David Sucunza

Total Synthesis of (−)-Martinellic Acid via Radical Addition−Cyclization−Elimination Reaction

The asymmetric total synthesis of martinellic acid, the first pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline alkaloid found in nature, is described. Three key steps in our synthesis of (-)-martinellic acid are the Bu(3)SnH-promoted radical addition-cyclization-elimination (RACE) reaction of an oxime ether with an alpha,beta-unsaturated ester to generate the pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline core, a chemoselective lactam carbonyl reduction, and guanidinylation under Mitsunobu reaction conditions. The key radical cyclization has also been investigated by using SmI(2). (-)-Martinellic acid was synthesized from commercially available methyl 4-bromo-3-methylbenzoate in fewer steps than previous syntheses and in an improved overall yield.

A practical two-step synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)pyridin-2-amines.

The Sandmeyer reaction of differently C-2 substituted N-(prop-2-yn-1-ylamino)pyridines is an efficient, mild, new and practical method for the stereospecific synthesis of (E)-exo-halomethylene bicyclic pyridones bearing the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine heterocyclic ring system.

α-Aryl-N-alkyl Nitrones, as Potential Agents for Stroke Treatment: Synthesis, Theoretical Calculations, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Neuroprotective, and Brain–Blood Barrier Permeability Properties

We report the synthesis, theoretical calculations, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of (Z)-α-aryl and heteroaryl-N-alkyl nitrones as potential agents for stroke treatment. The majority of nitrones compete with DMSO for hydroxyl radicals, and most of them are potent lipoxygenase inhibitors. Cell viability-related (MTT assay) studies clearly showed that nitrones 1-3 and 10 give rise to significant neuroprotection. When compounds 1-11 were tested for necrotic cell death (LDH release test) nitrones 1-3, 6, 7, and 9 proved to be neuroprotective agents. In vitro evaluation of the BBB penetration of selected nitrones 1, 2, 10, and 11 using the PAMPA-BBB assay showed that all of them cross the BBB. Permeable quinoline nitrones 2 and 3 show potent combined antioxidant and neuroprotective properties and, therefore, can be considered as new lead compounds for further development in specific tests for potential stroke treatment.

Isoquinoline Synthesis by Heterocyclization of Tosylmethyl Isocyanide Derivatives: Total Synthesis of Mansouramycin B

A new method for the synthesis of isoquinolines through a catalytic acid-mediated cyclization of α-benzyl TosMIC derivatives has been developed. This methodology has been successfully applied to the total synthesis of mansouramycin B. This is the first total synthesis of this compound to be reported in the literature.

Remote aryl cyanation via isocyanide-cyanide rearrangement on tosylmethyl isocyanide derivatives.

The reaction of alkyl tosylmethyl isocyanides and 2-bromobenzyl bromides in the presence of t-BuLi gives rise to a cascade reaction to give unexpected 2-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenimines which, upon treatment with t-BuOK, rearrange to 2-vinylbenzonitriles in high overall yields. This simple procedure represents a new approach to the synthesis of aromatic nitriles via isocyanide-cyanide interconversion.

Efficient synthesis of an indoloquinolizinium alkaloid selective DNA-binder by ring-closing metathesis.

Two total syntheses of the indolo[2,3-a]quinolizinium cation have been accomplished through the application of two ring-closing metathesis reactions to form the pyridinium ring. One of these approaches provides the tetracyclic cation in only five steps from commercially available harmane. Fluorescence-based thermal denaturation experiments, as well as spectrofluorimetric titration, circular dichroism measurements, and theoretical simulations, showed a consistent DNA-binding capacity by intercalation with a marked preference for AT-rich sequences.

Synthesis, Optical Properties, and Regioselective Functionalization of 4a-Aza-10a-boraphenanthrene

4a-Aza-10a-boraphenanthrene has been synthesized in only four steps from commercially available materials with a remarkable overall yield of 62%. In contrast to other BN-isosteres of phenathrene, this isomer is weakly fluorescent, which has been explained by means of computational studies that found a low energy conical intersection for the nonradiative deactivation of the excited state. Moreover, a completely regioselective functionalization of 4a-aza-10a-boraphenanthrene at C-1 by reaction with activated electrophiles has been achieved.

Synthesis of 1-Substituted Isoquinolines by Heterocyclization of TosMIC Derivatives: Total Synthesis of Cassiarin A.

A new method for the synthesis of 1-substituted isoquinolines by a heterocyclization that involves α-benzyl TosMIC derivatives and different electrophiles has been developed. This methodology has been successfully applied to a total synthesis of cassiarin A, an alkaloid with potent antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.

Highly Fluorescent Green Fluorescent Protein Chromophore Analogues Made by Decorating the Imidazolone Ring

The synthesis and photophysical behavior of an unexplored family of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like chromophore analogues is reported. The compound (Z)-4-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-1-propyl-2-(propylamino)-1H-imidazol-5(4 H)-one (p-HBDNI, 2 a) exhibits significantly enhanced fluorescence properties relative to the parent compound (Z)-5-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2,3-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (p-HBDI, 1). p-HBDNI was considered as a model system and the photophysical properties of other novel 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one derivatives were evaluated. Time-dependent DFT calculations were carried out to rationalize the results. The analogue AIDNI (2 c), in which the 4-hydroxybenzyl group of p-HBDNI was replaced by an azaindole group, showed improved photophysical properties and potential for cell staining. The uptake and intracellular distribution of 2 c in living cells was investigated by confocal microscopy imaging.

γ-Carboline Synthesis by Heterocyclization of TosMIC Derivatives

A new method for the synthesis of γ-carbolines by a heterocyclization that involves α-indol-2-ylmethyl TosMIC derivatives and different electrophiles has been developed. This methodology has been successfully applied to the synthesis of several highly substituted γ-carbolines.