A CONVENIENT MODIFICATION OF THE FISCHER INDOLE SYNTHESIS WITH A SOLID ACID

A new one-pot version of the titled reaction involves heating a mixture of a carbonyl compound, a phenylhydrazine, and the cation exchange resin Amberlite IR 120 in refluxing ethanol. A variety of enolizable aldehydes, and ketones and several substituted phenylhydrazines could thus be converted to the corresponding indoles in excellent yields (70-88%). Reaction times were typically 6-10 h, with the resin being then filtered off and the product isolated after minimal workup.

Design, synthesis and development of novel indolocarbazole derivatives as potential anti-cancer agents

This thesis describes work carried out on the design of new routes to a range of bisindolylmaleimide and indolo[2,3-a]carbazole analogs, and investigation of their potential as successful anti-cancer agents. Following initial investigation of classical routes to indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole aglycons, a new strategy employing base-mediated condensation of thiourea and guanidine with a bisindolyl β-ketoester intermediate afforded novel 5,6-bisindolylpyrimidin-4(3H)-ones in moderate yields. Chemical diversity within this H-bonding scaffold was then studied by substitution with a panel of biologically relevant electrophiles, and by reductive desulfurisation. Optimisation of difficult heterogeneous literature conditions for oxidative desulfurisation of thiouracils was also accomplished, enabling a mild route to a novel 5,6-bisindolyluracil pharmacophore to be developed within this work. The oxidative cyclisation of selected acyclic bisindolyl systems to form a new planar class of indolo[2,3-a]pyrimido[5,4-c]carbazoles was also investigated. Successful conditions for this transformation, as well as the limitations currently prevailing for this approach are discussed. Synthesis of 3,4-bisindolyl-5-aminopyrazole as a potential isostere of bisindolylmaleimide agents was encountered, along with a comprehensive derivatisation study, in order to probe the chemical space for potential protein backbone H-bonding interactions. Synthesis of a related 3,4-arylindolyl-5-aminopyrazole series was also undertaken, based on identification of potent kinase inhibition within a closely related heterocyclic template. Following synthesis of approximately 50 novel compounds with a diversity of H-bonding enzyme-interacting potential within these classes, biological studies confirmed that significant topo II inhibition was present for 9 lead compounds, in previously unseen pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, indolo[2,3-c]carbazole and branched S,N-disubstituted thiouracil derivative series. NCI-60 cancer cell line growth inhibition data for 6 representative compounds also revealed interesting selectivity differences between each compound class, while a new pyrimido[5,4-c]carbazole agent strongly inhibited cancer cell division at 10 µM, with appreciable cytotoxic activity observed across several tumour types.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel azaindolocarbazole derivatives as cancer chemotherapeutics

This thesis details the design and implementation of novel chemical routes towards a series of highly propitious 7-azaindolyl derivatives of the indolocarbazole (ICZ) and bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) families, with subsequent evaluation for use as cancer chemotherapeutic agents. A robust synthetic strategy was devised to allow the introduction of a 7-azaindolyl moiety into our molecular template. This approach allowed access to a wide range of β-keto ester and β-keto nitrile intermediates. Critical analysis identified F-ring modulation as a major theme towards the advancement of ICZ and BIM derivatives in drug therapy. Thus, the employment of cyclocondensation methodology furnished a number of novel aminopyrazole, isoxazolone, pyrazolone and pyrimidinone analogues, considerably widening the scope of the prevalent maleimide functionality. Photochemical cyclisation provided for the first reported aza ICZ containing a six-membered F-ring. Another method towards achieving the aza ICZ core involved use of a Perkin-type condensation approach, with chemical elaboration of the headgroup instigated post-aromatisation. Subsequent use of a modified Lossen rearrangement allowed access to further analogues containing a six-membered F-ring. Extensive screening of the novel aza ICZ and BIM derivatives was carried out against the NCI-60 cancer cell array, with nine prospective candidates selected for continued biological evaluation. From these assays, a number of compounds were shown to inhibit cancer cell growth at concentrations of below 10 nM. Indeed, the most active aza ICZ tested is currently under assessment by the Biological Evaluation Committee of the NCI due to excellent antiproliferative activity demonstrated across the panel of cell lines, with a mean GI50 of 34 nM, a mean total growth inhibition (TGI) of 4.6 μM and a mean cytotoxicity (LC50) of 63.1 μM. Correlation to known topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibitors was revealed by COMPARE analysis, and subsequent topo I-mediated DNA cleavage assays showed inhibitory activity below 1 μM for several derivatives.

