Development of a Polo-like Kinase-1 Polo-Box Domain Inhibitor as a Tumor Growth Suppressor in Mice Models

Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) plays a key role in mitosis and has been identified as an attractive anticancer drug target. Plk1 consists of two drug-targeting sites, namely, N-terminal kinase domain (KD) and C-terminal polo-box domain (PBD). As KD-targeting inhibitors are associated with severe side effects, here we report on the pyrazole-based Plk1 PBD inhibitor, KBJK557, which showed a remarkable in vitro anticancer effect by inducing Plk1 delocalization, mitotic arrest, and apoptosis in HeLa cells. Further, in vivo optical imaging analysis and antitumorigenic activities in mouse xenograft models demonstrate that KBJK557 preferentially accumulates in cancer cells and selectively inhibits cancer cell proliferation. Pharmacokinetic profiles and partition coefficients suggest that KBJK557 was exposed in the blood and circulated through the organs with an intermediate level of clearance (t1/2, 7.73 h). The present investigation offers a strategy for specifically targeting cancer using a newly identified small-molecule inhibitor that targets the Plk1 PBD.

Microwave Irradiation Assists the Synthesis of a Novel Series of bis-Arm s-Triazine Oxy-Schiff Base and Oxybenzylidene Barbiturate Derivatives

A novel series of s-triazines incorporating 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde was prepared and fully characterized. The reaction was carried out via stepwise nucleophilic aromatic substitution of chlorine atoms in cyanuric chloride. The first chlorine was substituted by different amines (morpholine, piperidine, or diethylamine) to afford 2,4-dichloro-6-substituted-1,3,5-triazine. The second and third chlorines were substituted by benzaldehyde derivatives in the presence of Na₂CO₃ as a HCl scavenger to afford the target products: s-triazine oxyaldehyde derivatives (dipodal). The dipodal derivatives were reacted with acid hydrazide, hydralazine, barbituric, or thiobarbituric acid derivatives using conventional heating or microwave irradiation to afford the di-arm s-triazine oxy-Schiff base and oxybenzylidene barbiturate derivatives in good yields. Microwave irradiation done in less solvent afforded the target product in less reaction time with good yield and purity. These types of derivatives might have special interest in coordination and medicinal chemistry.

3D-QSAR Studies on Barbituric Acid Derivatives as Urease Inhibitors and the Effect of Charges on the Quality of a Model

Urease enzyme (EC 3.5.1.5) has been determined as a virulence factor in pathogenic microorganisms that are accountable for the development of different diseases in humans and animals. In continuance of our earlier study on the helicobacter pylori urease inhibition by barbituric acid derivatives, 3D-QSAR (three dimensional quantitative structural activity relationship) advance studies were performed by Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) methods. Different partial charges were calculated to examine their consequences on the predictive ability of the developed models. The finest developed model for CoMFA and CoMSIA were achieved by using MMFF94 charges. The developed CoMFA model gives significant results with cross-validation (q²) value of 0.597 and correlation coefficients (r²) of 0.897. Moreover, five different fields i.e., steric, electrostatic, and hydrophobic, H-bond acceptor and H-bond donors were used to produce a CoMSIA model, with q² and r² of 0.602 and 0.98, respectively. The generated models were further validated by using an external test set. Both models display good predictive power with r²pred ≥ 0.8. The analysis of obtained CoMFA and CoMSIA contour maps provided detailed insight for the promising modification of the barbituric acid derivatives with an enhanced biological activity.

A greener, efficient approach to Michael addition of barbituric acid to nitroalkene in aqueous diethylamine medium

An efficient method for the synthesis of a variety of pyrimidine derivatives 3a–t by reaction of barbituric acids 1a,b as Michael donor with nitroalkenes 2a–k as Michael acceptor using an aqueous medium and diethylamine is described. This 1,4-addition strategy offers several advantages, such as using an economic and environmentally benign reaction media, high yields, versatility, and shorter reaction times. The synthesized compounds were identified by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, CHN, IR, and MS. The structure of compound 3a was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure determination.

Antibacterial, antiurease, and antioxidant activities of some arylidene barbiturates

Some series of arylidene barbiturates and thiobarbiturates were evaluated for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and urease inhibition activities. The arylidene barbiturates and thiobarbiturates were tested for antimicrobial activity using the agar well diffusion technique against 13 bacteria. The synthesized compounds (1a-g) were screened for antiurease and antioxidant activities. The results showed that the synthesized compounds (1a-g) had effective antiurease, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities.

