Cyclisation and subsequent reactions of 2′-hydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone epoxide and related compounds

Elucidation of the Structure of the 2-amino-3,5-Dibromochalcone Epoxides in Solution and Solid State

The conformation of the title compounds was determined in solution by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and in solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) complemented with density functional theory. The compounds were found to exist exclusively in solution and solid state as trans-2-aminochalcone epoxides with strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between the amino and carbonyl groups. These 2-aminochalcone epoxides experienced a solvent effect in DMSO-d6, which resulted in an anomalous chemical shift for the α-hydrogen signal, presumably due to complexation of solute molecules with DMSO. The solute–solvent interaction would probably fix the trans conformation of epoxyketone such that α-H is more accessible to both aryl rings, and in turn, experience their combined anisotropic effect. Intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures were confirmed and quantified using the Hirshfeld surface analysis. Moreover, the trans stereochemistry of the α-epoxyketones facilitated direct one-pot sequential sulfuric acid-mediated ring opening and aryl migration to afford the corresponding 3-arylquinolin-4(1H)-ones (azaisoflavones).

Semisynthesis of natural flavones inhibiting tubulin polymerization, from hesperidin

Semisynthesis of 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone (1), a natural flavone that binds with high affinity to tubulin, was performed from hesperidin, the very abundant Citrus flavanone, by a five-step sequence. The last step of the synthesis also gave rise to 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (= casticin or vitexicarpin) (10), 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,7,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (= gossypetin 3,7,8,4'-tetramethyl ether) (11), and, unexpectedly, 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,6,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (12) and 5,3'-dihydroxy-8-dimethylamino-3,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavone (= 8-dimethylaminocasticin) (13). Cytotoxicity and antitubulin activity of these five flavones, as well as 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (= ayanin) (14) and intermediate 6,8-dibromo-ayanin (8), were evaluated. Comparison of the responses confirmed and clarified the influence of the A-ring substitution pattern on the biological activity.

2'-Amino-.ALPHA.-chloroacetophenone as a Valuable Tool for the Synthesis of Conveniently-Substituted .ALPHA.,.BETA.-Epoxychalcone Derivatives

The synthesis of conveniently substituted 2'-amino-alpha,beta-epoxychalcones is described. They were obtained through Darzens condensation of 2'-amino-3',5'-dimethoxy-alpha-chloroacetophenone with benzaldehydes. The latter can undergo different cyclization possibilities and afford a variety of flavonoid analogs with biological potential.

Ring Transformation of Glycidic Amides with Ortho-Metalated Phenols to Enantiopure 3-Hydroxychromanones

A novel access to hitherto unknown enantiopure 2-alkylchroman-4-ones 10 was found by a reaction of ortho-metalated O-MOM-protected phenols with Weinreb amides 8 of enantiopure cis- or trans-glycidic acids. Upon acidic hydrolysis, the resulting o-MOMO-benzoyloxiranes 9 undergo ring transformation to 2-alkylchroman-4-ones 10. 2-Alkylidenecoumaran-3-ones 11 were formed as alternative products, depending on the configuration of the starting oxirane ring and on the type of phenol used as starting material.