Synthesis of Novel C6-Phosphonated Purine Nucleosides under Microwave Irradiation by SNAr−Arbuzov Reaction

Copper Catalyzed Three-Component Ullmann C-S Coupling in PEG for the Synthesis of 6-Aryl/alkylthio-purines

To tackle the environmental unfriendly issue in existing synthesis strategies for 6-substitued thiopurine derivatives, such as poor step economy, frequent use of malodorous organic sulfur starting materials, toxic organic solvents, and equivalent dosage of base, we have developed a CuI-catalyzed base-free three-component Ullmann C-S coupling synthetic strategy, featured using inorganic salt Na2S as the sulfur source and nontoxic PEG-600 as the solvent. The newly developed strategy is particularly effective for the synthesis of 6-arylthiopurines. The high catalytic efficiency in PEG-600 can be rationalized by the high soluble ability of CuI catalyst, likely due to the presence of multiple oxygen coordination sites in PEG.

Tf2O/DMSO-mediated dual activation of aryl phosphinate to access various aryl phosphonates

A metal-free method for the dual activation of aryl phosphinate has been developed; the P-H and P-O bonds are sequentially activated by the Tf2O/DMSO system. Without the requirement of metals and unstable P-reagents, this one-pot procedure provides a convenient and practical access to a variety of aryl phosphonates. A mechanism involving twice generation of electrophilic P-species and two SN-processes is proposed on the basis of the control experiments.

Protecting-Group-Free Synthesis of Meridianin A-G and Derivatives and Its Antibiofilm Evaluation

Herein, a protecting-group-free protocol was developed to realize a time and step economy diversification of the Meridianin alkaloid. A broad range of substituents are tolerated to deliver the products in moderate to high yields, and the first synthesis of Meridianin B was achieved. The simplicity of this protocol enables the rapid construction of a Meridianin derivative library for antibiofilm evaluation. Preliminary results reveal that Meridianin derivatives were capable of inhibiting the Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm and lowering the antibiotic MIC synergistically.

Improvements, Variations and Biomedical Applications of the Michaelis-Arbuzov Reaction

Compounds bearing the phosphorus–carbon (P–C) bond have important pharmacological, biochemical, and toxicological properties. Historically, the most notable reaction for the formation of the P–C bond is the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction, first described in 1898. The classical Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction entails a reaction between an alkyl halide and a trialkyl phosphite to yield a dialkylalkylphosphonate. Nonetheless, deviations from the classical mechanisms and new modifications have appeared that allowed the expansion of the library of reactants and consequently the chemical space of the yielded products. These involve the use of Lewis acid catalysts, green methods, ultrasound, microwave, photochemically-assisted reactions, aryne-based reactions, etc. Here, a detailed presentation of the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction and its developments and applications in the synthesis of biomedically important agents is provided. Certain examples of such applications include the development of alkylphosphonofluoridates as serine hydrolase inhibitors and activity-based probes, and the P–C containing antiviral and anticancer agents.

1,2,3-Triazoles as leaving groups in SNAr-Arbuzov reactions: synthesis of C6-phosphonated purine derivatives

A new method for C-N bond transformations into C-P bonds was developed using 1,2,3-triazoles as leaving groups in SNAr-Arbuzov reactions. A series of C6-phosphonated 2-triazolylpurine derivatives was synthesized for the first time, with the isolated yields reaching up to 82% in the C-P-bond-forming event. The SNAr-Arbuzov reaction of 2,6-bistriazolylpurines follows the general regioselectivity pattern of the C6-position being more reactive towards substitution, which was unambiguously proved by X-ray analysis of diethyl (9-heptyl-2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-9H-purin-6-yl)phosphonate.

Phosphine Oxides from a Medicinal Chemist's Perspective: Physicochemical and in Vitro Parameters Relevant for Drug Discovery

Phosphine oxides and related phosphorus-containing functional groups such as phosphonates and phosphinates are established structural motifs that are still underrepresented in today's drug discovery projects, and only few examples can be found among approved drugs. In this account, the physicochemical and in vitro properties of phosphine oxides and related phosphorus-containing functional groups are reported and compared to more commonly used structural motifs in drug discovery. Furthermore, the impact on the physicochemical properties of a real drug scaffold is exemplified by a series of phosphorus-containing analogs of imatinib. We demonstrate that phosphine oxides are highly polar functional groups leading to high solubility and metabolic stability but occasionally at the cost of reduced permeability. We conclude that phosphine oxides and related phosphorus-containing functional groups are valuable polar structural elements and that they deserve to be considered as a routine part of every medicinal chemist's toolbox.