Novel substituted (Z)-5-((N-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)imidazolidine-2,4-diones and 5-((N-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-triones as potent radio-sensitizing agents

A series of (Z)-5-((N-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (9a-9m) and 5-((N-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (10a-10i) derivatives that incorporate a variety of aromatic substituents in both the indole and N-benzyl moieties have been synthesized. These analogs were evaluated for their radiosensitization activity against the HT-29 cell line. Three analogs, 10a, 10b, and 10c were identified as the most potent radiosensitizing agents.

A convenient method for the preparation of barbituric and thiobarbituric acid transition metal complexes

A convenient method for the preparation of barbiturate transition metal complexes: (i) Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions with barbituric acid (H(2)L) and (ii) Cr(3+) and Mo(5+) with 2-thiobarbituric acid (H(2)L') was reported and this has enabled seven complexes to be formulated as: [Cr(HL)(2)(OH)(H(2)O)].H(2)O, [Mn(HL)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], [Fe(2)(L)(OH)(3)(H(2)O)(4)].2H(2)O, [Zn(HL)(2)], [Cd(HL)(2)], [Cr(HL')(OH)(2)(H(2)O)].H(2)O and [Mo(HL')(2)]Cl. These new barbiturate complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic measurements, spectral methods (mid infrared, (1)H NMR, mass, X-ray powder diffraction and UV/vis spectra) and simultaneous thermal analysis (TG and DTG) techniques. The molar conductance measurements proved that, all complexes of barbituric and 2-thiobarbituric acids are non-electrolytes except for [Mo(HL')(2)]Cl. The electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements were used to infer the structures. The IR spectra of the ligands and their complexes are used to identify the mode of coordination. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as: E, DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG are estimated according to the DTG curves. The two ligands and their complexes have been studied for their possible biological antifungal activity.

Three-Component, One-Pot Sequential Synthesis ofN-Aryl,N‘-Alkyl Barbiturates§

[reaction: see text] Condensation between N-alkyl, N'-aryl carbodiimides and malonic acid monoesters leads to a high-yield formation of N-acyl urea derivatives that could be cyclized to C-monosubstituted barbiturates by addition of a suitable base in a one-pot sequential fashion. In the presence of an electrophile, the last step gives rise to a one-pot, three-component sequential synthesis of fully substituted barbiturates.

Discovery of low nanomolar non-hydroxamate inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE)

Using a pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione motif as a zinc-binding group, a series of selective inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) was discovered. Optimization of initial lead 1 resulted in a potent inhibitor (51), with an IC(50) of 2 nM in a porcine TACE assay. To the best of our knowledge, compound 51 and related analogues represent first examples of non-hydroxamate-based inhibitors of TACE with single digit nanomolar potency.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of some potential thiazolidinonyl 2-oxo/thiobarbituric acids

A series of 5-[(N-substituted benzylidenylimino)amino]-2-oxo/thiobarbituric acids (3a-3h) have been synthesized by the condensation of 5-hydrazino-2-oxo/thiobarbituric acids (2a-2b) with various aromatic aldehydes. Cycloaddition of thioglycolic acid to 3a-3h, yielded 5-[(2'-substituted phenyl-4'-oxothiazolidin-3'-yl)amino]-2-oxo/thiobarbituric acids (4a-4h). All these compounds were screened, in vivo, for their anticonvulsant activity and acute toxicity studies. Compounds 4f and 4g were found to be most potent compounds of this series and were compared with the reference drugs, phenytoin sodium, lamotrigine and sodium valproate. The structures of these compounds have been established by IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopic data.