Effects of melatonin on hemolymph glucose and lactate concentrations in the fiddler crab, uca pugilator

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indolamine hormone produced by the pineal gland that works to regulate sleep/wake cycles and activity rhythms. The effects of melatonin in metabolism are far from understood. Melatonin was injected into the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, to investigate the effects of melatonin on hemolymph glucose and lactate levels. Following injection at t=O, hemolymph samples were collected at t=O.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 5.0 hours. Melatonin caused a decrease in the stress response to injection and also caused delayed hyperglycemia. Melatonin-injected crabs also retained the glucose and lactate rhythymicity when compared to saline-injected crabs. Glucose and lactate rhythms followed the same pattern indicating that the cycles are coupled. Also, melatonin was synthesized using tbe Fischer Indole synthesis and characterized using H?NMR. The synthetic melatonin demonstrated biological activity when injected into the crabs as when compared to pure melatonin on the effects on glucose and lactate concentrations. Overall, melatonin influences both glucose metabolism and the production of lactate.

Dendrimer-supported combinatorial chemistry.

A new methodology for the construction of combinatorial libraries is described. The approach, termed dendrimer-supported combinatorial chemistry (DCC), centers on the use of dendrimers as soluble supports. Salient features of DCC include solution phase chemistry, homogeneous purification, routine characterization of intermediates, and high support loadings. To demonstrate the feasibility of DCC, single compounds and a small combinatorial library were prepared via the Fischer indole synthesis. Excellent product yields and purities were obtained, and dendrimer-protected intermediates could be routinely analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR and by mass spectrometry. The results indicate that DCC is a general and efficient strategy for the generation of combinatorial libraries.

Enantiospecific total synthesis of indole alkaloids (+)-eburnamonine, (-)-aspidospermidine and (-)-quebrachamine

An enantiospecific total synthesis of indole alkaloids eburnamonine, aspidospermidine and quebrachamine is described from lactic acid. Synthesis of all three alkaloids is accomplished from a single chiral building block. Johnson-Claisen rearrangement of a chiral allyl alcohol is the main feature for the installation of the required quaternary centre.

Total synthesis of the indole alkaloids henrycinol A and B

The total synthesis of new indole alkaloids henrycinol A and B were accomplished starting from L-tryptophan methyl ester. The key step is a stereochemically flexible Pictet-Spengler reaction governed by the presence or absence of an N-allyl group in the tryptophan precursor. The natural products henrycinol A and B were synthesized in good overall yield in eight and nine steps, respectively. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Studies On Developing A Facile Route For The Synthesis Of Highly Substituted Quinoline And Indole Derivatives

the thesis entitled “STUDIES ON DEVELOPING A FACILE ROUTE FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF HIGHLY SUBSTITUTED QUINOLINE AND INDOLE DERIVATIVES” portrays our attempt to revisit the mechanism of 1,3- dipolar additions with a view to establishing whether it follows a concerted pathway or a stepwise reaction sequence through the formation of a zwitterionic intermediate, which will definitely contribute to the better use of this technique. Furthermore, we propose to develop novel routes for the synthesis of quinoline and indole derivatives with predefined substitution pattern. The thesis is devided into four chapters

Au(I) Catalyzed Manipulation of Propargylic Alcohols: A New Route Towards the Synthesis of Indole Alkaloids

