Discovery of JAK2/3 Inhibitors from Quinoxalinone-Containing Compounds

Janus kinases (JAKs) are involved in a wide variety of cell signaling associated with T-cell and B-cell mediated diseases. The pathogenesis of common lymphoid-derived diseases and leukemia cancer has been implicated in JAK2 and JAK3. Therefore, to decrease the risk of these diseases, targeting this pathway using JAK2/3 inhibitors could serve as a valuable research tool. Herein, we used a combination of the computational and biological approaches to identify the quinoxalinone-based dual inhibitors of JAK2/3. First, an in-house library of 49 quinoxalinones was screened by molecular docking. Then, the inhibitory activities of 17 screened compounds against both JAKs as well as against two human erythroleukemia cell lines, TF1 and HEL were examined. The obtained results revealed that several quinoxalinones could potentially inhibit JAK2/3, and among them, ST4j showed strong inhibition against JAKs with the IC₅₀ values of 13.00 ± 1.31 nM for JAK2 and 14.86 ± 1.29 nM for JAK3, which are better than ruxolitinib and tofacitinib. In addition, ST4j potentially inhibited TF1 cells (IC₅₀ of 15.53 ± 0.82 μM) and HEL cells (IC₅₀ of 17.90 ± 1.36 μM), similar to both tofacitinib ruxolitinib. Mechanistically, ST4j inhibited JAK2 autophosphorylation and induced cell apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manners. From molecular dynamics simulations, ST4j was mainly stabilized by van der Waals interactions, and its hydroxyl group could form hydrogen bonds in the hinge region at residues S936 and R938 of JAK2. This research highlights the potential of ST4j to be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of lymphoid-derived diseases and leukemia cancer.

Synthesis and Transformations of NH-Sulfoximines

Recent years have seen a marked increase in the occurrence of sulfoximines in the chemical sciences, often presented as valuable motifs for medicinal chemistry. This has been prompted by both pioneering works taking sulfoximine containing compounds into clinical trials and the concurrent development of powerful synthetic methods. This review covers recent developments in the synthesis of sulfoximines concentrating on developments since 2015. This includes extensive developments in both S-N and S-C bond formations. Flow chemistry processes for sulfoximine synthesis are also covered. Finally, subsequent transformations of sulfoximines, particularly in N-functionalization are reviewed, including N-S, N-P, N-C bond forming processes and cyclization reactions.

Photoinitiated decarboxylative C3-difluoroarylmethylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with potassium 2,2-difluoro-2-arylacetates in water

An efficient and green strategy for the preparation of C3-difluoroarylmethylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-one via a visible-light-induced decarboxylative C3-difluoroarylmethylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-one with potassium 2,2-difluoro-2-arylacetate in water at room temperature was developed. This photoinduced reaction generated the desired products in good yields under simple and mild conditions.

Metal-free C3–H acylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with α-oxo-carboxylic acids

Direct C3–H acylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with α-oxocarboxylic acids under thermo conditions promoted by PIDA has been achieved in a moderate to good yield in a very fast manner.

The recent advances in K2S2O8-mediated cyclization/coupling reactions via an oxidative transformation

Recently the K₂S₂O₈ mediated cyclization/coupling reactions to construct carbon–carbon/carbon–heteroatom bond via oxidative transformation is became much interesting in organic synthesis.

tert-Butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) mediated oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with 4-hydroxycoumarins, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone under metal-free conditions

We report an efficient and atom-economical method of C-3 functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with 4-hydroxycoumarins, 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone, and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone via the free radical cross-coupling pathway under metal-free conditions. tert-Butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) smoothly promotes the reaction furnishing the cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) products in very good to excellent yields. The protocol neither uses any toxic reagents nor metal catalysts to carry out the reaction, and all the products have been obtained without column chromatography purification. Different radical trapping experiments with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, butylated hydroxytoluene, and diphenyl ethylene confirm the involvement of radicals.

Facile synthesis of N-1,2,4-oxadiazole substituted sulfoximines from N-cyano sulfoximines

A divergent approach has been successfully developed for the synthesis of N-1,2,4-oxadiazole substituted sulfoximines starting from N-cyano sulfoximines. This method has a wide degree of substrate scope that includes aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, fluoroalkyl and saturated heterocyclic compounds. Excellent functional group tolerability was also observed. Extension of this methodology to nucleosides, amino acids and dipeptides was found to be successful. A gram scale reaction was also established. The major part of this method is metal free and the utility of environmentally friendly solvents such as 2-methyl THF and ionic liquids is an added advantage.

Recent advances in the direct functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

The direct C3-functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via C-H bond activation has recently attracted considerable attention, due to their diverse biological activities and chemical properties. This review will focus on the recent achievements, mainly including arylation, alkylation, acylation, alkoxycarbonylation, amination, amidation and phosphonation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones. Their mechanisms are also discussed.

Construction of C(sp2 )-C(sp3 ) Bond between Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and N-Hydroxyphthalimide Esters via Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Coupling

A novel visible-light-driven decarboxylative coupling of alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters (NHP esters) with quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been developed. This C(sp² )-C(sp³ ) bond-forming transformation exhibits excellent substrate generality with respect to both the coupling partners. Of note, a series of 3-primary alkyl-substituted quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones that were difficult to synthesize by previous methods could be obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Additionally, the mild conditions, easy availability of substrates, wide functional group tolerance and operational simplicity make this protocol practical in the synthesis of 3-alkylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones.

Metal-free regioselective direct thiolation of 2-pyridones

A highly regioselective metal-free direct C-H thiolation of 2-pyridones with disulfides or thiols has been developed. A combination of persulfate and a commercially available halide source such as LiCl, NCS or I₂ enables the successful direct incorporation of a sulfide moiety into the 5-position of pyridone under mild conditions, providing a useful and convenient approach for the preparation of a diverse array of 5-thio-substituted pyridones in moderate to excellent yields.

Visible-light induced decarboxylative alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones at the C3-position

3-Alkylquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones are synthesized via direct alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones at the C3 position under visible light irradiation.

Potassium Persulfate‐Promoted N‐Nitrosation of Secondary and Tertiary Amines with Nitromethane under Mild Conditions

A simple and efficient route for the N‐nitrosation of various secondary amines with nitromethane is described in the presence of potassium persulfate and DBU. Under optimized condition, tertiary amines underwent a dealkylative N‐nitrosation with good yields. Inexpensive reagents, broad substrate scope and efficient conversion make the current protocol more attractive in organic synthesis.

Copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alcohols: access to hydroxyalkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of hydroxyl-containing quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been developed via the copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with alcohols with moderate to good yields.

Metal-free direct oxidative C–C bond coupling of pyrazolones and quinoxalinones

An efficient oxidative dehydrogenative coupling of quinoxalinones and pyrazolones has been successfully developed using a readily available persulfate oxidant. This protocol provides facile access to a wide array of hydroxy-pyrazolyl quinoxalinones in good to excellent yields.