Synthesis,In Vitro Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase Inhibition,and Herbicidal Activity of N‐(Benzothiazol‐5‐yl)hexahydro‐1H‐isoindole‐1,3‐diones and N‐(Benzothiazol‐5‐yl)hexahydro‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐ones

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase ( EC 1.3.3.4 ) is one of the most significant targets for a large family of herbicides. As part of our continuous efforts to search for novel protoporphyrinogen oxidase‐inhibiting herbicides, N‐(benzothiazol‐5‐yl)tetrahydroisoindole‐1,3‐dione was selected as a lead compound for structural optimization, leading to the syntheses of a series of novel N‐(benzothiazol‐5‐yl)hexahydro‐1H‐isoindole‐1,3‐diones ( 1a – o ) and N‐(benzothiazol‐5‐yl)hexahydro‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐ones ( 2a – i ). These newly prepared compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, and ESI‐MS, and the structures of 1h and 2h were further confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analyses. The bioassays indicated that some compounds displayed comparable or higher protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibition activities in comparison with the commercial control. Very promising, compound 2a , ethyl 2‐((6‐fluoro‐5‐(4,5,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1‐oxo‐1H‐isoindol‐2(3H)‐yl)benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐sulfanyl)acetate, was recognized as the most potent candidate with K_i value of 0.0091 μm . Further greenhouse screening results demonstrated that some compounds exhibited good herbicidal activity against Chenopodium album at the dosage of 150 g/ha.     

A novel five‐lipoxygenase activity protein inhibitor labeled with carbon‐14 and deuterium

2‐[4‐(3‐{(1R)‐1‐[4‐(2‐Aminopyrimidin‐5‐yl)phenyl]‐1‐cyclopropylethyl}‐1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]‐N,N‐dimethylacetamide (1), is a novel and selective five‐lipoxygenase activity protein (FLAP) inhibitor with excellent pharmacokinetics properties. The availability of a key chiral intermediate allowed the synthesis of [¹⁴C]‐(1) in six radiochemical steps and in 47% overall radiochemical yield with a specific activity of 51 mCi/mmol using carbon‐14 zinc cyanide. 2‐Chloro‐N,N‐dimethyl‐²H₆‐acetamide was prepared and condensed with a penultimate intermediate to give [²H₆]‐(1) in very high yield and in more than 99% isotopic enrichment.     

Graph theoretical analysis,insilico modeling,design, and synthesis of compounds containing benzimidazole skeleton as antidepressant agents

In this study, drug target was identified using KEGG database and network analysis through Cytoscape software. Designed series of novel benzimidazoles were taken along with reference standard Flibanserin for insilico modeling. The novel 4‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)‐N‐(substituted phenyl)‐4‐oxobutanamide ( 3a–j ) analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their antidepressant activity. Reaction of 4‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐oxobutanoic acid ( 1 ) with 4‐(1H‐benzo [d] imidazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐oxobutanoyl chloride ( 2 ) furnished novel 4‐(1H‐benzo [d] imidazol‐2‐yl)‐N‐(substituted phenyl)‐4‐oxobutanamide ( 3a–j ). All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectral analysis. The antidepressant activities of synthesized derivatives were compared with standard drug clomipramine at a dose level of 20 mg/kg. Among the derivatives tested, most of the compounds were found to have potent activity against depression. The high level of activity was shown by the compounds 3d , 3e , 3i, and it significantly reduced the duration of immobility time at the dose level of 50 mg/kg.     

Design,Synthesis, Biological Evaluation,and Docking Study of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: New Acridone‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole‐1,2,3‐triazole Hybrids

In this study, novel acridone‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole‐1,2,3‐triazole hybrids were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Among various synthesized compounds, 10‐((1‐((3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)methyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)acridin‐9(10H)‐one 10b showed the most potent anti‐acetylcholinesterase activity (IC₅₀ = 11.55 μm ) being as potent as rivastigmine. Also docking outcomes were in good agreement with in vitro results confirming the dual binding inhibitory activity of compound 10b .     