A First Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of a New Class of Purine and Guanine Thioglycoside Analogs

A first microwave-assisted synthesis of a new class of novel purine thioglycoside analogs from readily available starting materials has been described. The key step of this protocol is the formation of sodium pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-thiolate and 7-mercaptopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives via condensation of 5-amino-1H-pyrazoles with sodium 2,2-dicyanoethene-1,1-bis(thiolate) salts or 2-(dimercaptomethylene)malononitrile, respectively, under microwave irradiation, followed by coupling with halo sugars to give the corresponding purine thioglycoside analogs. The obtained purines and purines thioglycosides derivatives were evaluated in vitro against lung (A549), colon (HCT116), liver (HEPG2), and prostate (PC3) cancer cell lines. Some of these compounds (5b, 5d, 5f, and 9a-d) exhibited little potency toward the four cell lines. On the other hand, compound 5a elicited higher cytotoxicity on both prostate (PC3) and colon (HCT116), respectively, while it was found moderate on lung (A549), and inactive on liver (HEPG2). Moreover, compound 5c was found moderate with LC50 values 52.0-88.9 μM for almost all the cell lines.

Improved Synthesis of Cytidine Diphosphate Choline (CDP-Choline) Via Selective Phosphorylation

An improved, three-step synthesis of cytidine diphosphate choline (CDP-choline) from cytidine was achieved in 68% overall yield. Selective phosphorylation of cytidine was accomplished by the use of morpholinophosphodichloridate to give cytidine-5′-phosphomorpholide, which was condensed with choline phosphate chloride in the presence of a catalytic amount of H2SO4 to give CDP-choline. The intermediates and products could be efficiently purified by recrystallisation, thus avoiding the use of chromatography at all stages. The reaction could be scaled up to 200 g in 64% overall yield, making this route attractive for industrial application.

The Convenient Synthesis of Unsaturated Nucleoside Analogues in Water under Microwave Irradiation

A convenient method for the regioselective synthesis of unsaturated nucleoside analogs in water under microwave irradiation was developed. All pyrimidine and purine nucleoside derivatives were exclusively alkylated at N1 and N9 respectively in good to excellent yields. In addition, this system could tolerate a broad range of functional groups, such as chloro, bromo, iodo, alkyl, amino, and hydroxyl groups. More importantly, the reaction scale could be enlarged to 50 mmol which made this route attractive for industrial application.

The Synthesis of 2,6-Diamino-9-ß-D-Arabinofuranosylpurine from Vidarabine by the Selective Nitration and Ammonolysis

A practical synthesis of 2,6-diamino-9-β-D-arabinofuranosylpurine from the commercially available vidarabine is reported. Treatment of fully protected vidarabine with 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic anhydride and tetrabutylammonium nitrate introduced a –NO2 group in the C2 position in high yield. 2,6-Diamino-9-β-D-arabinofuranosylpurine was synthesised in three steps and 61% total yield after ammonolysis of the –NO2 accompanied by removal of the benzoyl groups.

Efficient Synthesis of Cladribine via the Metal-Free Deoxygenation

The efficient synthesis of cladribine via the metal-free deoxygenation was developed. Using (Bu4N)2S2O8/HCO2Na instead of Bu3SnH/AIBN as deoxygenation system, cladribine could be obtained with good yield and even on tens of grams scales. The intermediates and product could be purified by simple work-up process and chromatography was avoided, which showed the good future for industrial applications.

An efficient one pot regioselective synthesis of a 3,3'-spiro-phosphonylpyrazole-oxindole framework via base mediated [1,3]-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of the Bestmann-Ohira reagent with methyleneindolinones

A one pot, highly regioselective synthesis of racemic 3,3'-spiro-phosphonylpyrazole-oxindole by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an in situ generated anion of dialkyl 1-diazomethylphosphonate from the Bestmann-Ohira reagent (BOR) & methyleneindolinones has been developed. The synthesis affords the highly functionalized pyrazole scaffolds in good yields with excellent regioselectivity under mild reaction conditions within a short reaction time.

A Pd complex of a NNN pincer ligand supported on γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 as the first magnetically recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for C–P bond forming reactions

A Pd complex of the NNN pincer ligand supported on γ-Fe₂O₃@SiO₂ was used as a new catalyst for a phosphonation reaction.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of purine-fused polycyclics

A novel protocol for a Cu-catalyzed direct C((sp(2)))-H activation/intramolecular amination reaction of 6-anilinopurine nucleosides has been developed. This approach provides a new access to a variety of multiheterocyclic compounds from purine compounds via Cu-catalyzed intramolecular N-H bond tautomerism which are endowed with fluorescence.

