Exploring the Reactivity of Rigid 1-Azadienes Derived from Methylene γ-Lactams. Applications to the Stereoselective Synthesis of Spiro-γ-Lactams.

A study on the reactivity of rigid 1-azadienes derived from methylene γ-lactams is reported. Through the functionalization of 1-amino α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam derivatives, easily available from a multicomponent reaction of amines, aldehydes, and pyruvates, it is possible to in situ generate rigid 1-azadienes locked by a γ-lactam core. The 4π-electron system of those rigid 1-azadienes can behave as both diene and dienophile species through a spontaneous cyclodimerization reaction or exclusively as dienes or dienophiles if they are trapped with imines or cyclopentadiene, respectively.

Diastereoselective ZnCl-Mediated Joullié-Ugi Three-Component Reaction for the Preparation of Phosphorylated -Acylaziridines from 2-Azirines.

We disclose a direct approach to the diastereoselective synthesis of phosphorus substituted -acylaziridines based on a one-pot ZnCl-catalyzed Joullié-Ugi three-component reaction of phosphorylated 2-azirines, carboxylic acids and isocyanides. Hence, this robust protocol offers rapid access to an array of -acylaziridines in moderate-to-good yields and up to 98:2 dr for substrates over a wide scope. The relevance of this synthetic methodology was achieved via a gram-scale reaction and the further derivatization of the nitrogen-containing three-membered heterocycle.

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Series of Bis(allylic-α-aminophosphonates) under Mild Reaction Conditions.

Several bis(α-aminophosphonates) have been conveniently prepared in good yields using a straightforward multicomponent Kabachnik-Fields reaction between ethane 1,2-diamine or propane 1,3-diamine, diethylphosphite and aldehydes under catalyst-free conditions. The nucleophilic substitution reaction of bis(α-aminophosphonates) prepared and ethyl (2-bromomethyl)acrylate under mild reaction conditions afforded an original synthetic approach to a new series of bis(allylic-α-aminophosphonates).

The Intramolecular Povarov Tool in the Construction of Fused Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles.

Nitrogen heterocycles are part of the structure of natural products and agents with important biological activity, such as antiviral, antibiotic, and antitumor drugs. For this reason, heterocyclic compounds are one of today's most desirable synthetic targets and the Povarov reaction is a powerful synthetic tool for the construction of highly functionalized heterocyclic systems. This process involves an aromatic amine, a carbonyl compound, and an olefin or acetylene to give rise to the formation of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

Sc(OTf)-Mediated [4 + 2] Annulations of -Carbonyl Aryldiazenes with Cyclopentadiene to Construct Cinnoline Derivatives: Azo-Povarov Reaction.

We disclose the first accomplishment of the azo-Povarov reaction involving Sc(OTf)-catalyzed [4 + 2] annulations of -carbonyl aryldiazenes with cyclopentadiene in chloroform, in which -carbonyl aryldiazenes act as 4π-electron donors. Hence, this protocol offers a rapid access to an array of cinnoline derivatives in moderate to good yields for substrates over a wide scope. The synthetic potential of the protocol was achieved by the gram-scale reaction and further derivatization of the obtained polycyclic product.

Multicomponent Synthesis of Unsaturated γ-Lactam Derivatives. Applications as Antiproliferative Agents through the Bioisosterism Approach: Carbonyl vs. Phosphoryl Group.

We report efficient synthetic methodologies for the preparation of 3-amino and 3-hydroxy 3-pyrrolin-2-ones (unsaturated γ-lactams) through a multicomponent reaction of amines, aldehydes and acetylene or pyruvate derivatives. The densely substituted γ-lactam substrates show in vitro cytotoxicity, inhibiting the growth of the carcinoma human tumor cell lines RKO (human colon epithelial carcinoma), SKOV3 (human ovarian carcinoma) and A549 (carcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cell). In view of the possibilities for the diversity of the substituents that offer a multicomponent, synthetic methodology, an extensive structure-activity profile is presented.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Phosphorus Substituted 4-Cyanooxazolines, 2-Aminocyanooxazolines, 2-Iminocyanooxazolidines and 2-Aminocyanothiazolines by Rearrangement of Cyanoaziridines.

Several phosphorus-substituted -acylated cyanoaziridines and -carbamoylated cyanoziridines were prepared in good to high yields. -Acylated cyanoaziridines were used, after ring expansion, in an efficient synthesis of oxazoline derivative and in a completely regio-controlled reaction in the presence of NaI. Conversely, -carbamoyl cyanoaziridines reacted with NaI to obtain a regioisomeric mixture of 2-aminocyanooxazolines .

Phosphinotripeptidic Inhibitors of Leucylaminopeptidases.