In silico and in vitro studies of two non‐imidazole multiple targeting agents at histamine H3 receptors and cholinesterase enzymes

Recently, multi‐target directed ligands have been of research interest for multifactorial disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since H₃ receptors (H₃Rs) and cholinesterases are involved in pathophysiology of AD, identification of dual‐acting compounds capable of improving cholinergic neurotransmission is of importance in AD pharmacotherapy. In the present study, H₃R antagonistic activity combined with anticholinesterase properties of two previously computationally identified lead compounds, that is, compound 3 (6‐chloro‐N‐methyl‐N‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propyl]‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxamide) and compound 4 (7‐chloro‐N‐[(1‐methylpiperidin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐2‐carboxamide), was tested. Moreover, molecular docking and binding free energy calculations were conducted for binding mode and affinity prediction of studied ligands toward cholinesterases. Biological evaluations revealed inhibitory activity of ligands in nanomolar (compound 3 : H₃R EC₅₀ = 0.73 nM; compound 4 : H₃R EC₅₀ = 31 nM) and micromolar values (compound 3 : AChE IC₅₀ = 9.09 µM, BuChE IC₅₀ = 21.10 µM; compound 4 : AChE IC₅₀ = 8.40 µM, BuChE IC₅₀ = 4.93 µM) for H₃R antagonism and cholinesterase inhibition, respectively. Binding free energies yielded good consistency with cholinesterase inhibitory profiles. The results of this study can be used for lead optimization where dual inhibitory activity on H₃R and cholinesterases is needed. Such ligands can exert their biological activity in a synergistic manner resulting in higher potency and efficacy.     

A simplified radiosynthesis of [18F]MK‐6240 for tau PET imaging

[¹⁸F]MK‐6240 (6‐(fluoro)‐3‐(1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐c]pyridin‐1‐yl)isoquinolin‐5‐amine) is a highly selective PET radiotracer for the in vivo imaging of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). [¹⁸F]MK‐6240 was synthesized in one step from its bis‐Boc protected precursor N‐[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]‐N‐(6‐nitro‐3‐[1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐c]pyridin‐1‐yl]isoquinolin‐5‐yl) carbamate in DMSO using [¹⁸F] fluoride with TEA HCO₃ with step‐wise heating up to 150°C, resulting in an isolated radiochemical yield of 9.8% ± 1.8% (n = 3) calculated from the end of bombardment (5.2% ± 1.0% calculated from the end of synthesis). This new synthetic approach eliminates the acidic deprotection of the bis‐Boc ¹⁸F‐labeled intermediate, which reduces the number of operations necessary for the synthesis as well as losses, which occur during deprotection and neutralization of the crude product mixture prior to the HPLC purification. The synthesis was performed automatically with a single‐use cassette on an IBA Synthera+ synthesis module. This synthesis method affords the radioligand with a reliable radiochemical yield, high radiochemical purity, and a high molar activity. [¹⁸F]MK‐6240 synthesized with this method has been regularly (n > 60) used in our ongoing human and animal PET imaging studies.     

Aryl‐ and heteroaryl‐substituted phenylalanines as AMPA receptor ligands

A series of racemic unnatural amino acids was rationally designed on the basis of recently published X‐ray structures of the GluA2 LBD with bound phenylalanine‐based antagonists. Twelve new diaryl‐ or aryl/heteroaryl‐substituted phenylalanine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro in radioligand binding assays at native rat ionotropic glutamate receptors. The most interesting compound in this series, (RS)‐2‐amino‐3‐(3′‐hydroxy‐5‐(1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐3‐yl)propanoic acid 7e , showed the binding affinity of 4.6 μm for native AMPA receptors and over fourfold lower affinity for kainic acid receptors. Furthermore, 7e was evaluated at recombinant homomeric rat GluA2 and GluA3 receptors. Recently reported X‐ray structures 5CBR and 5CBS, representing two distinct antagonist binding modes, were used as templates for molecular docking of the synthesized series. Binding data supported with molecular modeling confirmed that aryl/heteroaryl‐substituted phenylalanine analogues effectively bind to AMPA receptors with low micromolar affinity and high selectivity over native NMDA and kainate receptors. These properties make 7e a promising lead for the further development of new AMPA receptor ligands.     

