Syntheses of Carbazoles by Photosensitized Electrocyclization of Triarylamines. Effect of Inductive Electron-Withdrawing Groups on the Photocyclization

The acetone-sensitized [6π]-electrocyclization of unsubstituted, mono-, and disubstituted triarylamines (TAAs: substituents H, CH₃, CH₃O, Cl, CnF₂n+1; n=1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10) under 310 nm light led to the formation of endo- and exo-carbazoles in high yields; particularly, TAAs substituted with inductive electron-withdrawing groups (Cl, CnF2n+1) exhibit remarkable endo-selectivity towards cyclization. For TAAs substituted with both inductive electron- withdrawing and donating groups, the photocyclization towards endo carbazoles is dictated by the presence of the electron-withdrawing groups. Chemical yields (%), quantum yields of conversion (φR), apparent cyclization rate constants (kcyc), and Hammett plots correlations are illustrated for all substituted TAAs in acetone. Photophysical studies reveal that TAAs substituted with resonance electron-withdrawing groups (OAc, NO2, CHO) do not undergo electrocyclization in acetone at 310 nm due to formation of charge-transfer states that vastly deactivate the triplet reactive manifold, paralleling the behavior observed in MeCN as solvent. Absorption and emission spectra, Stokes shifts, and singlet excited state energies are illustrated for substituted TAAs and carbazoles. In-silico studies support the high stereoselectivity observed for the preferred endo- photosensitized [6π]-electrocyclization of Cl- and perfluoroalkyl-substituted TAAs.

5,8-Dimethyl-9H-carbazole Derivatives Blocking hTopo I Activity and Actin Dynamics

Over the years, carbazoles have been largely studied for their numerous biological properties, including antibacterial, antimalarial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anticancer, and many more. Some of them have gained great interest for their anticancer activity in breast cancer due to their capability in inhibiting essential DNA-dependent enzymes, namely topoisomerases I and II. With this in mind, we studied the anticancer activity of a series of carbazole derivatives against two breast cancer cell lines, namely the triple negative MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Compounds 3 and 4 were found to be the most active towards the MDA-MB-231 cell line without interfering with the normal counterpart. Using docking simulations, we assessed the ability of these carbazole derivatives to bind human topoisomerases I and II and actin. In vitro specific assays confirmed that the lead compounds selectively inhibited the human topoisomerase I and interfered with the normal organization of the actin system, triggering apoptosis as a final effect. Thus, compounds 3 and 4 are strong candidates for further drug development in multi-targeted therapy for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer, for which safe therapeutic regimens are not yet available.

Potential PDE4B inhibitors as promising candidates against SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an RNA virus belonging to the coronavirus family responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It primarily affects the pulmonary system, which is the target of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for which many new compounds have been developed. In this study, phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are being investigated. The inhibition of PDE4 enzyme produces anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects in the lung by inducing an increase in cAMP concentrations. Piclamilast and rolipram are known selective inhibitors of PDE4, which are unfortunately endowed with common side effects, such as nausea and emesis. The selective inhibition of the phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) subtype may represent an intriguing technique for combating this highly contagious disease with fewer side effects. In this article, molecular docking studies for the selective inhibition of the PDE4B enzyme have been carried out on 21 in-house compounds. The compounds were docked into the pocket of the PDE4B catalytic site, and in most cases, they were almost completely superimposed onto piclamilast. Then, in order to enlarge our study, drug-likeness prediction studies were performed on the compounds under study.

Carbazole Derivatives as STAT Inhibitors: An Overview

The carbazole class is made up of heterocyclically structured compounds first isolated from coal tar. Their structural motif is preponderant in different synthetic materials and naturally occurring alkaloids extracted from the taxonomically related higher plants of the genus Murraya, Glycosmis, and Clausena from the Rutaceae family. Concerning the biological activity of these compounds, many research groups have assessed their antiproliferative action of carbazoles on different types of tumoral cells, such as breast, cervical, ovarian, hepatic, oral cavity, and small-cell lung cancer, and underlined their potential effects against psoriasis. One of the principal mechanisms likely involved in these effects is the ability of carbazoles to target the JAK/STATs pathway, considered essential for cell differentiation, proliferation, development, apoptosis, and inflammation. In this review, we report the studies carried out, over the years, useful to synthesize compounds with carbazole moiety designed to target these kinds of kinases.

3-(Dipropylamino)-5-hydroxybenzofuro[2,3-f]quinazolin-1(2H)-one (DPA-HBFQ-1) plays an inhibitory role on breast cancer cell growth and progression

A series of unknown 3-(alkyl(dialkyl)amino)benzofuro[2,3-f]quinazolin-1(2H)-ones 4-17 has been synthesized as new ellipticine analogs, in which the carbazole moiety and the pyridine ring were replaced by a dibenzofuran residue and a pyrimidine ring, respectively. The synthesis of these benzofuroquinazolinones 4-17 was performed in a simple one-pot reaction using 3-aminodibenzofuran or its 2-methoxy derivative, as starting materials. From 3-(dipropylamino)-5-methoxybenzofuro[2,3-f] quinazolin-1(2H)-one (13), we prepared 3-(dipropylamino)-5-hydroxybenzofuro[2,3-f]quinazolin-1(2H)-one (18), referred to as DPA-HBFQ-1. The cytotoxic activities of all the synthesized compounds, tested in different human breast cancer cell lines, revealed that DPA-HBFQ-1 was the most active compound. In particular, the latter was able to inhibit anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth and to induce apoptosis in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-positive and -negative breast cancer cells. It did not affect proliferation and apoptotic responses in MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells. The observed effects have been ascribed to an enhanced p21(Cip1/WAF1) expression in a p53-dependent manner of tumor suppressor and to a selective inhibition of human topoisomerase II. In addition, DPA-HBFQ-1 exerted growth inhibitory effects also in other cancer cell lines, even though with a lower cytotoxic activity. Our results indicate DPA-HBFQ-1 as a good candidate to be useful as cancer therapeutic agent, particularly for breast cancer.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrano[3,2-c]carbazole derivatives as anti-tumor agents inducing apoptosis via tubulin polymerization inhibition

A series of novel pyrano[3,2-c]carbazole derivatives have been synthesized and antiproliferative activity of the derivatives were investigated on various cancer cell lines.

