Stereoselective halogenation of the 16-hydroxymethyl-3-methoxy-13alpha-estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-ols and their solvolytic investigation

Synthesis of antiproliferative 13α-d-homoestrones via Lewis acid-promoted one-pot Prins-Ritter reactions of d-secosteroidal δ-alkenyl-aldehydes

A simple one-pot Prins-Ritter route was developed for the synthesis of 16-acylamino-17a-hydroxy-d-homoestrone 3-benzyl and 3-methyl ethers in the 13α-estrone series. The d-secosteroidal δ-alkenyl-aldehydes were allowed to react with different nitriles in the presence of BF3·OEt2 as a Lewis acid catalyst. Prins cyclizations afforded 17a-hydroxy-16-carbenium ions, which underwent Ritter reactions with nitriles, leading to 16α- or 16β-acylamino derivatives. A side-product in which a dihydro-1,3-oxazine was bridged to six-membered ring D at positions 16α,17aα was formed in each reaction. The antiproliferative properties of the novel 13α-d-homosteroids were determined on a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-361, A2780 and A431) by means of MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. Some compounds proved to be more effective (with submicromolar IC50 values) than the reference agent cisplatin. One of the most potent compounds substantially increased the rate of tubulin polymerization. Cell cycle analyses by flow cytometry indicated a concentration-dependent accumulation of the G2/M cell population.

Synthesis and in vitro pharmacological evaluation of N-[(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]-carboxamides on d-secoestrone scaffolds

An efficient synthesis of several N-[(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]carboxamides in the 13β- and 13α-d-secoestrone series is reported. Novel triazoles were synthesized via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition of steroidal alkynyl carboxamides and p-substituted benzyl azides. Each of the products was evaluated in vitro by means of MTT assays for antiproliferative activity against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A431 and A2780). Some of them exhibited activities similar to those of the reference agent cisplatin. On change of the substitution pattern of the benzyl group of the azide, great differences in the cell growth-inhibitory properties were observed. The p-alkylbenzyl-substituted triazoles selectively exerted high cytostatic action against A2780 cells, with IC50 values of 1 µM. We investigated the potential inhibitory action exerted on the human 17β-HSD1 activity of the new secosteroids. Three triazoles effectively suppressed the estrone to 17β-estradiol conversion with IC50 values in low micromolar range.

Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative evaluation of d-secooxime derivatives of 13β- and 13α-estrone

d-Secooximes were synthesized from the d-secoaldehydes in the 13β- and 13α-estrone series. The oximes were modified at three sites in the molecule: the oxime function was transformed into an oxime ether, oxime ester or nitrile group, the propenyl side-chain was saturated and the 3-benzyl ether was removed in order to obtain a phenolic hydroxy function. Triazoles were formed via Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) from 3-(prop-2-yniloxy)-d-secooximes and benzyl azides. All the products were evaluated in vitro by means of MTT assays for antiproliferative activity against a panel of human adherent cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A2780 and A431). Some of them exhibited activities with submicromolar IC50 values, better than that of the reference agent cisplatin. The structural modifications led to significant differences in the cytostatic properties. Flow cytometry indicated that one of the most potent agents resulted in a cell cycle blockade.

Cycloaddition of steroidal cyclic nitrones to C=N dipolarophiles: stereoselective synthesis and antiproliferative effects of oxadiazolidinones in the estrone series

Cyclic nitrones of estrone 3-methyl or 3-benzyl ether were reacted with phenyl isocyanate or nonsubstituted phenyl isocyanates as reactive CN dipolarophiles, yielding condensed homosteroidal oxadiazolidinones. These dipolar cycloadditions were carried out under conventional heating or microwave irradiation. The chemo- and stereoselectivities of the reactions and the effects of the aromatic substituents on the reaction rates and yields were investigated and compared. The structures of the new products were determined by NMR (one- and two-dimensional) and MALDI-MS techniques, with C70 fullerenes as matrix in the latter case. The antiproliferative properties of the synthetized compounds were determined on a panel of human adherent cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, A2780 and A431) by means of MTT assays. Some of them exhibited activities comparable to that of the reference agent cisplatin. Flow cytometry indicated that one of the most potent agents (11a) resulted in a cell cycle blockade.

Synthesis and stereochemical investigations of novel nitrogen-containing 13alpha-estrone derivatives

Novel tetrahydroquinoline 11 and N-aryl d-homo derivatives 12 in the 13alpha-estrone series were synthesized effectively, starting from the secoaldehyde 8 and mono- or disubstituted anilines 9. The chemoselectivity of the cyclization reactions depended upon the nature of the substituents in the anilines. All transformations proceeded in a highly stereoselective manner, yielding only one diastereomer. Condensed 11 and d-homo derivatives 12 both have the usual ring C chair conformation in the solid state.

Steroids: reactions and partial synthesis

This article reviews the progress in the chemistry of the steroids that was published between January and December 2003. The reactions and partial synthesis of estrogens, androgens, pregnanes, cholic acid derivatives, cholestanes and vitamin D analogues are covered. There are 152 references.

Intramolecular γ-Hydroxylations of Nonactivated CH Bonds with Copper Complexes and Molecular Oxygen

Copper(I) complexes incorporating the isomeric bidentate ligands IMPY (iminomethyl-2-pyridines) or AMPY (aminomethylene-2-pyridines) are quite unusual in their ability to bind and activate molecular oxygen. Using these complexes, hydroxylations of nonactivated CH, CH2, or CH3 groups in the gamma-position in relation to the imino-nitrogen atom, and with a specific orientation of one H atom with respect to the binuclear Cu-O species, can be achieved in synthetically useful yields. Through mechanistic studies employing conformationally well-defined molecules (for example, cyclic isoprenoids), coupled with solid-state X-ray structure analyses and force-field calculations, we postulate a seven-membered transition state for this reaction in which six atoms lie approximately in a plane. This plane is defined by the positions of the lone pairs on the nitrogen atoms, as well as the copper and the oxygen atoms. For a successful hydroxylation, one hydrogen atom should be located close to this plane. Prediction of the stereochemical course of these reactions is possible based on a simple geometrical criterion. The convenient introduction of IMPY and AMPY groups as auxiliaries into oxo and primary amino compounds and the simple hydrolysis after the hydroxylation procedure has allowed the synthesis of 3-hydroxy-1-oxo and 3-hydroxy-1-amino compounds. If desired, the 3-hydroxy-1-IMPY and -1-AMPY compounds can be reduced with NaBH4 to obtain 3-hydroxy-1-aminomethylpyridines. For a successful hydroxylation procedure, the method employed for the synthesis of the CuI complexes is very important. Starting either from CuI salts or from CuII salts with a subsequent reduction with benzoin/triethylamine may turn out to be the better way, depending on the ligand and the molecular structure.