derivatives as potent aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer therapy

Cyclic Oxime Esters as Deconstructive Bifunctional Reagents for Cyanoalkyl Esterification of 1,6-Enynes

A concise copper catalysis strategy for the addition-cyclization of cyclic oxime esters across 1,6-enynes with high stereoselectivity to generate 1-indanones bearing an all-carbon quaternary center is reported. In this process, single-electron reduction of cyclic oxime esters enables deconstructive carbon-carbon cleavage to provide a key cyanopropyl radical poised for the addition-cyclization. This reaction is redox-neutral, exhibits good functional group compatibility, and features 100% atomic utilization. This process driven by copper catalyst makes readily available cyclic oxime esters as bifunctional reagents to demonstrate convergent synthesis.

Copper/silver co-mediated three-component bicyclization for accessing indeno[1,2-c]azepine-3,6-diones

A new copper/silver-co-mediated three-component bicyclization of benzene-linked 1,6-enynes with ICF2CO2Et with TMSN3 was reported, and used to produce a wide range of hitherto unreported difluorinated tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]azepine-3,6-diones with moderate to good yields. The mechanistic pathway consists of radical-induced 1,6-addition-cyclization, oxidative addition, reductive elimination, nitrene insertion and N-O cleavage, resulting in continuous multiple bond-forming events including C-C and C-N bonds to build up a 6/5/7 tricyclic framework.

Estrogen signaling: An emanating therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer, a most common malignancy in women, was known to be associated with steroid hormone estrogen. The discovery of estrogen receptor (ER) gave us not only a powerful predictive and prognostic marker, but also an efficient target for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer with various estrogen ligands. ER consists of two subtypes i.e. ERα and ERβ, that are mostly G-protein-coupled receptors and activated by estrogen, specially 17β-estradiol. The activation is followed by translocation into the nucleus and binding with DNA to modulate activities of different genes. ERs can manage synthesis of RNA through genomic actions without directly binding to DNA. Receptors are tethered by protein-protein interactions to a transcription factor complex to communicate with DNA. Estrogens also exhibit nongenomic actions, a characteristic feature of steroid hormones, which are so rapid to be considered by the activation of RNA and translation. These are habitually related to stimulation of different protein kinase cascades. Majority of post-menopausal breast cancer is estrogen dependent, mostly potent biological estrogen (E2) for continuous growth and proliferation. Estrogen helps in regulating the differentiation and proliferation of normal breast epithelial cells. In this review we have investigated the important role of ER in development and progression of breast cancer, which is complicated by receptor's interaction with co-regulatory proteins, cross-talk with other signal transduction pathways and development of treatment strategies viz. selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), selective estrogen receptor down regulators (SERDs), aromatase and sulphatase inhibitors.

Stereoselective synthesis of sulfonated 1-indenones via radical-triggered multi-component cyclization of β-alkynyl propenones

New radical-triggered multi-component cyclizations of β-alkynyl propenones have been developed, leading to 50 examples of sulfonated 1-indenones with generally good yields and high levels of stereoselectivity.

Anticarcinogenic and metal chelation properties of novel hydroxybenzylidene-1-indanone derivatives in the U-251 glioblastoma cell line

A novel series of (Z)-2-(hydroxy(aryl)methylene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indanone derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as cytotoxic agents against six cancer cell lines.

Structural studies of (E)-2-(benzylidene)-1-tetralone derivatives: crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Crystal structures are reported from data collected at 100 K of (E)-2-(X-benzylidene)-1-tetralone (2: X=3-O2N; 3: X=4-O2N; 5: X=4-HO; 6: X=4-Me2N; 7: 4-NC), (E)-2-(X-benzylidene)-6-MeO-1-tetralone, 8, and (E)-2-(X-benzylidene)-5-MeO-1-tetralone 9. Also reported herein are the Hirshfeld surface calculations for these compounds as well as those of (E)-2-(X-benzylidene)-1-tetralone (1: X=H; 4: X=4-MeO), whose structures were previously reported. The molecules are not planar as shown by the dihedral angles of 45.66(5)–69.78(5)° between the phenyl groups and by the puckered cyclohexenyl rings. A common feature of the molecular conformations is the C–H···O1(carbonyl) intramolecular hydrogen bond. The carbonyl oxygen atom plays significant roles in the interactions in all compounds baring compound 8. However, there is no consistent set of intermolecular interaction in this group of compounds. Intermolecular interactions present in each compound are some of the O–H···O, C–H···A (A=O, N or π), A–O···π (A=C or N) and π···π interactions. The only compound exhibiting a classical O–H···O hydrogen bond is compound 5. C–H···π interactions are found in all compounds, and while π···π interactions are present in compounds 2, 3, 7 and 9, no consistent type of stacking arrangement is shown. The Hirshfeld surface calculations, while generally concurring with the intermolecular interactions indicated by PLATON analyses, also reveal short interactions, which fall below the PLATON cut-off parameters.