Ascorbate-mediated Iron Release from Ferritin in the Presence of Alloxan

Release of iron from ferritin requires reduction of ferric to ferrous iron. The iron can participate in the diabetogenic action of alloxan. We investigated the ability of ascorbate to catalyze the release of iron from ferritin in the presence of alloxan. Incubation of ferritin with ascorbate alone elicited iron release (33 nmol/10 min) and the generation of ascorbate free radical, suggesting a direct role for ascorbate in iron reduction. Iron release by ascorbate significantly increased in the presence of alloxan, but alloxan alone was unable to release measurable amounts of iron from ferritin. Superoxide dismutase significantly inhibited ascorbate-mediated iron release in the presence of alloxan, whereas catalase did not. The amount of alloxan radical (A.(-)) generated in reaction systems containing both ascorbate and alloxan decreased significantly upon addition of ferritin, suggesting that A.(-) is directly involved in iron reduction. Although release of iron from ferritin and generation of A.(-) were also observed in reactions containing GSH and alloxan, the amount of iron released in these reactions was not totally dependent on the amount of A.(-) present, suggesting that other reductants in addition to A.(-) (such as dialuric acid) may be involved in iron release mediated by GSH and alloxan. These results suggest that A.(-) is the main reductant involved in ascorbate-mediated iron release from ferritin in the presence of alloxan and that both dialuric acid and A.(-) contribute to GSH/alloxan-mediated iron release.

Sequential one-pot bimetallic Ir(iii)/Pd(0) catalysed mono-/bis-alkylation and spirocyclisation processes of 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid and allenes

Microwave assisted indirect functionalization of alcohols with 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid followed by spirocyclisation employing a sequential one-pot Ir(III)/Pd(0) catalysed process, involving the formation of three new C-C bonds, one spirocyclic ring and one di- or tri-substituted exocyclic alkene, is described.

C-5-Disubstituted Barbiturates as Potential Molecular Probes for Noninvasive Matrix Metalloproteinase Imaging

Studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between inflammation, metastasis, or atherosclerosis and the unbalanced or culminated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The molecular imaging of locally upregulated MMP activity in vivo is a clinical challenge. Actually, radioligands based on nonpeptidyl MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) are currently in development as putative radiopharmaceutical agents for the noninvasive in vivo assessment of activated MMPs. Nonpeptidyl MMPIs bind to the zinc active site of the activated enzyme via mono- (e.g. carboxylate) or bidentate (e.g. hydroxamate) complexation thereby exhibiting a broad-spectrum MMP binding potency. Thus, these mentioned endopeptidase inhibitors should be useable lead compounds for the redevelopment as diagnostic MMPI radiotracers. Recently, the non-hydroxamate C-5-disubstituted pyrimidine-2,4,6-triones were disclosed as subgroup-selective MMP inhibitors. We here describe a set of fine-tuned barbiturates as a new class of MMPI radiotracers for the noninvasive in vivo visualization of activated MMPs using scintigraphic techniques such as SPECT or PET.

Spiro-annulation of barbituric acid derivatives and its analogs by ring-closing metathesis reaction

Barbituric acid 1 and related beta-dicarbonyl compounds were dialkenylated under the phase-transfer catalyst [e.g., benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTEAC)] conditions to generate the diallylated products. These diallylated products were subjected to the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction to deliver the corresponding spiro-annulated derivatives.

Structure-based design of potent and selective inhibitors of collagenase-3 (MMP-13)

Computer aided drug design led to a new class of spiro-barbiturates (e.g., 4a, MMP-13 K(i)=4.7 nM) that are potent inhibitors of MMP-13.

[Studies on the structure-activity relationship of allyl substituted oxopyrimidines searching for the novel antagonist or agonist of barbiturates to the sleep mechanism based on the uridine receptor theory--barbituric acid to uridine (part I)]

Thirty-six allyl substituted oxopyrimidine analogues such as barbituric acid (BA), barbiturates, uracil, thymine, and related derivatives including 13 new compounds were synthesized and their pharmacologic effects ([hypnotic activity, anticonvulsant activity against pentylentetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, and LD(50)]) and interactions with the barbiturates were evaluated in mice and rats. The results are briefly and parially summarized as follows. BA prolonged pentobarbital (PB)-induced sleep and had some central depressant effects. N,5,5-triallyl-BA exhibited some hypnotic and anticonvulsant activities, although the other 5,N-allyl-compounds did not show any activity except for allobarbital (AlloB). N-allyl-BA, 5-allyl-BA, N(1),N(3),5-triallyl-BA, N,5,5-triallyl-BA, and N(1),N(3),5,5-tetraallyl-BA also prolonged PB-induced sleep. Interestingly, N,5,5-triallyl-BA was the most potent in the interaction with AlloB, phenobarbital (PheB), amobarbital (AB), PB, and thiopental (TP) but not barbital (B). N(1),N(3),5,5-tetraallyl-BA prolonged AlloB-, PB-, and AB-induced sleep but not B-, PheB-, and TP-induced sleep. N(1),N(3),5-triallyl-B prolonged only PB- and TP-induced sleep. 5,5-diallyl-BA prolonged PheB- and TP-induced sleep. N,5-diallyl-BA prolonged only TP-induced sleep. In contrast, BA and N(1),N(3),5-triallyl-AB tended to antagonize AlloB, AB, and B. N(1),N(3),5,5-tetraallyl-BA also slightly antagonized B, PheB, and TP. 5,5-diallyl-BA antagonized only AB. The prolonging effects of BA, N,5,5-triallyl-BA, and N(1),N(3),5,5-tetraallyl-BA on PB-induced sleep were dose dependent. These results indicate that the position and number of allyl groups substituted on the structure of BA play an important role in their depressant activities. This review deals with the structure-activity relationship of allyl-substituted oxopyrimidines as part of our search for antagonists and agonists of barbiturates as well as their mechanisms of action.

