Synthesis of Metal-Coordinating Arenediynes And Study Of Their Reactivity in Bergman Cyclization

The Bergman cycloaromatization (BC) in which a cis-alkene-1,2-diyne (enediyne) cyclizes to form a p-benzyne diradical, typically is a very endothermic reaction, requiring a substantial amount of energy (i.e. high temperature) for it to proceed. This reaction received very little attention until a decade after its discovery, when the natural enediynes were isolated and shown to be the most active antitumor agents every discovered. Having BC at the heart of their mode of action, these natural enediynes have been very challenging to mimic from synthetic standpoints. Of particular interest is to be able to design and synthesize an enediyne that is stable at room temperature, while also being capable of being triggered to undergo BC under ambient conditions. Although a relatively new concept, metal-induced BC reactions have generally been known to decrease the demanding energy barrier. The work presented here describes several synthetic strategies towards arenediyne crown eithers and the synthesis of several arenediyne hydrazone/Schiff base ligands with extended n-systems. These synthesized enediynes are useful ligands, capable of metal-cordination and hence potentially decreasing the BC energy barrier. BC reactions of enediyne intermediates are also reported.

Synthesis of Metal-Coordinating Arenediynes And Study Of Their Reactivity in Bergman Cyclization

The Bergman cycloaromatization (BC) in which a cis-alkene-1,2-diyne (enediyne) cyclizes to form a p-benzyne diradical, typically is a very endothermic reaction, requiring a substantial amount of energy (i.e. high temperature) for it to proceed. This reaction received very little attention until a decade after its discovery, when the natural enediynes were isolated and shown to be the most active antitumor agents every discovered. Having BC at the heart of their mode of action, these natural enediynes have been very challenging to mimic from synthetic standpoints. Of particular interest is to be able to design and synthesize an enediyne that is stable at room temperature, while also being capable of being triggered to undergo BC under ambient conditions. Although a relatively new concept, metal-induced BC reactions have generally been known to decrease the demanding energy barrier. The work presented here describes several synthetic strategies towards arenediyne crown eithers and the synthesis of several arenediyne hydrazone/Schiff base ligands with extended n-systems. These synthesized enediynes are useful ligands, capable of metal-cordination and hence potentially decreasing the BC energy barrier. BC reactions of enediyne intermediates are also reported.

Imidazole-Fused Enediynes by Selective C5–C4 Alkynylations of 4,5-Dibromoimidazoles

An efficient synthesis of symmetrical 1,2-disubstituted 4,5-dialkynylimidazoles by Sonogashira alkynylation of the corresponding 4,5-dibromo derivatives was developed. Moreover, through a careful tuning of the palladium ligand, unsymmetrical 1,2-disusbtituted 4,5-dialkynylimidazoles were also prepared through a regioselective C5 alkynylation of 4,5-dibromoimidazoles, followed by a second alkynylation involving the 4-bromo derivatives so obtained. This interesting class of imidazole-fused enediynes is also able to give thermal Bergman cycloaromatization (BC), as proved by DSC experiments.

Enediyne compounds - new promises in anticancer therapy

Enediyne compounds - new promises in anticancer therapyScientists of all kinds have long been intrigued by the nature, action and potential of natural toxins that possess exceptional antibacterial and anticancer activities. These compounds, named enediynes, are among the most effective chemotherapeutic agents known. Often compared with intelligent weapons, due to the unique structure and sophisticated mechanism by which they destroy double-helical DNA, enediyne antibiotics are nowadays the most promising leaders in the anticancer therapy. Apart from their diversity, enediyne compounds share some structural and functional similarities. One fragment of a structure is responsible for the recognition and transport, another part acts as molecular trigger while the third, reactive enediyne unit, undergoes Bergman cycloaromatization and causes DNA breakage. Members of the enediyne family are already in clinical use to treat various cancers, but more general use is limited by their complex structure, which makes them formidable targets for synthetic chemists. There are three main approaches in the design of new enediyne-related compounds: improvement of enediyne "warheads", increasing the selectivity and control of chemical or photo-induced activation. This paper gives an overview of naturally occurring enediynes, their mode of action and efforts undertaken to design artificial enediyne-related DNA cleaving agents.