Phosphinate pseudopeptide are analogs of peptides containing phosphinate moiety in a place of the amide bond. Due to this, the organophosphorus fragment resembles the tetrahedral transition state of the amide bond hydrolysis. Additionally, it is also capable of coordinating metal ions, for example, zinc or magnesium ions.

Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonic Acid Derivatives Through the Addition of - and -Nucleophiles to 2-Azirines and Their Antiproliferative Effect on A549 Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.

This work reports a straightforward regioselective synthetic methodology to prepare α-aminophosphine oxides and phosphonates through the addition of oxygen and sulfur nucleophiles to the C-N double bond of 2-azirine derivatives. Determined by the nature of the nucleophile, different α-aminophosphorus compounds may be obtained. For instance, aliphatic alcohols such as methanol or ethanol afford α-aminophosphine oxide and phosphonate acetals after N-C3 ring opening of the intermediate aziridine.

New Challenges in Drug Discovery - July 8-11, 2019, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.

The 2019 edition "New Challenges in Drug Discovery", one of the biennial meetings under the patronage of the SEQT and EFMC, was held at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of the Basque Country in Vitoria-Gasteiz from July 8 to 11, 2019. On this occasion, attendees from Spain as well as from five EU countries and three non-EU countries were spectators of many scientific highlights related with the main research areas for different diseases and with protein-protein interactions, analytical tools and methods in discovery and development of drugs and computer-assisted methods in medicinal chemistry. The interesting scientific program was also complemented by an entertaining social program: a gastronomic opening ceremony held at the Museum of Fine Arts of Alava, visits to the Medieval Old City of Gasteiz and a gala dinner in a typical restaurant nestled in a building from the XVth Century.

First synthesis of merged hybrids phosphorylated azirino[2,1-b]benzo[e][1,3]oxazine derivatives as anticancer agents.

This work describes a straightforward diastereoselective synthetic access to azirino[2,1-b]benzo[e][1,3]oxazines containing phosphorus substituents such as phosphonate or phosphine oxide, by means of nucleophilic addition of functionalized phenols to the C-N double bond of 2H-azirine derivatives. In addition, the cytotoxic effect on cell lines derived from human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) was also screened. Some azirino[2,1-b]benzo[e][1,3]oxazines 4 and 6 exhibited very good activity against the A549 cell line in vitro.

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs): a useful access to the synthesis of benzo-fused γ-lactams.

Benzo-fused γ-lactam rings such as isoindolin-2-ones and 2-oxindoles are part of the structure of many pharmaceutically active molecules. They can be often synthesized by means of multicomponent approaches and recent contributions in this field are summarized in this review. Clear advantages of these methods include the efficiency in saving raw materials and working time.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of cyanoaziridine phosphine oxides and phosphonates with antiproliferative activity.

This work reports an efficient diastereoselective synthetic methodology for the preparation of phosphorus substituted cyanoaziridines through the nucleophilic addition of TMSCN, as cyanide source, to the C-N double bond of 2H-azirine derivatives. The aziridine ring, in these novel cyanoaziridines, can be activated by simple N-tosylation or N-acylation. In addition, the cytotoxic effect on cell lines derived from human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) was also screened.

Reaction of phosphinylated nitrosoalkenes with electron-rich heterocycles. Electrophilic aromatic substitution vs. cycloaddition.

The behavior of phosphinyl nitrosoalkenes with indole, pyrrole and 2,5-dimethylpyrrole is described. The reaction of nitrosoalkenes with indole leads to the formation of 3-substituted indoles. While a concerted asynchronous [4 + 2] cycloaddition process may explain the formation of 3-substituted indole when a methyl group is present at the 3-position of nitrosoalkene, the presence of a 3-methoxycarbonyl group at the same position of nitrosoalkene increases its electrophilic character, and both mechanisms, an electrophilic aromatic substitution and a [4 + 2] cycloaddition process, are predicted to be competitive, although thermodynamically the cycloaddition is favoured.

Reaction of 2H-Azirine-Phosphine Oxides and -Phosphonates with Enolates Derived from β-Keto Esters.

Cyclopenta[b]-pyrrole-2-phosphine oxides 4a and -phosphonates 4b,c are generated by the addition of cyclic enolates derived from ethyl 2-oxo-cyclopentanecarboxylate 2 to phosphorated 2H-azirines 1. However, the addition of enolate derived from acyclic 2-oxo-butanoate 10 to 2H-azirine phosphine oxide 1 led to vinylogous N-acyl-α-aminoalkyl phosphine oxides 12, involving the carbonyl group and the Cα of the keto ester 10. Ring closure of vinylogous derivative 12 in the presence of base afforded pyrrole-2-phosphine oxide 11.

Hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of phosphorylated nitroso alkenes with enol ethers on water: a clean approach toward 1,2-oxazine derivatives.

