Solvent-free synthesis, spectral correlations and antimicrobial activities of some aryl imines

A new bifunctional heterogeneous nanocatalyst for one-pot reduction-Schiff base condensation and reduction–carbonylation of nitroarenes

In this work, synthesis of Pd–NHC-γ-Fe₂O₃-n-butyl-SO₃H and its activity as a bifunctional heterogeneous nanocatalyst containing Pd–NHC and acidic functional groups, are described. This newly synthesized nanomagnetic catalyst is fully characterized by different methods such as FT-IR, XPS, TEM, VSM, ICP and TG analysis. At first, the catalytic activity of Pd–NHC-γ-Fe₂O₃-n-butyl-SO₃H is evaluated for the reduction of nitroarenes in aqueous media using NaBH₄ as a clean source of hydrogen generation at ambient temperature. Using the promising results obtained from the nitroarene reduction, this catalytic system is used for two one-pot protocols including reduction-Schiff base condensation and reduction–carbonylation of various nitroarenes. In these reactions the in situ formed amines are further reacted with aldehydes to yield imines or carbonylated to amides. The desired products are obtained in good to high yields in the presence of Pd–NHC-γ-Fe₂O₃-n-butyl-SO₃H as a bifunctional catalyst. The catalyst is reused with the aid of a magnetic bar for up to six consecutive cycles without any drastic loss of its catalytic activity.

This paper presents synthesis of Pd–NHC-γ-Fe₂O₃-n-butyl-SO₃H and its activity as bifunctional heterogeneous nanocatalyst containing Pd–NHC and acidic functional groups.

Synthesis of 3-Hydroxy-4-arylquinolin-2-ones Including Viridicatol via a Darzens Condensation/Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Strategy

The new efficient synthesis of biologically important 3-hydroxy-4-arylquinolin-2-ones through the Darzens condensation (epoxidation) of dichloroacetanilides with aromatic aldehydes followed by one-pot dechlorative epoxide-arene cyclization is described. This methodology has been utilized for the synthesis of naturally occurring viridicatol, a fungal metabolite isolated from the penicillium species.

Triphenylphosphonium-desferrioxamine as a candidate mitochondrial iron chelator

Cell-impermeant iron chelator desferrioxamine (DFO) can have access to organelles if appended to suitable vectors. Mitochondria are important targets for the treatment of iron overload-related neurodegenerative diseases. Triphenylphosphonium (TPP) is a delocalized lipophilic cation used to ferry molecules to mitochondria. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of the conjugate TPP-DFO as a mitochondrial iron chelator. TPP-DFO maintained both a high affinity for iron and the antioxidant activity when compared to parent DFO. TPP-DFO was less toxic than TPP alone to A2780 cells (IC₅₀ = 135.60 ± 1.08 and 4.34 ± 1.06 μmol L^-1, respectively) and its native fluorescence was used to assess its mitochondrial localization (Rr = +0.56). These results suggest that TPP-DFO could be an interesting alternative for the treatment of mitochondrial iron overload e.g. in Friedreich's ataxia.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of certain trisubstituted azetidin-2-one derivatives as a cis-restricted combretastatin A-4 analogues

Novel series of 1,3,4-trisubstituted azetidin-2-one derivatives 8a-p were synthesized and proposed as cytotoxic agents acting via inhibition of tubulin at the colchicine binding site. The design of the target compounds was based upon modification in the structure of the vascular targeting agent combretastatin A-4 (CA-4). The cis double bond linker in CA-4 was replaced with the azetidin-2-one ring aiming to prevent the cis/trans isomerization that suppresses the activity of CA-4, thereby enhancing its antiproliferative activity. All new compounds were investigated in vitro against MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines. The inhibition of tubulin polymerization by four most potent compounds 8g, 8j, 8n and 8o was also evaluated. The synthesis of the final targets was achieved adopting Staudinger reaction. Molecular modeling studies were performed to rationalize the biological results.