C7-derivatization of C3-alkylindoles including tryptophans and tryptamines

A versatile strategy for C7-selective boronation of tryptophans, tryptamines, and 3-alkylindoles by way of a single-pot C2/C7-diboronation-C2-protodeboronation sequence is described. The combination of a mild iridium-catalyzed C2/C7-diboronation followed by an in situ palladium-catalyzed C2-protodeboronation allows efficient entry to valuable C7-boroindoles that enable further C7-derivatization. The versatility of the chemistry is highlighted by the gram-scale synthesis of C7-boronated N-Boc-L-tryptophan methyl ester and the rapid synthesis of C7-halo, C7-hydroxy, and C7-aryl tryptophan derivatives.

N-alkyl carbazole derivatives as new tools for Alzheimer's disease: preliminary studies

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and age-related neurodegenerative disorder affecting brain cells and is the most common form of "dementia", because of the cognitive detriment which takes place. Neuronal disruption represents its major feature, due to the cytosolic accumulation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) which leads to senile plaques formation and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Many studies have focused on the design and therapeutic use of new molecules able to inhibit Aβ aggregation. In this context, we evaluated the ability of two recently synthesized series of N-alkyl carbazole derivatives to increase the Aβ soluble forms, through molecular docking simulations and in vitro experiments. Our data evidenced that two carbazole derivatives, the most active, adopt distinct binding modes involving key residues for Aβ fibrillization. They exhibit a good interfering activity on Aβ aggregation in mouse (N2a) cells, stably expressing wild-type human amyloid precursor protein (APP) 695. These preliminary results are promising and we are confident that the N-alkyl carbazole derivatives may encourage next future studies needed for enlarging the knowledge about the AD disease approach.

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) for carbazole derivative release in targeted cancer therapy

Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MMIPs) are synthesized with the aim to prepare novel devices for 9H-carbazole derivative sustained delivery in targeted cancer therapy.

Synthesis and evaluation of cytotoxic activities of new guanidines derived from carbazoles

Several new alkylguanidines derived from carbazole have been synthesized in a simple one-pot reaction starting from 3-aminocarbazole derivatives. The aminocarbazoles were reacted with ethoxycarbonylisothiocyanate, to give thiourea intermediates, followed by the addition of an alkylamine and HgCl2 to give ethoxycarbonylguanidine intermediates. The reaction mixture was then heated at 160 °C to give the N-(1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)-N'-alkylguanidines. The cytotoxic activity of all the synthesized guanidines was evaluated against different cell lines.

Using halo (het) arylboronic species to achieve synthesis of foldamers as protein–protein interaction disruptors

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) play a central role in all biological processes and have been the focus of intense investigations from structural molecular biology to cell biology for the majority of the last two decades and, more recently, are emerging as important targets for pharmaceuticals. A common motif found at the interface of PPIs is the α-helix, and apart from the peptidic structures, numerous nonpeptidic small molecules have been developed to mimic α-helices. The first-generation terphenyl scaffold is able to successfully mimic key helix residues and disrupt relevant interactions, including Bcl-xL-Bak interactions that are implicated in apoptosis mechanism. These scaffolds were designed and evaluated in silico. Analysis revealed that substituents on aromatic scaffolds can efficiently mimic side-chain surfaces. Unfortunately, the literature describes a long and difficult procedure to access these aromatic-based scaffolds. The search for new simpler methodology is the aim of the research of our medicinal chemistry team. On the basis of structural requirements, we developed a program concerning the synthesis of new oligo(het)aryl scaffolds produced by iterative couplings of boronic species (garlanding) in which substituents on rings project functionality in spatial orientations that mimic residues of an α-helix.

Copper-mediated domino synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]carbazolones via Ullmann N-arylation and aerobic oxidative C-H amidation

New pyrimido[4,5-b]carbazolone derivatives have been synthesized through cascade Ullmann N-arylation and aerobic oxidative C-H amidation reactions catalyzed by CuBr under air and ligand-free conditions.

tert-Butyl 6-bromo-1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazole-9-carboxyl-ate

The title compound, C₁₉H₂₀BrNO₂, consists of a carbazole skeleton with methyl groups at positions 1 and 4, a protecting group located at the N atom and a Br atom at position 6. The pyrrole ring is oriented at dihedral angles of 1.27 (7) and 4.86 (7)° with respect to the adjacent benzene rings. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 5.11 (7). The crystal structure is determined mainly by intra­molecular C—H⋯O and inter­molecular π–π inter­actions. π-stacking between adjacent molecules forms columns with a parallel arrangement of the carbazole ring systems. The presence of the tert-but­oxy­carbonyl group on the carbazole N atom and the intra­molecular hydrogen bond induce a particular conformation of the exocyclic N—C bond within the mol­ecule.

Efficient and simple synthesis of 6-aryl-1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazoles

A synthetic method for the preparation of 6-aryl-1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazoles involving a palladium catalyzed coupling reaction of 1,4-dimethyl-9H-carbazole-6-boronic acids and (hetero)aryl halides is described.