An efficient and green synthesis of novel highly functionalized nitrogen-fused pyrido[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives using recyclable choline hydroxide

Synthesis of Polynitrogen-Containing [6-5-6] Tricyclic Derivatives by N-N Bond Formation and Their Fluorescent Properties

Polynitrogen-containing scaffolds are of major interest for many applications. To optimize and improve the potential of these scaffolds, it is important to be able to easily introduce and modulate the substituents, regardless of the number and position of the nitrogen atoms in the structure. Therefore, the synthetic approach ideally requires mild experimental conditions and an expanded scope of application. To this end, a versatile and efficient synthesis of [6-5-6] tricyclic derivatives of pyridopyrazolopyrazine, dipyridopyrazole, and pyridopyrazolopyrimidine types was undertaken at room temperature. Against all odds, the key oxidative cyclization step was successfully applied to two electron-poor heteroaromatic partners, and theoretical calculations were performed to rationalize the proposed mechanism for the N-N bond formation. Measurements of the fluorescence properties showed the strong impact of the number and position of nitrogen in the tricyclic scaffold. Among the seven families studied, pyridopyrazolopyrazine offers the best fluorescence properties in terms of brightness.

Advances in pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines: synthesis and their role as protein kinase inhibitors in cancer treatment

Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines are a notable class of heterocyclic compounds with potent protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) activity, playing a critical role in targeted cancer therapy. Protein kinases, key regulators in cellular signalling, are frequently disrupted in cancers, making them important targets for small-molecule inhibitors. This review explores recent advances in pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine synthesis and their application as PKIs, with emphasis on inhibiting kinases such as CK2, EGFR, B-Raf, MEK, PDE4, BCL6, DRAK1, CDK1 and CDK2, Pim-1, among others. Several synthetic strategies have been developed for the efficient synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, including cyclization, condensation, three-component reactions, microwave-assisted methods, and green chemistry approaches. Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling and click chemistry have enabled the introduction of diverse functional groups, enhancing the biological activity and structural diversity of these compounds. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies highlight the influence of substituent patterns on their pharmacological properties. Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines act as ATP-competitive and allosteric inhibitors of protein kinases, with EGFR-targeting derivatives showing promise in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Their inhibitory effects on B-Raf and MEK kinases are particularly relevant in melanoma. Biological evaluations, including in vitro and in vivo studies, have demonstrated their cytotoxicity, kinase selectivity, and antiproliferative effects. Despite these advances, challenges such as drug resistance, off-target effects, and toxicity persist. Future research will focus on optimizing synthetic approaches, improving drug selectivity, and enhancing bioavailability to increase clinical efficacy.

3-Aminopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine: Effective Precursor for Barium Hydroxide-Mediated Three Components Synthesis of New Mono- and Bis(pyrimidines) with Potential Cytotoxic Activity

In this study, an efficient one-pot procedure for preparing a new series of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-fused pyrimidines was described. The target hybrids were developed through a three-component reaction of 3-amino-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine, benzaldehydes, and acetophenones (molar ratio 1 : 1 : 1). The best conditions for the previous reaction were 2.5 equivalents of barium hydroxide in DMF at 150 °C for 6 h. New bis(pyrimidines) were synthesized in high yields using a similar one-pot reaction protocol with some modifications. Thus, two equivalents of each of the appropriate acetophenones and 3-aminopyrazolopyridine were reacted with one equivalent of the appropriate bis(aldehydes). The reaction was carried out at 150 °C for 8 h using 4.5 equivalents of barium hydroxide in DMF. Repeating the previous reaction with the appropriate bis(acetyl) derivatives and benzaldehydes resulted in good yields of the target bis(pyrimidines). The in vitro cytotoxic activity of new pyrimidines against the MCF-7, HEPG2, and Caco2 cell lines was evaluated using the reference doxorubicin (IC₅₀ values of 4.34-6.97 μM). Hybrid 6h had the best activity against Caco2 and MCF-7 cell lines, IC₅₀ values of 12.62 and 14.50 μM, respectively. The IC₅₀ values for hybrids 6c, 6e, and 6f against MCF-7 and Caco2 cell lines were 23.99-41.69 and 33.14-43.33 μM, respectively. Furthermore, hybrid 6e displayed IC₅₀ value of 20.06 μM HEPG2 cell lines, while the hybrids 6c, 6f and 6h exhibited IC₅₀ values ranging between 26.29-50.51 μM. Furthermore, hybrid 6e had an IC₅₀ value of 20.06 μM for the HEPG2 cell lines, whereas hybrids 6c, 6f, and 6h had IC₅₀ values ranging from 26.29 to 50.51 μM.