Synthesis and pharmacological activities of azo dye derivatives incorporating heterocyclic scaffolds: a review

Nowadays, there is significant interest in the synthesis of heterocycle-incorporated azo dye derivatives as potential scaffolds in the pharmaceutical sector. The pharmaceutical or drug industries need a simplistic synthesis approach that can afford a wide range of azo dye derivatives. The incorporation of the heterocyclic moiety into the azo dye scaffold has improved the bioactive properties of the target derivatives. The various biological and pharmacological applications of drugs such as anti-fungal, anti-tuberculosis, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, DNA binding, and analgesic properties can be easily tuned by introducing heterocyclic moieties. To date, continuous efforts are being made in the search for more potent, new, and safe synthetic methodologies for azo dye derivatives. This review presents a brief discussion of the facile synthetic approaches and the relevance of the title compound and its derivatives towards various biological activities. Thus, the synthesis of azo dye derivatives incorporating heterocyclic scaffolds such as imidazole, pyrazole, thiazole, oxazolone, thiophene, pyrrole, benzothiazole and quinoline moieties and their pharmacological applications are discussed briefly.

Nowadays, there is significant interest in the synthesis of heterocycle-incorporated azo dye derivatives as potential scaffolds in the pharmaceutical sector.

Recent Applications of Azo Dyes: A Paradigm Shift from Medicinal Chemistry to Biomedical Sciences

Azo molecules possess the characteristic azo bond (-N=N-) and are considered fascinating motifs in organic chemistry. Since the last century, these brightly colored compounds have been widely employed as dyes across several industries in applications for printing, food, paper, cosmetics, lasers, electronics, optics, material sciences, etc. The discovery of Prontosil, an antibacterial drug, propelled azo compounds into the limelight in the field of medicinal chemistry. Subsequent discoveries including Phenazopyridine, Basalazide, and Sulfasalazine enabled azo compounds to occupy a significant role in the drug market. Furthermore, azo compounds have been employed as antibacterial, antimalarial, antifungal, antioxidant, as well as antiviral agents. The metabolic degradation of many azo dyes can induce liver problems if ingested, posing a safety concern and limiting their application as azo dyes in medicinal chemistry. However, azo dyes remain particularly significant for applications in cancer chemotherapy. Recently, a paradigm shift has been observed in the use of azo dyes: from medicinal chemistry to biomedical sciences. The latter benefits from azo dye application are related to imaging, drug delivery, photo-pharmacology and photo switching. Herein, we have compiled and discussed recent works on azo dye compounds obtained so far, focusing on their medicinal importance and future prospects.

Green Synthesis of 3-Substituted-4-arylmethylideneisoxazol-5(4H)-one Derivatives Catalyzed by Salicylic Acid

Background:

4-Arylmethylideneisoxazol-5(4H)-ones are a class of organic compounds with a variety of applications in the agriculture, filter dyes, photonic devices, and pharmaceutical industries. They are also used as synthetic precursors for the synthesis of other organic compounds. As a result, efforts are being made to search new and available catalyst and green methods toward their synthesis.

Objective:

The aim of this work is to investigate the catalytic activity of salicylic acid as an inexpensive, easy to handle, and safe catalyst to synthesis of some derivatives of isoxazole-5(4H)-ones in water medium.

Methods:

To aqueous solution of equal amounts of aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes, β-ketoesters, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride; salicylic acid (15 mol%) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for a specified periods. The precipitated product was filtered and washed with water to obtain 3-substituted-4-arylmethylideneisoxazol-5(4H)-ones. The reaction conditions were also optimized and extended to synthesis other isoxazol-5(4H)-ones.

Results:

The salicylic acid is found to possess acceptable catalytic activity for the promotion of three-component cyclocondensation of aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes, β-ketoesters, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The three-component reaction led to construction of 3-substituted-4-arylmethylideneisoxazol- 5(4H)-ones in good to high isolated reaction yields.

Conclusion:

The efficient and environmental friendliness procedure for the synthesis of isoxazol- 5(4H)-ones is introduced. The reaction also carried out smoothly in water as a cost-effective, simple, green, and non-toxic solvent at room temperature without using heating, microwave, and ultrasound sources.