Oxidation of 5-hydroxy-2'-deoxyuridine into isodialuric acid, dialuric acid, and hydantoin products

Oxidation products of cytosine, including 5-hydroxycytosine and 5-hydroxyuracil, are highly susceptible to subsequent oxidation. Here, the oxidation products of 5-hydroxy-2'-deoxyuridine have been studied by NMR and MS analyses. The initial products were diastereomers of isodialuric acid nucleoside. These products subsequently decomposed into corresponding dialuric acid derivatives at neutral pH. The position of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, at C5 and C6 for isodialuric acid and at C6 and C5 for dialuric acid derivatives, respectively, was determined by 1H- and 13C NMR analyses. In addition, these analyses revealed that the carbonyl groups of both isodaluric and dialuric acid derivatives exist in their fully hydrated form in aqueous solution. Finally, the dialuric acid derivatives were observed to undergo subsequent decomposition into the corresponding 5-hydroxyhydantoin derivatives. Studies of a trinucleotide containing 5-hydroxyuracil suggest that the reactions described herein for the monomer can be extrapolated to DNA.

The aminobarbituric acid-hydantoin rearrangement

A general synthesis protocol for the generation of tri- and tetrasubstituted 5-carbamoylhydantoins is described. Starting from barbituric acids and following bromination and reaction with primary amines, 5-aminobarbituric acids 3a-s and 8 were prepared. Compounds 3 and 8 were subjected to different conditions of a base-catalyzed rearrangement reaction to yield the 1,5,5-trisubstituted hydantoins 4a-s and the 1,3,5,5-tetrasubstituted hydantoin 5c, respectively. Alkylation of 4a-s afforded 1,3,5,5-tetrasubstituted hydantoins 5a-h. Mechanisms that explain the transformation of corresponding aminobarbituric acids to hydantoins 4a-s and 5c were discussed in terms of the formation of ring-opened intermediates. Aminobarbituric acids 3a-s unsubstituted at position 3 underwent a ring contraction via intermediate isocyanates which were trapped by the amino function. A different mechanism involving a carbamate intermediate was concluded for conversion of the 1,3,5,5-tetrasubstituted aminobarbituric acid 8.

Characterization of a series of far-red-absorbing thiobarbituric acid oxonol derivatives as fluorescent probes for biological applications

Chromophores that absorb in the far-red region of the spectrum are increasingly being utilized for applications in the biosciences. We have synthesized and evaluated a novel series of fluorescent oxonols based on thiobarbituric acids containing aryl and heteroaryl substituents. The novel chromophores possess narrow absorption spectra ( approximately 40-nm bandwidths), reasonable Stokes shifts ( approximately 25 nm), and quantum yields of up to 0.67 in organic solvents and 0.3 in aqueous solvents, with absorption wavelength maxima at 620-640 nm. The spectral properties of the compounds are sensitive to base and exhibit a loss of far-red absorbance that is concentration and time dependent. Derivatives have been synthesized that can be used for the labeling of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. The probes show environment sensitivity and the oligonucleotide conjugates sense the formation of duplex DNA. These novel far-red fluorophores have potential applications in diagnostic and research applications.

Barbituric acid initiated rearrangement of 2,2'-pyridil into 5,5'-(2-pyrilidine)bisbarbituric acid

[reaction: see text] In the study of the barbituric acid initiated 2,2'-pyridil rearrangement, a very efficient synthetic procedure (isolated yield 80-90%) for the preparation of useful 2-pyrilidenes 3 was developed.