An efficient microwave-assisted synthesis and biological properties of polysubstituted pyrimidinyl- and 1,3,5-triazinylphosphonic acids

Polysubstituted pyrimidinylphosphonic and 1,3,5-triazinylphosphonic acids with potential biological properties were prepared in high yields by the microwave-assisted Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction of trialkyl phosphite with the corresponding halopyrimidines and halo-1,3,5-triazines, respectively, followed by the standard deprotection of the phosphonate group using TMSBr in acetonitrile. 4,6-Diamino-5-chloropyrimidin-2-ylphosphonic acid (7a) was found to exhibit a weak to moderate anti-influenza activity (28-50 μM) and may represent a novel hit for further SAR studies and antiviral improvement.

Synthesis of purine modified 2'-C-methyl nucleosides as potential anti-HCV agents

Based on the anti-hepatitis C activity of 2'-C-methyl-adenosine and 2'-C-methyl-guanosine, a series of new modified purine 2'-C-methyl nucleosides was prepared as potential anti-hepatitis C virus agents. Herein, we report the synthesis of both 6-modified and 2-modified purine 2'-C-methyl-nucleosides along with their anti-HCV replication activity and cytotoxicity in different cells.

Microwave-assisted syntheses of nucleosides and their precursors

In recent decades, nucleosides analogs have been the cornerstone in the treatment of various diseases, such as AIDS, herpes and hepatitis. More than 40 modified nucleosides are officially approved by the US FDA and represent the major compound class for inhibition of viral replication. By comparison with traditional conditions, microwave irradiation offers a powerful tool that can increase yields and decrease reaction time, with simple manipulation and an environmentally friendly way. Here, we report the latest progress in nucleoside synthesis using microwave irradiation.

CuBr catalyzed C-N cross coupling reaction of purines and diaryliodonium salts to 9-arylpurines

CuBr was found to be an efficient catalyst for the C-N cross coupling reaction of purine and diaryliodonium salts. 9-Arylpurines were synthesized in excellent yields with short reaction times (2.5 h). The method represents an alternative to the synthesis of 9-arylpurines via Cu(II) catalyzed C-N coupling reaction with arylboronic acids as arylating agents.

Microwave promoted C6-alkylation of purines through S(N)Ar-based reaction of 6-chloropurines with 3-alkyl-acetylacetone

C6-Alkylated purine analogues were obtained in good to excellent isolated yields by S(N)Ar reaction of 6-chloropurine derivatives with 3-alkyl-acetylacetone. 3-Alkyl-acetylacetones were employed as alkylating agents and C6-alkylated purines were obtained highly selectively within short reaction time under microwave irradiation conditions. This work is complementary to the classical coupling reactions for the synthesis of C6-alkylated purine analogues.

Palladium-catalyzed C–H bond functionalization of C6-arylpurines

A highly regioselective Pd-catalyzed C_Ar–H bond activation method was developed for the modification of purines (nucleosides) with different functional groups by using purine as a directing group. This approach provides a new access to a variety of functionalized purines (nucleosides).

Phosphonylpyrazoles from Bestmann-Ohira reagent and nitroalkenes: synthesis and dynamic NMR studies

Application of diethyl 1-diazo-2-oxopropylphosphonate (Bestmann-Ohira reagent) as a cycloaddition partner with nitroalkenes has been extensively investigated. Base-mediated reaction of the Bestmann-Ohira reagent with various nitroalkenes such as beta-substituted, alpha,beta-disubstituted, and nitroethylene that are part of a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring provided functionalized phosphonylpyrazoles through a one-pot regioselective reaction at room temperature in high yield. The substituted nitroalkenes employed in these reactions also included Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of conjugated nitroalkenes with various electrophiles. Detailed dynamic NMR studies were performed on the prototropic tautomerism exhibited by the phosphonylpyrazoles using CDCl(3) and DMSO-d(6) as solvents and (1)H and (31)P as the probe nuclei. These studies unraveled the existence of two tautomers in solution with a small energy difference but considerable barrier to interconversion.

Expeditious synthesis and biological evaluation of new C-6 1,2,3-triazole adenosine derivatives A1 receptor antagonists or agonists

The synthesis of new C-6 1,2,3-triazole adenosine derivatives via microwave assisted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as key step is described. The binding on membranes of cells that over express A(1) adenosine receptors (A(1)AR) was also evaluated. Among them, four compounds increased cAMP production, in a dose-dependent manner acting as antagonists of the A(1)AR, while two compounds act as agonists.