Gordana S. Ušćumlić

Reversed-phase TLC and HPLC retention data in correlation studies with in silico molecular descriptors and druglikeness properties of newly synthesized anticonvulsant succinimide derivatives.

The properties relevant to pharmacokinetics of two series of newly synthesized succinimide derivatives have been studied. The properties under consideration have been either determined empirically, by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (TLC and HPLC technique), or calculated with the use of established theoretical medicinal chemistry/drug design software. Chromatographic techniques allowed determination of the retention constants R(M)⁰ and log k(w), which characterize lipophilicity of compounds. Considering potential pharmaceutical importance of succinimide derivatives, we (i) examined the retention behavior in the reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RP LC) systems, in both planar and column LC, and (ii) determined the relationships between chromatographic data and selected structural features of analytes that are believed to markedly affect their processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMETox). Significant relationships were found between the retention constants, R(M)⁰ and log k(w), and the in silico calculated bioactivity descriptors, in particular HIA (human intestinal absorption) and PPB (plasma protein binding) parameters. The R(M)⁰ and log k(w) values of the investigated compounds have been recommended for description of their lipophilicity and evaluating pharmacokinetic properties. In view of results of this study the newly synthesized succinimide agents meet pharmacokinetic criteria of preselection of drug candidates and hence qualify for pharmacodynamic phase of antiepileptic drug development. Best compromising human intestinal absorption and plasma protein binding features appear to be compounds A4, A5, A10 and A11.

Spectroscopic and quantum chemical investigations of substituent effects on the azo-hydrazone tautomerism and acid–base properties of arylazo pyridone dyes

A series of 5-(4-substituted arylazo)-6-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-cyano-2-pyridone dyes was synthesized and the structure of the dyes was confirmed by UV-Vis, FT-IR, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopic techniques. The azo-hydrazone tautomeric equilibrium was found to depend on the substituents as well as on the acidity and basicity of the media. Ionization constant, pKa, of the dyes was determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy and correlated with the Hammett substituent constants, σp and σI. The interpretation of the effect of different substituent in phenyl ring of arylazo pyridone dyes on their spectroscopic and structural properties was based on quantum chemical calculations performed by the density functional theory (DFT/M06-2X) method. The DFT calculations confirmed the existence of two forms in water solution: hydrazone form in acidic and neutral media and anionic form in basic media. The different contribution of azo and hydrazone canonical forms of anionic form is observed for dyes with electron-donating and dyes with electron-withdrawing groups. The dependence of absorption spectra and determined pKa values to the substituent type seems to be mostly due to azo/hydrazone canonical structure ratio in their anionic form.

Chromatographic retention parameters in correlation analysis with in silico biological descriptors of a novel series of N-phenyl-3-methyl succinimide derivatives.

Reversed-phase thin-layer chromatographic (RP TLC) retention coefficients for a newly designed series of N-phenyl-3-methyl succinimide derivatives, of a rationally expected anticonvusant activity, were determined as parameters of their lipophilicity. Basic pharmacokinetic descriptors of the agents were calculated in silico with the use of the established medicinal chemistry/drug design software. Highly significant, predictive relationships were found between the chromatographic retention constants and the bioactivity descriptors, which are assumed to account for drug absorption, distribution, elimination and toxicity (ADMETox) in humans. Among the agents investigated, the compounds with halogen substituent (Compounds nos. 9-13 in Fig. 1), were identified as the best drug candidates, because of their predicted proper pharmacokinetics, and have been selected for further research and development studies on new antiepileptic drugs. At the same time, among the congeners studied these can be indicated, which should not be rationally subjected to bioactivity tests.

Quantum mechanical and spectroscopic (FT-IR, 13C, 1H NMR and UV) investigations of potent antiepileptic drug 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-phenyl-succinimide.

This study represents an integrated approach towards understanding the vibrational, electronic, NMR, and structural aspects, and reactivity of 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-phenyl-succinimide (CPPS). A detailed interpretation of the FT-IR, UV and NMR spectra were reported. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features, and harmonic vibrational frequencies have been investigated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method using 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The scaled theoretical wavenumber showed very good agreement with the experimental values. The (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated by the Gauge-Invariant Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method. Stability of the molecule, arising from hyperconjugative interactions and charge delocalization, has been analyzed using Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis. The results show that ED in the σ(*) and π(*) antibonding orbitals and second order delocalization energies E(2) confirm the occurrence of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. UV-Vis spectrum of the compound was recorded and the electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies, were calculated by Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) approach. To estimate chemical reactivity of the molecule, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface map is calculated for the optimized geometry of the molecule.

Substituent and solvent effects on intramolecular charge transfer of 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones.

The absorption spectra of twelve 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones were recorded in twenty one solvents in the range from 300 to 600 nm. The effect of specific and non-specific solvent-solute interactions on the absorption maxima shifts were evaluated by using the Catalán solvent parameter set. Furthermore, the experimental findings were interpreted with the aid of ab initio MP2 and time-dependent density functional (TD-DFT) methods. It was found that different substituents significantly change the extent of conjugation in the molecules and further affect their intramolecular charge transfer character.