Synthesis and properties of spiro nucleosides containing the barbituric acid moiety

The two chiral spiro nucleosides 4 and 5 containing the barbituric acid moiety were efficiently synthesized from optically pure precursors, and their properties were studied. The carbocyclic nucleoside 5 is considerably more stable against ring opening than the deoxyribosyl derivative 4. Both compounds present enhanced hydrogen bonding capacity with diacetyladenosine.

Synthesis of N-beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate derivatives of barbital, phenobarbital, metharbital, and mephobarbital

The synthesis and characterization of barbital, phenobarbital, metharbital, and mephobarbital glucuronides is reported. The condensation of per(trimethylsilyl)-barbital and -phenobarbital with methyl 1,2,3,4-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranuronate in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate gave moderate yields of the N1-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate) barbiturate derivatives. The diastereomers of the phenobarbital derivatives were resolved by use of C18 reversed-phase HPLC. The homologous N3-methyl barbiturate N1-glucuronates were prepared by reaction of the barbital and phenobarbital N1-glucuronate derivatives with diazomethane. The absolute configuration of the phenobarbital N1-beta-D-glucopyranuronate epimers was determined by oxidative removal of the glycon from the mephobarbital N1-beta-D-glucopyranuronate epimers to give the optical isomers of mephobarbital. The spectroscopic data for this series of compounds will facilitate the characterization of N-glycosylated imide xenobiotics that may be detected as mammalian metabolites in biodisposition studies.

5-Benzylbarbituric acid derivatives, potent and specific inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase

5-Benzylbarbituric acid derivatives were synthesized as a series of new, specific, and potent inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase. Among these, 5-(m-benzyloxy)benzyl-1-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl] barbituric acid (5-benzyloxybenzylbarbituric acid acyclonucleoside, BBBA) was found to be the most potent with Ki values of 1.1 +/- 0.2 and 2.6 +/- 0.3 nM with uridine phosphorylase from human and mouse livers, respectively. BBBA exhibited competitive inhibition with uridine phosphorylase from both human and mouse livers. The 5-benzylbarbituric acid derivatives are specific inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase, as they had no effect on thymidine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.4), thymidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.21), uridine-cytidine kinase (EC 2.7.1.48), orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.10), orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.2.23), and dihydrouracil dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.2). These compounds are more potent, easier to synthesize, and have better water solubility than their uracil counterparts as inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase. Furthermore, the 5-benzylbarbituric acids were found to be better inhibitors of human uridine phosphorylase than the murine enzyme, whereas the reverse holds true for the 5-benzyluracil derivatives. The 5-benzylbarbituric acid derivatives have potential usefulness in the therapy of cancer and AIDS, as well as other pathological and physiological disorders.

[Chromic oxidation and synthesis of barbiturate metabolites]

Chromic oxidation using chromium trioxide in acetic medium is presented as a tool for the synthesis of models of metabolites of various barbiturates. When the pyrimidinetrione is monosubstituted in position 5, a hydroxy group is introduced on the ring. For 5,5-disubstituted barbiturates, branched chains are preferentially converted into tertiary alcohols, while ethylenic chains are, according to their substitution, oxidized into ketones or carboxylic acids. Secondary alcohols lead to ketones but an alcohol function can be protected by esterification. Oxidations followed by other transformations and oxidations of related heterocycles are also described.

Hypolipidemic activity in rodents of phenobarbital and related derivatives

A series of 5-alkyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid analogues were shown to be potent hypolipidemic agents in rats and mice at 20 mg/kg/day. This dose is lower than that required for hypolipidemic activity for clofibrate and nicotinic acid derivatives in rodents and man. These new derivatives reduced both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rodents by either the oral or intraperitoneal route of administration. Previous studies have demonstrated that similar heterocyclic compounds, i.e. cyclic imides, glutarimides and hydantoins are potent hypolipidemic agents in rodents. The barbituric acid derivatives probably interfered with de novo synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids in the early steps since the agents inhibit the activities of ATP-dependent citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA synthetase. Triglyceride synthesis may be blocked since the agents inhibited the rate limiting enzyme, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate-acyl-transferase. Rat tissue lipids especially cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced after 14 days treatment. Fecal lipids were increased in cholesterol and phospholipid content by selected compounds. The rat serum lipoprotein after 14 days drug administration showed reduced VLDL-cholesterol and HDL-triglyceride contents. The modulation of the lipid content of the serum lipoproteins by the barbituric acids suggest that these agents may be helpful in treating clinical hyperlipidemic disease states.

