Thiophene Ring-Opening Reactions III: One-Pot Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of 1,3,4-Thiadiazoline–Benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazine Hybrids

Introduction: The preparation of model 6-chloro-5-nitrothieno[2,3-c]pyridazines incorporating (2'-halo-5'-nitrophenyl) entity is described. Interaction of these substrates with N'-(aryl)benzothiohydrazides, in the presence of triethylamine, followed a formal [4+1] annulation, furnishing the respective 1,3,4-thiadiazoline–benzothiazolo [3,2-b]pyridazine hybrids directly. This one-pot synthesis implies thiophene ring-opening and two consecutive intramolecular cyclizations. The structures of the synthesized new hybrids are supported by MS, NMR, and IR spectral data and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These hybrids exhibit antiproliferative activity with notable selectivity against solid tumor cell lines (IC50: 4-18 μM). Aims: This study aimed at exploring the scope and applicability of thiophene ring-opening reaction towards the synthesis of new thiadiazoline–[fused]tricyclic conjugates. Background: α-Chloro-β-nitrothienopyridazine underwent ring-opening upon reacting with N'-(aryl)benzothiohydrazides generating 1,3,4-thiadiazoline–benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazines. Objective: This new thiophene ring-opening reaction is applied to the one-pot synthesis of thiadiazoline–benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazine couples. Method: A direct interaction of α-chloro-β-nitrothienopyridazine with N'-(aryl)benzothiohydrazide at room temperature for 1-2 h occurred. Result: α-Chloro-β-nitrothieno[2,3-c]pyridazines are suitable substrates for the facile synthesis of thiadiazoline–benzothiazolo[3,2-b]pyridazine hybrids. Conclusion: This novel ring-opening reaction proceeds via formal [4+1] annulation and provides a versatile approach to various conjugated and/or fused five-membered heterocycles.

Synthesis of Single-Handed Helical Spiro-Conjugated Ladder Polymers through Quantitative and Chemoselective Cyclizations

<div>We report the unprecedented synthesis of one-handed helical spiro-conjugated ladder polymers with well-defined primary and secondary structures, in which the spiro-linked</div><div>dibenzo[a,h]anthracene fluorophores are arranged in a one-handed twisting direction, through quantitative and chemoselective acidpromoted intramolecular cyclizations of random-coil precursor polymers composed of chiral 1,1’-spirobiindane and achiral bis[2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl]phenylene units. Intense circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) were observed, whereas the precursor polymers exhibited negligible CD and CPL activities. The introduction of 2,6-dimethyl substituents on the 4- alkoxyphenylethynyl pendants is of key importance for this simple,</div><div>quantitative, and chemoselective cyclization. This strategy is applicable to the defect-free precise synthesis of other varieties of fully p-conjugated molecules and coplanar ladder polymers that have not been achieved before.</div>

Synthesis of Single-Handed Helical Spiro-Conjugated Ladder Polymers through Quantitative and Chemoselective Cyclizations

<div>We report the unprecedented synthesis of one-handed helical spiro-conjugated ladder polymers with well-defined primary and secondary structures, in which the spiro-linked</div><div>dibenzo[a,h]anthracene fluorophores are arranged in a one-handed twisting direction, through quantitative and chemoselective acidpromoted intramolecular cyclizations of random-coil precursor polymers composed of chiral 1,1’-spirobiindane and achiral bis[2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)ethynyl]phenylene units. Intense circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) were observed, whereas the precursor polymers exhibited negligible CD and CPL activities. The introduction of 2,6-dimethyl substituents on the 4- alkoxyphenylethynyl pendants is of key importance for this simple,</div><div>quantitative, and chemoselective cyclization. This strategy is applicable to the defect-free precise synthesis of other varieties of fully p-conjugated molecules and coplanar ladder polymers that have not been achieved before.</div>

Chalcogen-Nitrogen Bond: Insights into a Key Chemical Motif

Chalcogen-nitrogen chemistry deals with systems in which sulfur, selenium, or tellurium is linked to a nitrogen nucleus. This chemical motif is a key component of different functional structures, ranging from inorganic materials and polymers, to rationally designed catalysts, to bioinspired molecules and enzymes. The formation of a selenium–nitrogen bond, typically occurring upon condensation of an amine and the unstable selenenic acid, often leading to intramolecular cyclizations, and its disruption, mainly promoted by thiols, are rather common events in organic Se-catalyzed processes. In this work, focusing on examples taken from selenium organic chemistry and biochemistry, the selenium–nitrogen bond is described, and its strength and reactivity are quantified using accurate computational methods applied to model molecular systems. The intermediate strength of the Se–N bond, which can be tuned to necessity, gives rise to significant trends when comparing it to the stronger S– and weaker Te–N bonds, reaffirming also in this context the peculiar and valuable role of selenium in chemistry and life.

A Review on Onychine and its Analogs: Synthesis and Biological Activity

Background: Onychine is a 4-azafluorenone alkaloid isolated from the Annonaceae family, in low concentrations. Onychine and its analogs exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, and antimalarial. Because of the high bioactivity of some 4-azafluorenone derivatives, several synthetic methods have been developed for their procurement. Objective: Considering the importance of these alkaloids, we aim to present the main synthetic approaches to onychines and its derivatives and the biological activity of some 4-azafluorenones. Methods: The most prominent methodologies for the synthesis of onychines were reviewed. Results: In this work, we cover many synthetic approaches for the synthesis of onychine and 4-azafluorenone derivatives including intramolecular cyclizations, multicomponent reactions, microwave-assisted multicomponent reactions, Diels-alder reactions, among others. Moreover, we also review the biological activity of 4-azafluorenones. Conclusion: 4-azafluorenones have risen as prominent structures in medicinal chemistry; however, most of the time, access to new derivatives involves toxic catalysts, harsh reaction conditions, and long-step procedures. Therefore, the development of new synthetic routes with more operational simplicity, simple purification procedure, good yields, and low environmental impact, is desirable.