Multicomponent reaction-based synthesis and biological evaluation of tricyclic heterofused quinolines with multi-trypanosomatid activity.

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, which are caused by the trypanosomatids Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania species, are among the most deadly neglected tropical diseases. The development of drugs that are active against several trypanosomatids is appealing from a clinical and economic viewpoint, and seems feasible, as these parasites share metabolic pathways and hence might be treatable by common drugs. From benzonapthyridine 1, an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for which we have found a remarkable trypanocidal activity, we have designed and synthesized novel benzo[h][1,6]naphthyridines, pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinolines, azepino[3,2-c]quinolines, and pyrano[3,2-c]quinolines through 2-4-step sequences featuring an initial multicomponent Povarov reaction as the key step.

Studies on the interaction of isocyanides with imines: reaction scope and mechanistic variations.

The interaction of imines with isocyanides has been studied. The main product results from a sequential process involving the attack of two units of isocyanide, under Lewis acid catalysis, upon the carbon-nitrogen double bond of the imine to form the 4-membered ring system. The scope of the reaction regarding the imine and isocyanide ranges has been determined, and also some mechanistic variations and structural features have been described.

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydrobenzo[h][1,6]naphthyridines as a new family of potent peripheral-to-midgorge-site inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase: synthesis, pharmacological evaluation and mechanistic studies.

A series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[h][1,6]naphthyridines differently substituted at positions 1, 5, and 9 have been designed from the pyrano[3,2-c]quinoline derivative 1, a weak inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with predicted ability to bind to the AChE peripheral anionic site (PAS), at the entrance of the catalytic gorge. Fourteen novel benzonaphthyridines have been synthesized through synthetic sequences involving as the key step a multicomponent Povarov reaction between an aldehyde, an aniline and an enamine or an enamide as the activated alkene. The novel compounds have been tested against Electrophorus electricus AChE (EeAChE), human recombinant AChE (hAChE), and human serum butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE), and their brain penetration has been assessed using the PAMPA-BBB assay.

Evolution of a multicomponent system: computational and mechanistic studies on the chemo- and stereoselectivity of a divergent process.

The evolution of a ternary molecular system (imine, diene and nitrile) is analyzed to disclose the pathways leading to a divergent synthetic outcome. The Lewis acid catalyzed reaction between cyclohexadiene, 2-phenyl-indol-3-one and acetonitrile yields the imino-Diels-Alder adduct as the major product together with minor amounts of the Mannich-Ritter-amidine product. The experimental and computational data show that the relative orientation of the initial reactants dictates the synthetic outcome.

Exploration of forbidden Povarov processes as a source of unexpected reactivity: a multicomponent Mannich-Ritter transformation.

When a door closes, a window opens! The use of geometrically or electronically restricted imines for Povarov-type processes does not afford the anti-Bredt tetrahydroquinolines, but leads instead to highly functionalized structures through novel reaction pathways (see picture; LA=Lewis acid). The exploration of "forbidden" routes constitutes a valuable approach in the search for new multicomponent reactions.

Multicomponent reaction access to complex quinolines via oxidation of the Povarov adducts.

The tetrahydroquinolines obtained through the Povarov multicomponent reaction have been oxidized to the corresponding quinoline, giving access to a single product through a two-step sequence. Several oxidizing agents were studied and manganese dioxide proved to be the reagent of choice, affording higher yields, cleaner reactions and practical protocols.

Unsaturated lactams: new inputs for povarov-type multicomponent reactions.

Unsaturated lactams with endo- or exocyclic C-C double bonds constitute a set of reactive inputs that serve as the electron-rich olefin component in Povarov reactions. These substrates afford the multicomponent adducts in convenient yields and offer a wide range of structural diversity. Postcondensation transformations allow direct access to a variety of lactam-fused and amide-substituted quinoline derivatives.