New pyrazole derivative 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole: synthesis and assessment of some biological activities

The molecular modification and synthesis of compounds is vital to discovering drugs with desirable pharmacological and toxicity profiles. In response to pyrazole compounds' antipyretic, analgesic, and anti‐inflammatory effects, this study sought to evaluate the analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, and vasorelaxant effects, as well as the mechanisms of action, of a new pyrazole derivative, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole. During the acetic acid‐induced abdominal writhing test, treatments with 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole reduced abdominal writhing, while during the formalin test, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole reduced licking times in response to both neurogenic pain and inflammatory pain, all without demonstrating any antinociceptive effects, as revealed during the tail flick test. 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole also reduced carrageenan‐induced paw edema and cell migration during the carrageenan‐induced pleurisy test. As demonstrated by the model of the isolated organ, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole exhibits a vasorelaxant effect attenuated by Nω‐nitro‐l ‐arginine methyl ester, 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐alpha]quinoxalin‐1‐one, tetraethylammonium or glibenclamide. 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole also blocked CaCl₂‐induced contraction in a dose‐dependent manner. Suggesting a safe toxicity profile, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole reduced the viability of 3T3 cells at higher concentrations and was orally tolerated, despite signs of toxicity in doses of 2000 mg/kg. Lastly, the compounds' analgesic activity might be attributed to the involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway and K⁺ channels observed in the vasorelaxant effect.     

Facile synthesis of stable isotope‐labeled antibacterial agent RWJ‐416457 and its metabolite

Synthesis of multiple stable isotope‐labeled antibacterial agent RWJ‐416457, (N‐{3‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐(2‐methyl‐2,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐phenyl]‐2‐oxo‐oxazolidin‐5‐ylmethyl}‐acetamide), and its major metabolite, N‐{3‐[4‐(2,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐3‐fluoro‐phenyl]‐2‐oxo‐oxazolidin‐5‐ylmethyl}‐acetamide, is described. The stable isotope‐labeled [¹³CD₃]RWJ‐416457 was prepared readily by acetylation of the precursor amine, 5‐aminomethyl‐3‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐(2‐methyl‐2,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐phenyl]‐oxazolidin‐2‐one with CD₃¹³COCl in pyridine. Synthesis of the stable isotope‐labeled metabolite involved a construction of multiple isotope‐labeled pyrazole ring. N,N‐dimethyl(formyl‐¹³C,D)amide dimethyl acetal was first prepared by treating N,N‐dimethyl(formyl‐¹³C,D)amide with dimethyl sulfate, followed by sodium methoxide. Then, N‐{3‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐(3‐oxo‐pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐phenyl]‐2‐oxo‐oxazolidin‐5‐ylmethyl}‐acetamide was condensed with N,N‐dimethyl(formyl‐¹³C,D)amide dimethyl acetal, and the resultant β‐ketoenamine intermediate underwent pyrazole ring formation with hydrazine‐¹⁵N₂, to give the [¹³C¹⁵N₂D]‐labeled metabolite. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient regioselective three-component domino synthesis of 3-(1,2,4-Triazol-5-yl)-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones as potent antifungal and antituberculosis agents

In research for promising antibacterial and antifungal compounds, a series of 2‐aryl 3‐[1,2,4]triazol‐5‐yl 4‐thiazolidinones 1 were synthesized by a domino reaction of 5‐amino‐1H‐[1,2,4]triazoles 3 , aromatic aldehydes, and α‐mercaptoacids in boiling toluene in the presence of molecular sieves 4 Å. Of the twenty novel 3‐[1,2,4]triazol‐5‐yl 4‐thiazolidinone derivatives, four compounds 2‐benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐6‐yl‐3‐[(3‐morpholin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl)]‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one ( 1i ), 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐methyl‐3‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl]‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one ( 1p ), 2‐benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐6‐yl‐3‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl]‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one ( 1s ), 2‐benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐6‐yl‐5‐methyl‐3‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐yl]‐1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one ( 1t ) exhibited MICs of 4 µg/mL or less versus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover, these compounds were screened against Candida albicans. Compounds 1p , 1s gave MICs of 1 µg/mL or less, and were fungicidal. Finally, compound 1s was evaluated against an expanded fungal panel and showed good activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. In addition, compound 1s also appeared to be fungicidal against Aspergillus arrhizus, with MIC <1 µg/mL.     