In this work we presented several aspects regarding the possibility to use readily available propargylic alcohols as acyclic precursors to develop new stereoselective [Au(I)]-catalyzed cascade reactions for the synthesis of highly complex indole architectures. The use of indole-based propargylic alcohols of type 1 in a stereoselective [Au(I)]-catalyzed hydroindolynation/immiun trapping reactive sequence opened access to a new class of tetracyclic indolines, dihydropyranylindolines A and furoindolines B. An enantioselective protocol was futher explored in order to synthesize this molecules with high yields and ee. The suitability of propargylic alcohols in [Au(I)]-catalyzed cascade reactions was deeply investigated by developing cascade reactions in which was possible not only to synthesize the indole core but also to achieve a second functionalization. Aniline based propargylic alcohols 2 were found to be modular acyclic precursors for the synthesis of [1,2-a] azepinoindoles C. In describing this reactivity we additionally reported experimental evidences for an unprecedented NHCAu(I)-vinyl specie which in a chemoselective fashion, led to the annulation step, synthesizing the N1-C2-connected seven membered ring. The chemical flexibility of propargylic alcohols was further explored by changing the nature of the chemical surrounding with different preinstalled N-alkyl moiety in propargylic alcohols of type 3. Particularly, in the case of a primary alcohol, [Au(I)] catalysis was found to be prominent in the synthesis of a new class of [4,3-a]-oxazinoindoles D while the use of an allylic alcohol led to the first example of [Au(I)] catalyzed synthesis and enantioselective functionalization of this class of molecules (D*). With this work we established propargylic alcohols as excellent acyclic precursor to developed new [Au(I)]-catalyzed cascade reaction and providing new catalytic synthetic tools for the stereoselective synthesis of complex indole/indoline architectures.

Studies on the reduction of the nitro group in 3-aryl-2-methylene-4-nitro-alkanoates afforded by the Baylis-Hillman adducts: Synthesis of 4-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones and 3-(1-alkoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylates

The formation of substituted 2-pyrrolidinones and indoles by the reduction of the secondary nitro group in appropriate 3-aryl-2-methylene-4-nitroalkanoates afforded by Baylis-Hillman chemistry via different reducing agents is described. The 3-aryl-2-methylene-4-nitroalkanoate obtained from SN2 nucleophilic reaction between the acetate of Baylis-Hillman adducts and ethyl nitroacetate upon reduction with indium-HCl furnishes a mixture of cis and trans substituted phenyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones. In contrast, similar reductions of analogous substrates derived from nitroethane stereoselectively furnished only the trans substituted phenyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones. On the other hand the SnCl2.2H2O-promoted reductions of substrates derived from nitro ethylacetate give oxime derivatives while the ones obtained from nitroethane yield a mixture of cis and trans 4-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones. Alternatively, the SnCl2.2H2O-promoted reduction of substituted 2-nitrophenyl-2-methylene-alkanoate furnished from ethyl nitroacetate yields 3-(1-alkoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylate while indium-promoted reaction of this substrate leads to a complex mixture. Analogous reactions with SnCl2.2H2O of substituted 2-nitrophenyl-2-methylene-alkanoate obtained from nitroethane yield 4-alkyl-3-methylene-2-quinolones in moderate yields

Synthesis and evaluation of N-(3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-indole-carboxamides as cholecystokinin antagonists

The structure-activity relationship optimization of the pyrazoline template 3a resulted in novel 3-oxo-1,2-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-indole carboxamides 4a-4e. These non-peptidal CCK ligands have been shown to act as potent CCK 1 ligands in a [125]I-CCK-8 receptor binding assay. The best amides (4c and 4d) of this series displayed an IC50 of 20/25 CCK 1 for the CCK 1 receptor. In a subsequent in-vivo evaluation using various behaviour pharmacological assays, an anxiolytic effect of these novel 3-oxo-1,2-diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-indole carboxamides was found at high doses in the elevated plus-maze. In the despair swimming test, a model for testing antidepressants, an ED50 of 0.33/0.41 mg kg -1 was determined for amide 4c/4d and the antidepressant effect had a magnitude comparable to desimipramine. © 2006 The Authors.