Structural studies of (E)-2-(benzylidene)- 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one derivatives: crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Crystal structures are reported of (E)-2-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one, 1, (E)-2-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)-2,3- dihydro-1H-inden-1-one, 2, (E)-2-(4-cyanobenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one, 3, and monoclinic-(E)- 2-(3-nitrobenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one, monoclinic-4, all from data collected at 100 K and (E)-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indan-1-one, 6, from data collected at 299 K. An earlier triclinic form of 4 has been reported. Also reported herein are the Hirshfeld suface calculations for these five compounds, as well as that of 2-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one, 5,whose crystal structure has been previously reported. The three rings in each of the compounds, 1–4 and 6, are essentially planar, including the five-membered ring containing a formally hydridized sp3 atom. The molecules exhibit slight deviations from overall planarity as shown by the dihedral angles, >8.15(6)° between the 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one fragments and the phenyl fragments. The main intermolecular interactions in compounds 1 and are classical O–H···O1(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds. The carbonyl oxygen atom in compounds 1–4 are involved in non-classical C–H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Intermolecular C–H---π interactions are present in 2, 3 and 6, while π···π are present in 2–4 and 6. As noted in the structure determinations of these compounds, different π···π motifs are possible. The Hirshfeld surface calculations, while generally concurring with the intermolecular interactions indicated by PLATON analyses, also reveal significant interactions, which fall below the PLATON radar.

Arylidene indanone scaffold: medicinal chemistry and structure–activity relationship view

Arylidene indanone (AI) scaffolds are considered as the rigid cousins of chalcones, incorporating the α,β-unsaturated ketone system of chalcones forming a cyclic 5 membered ring.

Synthesis and bioactivity studies on new 4-(3-(4-Substitutedphenyl)-3a,4-dihydro-3H-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamides

A series of new 4-(3-(4-substitutedphenyl)-3a,4-dihydro-3H-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamides (7-12) was synthesized starting from 2-(4-substitutedbenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (1-6) and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide. The substituted benzaldehydes from which the key intermediate was prepared by introducing 2- or 4-substituents such as fluorine, hydroxy, methoxy, or the 3,4,5-trimethoxy moieties. The compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity, tumor-specificity and potential as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors. The 3,4,5-trimethoxy and the 4-hydroxy derivatives showed interesting cytotoxic activities, which may be crucial for further anti-tumor activity studies, whereas some of these sulfonamides strongly inhibited both human (h) cytosolic isoforms hCA I and II.

Molecular Structure and Photoinduced Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in 2-Pyrrolylmethylidene Cycloalkanones

The structures of pyrrolylmethylidene derivatives of 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (3), 3,4-dihydro-naphthalen-1(2H)-one (4), and cycloalkanones (5-7) were studied for the first time in the solid state and solution by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopies supported by DFT quantum mechanical calculations. It was shown that all studied compounds except cycloheptanone derivative 7 both in crystal and in solution exist in the form of dimers where single E or E,E configuration with respect to the exocyclic C═C bond is stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds N-H···O═C. UV irradiation at a wavelength of 365 nm of MeCN or DMSO solutions of 3-6 results, depending on the exposition time and solvent, partial to complete isomerization to the Z or Z,E isomers (in the case of 6, also the Z,Z isomer). The NMR and IR spectroscopy data show the existence of a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond N-H···O═C in the Z moieties of isomerized compounds. The studied compounds are protonated by trifluoroacetic acid at the carbonyl oxygen, in spite of the reverse order of basicity and nucleophilicity of the carbonyl group and the pyrrole ring. Investigation of the behavior of compound 6 with respect to acetate and fluoride anions allows one to consider it as a potential fluoride sensor.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and mechanism study of a class of benzylideneindanone derivatives as novel anticancer agents

Our findings revealed the benzylideneindanone moiety as a new attractive scaffold for mitosis-targeting drug discovery.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and mechanism study of chalcone analogues as novel anti-cancer agents

A series of novel chalcone analogues were designed, synthesized and evaluated as anticancer agents.