A concise and eco-friendly synthesis of highly functionalized 1,2-oxazines from phosphinyl- and phosphonyl-nitroso alkenes has been developed. The key step of this process, which involves a two-step sequence of reactions on-water, is a regioselective hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction of enol ethers to 4-phosphinyl or 4-phosphonyl nitroso alkenes mediated by water itself. The process has also been performed under solvent-free conditions and in organic solvents for comparison.

Hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of phosphinyl and phosphonyl nitroso alkenes with conjugated dienes: an aza-Cope rearrangement.

Phosphorylated nitroso alkenes react with cyclic dienes such as cyclopentadiene or cyclohexadiene to afford hetero Diels-Alder-type cycloadducts where the nitroso alkene participates as dienophile component and the cyclic olefin acts as the 4π-electron (diene) system. Subsequent aza-Cope rearrangement affords highly functionalized 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,2-oxazines. Conversely, the reaction of TMS-substituted cyclopentadiene (dienophile) with nitroso alkenes as heterodienes leads directly to bicyclic 1,2-oxazines.

Reactions of conjugate phosphinyl- and phosphonyl-nitroso alkenes with enamines. Preparation of N-hydroxypyrrole derivatives.

The synthesis of highly functionalized N-hydroxypyrrole derivatives by the formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of enamines and nitroso alkenes derived from phosphine oxides and phosphonates is reported. Intermediate phosphorylated nitrones, whose formation can be explained by a conjugate addition of enamines to phosphorylated nitroso alkenes and formation of the five-membered heterocycles, are isolated.

A convenient synthesis of substituted pyrazolidines and azaproline derivatives through highly regio- and diastereoselective reduction of 2-pyrazolines.

The synthesis of substituted N-acetyl- and N-aroyl-2-pyrazolines via intramolecular Michael addition of alpha,beta-unsaturated hydrazones generated through olefination of phosphinyl and phosphonyl hydrazones with carbonyl compounds is reported. The regioselective reduction of the C-N double bond in these 2-pyrazolines using Superhydride (Et3BHLi) gives pirazolidine derivatives with excellent levels of cis-diastereoselectivity. These 2-pyrazolines can also be obtained in one-pot reaction from allenes, hydrazides, and aldehydes; and pyrazolidines, after reduction, from allenes, hydrazides, and aldehydes.

Michael addition of amine derivatives to conjugate phosphinyl and phosphonyl nitrosoalkenes. Preparation of alpha-amino phosphine oxide and phosphonate derivatives.

The synthesis of nitrosoalkenes derived from phosphine oxides and phosphonates generated through base-mediated dehydrohalogenations of readily available alpha-halooximes is reported. These highly reactive intermediates act as Michael acceptors toward nucleophilic reagents such as ammonia, amines, and optically active amino esters, furnishing alpha-amino phosphine oxides and phosphonates in a highly regioselective fashion.

Straightforward access to pyrazines, piperazinones, and quinoxalines by reactions of 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes with 1,2-diamines under solution, solvent-free, or solid-phase conditions.

The preparation of tetrahydropyrazines, dihydropyrazines, pyrazines, piperazinones, and quinoxalines by 1,4-addition of 1,2-diamines to 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes bearing carboxylate, carboxamide, or phosphorylated groups at the terminal carbon and subsequent internal heterocyclization is described. The solvent-free reaction of carboxylated 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes with the same reagents affords piperazinones, while phosphorylated 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes yield phosphorylated pyrazines. The solid-phase reaction of polymer-bound 1,2-diaza-1,3-butadienes with 1,2-diamines produces pyrazines.

Asymmetric synthesis of 2H-azirines derived from phosphine oxides using solid-supported amines. Ring opening of azirines with carboxylic acids.

A simple and efficient asymmetric synthesis of 2H-azirine-2-phosphine oxides 3 is described. The key step is a solid-phase bound achiral or chiral amine-mediated Neber reaction of beta-ketoxime tosylates derived from phosphine oxides 1. Reaction of 2H-azirines 3 and 11 with carboxylic acids 4 gives phosphorylated ketamides 5 and 12.

An Intramolecular Nitrone-Olefin Dipolar Cycloaddition-Based Approach to Total Synthesis of the Cylindricine and Lepadiformine Marine Alkaloids.

A synthetic route to the cylindricine skeleton as well as to the reported structure of the marine alkaloid lepadiformine has been achieved using an intramolecular nitrone/1,3-diene dipolar cycloaddition as the key step. The synthesis began with sequential alkylations of acetone oxime to afford key intermediate oxime 30, which contains all of the carbons necessary to form the tricyclic skeleton of the alkaloids. Nitrone 40, available from oxime 30 by standard transformations, underwent an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to provide isoxazolidine 43.