18F‐Labelled vorozole analogues as PET tracer for aromatase

One‐ and two‐step syntheses for the ¹⁸F‐labelling of 6‐[(S)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1‐(2‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)‐1H‐benzotriazole, [¹⁸F]FVOZ, 1 and 6‐[(S)‐(4‐chlorophenyl)(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1‐[2‐(2‐[¹⁸F]fluoroethoxy)ethyl]‐1H‐benzotriazole, [¹⁸F]FVOO, 2 were developed. In the two‐step synthesis, the nucleophilic fluorination step was performed by reacting (S)‐6‐[(4‐chlorophenyl)‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzotriazole (VOZ) with either the ¹⁸F‐labelled ethane‐1,2‐diyl bis(4‐methylbenzenesulfonate) or the oxydiethane‐2,1‐diyl bis(4‐methylbenzenesulfonate). The radiochemical yields were in the range of 9–13% after the 110–120 min total syntheses and the specific radioactivities were 175±7 GBq/µmol and 56 GBq/µmol for compounds 1 and 2, respectively. In the one‐step synthesis, the precursor 2‐{6‐[(4‐chlorophenyl)(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐1,2,3‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl}ethyl 4‐methylbenzenesulfonate (7) or 1‐[2‐(2‐bromoethoxy)ethyl]‐6‐[(4‐chlorophenyl)(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzotriazole (8) was directly labelled via an ¹⁸F nucleophilic substitution to give the corresponding tracer. The labelled compounds were obtained in 36–99% radiochemical yield after 75‐min syntheses. The specific radioactivities are 100 GBq/µmol for compound 1 and 80 GBq/µmol for compound 2. In vitro autoradiography using frozen rat brains illustrated specific binding in the medial amygdala, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and the preoptic area, all of which corresponded well to the result of ¹¹C‐labelled vorozole. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Positive Inotropic Evaluation of (E)‐2‐(4‐Cinnamylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐N‐(1‐substituted‐4,5‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)acetamides

A series of (E)‐2‐(4‐cinnamylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐N‐(1‐substituted‐4,5‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)acetamides were synthesized and evaluated for their positive inotropic activity by measuring the left atrium stroke volume on isolated rabbit heart preparations. This class of compounds presented favorable in vitro activity compared with the standard drug, milrinone, among which N‐(1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)‐2‐(4‐cinnamylpiperazin‐1‐yl)acetamide 5e was found to be the most potent with 16.58 ± 0.11% increased stroke volume (milrinone: 2.46 ± 0.07%) at a concentration of 3 × 10^?5 M. The chronotropic effects of the compounds having inotropic effects were also evaluated.     

Synthesis of a deuterium‐labelled standard of bufotenine (5‐HO‐DMT)

The Batcho–Leimgruber strategy was employed to synthesize 3‐(2‐dimethylamino‐[²H₄]‐ethyl)‐1H‐indol‐5‐ol (bufotenine, 5‐HO‐DMT) ( 8 ) from commercial 3‐methyl‐4‐nitro‐phenol ( 1 ), benzyl bromide and N,N–dimethylformamide–dimethylacetal. Compound 4 was synthesized from compound 3 using the Batcho–Leimgruber strategy in the presence of Raney nickel and hydrazine hydrate. Compound 4 was treated with oxalyl chloride, dimethylamine and lithium aluminum [²H₄]‐hydride to yield [2‐(5‐benzyloxy‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐[²H₄]‐ethyl]‐dimethyl‐amine ( 7 ). The benzyl ether in compound 7 was cleaved by hydrogenolysis to give bufotenine 8 . Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure‐based Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Isatin Derivatives as Potential Glycosyltransferase Inhibitors

Peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase (PGT) has been shown to be an important pharmacological target for the inhibition of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Structure‐based virtual screening of about 3 000 000 commercially available compounds against the crystal structure of the glycosyltransferase (GT) domain of the Staphylococcus aureus penicillin‐binding protein 2 (S. aureus PBP2) resulted in identification of an isatin derivative, 2‐(3‐(2‐carbamimidoylhydrazono)‐2‐oxoindolin‐1‐yl)‐N‐(m‐tolyl)acetamide ( 4 ) as a novel potential GT inhibitor. A series of 4 derivatives were synthesized. Several compounds showed more active antimicrobial activity than the initial hit compound 4 , in particular 2‐(3‐(2‐carbamimidoylhydrazono)‐2‐oxoindolin‐1‐yl)‐N‐(3‐nitrophenyl)acetamide ( 4l ), against Gram‐positive Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus with MIC values of 24 and 48 μg/mL, respectively. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR study revealed that there is a binding contact between 4l and the GT domain of S. aureus PBP2. Competitive STD‐NMR further proved that 4l and moenomycin A bind to GT domain in a competitive manner. Molecular docking study suggests a potential binding pocket of 4l in the GT domain of S. aureus PBP2. Taken together, compound 4l would provide a new scaffold for further development of potent GT inhibitors.     

