Synthesis, investigation of the cholinesterase inhibitory activities and in silico studies of some novel N-substituted phthalimide derivatives

Synthesis, Biological Activities, DFT Calculations, and Molecular Docking Studies of O-Methyl-Inositols

The concise synthesis of O-methyl-d-inositol derivative and conduritol derivatives was obtained starting from p-benzoquinone. Spectroscopic methods have been performed for the characterization of newly synthesized compounds. Cyclitols are useful molecules with anticancer, antibiotic, antinutrient, and antileukemic activities. Inositol class molecules, known as the most important cyclitol derivatives, were examined in this study for their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide radical scavenging and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and glycosidase inhibition activities. It was observed that compound 5, in particular, showed efficacy that competed with the standards in terms of both antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitor potential. Additionally, compound 5 shows effective antimicrobial activity. The water-soluble characteristics and lipophilic properties of the compounds were also considered and discussed. Moreover, the quantum chemical analyses were performed in light of the DFT/B3LYP/6-311G** level computations to elucidate/compare the studied inositols' possible reactivity directions. Additionally, the interactions of the molecules were analyzed against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), peroxiredoxin 5, and DNA gyrase by molecular docking methods. Cholinesterase inhibitors have an important status as the most important drug group used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease today. Considering the effects of inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme by inhibitors, such molecules can also be used as therapeutic components in the treatment of diabetes.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization of novel phthalimides derivatives bearing a 1,2,3-triazole unit and examination as potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors via in silico studies

In the present study, novel phthalimide derivatives 8(a-f) and 9(a-f) bearing a 1,2,3-triazole subunit were synthesized via CuAAC reactions and characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, HR-MS, and FT-IR analyses. To support the fight against SARS-CoV-2, in silico molecular docking studies were carried out to examine their interactions with the proteins of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro and PLpro) and the protein-protein interactions (PPI) between the ACE2-spike (S1) in comparison with various inhibitors reported to be active by in vitro experiments. The ligand-protein stabilities of compounds 8a-Mpro, 8b-PLpro, and 9a-'ACE2-S1' showing the best binding energy and predicted inhibition constant values (Ki) were examined by molecular dynamics simulation studies. Finally, in silico ADMET properties of the target compounds were investigated using the Swiss ADME and ProTox-II web tools. According to in silico results, all phthalimide analogs may block the PPI between S1 and ACE2. The compounds may also inhibit the progression of the Mpro, and PLpro proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, it has been estimated that the compounds are suitable for oral administration and exhibit low levels of toxicity.

Oxidative C-H/N-H Carbonylation of Benzamide by Nickel Catalysis with CO as the Carbonyl Source

An efficient and direct carbonylation of aminoquinoline benzamides has been developed using abundant and inexpensive Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O as the catalyst and carbon monoxide as a cost-efficient C1 building block. This process features good functional-group tolerance and can be conducted on gram scale. The directing group can be easily removed under mild conditions.