Unusual reactivities of acridine derivatives in catalytic hydrogenation. A combined experimental and theoretical study

Acridine/Acridone-Carborane Conjugates as Strong DNA-Binding Agents with Anticancer Potential

Synthesis of acridine derivatives that act as DNA-targeting anticancer agents is an evolving field and has resulted in the introduction of several drugs into clinical trials. Carboranes can be of importance in designing biologically active compounds due to their specific properties. Therefore, a series of novel acridine analogs modified with carborane clusters were synthesized. The DNA-binding ability of these analogs was evaluated on calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). Results of these analyses showed that 9-[(1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1-yl)propylamino]acridine (30) interacted strongly with ct-DNA, indicating its ability to intercalate into DNA, whereas 9-[(1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1-yl)propanamido]acridine (29) changed the B-form of ct-DNA to the Z form. Compound 30 demonstrated cytotoxicity, was able to inhibit cell proliferation, arrest the cell cycle in the S phase in the HeLa cancer cell line, and induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, it was specifically localized in lysosomes and was a weak inhibitor of Topo IIα.

Divergent strategy for the synthesis of original dihydrobenzo- and dihydronaphtho-acridines

A straightforward access to numerous novel substituted dihydrobenzo- and dihydronaphthoacridines is described using a unique molecular platform in two key steps. A large range of carbon-based substituents such as aromatic, vinyl, alkynyl fragments through Pd-catalysed couplings has been installed. The molecular diversity is extended to the introduction of aza-heterocycles and further authorizes the installation of alkylamino chains by means of Cu-promoted C-N bond formation. Possible access to quinolinium salts is also described. The methodology revealed convenient preparation of a wide panel of molecules that display various rigidity/flexibility and lipophilic/hydrophilic balances. Finally, the influence of structural modulations on the photophysical properties of these novel architectures is also studied. It is noteworthy that styryl and alkynyl derivatives are emissive in water (ϕF up to 12%).