I. V. Zavarzin

Copper(II)-Mediated Aerobic Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via Cascade Aminomethylation/Cycloisomerization of Alkynes.

A single copper(II)-catalyzed three-component cascade aminomethylation/cycloisomerization of propiolates to form imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was explored. A straightforward method was developed for the practical synthesis of functionalized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from benzaldehydes, 2-aminopyridines, and propiolate derivatives catalyzed by Cu(OAc)2 hydrate in the presence of air. The protocol is marked by excellent yields, functional group tolerance, and, above all, adaptability to synthesize imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based drug molecules such as Alpidem.

Photoinduced skeletal rearrangement of diarylethenes comprising oxazole and phenyl rings.

A novel photochemical rearrangement of diarylethenes bearing oxazole and benzene derivatives as aryl moieties that results in the formation of polyaromatic systems was investigated. The mechanism of the transformation includes photocyclization, sequential [1,9] and [1,3]-hydrogen shifts, as well as a lateral oxazole ring-opening process. It was shown that this reaction can be an effective synthetically preparative method for the preparation of naphthalene (polyaromatic) derivatives.

Design, Synthesis and Structure-activity Studies of Rhodanine Derivatives as HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors

Raltegravir was the first HIV-1 integrase inhibitor that gained FDA approval for use in the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Because of the emergence of IN inhibitor-resistant viral strains, there is a need to identify innovative second-generation IN inhibitors. Previously, we identified 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone (rhodanine)-containing compounds as IN inhibitors. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and docking studies of a series of novel rhodanine derivatives as IN inhibitors. All these compounds were further tested against human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) to determine their selectivity. Two compounds showed significant cytotoxicity in a panel of human cancer cell lines. Taken together, our results show that rhodanines are a promising class of compounds for developing drugs with antiviral and anticancer properties.

General Photoinduced Sequential Electrocyclization/[1,9]-Sigmatropic Rearrangement/Ring-Opening Reaction of Diarylethenes.

A novel and efficient photochemical transformation of diarylethenes comprising a five-membered heterocyclic ring and phenyl moiety is described. This reaction provides a simple method for the preparation of functionalized naphthalene derivatives via photorearrangement reaction of diarylethenes, and the process is characterized by high efficiency that was determined by NMR monitoring. Some mechanistic aspects of this process have been also explored. It was found that the reaction includes tandem transformation of three basic processes: the photocyclization of the hexatriene system, [1,9]-sigmatropic rearrangement, and heterocyclic ring opening. Diarylethenes with different heterocycle moieties (thiophene, benzo[b]thiophene, furan, indole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, pyrazole) have been involved into this process, and the target naphthalenes with good yields have been obtained. The opportunity for use in the transformation of diarylethenes with different heterocyclic residues permits synthesis of naphthalenes with desired functional groups. The general character and high efficiency of the reaction promise that the transformation can be an effective synthetic route for the annulation of benzene rings to various aromatic systems, including heterocycles.

Synthesis of Oxamic Acids Thiohydrazides and Carbamoyl-1,3,4-thiadiazoles

A convenient preparation method was developed for oxamic acids thiohydrazides by reaction of α-chloroacetamides with a preliminary prepared solution of elemental sulfur and hydrazines. A series of carbamoyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives was obtained.

Regioselective acylation of methyl 2-methyl-4H-thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylate

The influence of catalysts, acid chlorides, and solvents on the acylation of methyl 2-methyl-4H-thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxylate was studied. The use of AlCl3 allows the regioselective introduction of the acyl group into position 3 to be performed, whereas the acyl group is regioselectively introduced into position 6 of thienopyrrole when SnCl4 is used.

15N NMR study of the mechanism of the reaction of amidoximes with nitrites in the presence of ZnCl2 and HCl

The structures of complexes formed during the transformation of amidoximes into 1,2,4-oxadiazoles by the action of nitriles in the presence of zinc chloride and HCl were studied by15N NMR spectroscopy.

A convenient synthesis of 3-substituted 5-guanidino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

The reaction of amidoximes with cyanoguanidine in the presence of Lewis acids affords 3-substituted 5-guanidino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles. A study of the reaction of15N-labeled chloroacetamidoxime with cyanoguanidine showed that the formation of the oxadiazole ring occursvia the elimination of the amino group from the amidoxime fragment. 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles bearing the imidazole or pyrimidine moiety were synthesized.

A new method for the synthesis of nitriles enriched with the15N isotope

A new synthetic method for the preparation of15N-labeled nitriles from nonlabeled nitriles is proposed.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity evaluation of steroidal imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

An elegant approach to unknown steroidal imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hybrids is disclosed. Unique derivatives of androstene and estrane series containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine motifs were prepared from 17-ethynyl steroids in good yields via copper-catalyzed cascade aminomethylation/cycloisomerization with imines. The synthesized compounds were screened for cytotoxicity against human breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HBL-100, MDA-MB-453) and prostate (LNCaP-LN3, PC-3, DU 145) cancer cell lines. The majority of tested compounds showed activities at μM level in breast cancer cells. The hormone-responsive breast cancer cells MCF-7 were more sensitive to novel compounds than ERα-negative cells; in particular, compounds 6a,b exhibited promising cytotoxicity against this cell line with the IC50 values in the range of 3-4μM. Furthermore, compound 4a showed remarkable effects as a selective ERα receptor modulator.