Synthesis of N-beta-D-glucopyranosyl derivatives of barbital, phenobarbital, metharbital, and mephobarbital

The condensation of per(trimethyl)silylbarbital and -phenobarbital with 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranose in the presence of stannic chloride in dichloroethane gave moderate yields of the beta-coupled barbiturate N-D-glucopyranosyl derivatives. Reaction of metharbital and mephobarbital under the same conditions was unsuccessful. The homologous N-methylglucosides were prepared by reaction of the barbital and phenobarbital N-glucosyl derivatives with diazomethane. The diastereomers of the phenobarbital and mephobarbital derivatives were resolved by use of C-18 reverse-phase h.p.l.c. 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy, and thermospray 1.c.-m.s. proved to be the most useful methods for characterizing the barbiturate glucosides.

Substituent effects on partition coefficients of barbituric acids

Precise partition coefficients in 1-octanol-water at 25 degrees C were determined for three 2-thiobarbituric acids and 14 barbituric acids with a wider range of substituents. The experimental log P values (log Pexp) of barbituric acids were correlated with the carbon number and the branching effect of the C5 substituent(s) by linear regression analysis. The carbon number term makes a major contribution to the partition coefficients. The contribution of the polar effect of the C5 substituents was insignificant in contrast to a previous report. Hydrophobic constants (pi) were determined for allyl, phenyl, and chloro-substituents, and these empirical pi values gave much closer predicted calculated log P (log Pcalc) values when applied to the reported log Pexp values.

Potential cerebral perfusion agents: synthesis and evaluation of a radioiodinated vinylalkylbarbituric acid analogue

A new iodinated barbiturate has been prepared. Treatment of 5-chloropentyne and propargyl bromide with diethyl 2-ethyl-2-sodiomalonate (DESM) provided diethyl 2-ethyl-2-(1-pentyn-5-yl)malonate (3) and diethyl 2-ethyl-2-propargylmalonate (4), respectively. Similar condensation of DESM with (E)-(5-iodo-1-penten-1-yl)boronic acid (9) or the reaction of catecholborane with 3 provided diethyl (E)-2-ethyl-2-(1-borono-1-penten-5-yl)malonate (8). The direct sodium iodide-chloramine-T iodination of 8 or the treatment of (E)-1,5-diiodo-1-pentene (10) with DESM provided diethyl (E)-2-ethyl-2-(1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)malonate (11). The condensation of functionalized malonates 3, 4, and 11 with urea in the presence of a base provided the corresponding barbiturates, 5-ethyl-5-(1-pentyn-5-yl)-(5), 5-ethyl-5-propargyl- (6), and (E)-5-ethyl-5-(1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)barbituric acid (12), respectively. (E)-6-(Ethoxycarbonyl)-1-iodo-1-octene-6-carboxylic acid (13) was isolated as the hydrolytic byproduct of 11. Compound 13 decarboxylated under vacuum to provide ethyl (E)-1-iodo-1-octene-6-carboxylate (14). The 125I-labeled congeners of 12 and 13 were synthesized in the same manner and evaluated in rats. The barbiturate 12 exhibited significant brain uptake (approximately 1% dose after 5 min), demonstrating that iodinated barbiturates freely cross the intact blood-brain barrier.

Search for CNS active agents: synthesis of N,N'-bis-[potassium-alkyl/aryl carboxylate]-5-arylidene barbituric acids

5-Arylidene barbituric acids (1--5, Fig. 1) were obtained by the Perkin's condensation between the corresponding aryl aldehyde and active methylene group of barbituric acid. By the condensation of these 5-arylidene barbituric acids with different alkyl/aryl-chloroacids, fifteen new N,N'bis[potassium-alkyl/aryl carboxylate]-5-arylidene barbituric acids (6--8 Fig. 1) were prepared. Eight of the fifteen final compounds were screened for their pharmacological actions on CNS. They have shown irregular behavioral changes on the CNS; some of them were the CNS stimulants, whereas others were CNS depressants at 1/5 of ALD50 dose level (316--1000 g/kg).