Rational design, synthesis and molecular modeling studies of novel anti-oncological alkaloids against melanoma

Anti-oncological active spiro-alkaloids were synthesized exhibiting promising antitumor properties against melanoma cell lines. Molecular modeling studies describe the observed properties.

Discovery of indanone derivatives as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease

A series of indanone derivatives were designed, synthesized, and tested using a variety of assays to assess their potential as anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) agents. The investigations assessed the activities of the agents for the inhibition of cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE), the inhibition of amyloid beta (Aβ) self-assembly, and the catalysis of the disassembly of preformed Aβ oligomers and measured their antioxidant activities. Our results demonstrate that most of the synthesized compounds demonstrated good inhibitory activity against AChE with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. In particular, compounds 9 (IC50 = 14.8 nM) and 14 (IC50 = 18.6 nM) exhibited markedly higher inhibitory activities than tacrine and similar activities to donepezil. In addition, 9 and 14 significantly inhibited Aβ aggregation (inhibition rates of 85.5% and 83.8%, respectively), catalysed the disaggregation of Aβ fibrils generated by self-induced Aβ aggregation, and exhibited antioxidant activity. Furthermore, these two compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro. These properties highlight the potential of these new compounds to be developed as multi-functional drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Non-conventional methodologies in the synthesis of 1-indanones

1-Indanones have been successfully prepared by means of three different non-conventional techniques, namely microwaves, high-intensity ultrasound and a Q-tube™ reactor. A library of differently substituted 1-indanones has been prepared via one-pot intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation and their efficiency and “greenness” have been compared.

Structural analysis of 2-arylidene-1-indanone derivatives by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

2-arylidene-4-methoxy (or hydroxy)-7-methyl-1-indanone derivatives inspired from donepezil, the current drug used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease as inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were studied for the first time by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Structurally, these arylidene-indanone compounds are considered as cyclic analogues of chalcones.

METHODS

ESI-MS and tandem mass spectra were acquired using a Q-TOF 2 instrument. Fragmentation patterns were analyzed by CID-MS(2-3) spectra acquired in a Q-TOF and in LXQ linear ion trap mass spectrometers using standard isolation and excitation procedures.

RESULTS

All the 2-arylidene indanones have shown a common fragmentation pathway leading to a (2(1), 1')A(+) product ion at m/z 187 and the retro-aldol product ion [(2, 2(1))B(+)] that allow to establish the substitution in the B ring. The effect of electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents on these fragmentation pathways was noticed. The presence of the OCH3, OH, NO2 and Br substituents gave typical fragmentation processes that allowed their unequivocal fingerprinting. The combined loss of the ortho substituent in the B-ring plus hydrogen (H, OCH3, Br and F) is proposed to form a stable cyclic ring product.

CONCLUSIONS

Arylidene indanones with different substituents on the B ring are associated with a specific fragmentation pattern. In addition, differentiation between isomers with substituents in B ring at ortho and para positions were achieved using ESI-MS/MS. These fragmentation pathways can be used to further identify and determine the fate of these molecules in all stages of drug discovery.

Comprehensive review in current developments of imidazole-based medicinal chemistry

Imidazole ring is an important five-membered aromatic heterocycle widely present in natural products and synthetic molecules. The unique structural feature of imidazole ring with desirable electron-rich characteristic is beneficial for imidazole derivatives to readily bind with a variety of enzymes and receptors in biological systems through diverse weak interactions, thereby exhibiting broad bioactivities. The related research and developments of imidazole-based medicinal chemistry have become a rapidly developing and increasingly active topic. Particularly, numerous imidazole-based compounds as clinical drugs have been extensively used in the clinic to treat various types of diseases with high therapeutic potency, which have shown the enormous development value. This work systematically gives a comprehensive review in current developments of imidazole-based compounds in the whole range of medicinal chemistry as anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, antineuropathic, antihypertensive, antihistaminic, antiparasitic, antiobesity, antiviral, and other medicinal agents, together with their potential applications in diagnostics and pathology. It is hoped that this review will be helpful for new thoughts in the quest for rational designs of more active and less toxic imidazole-based medicinal drugs, as well as more effective diagnostic agents and pathologic probes.