Indium catalyzed solvent-free multicomponent synthesis of cytotoxic dibenzo[a,h]anthracenes from aldehydes, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-naphthol

Recent achievements in synthesis of anthracene scaffolds catalyzed transition metals

In the last 10 years, the synthesis of anthracene scaffolds has attracted considerable interest because of their distinctive electronic characteristics and various uses in organic electronics, photovoltaics, and therapeutics. Anthracene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is valued for its lightweight, stability, and electron transport capabilities, making it a key building block in advanced materials. Traditional synthesis methods often face challenges such as low selectivity and harsh conditions. However, recent advancements in transition metal-catalyzed reactions have transformed the field, offering more efficient and versatile approaches. This review examines methodologies utilizing transition metal catalysts like palladium, zinc, indium, cobalt, gold, iridium, rhodium and ruthenium, which have enabled novel synthetic pathways and selective formation of substituted anthracenes through cross-coupling reactions. The function of ligands, including phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes, in improving reaction efficiency and selectivity is also examined. The shift towards greener methodologies is noted, with a focus on minimizing waste and reducing toxic reagents. The shift towards greener methodologies is noted, with a focus on minimizing waste and reducing toxic reagents. Several case studies demonstrate the successful application of these techniques, highlighting the structural diversity and functional potential of anthracene derivatives in various applications.

Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthaquinone) derived anticancer agents

2-Hydroxy-1,4-naphthaquinone, commonly known as lawsone, represents an extremely important biologically active naturally occurring compound. It can easily be isolated from Lawsonia inermis (henna) tree leaf extract. Last decade has seen tremendous applications of lawsone as a starting component for the preparation of various organic scaffolds. Many of these synthesized scaffolds showed a wide range of biological activities including potential activities towards several cancer cell lines. This review deals with diverse synthetic methods of lawsone derived scaffolds and their screening against different anti-cancer cell lines along with promising results.

Recent advances in the syntheses of anthracene derivatives

Anthracene and anthracene derivatives have been extensively studied over the years because of their interesting photophysical, photochemical, and biological properties. They are currently the subject of research in several areas, which investigate their use in the biological field and their application in OLEDs, OFETs, polymeric materials, solar cells, and many other organic materials. Their synthesis remains challenging, but some important preparative methods have been reported, especially in the last decade. This review presents an update of the recent strategies that have been employed to prepare anthracene derivatives. It encompasses papers published over the last twelve years (2008–2020) and focuses on direct and indirect methods to construct anthracene and anthraquinone frameworks.

Combinational therapeutics to combat cancer

Mono-therapeutics is rarely effective as a treatment option, which limits the survival of patients in advanced grade aggressive cancers. Combinational therapeutics (multiple drugs for multiple targets) to combat cancer is gaining momentum in recent years. Hence, it is of interest to document known data for combinational therapeutics in cancer treatment. An amalgamation of therapeutic agents enhances the efficacy and potency of the therapy. Combinational therapy can potentially target multiple pathways that are necessary for the cancer cells to proliferate, and/or target molecules, which may help cancer to become more aggressive and metastasize. In this review, we discuss combinational therapeutics, which include human γδ T cells in combinations with biologically active anti-cancer molecules, which synergistically may produce promising combinational therapeutics.

Efficient Multicomponent Synthesis of Diverse Antibacterial Embelin-Privileged Structure Conjugates

A library of embelin derivatives has been synthesized through a multicomponent reaction from embelin (1), aldehydes and privileged structures such as 4-hydroxycoumarin, 4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one and 2-naphthol, in the presence of InCl₃ as catalyst. This multicomponent reaction implies Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization and dehydration. Many of the synthesized compounds were active and selective against Gram-positive bacteria, including one important multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolate. It was found how the conjugation of diverse privileged substructure with embelin led to adducts having enhanced antibacterial activities.