Synthesis and cyclization of dialkylmalonuric esters

A novel method for the synthesis of methyl dialkylmalonuric esters was developed using the base-catalyzed ring opening of an isopropylidene malonic ester with urea as the key step. The rates of cyclization of these malonuric esters to the corresponding barbituric acids then were studied at buffer concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.00 M. The reaction was shown to be general base catalyzed, and the reaction rate was found to be subject to a deuterium isotope effect, kH2O/kD2O=1.3. The thermodynamic activation parameters also were determined. A three-step mechanism for the conversion of malonuric esters to barbituric acids was proposed; it involved a rapid cyclization step, followed by proton removal by a general base catalyst and a rate-determining collapse of the resulting tetrahedral intermediate aided by a general acid.

On-column gas chromatographic synthesis of 1,3-dialkyl (c = 1-10), benzyl, and cyclohexyl barbiturate derivatives

Procedures are described for the on-column gas chromatographic synthesis of various N-alkyl-N-alkyl barbiturates where groups added to the nitrogens are benzyl, cyclohexyl, or straight chains with 1 to 10 carbons. The 1,3-dialkyl barbiturates having methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, cyclohexyl, isopropyl, or t-butyl groups can be prepared on-column by injecting an aliquot of a chloroform solution of the barbiturate with the appropriate N,N-dimethylformamide dialkyl acetal. The 1,3-dialkyl barbiturates where benzyl or butyl through decyl groups are added can be similarly prepared with N,N-dimethylformamide dineopentyl acetal and the appropriate alcohol to yield the desired compound. The 1-alkyl (I)-3-alkyl-(II) barbiturates where the alkyl groups differ are prepared by on-column reaction reaction of a barbiturate with aliquots of each of the respective reagents giving the desired groups.

Antiinflammatory activity of the new aminomethyl derivatives of 1-cyclohexyl-5-alkyl and 1-cyclohexyl-5,5-dialkylbarbituric acids

Several new aminomethyl derivatives of barbituric acid were evaluated pharmacologically. 1-Cyclohexyl-5-piperidylmethyl-5-allylbarbituric acid and 1-cyclohexyl-3-morpholinomethyl-5,5-diallylbarbituric acid displayed antinflammatory activity in the carrageenin-edema and xylene-tests but did not produce analgesia. It has been also found that introduction of aminomethyl groups into the antiinflammatory barbituric derivatives brings about elevation of the resorption of the tested compounds.

Convenient synthesis of N-alkoxymethylbarbituric acids and N-alkoxymethylhydantoins

A simple one-step method for the N-alkoxymethylation of barbituric acids and hydantoins is presented. The compounds are N-methoxymethylated or N-ethoxymethylated using phosphorus pentoxide and dimethoxymethane or diethoxymethane, respectively, in a chlorinated solvent. 1-Methoxymethyl-3-ethyl-5-phenylhydantoin showed significant anticonvulsant activity in the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol test, while 1,3-bis(methoxymethyl)-5-ethyl-5-(p-tolyl) barbituric acid was inactive.

Aminomethyl derivatives of 1-cyclohexyl-5-alkyl- and 1-cyclohexyl-5,5-dialkylbarbituric acids as potential antiinflammatory agents

The synthesis and the structure of some aminomethyl derivatives of 1-cyclohexylbarbituric acids, obtained by the Mannich reaction, are described. Acids, containing a pyrrolidinomethyl group in the position 5 were found to have the barbituric ring in the enolic form, stabilized by a hydrogen bond with the pyrrolidine nitrogen atom. Some of the described compounds displayed antiinflammatory activity.

(N-Barbituryl)phenyl- and cyclohexylalkanoic acids and some of their derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory agents

A series of p-(N-barbituryl)phenyl- and cyclohexylalkanoic acids and their esters were synthesized. The preliminary pharmacological screening using the carrageenin, xylene and cotton tests revealed strong anti-inflammatory activity of several compounds in some of the tests performed, compound (Ij) being active in all the tests.

Synthesis and pharmacological screening of some N-carboxymethylbarbituric acid derivatives. I

Reaction of haloacetate with barbital and methylphenobarbital in polar aprotic solvents in the presence of anhydrous K2CO3 gave N-carboalkoxymethyl derivatives in good yields. Acidic hydrolysis of the latter compounds affords N-carboxymethyl derivatives of barbital 8 or methylphenobarbital 7. From acid 7 and 8 via acid chlorides, amides 11--20 were prepared. These amides lack anticonvulsant activity and show only slight sedative and analgesic action.