Synthesis, structure and solvatochromic properties of some novel 5-arylazo-6-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-cyano-2-pyridone dyes

BackgroundA series of some novel arylazo pyridone dyes was synthesized from the corresponding diazonium salt and 6-hydroxy-4-phenyl-3-cyano-2-pyridone using a classical reaction for the synthesis of the azo compounds.ResultsThe structure of the dyes was confirmed by UV-vis, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. The solvatochromic behavior of the dyes was evaluated with respect to their visible absorption properties in various solvents.ConclusionsThe azo-hydrazone tautomeric equilibration was found to depend on the substituents as well as on the solvent. The geometry data of the investigated dyes were obtained using DFT quantum-chemical calculations. The obtained calculational results are in very good agreement with the experimental data.

The retention behavior of some uracil derivatives in normal and reversed-phase chromatography. Lipophilicity of the compounds

The chromatographic behavior of newly synthesized uracil derivatives has been studied by normal and reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography. Benzene—methanol, benzene—acetonitrile, and benzene—isopropanol were used as mobile phases in normal-phase chromatography and water—methanol and water—acetonitrile in reversed-phase chromatography. The mechanism of retention on different TLC supports was investigated. The retention constants determined for the uracils are discussed in terms of the physico-chemical properties of both the solutes and stationary and mobile phases. RM0 values derived by extrapolation from reversed-phase chromatography were correlated with the hydrophobicity log P calculated by use of the commercial program ACD/logP. In normalphase chromatography values for C0 (= RM0/n) were correlated with the hydrophobicity log P. Good correlation was obtained for both types of chromatography. Retention constants RM0 and C0 can be used to express the lipophilicity of the compounds investigated.

New derivatives of hydantoin as potential antiproliferative agents: biological and structural characterization in combination with quantum chemical calculations

Two new series of hydantoin derivatives, 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-5,5-diphenyl- and 3-(4-substituted benzyl)-5-ethyl-5-phenylhydantoins, were synthesized and their antiproliferative activity was tested against human colon cancer HCT-116 and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The presence of different substituents on both hydantoin and benzyl moieties changed the antiproliferative activity of the investigated hydantoins, whereby most of the compounds showed superior antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 than against the HCT-116 cell line. The structure of three compounds was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The general structural characteristic is the presence of N–H···O hydrogen bonds in crystal packings. The molecular geometry and bonding features of the investigated hydantoins in the ground states were calculated using the density functional method. The relationship between structure and antiproliferative activity was discussed. The data presented in this investigation afford guidelines for the preparation of new hydantoin derivatives with greater antiproliferative activity.Graphical Abstract

Synthesis of azo pyridone dyes

Over 50% of all colorants which are used nowdays are azo dyes and pigments, and among them arylazo pyridone dyes (and pigments) have became of interest in last several decades due to the high molar extinction coefficient, and the medium to high light and wet fastness properties. They find application generally as disperse dyes. The importance of disperse dyes increased in the 1970s and 1980s due to the use of polyester and nylon as the main synthetic fibers. Also, disperse dyes were used rapidly since 1970 in inks for the heat-transfer printing of polyester. The main synthetic route for the preparation of azo dyes is coupling reaction between an aromatic diazo compound and a coupling component. Of all dyes manufactured, about 60% are produced by this reaction. Arylazo pyridone dyes can be prepared from pyridone moiety as a coupling component, where substituent can be on nitrogen, and diazonim salts which can be derived from different substituted anilines or other heterocyclic derivatives. In addition, arylazo dyes containing pyridone ring can be prepared from arylazo diketones or arylazo ketoesters (obtained by coupling β-diketones or β-ketoesters with diazonim salts) by condensation with cyanoacetamide. Disazo dyes can be prepared by tetrazotizing a dianiline and coupling it with a pyridone or by diazotizing aniline and coupling it with a dipyridone. Trisazo dyes can be also prepared by diazotizing of aniline and coupling it with a tripyridone or by hexazotizing a trianiline and coupling it with a pyridone. The main goal of this paper is to give a brief review on the synthesis of arylazo pyridone dyes due to the lack of such reviews. In addition, some properties of arylazo pyridone dyes as light fastness and azo-hydrazon tautomerism are disccused.

Synthesis, structural and biological characterization of 5-phenylhydantoin derivatives as potential anticonvulsant agents

Considering the importance of hydantoin derivatives in treatment of status epilepticus, four 5-phenylhydantoins, whose lipophilicities were estimated to be similar to that of phenytoin, were synthesized. Evaluation of their anticonvulsant activities was performed on rats by subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol seizure test and intravenous pentylenetetrazol threshold test, and spontaneous locomotor activity test was used to assess possible sedative effects. X-ray analysis of three compounds suggested that certain analogies might be drawn between interactions in crystal packing and biological interactions responsible for their anticonvulsant activity. It was found that 5-ethyl-5-phenyl-3-propylhydantoin exhibits the most favorable pharmacological properties among the synthesized compounds, i.e., anticonvulsant activity comparable to phenytoin with lower liability for induction of sedation in rats.Graphical Abstract