Radiosynthesis of [18F]ATPFU: a potential PET ligand for mTOR

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a pivotal role in many aspects of cellular proliferation, and recent evidence suggests that an altered mTOR signaling pathway plays a central role in the pathogenesis of aging, tumor progression, neuropsychiatric, and major depressive disorder. Availability of a mTOR‐specific PET tracer will facilitate monitoring early response to treatment with mTOR inhibitors that are under clinical development. Towards this we have developed the radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]1‐(4‐(4‐(8‐oxa‐3‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐3‐yl)‐1‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐6‐yl)phenyl)‐3‐(2‐fluoroethyl)urea [¹⁸F]ATPFU ([¹⁸F]1) as an mTOR PET ligand. Synthesis of reference 1 and the precursor for radiolabeling, 4‐(4‐8‐oxa‐3‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]‐octan‐3yl)‐1‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐6yl)aniline (10), were achieved from beta‐chloroaldehyde 3 in 4 and 5 steps, respectively, with an overall yield of 25–28%. [¹⁸F]Fluoroethylamine was prepared by heating N‐[2‐(toluene‐4‐sulfonyloxy)ethyl]phthalimide with [¹⁸F]fluoride ion in acetonitrile. [¹⁸F]1 was obtained by slow distillation under argon of [¹⁸F]FCH₂CH₂NH₂ into amine 10 that was pre‐treated with triphosgene at 0–5 °C. The total time required for the two‐step radiosynthesis including semi‐preparative HPLC purification was 90 min, and the overall radiochemical yield of [¹⁸F]1 for the process was 15 ± 5% based on [¹⁸F]fluoride ion (decay corrected). At the end of synthesis (EOS), the specific activity was 37–74 GBq/µmol (N = 6).     

Synthesis of the tritiated isotopomers of enzastaurin and its N‐des‐pyridylmethyl metabolite for use in ADME studies

Enzastaurin (3‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐4‐[1‐[1‐(2‐pyridinylmethyl)‐4‐piperidinyl]‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione, 1), an agent with potential utility in the treatment of solid tumors, is currently in phase II clinical trials. Enzastaurin undergoes metabolism in vitro and in vivo to several products of oxidative metabolism, the major one of which is 3‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐4‐(1‐piperidin‐4‐yl‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione (2). In a model study, the attempted synthesis 1‐[²H] by reaction of 1 with deuterium gas in the presence of Ir[(COD)(Cy₃P)pyr]PF₆ (Crabtree's catalyst) was unsuccessful. Alternatively, it was decided to prepare tritiated 2 as both a final product and the starting material for the tritiation of 1. We have reported herein a route that was developed for use in the preparation of tritium‐labeled 2‐[³H] and its successful conversion to 1‐[³H]. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Novel 2,5‐Disubstituted 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles for Their Potential Anticonvulsant Activity: Pharmacophoric Model Studies

A series of novel N¹‐[5‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl]‐N⁴‐(4‐substituted benzaldehyde)‐semicarbazone 1 – 12 , N¹‐[5‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl]‐N⁴‐[1‐(4‐substituted phenyl)ethanone]‐semicarbazone 13 ‐ 16 , and N¹‐[5‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl]‐N⁴‐[1‐(4‐substituted phenyl) (phenyl) methanone]‐semicarbazone 17 – 20 were synthesized for their anticonvulsant activity. The chemical structures of the compounds were proved by elemental and spectral (IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and MS) analysis. The anticonvulsant potential of the compounds was investigated using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetrtrazole (scPTZ) models. Compound 19 was found to possess significant anticonvulsant activity in both the models employed for anticonvulsant evaluation. Compounds 8 , 13 , 15 , and 16 also demonstrated a marked anticonvulsant property. The results of the present study validated that the pharmacophore model with four binding sites is essential for anticonvulsant activity. The efforts were also made to establish structure‐activity relationships among the synthesized compounds.     

Biscoumarin–pyrimidine conjugates as potent anticancer agents and binding mechanism of hit candidate with human serum albumin

In our continuing efforts to develop therapeutically active coumarin‐based compounds, a series of new C4–C4′ biscoumarin–pyrimidine conjugates ( 1a–l ) was synthesized via S_N2 reaction of substituted 4‐bromomethyl coumarin with thymine. All compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques, that is, attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR‐IR), CHN elemental analysis, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). In addition, the structure of compound 1d (1,3‐bis[(7‐chloro‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐4‐yl)methyl]‐5‐methylpyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione) was established through X‐ray crystallography. Compounds 1a–l were screened for in vitro anticancer activity against C6 rat glioma cells. Among the screened compounds, 1,3‐bis[(6‐chloro‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐4‐yl)methyl]‐5‐methylpyrimidine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ( 1c ) was identified as the best antiproliferative candidate, exhibiting an IC₅₀ value of 4.85 μM. All the compounds ( 1a – l ) were found to be nontoxic toward healthy human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), indicating their selective nature. In addition, the most active compound ( 1c ) displayed strong binding interactions with the drug carrier protein, human serum albumin, and exhibited good solution stability at biological pH conditions. Fluorescence, UV–visible spectrophotometry and molecular modeling methodologies were employed for studying the interaction mechanism of compound 1c with protein.     

Synthesis and preliminary pharmacological investigation of new N-substituted-N-[ω-(ω-phenoxy-alkylpiperazin-1-yl)alkyl]guanidines as non-imidazole histamine H(3) antagonists

Novel, potent non‐imidazole histamine H₃ receptor antagonists were prepared. Detailed structure–activity studies revealed that N‐(4‐trifluoromethylbenzyl)‐N‐[4‐(7‐phenoxyheptylpiperazin‐1‐yl)butyl]guanidine (pA₂ = 8.49 ± 0.05), 1h , and N‐(4‐nitrobenzyl)‐N‐[4‐(7‐phenoxyheptylpiperazin‐1‐yl)butyl]guanidine (pA₂ = 8.43 ± 0.05), 1l , exhibit high affinity for the H₃ histamine receptor. The most potent antagonists in this series, 1e , 1h , and 1l , were also in vitro tested as H₁ receptor antagonists, showing weak H₁‐antagonistic activity with pA₂ = 6.70 ± 0.09, pA₂ = 6.46 ± 0.09, and pA₂ = 6.65 ± 0.11, respectively.     

Synthesis of three isotopically labeled versions and a metabolite of Aurora A kinase inhibitor

Sodium ring‐[¹⁴C]‐4‐[[9‐chloro‐7‐(2,6‐difluorophenyl)‐5H‐pyrimido[5,4‐d][2]benzazepin‐2‐yl]amino]‐benzoate (1A, MLN8054), an Aurora A kinase inhibitor, was synthesized from [¹⁴C]‐cyanamide in two steps in an overall radiochemical yield of 7%. The intermediate, [¹⁴C]‐4‐guanidinobenzoic acid, was prepared by coupling [¹⁴C]‐cyanamide with 4‐aminobenzoic acid. Sodium carboxyl‐[¹⁴C]‐4‐[[9‐chloro‐7‐(2,6‐difluorophenyl)‐5H‐pyrimido[5,4‐d][2]benzazepin‐2‐yl]amino]‐benzoate (1B) was synthesized from carboxyl‐[¹⁴C]‐4‐guanidinobenzoic acid in one step in a radiochemical yield of 35%. [D₄,¹⁵N]‐4‐[[9‐chloro‐7‐(2,6‐difluorophenyl)‐5H‐pyrimido[5,4‐d][2]benzazepin‐2‐yl]amino]‐benzoic acid (1C) was synthesized from [¹⁵N₂]‐cyanamide and [D₄]‐4‐aminobenzoic acid in two steps in an overall yield of 37%. The major metabolite, β‐acyl glucuronide of 4‐[[9‐chloro‐7‐(2,6‐difluorophenyl)‐5H‐pyrimido[5,4‐d][2]benzazepin‐2‐yl]amino]‐benzoic acid (14), was synthesized from D‐glucuronic acid in three steps in an overall yield of 1%. The key intermediate for synthesis of glucuronide was prepared by HATU catalyzed coupling of 4‐[[9‐chloro‐7‐(2,6‐difluorophenyl)‐5H‐pyrimido[5,4‐d][2]benzazepin‐2‐yl]amino]‐benzoic acid with allyl glucuronate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.