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Pyrroles and quinolones represent core structures, which are routinely found in both natural and synthetic bioactive substances. Consequently, the development of efficient and regiospecific methods for the preparation of such heterocycles with unique functionality is of some importance. We describe herein the regiospecific synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted pyrroles containing polar substituents and such products are prepared from vinylogous carbamates and vinylogous aminonitriles. We also describe the regiospecific synthesis of 3-aryl containing 1,3,6trisubstituted quinolones from vinylogous carbamates. The use of an amine exchange reaction to prepare precursors for the pyrrole and quinolone forming cyclizations represents a key factor in the strategy.

Highly functionalized pyrroles with appropriate regiochemical functionality represent an important class of marine natural products and potential drug candidates. We describe herein a detailed study of the reaction of α-aminoacid esters with vinylogous amides and also β-halovinylaldehydes for the regiospecific synthesis of 2,3,4-trisubstituted and 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted pyrroles. Since the vinylogous amides and β-halovinylaldehydes are readily available precursors, rapid access to a wide variety of unsymmetrically substituted pyrroles is accomplished via this methodology.

New microtubule depolymerizing agents with potent cytotoxic activities have been prepared with a 5-cyano or 5-oximino group attached to a pyrrole core. The utilization of ortho activation of a bromopyrrole ester to facilitate successful Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions was a key aspect of the synthetic methodology. This strategy allows for control of regiochemistry with the attachment of four completely different groups at the 2, 3, 4 and 5 positions of the pyrrole scaffold. Biological evaluations and molecular modeling studies are reported for these examples.

A refined model of the colchicine site on tubulin was used to design an improved analog of the pyrrole parent compound, JG-03-14. The optimized compound, NT-7-16, was evaluated in biological assays that confirm that it has potent activities as a new colchicine site microtubule depolymerizer. NT-7-16 exhibits antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against multiple cancer cell lines, with IC(50) values of 10-16 nM, and it is able to overcome drug resistance mediated by the expression of P-glycoprotein and the βIII isotype of tubulin. NT-7-16 initiated the concentration-dependent loss of cellular microtubules and caused the formation of abnormal mitotic spindles, leading to mitotic accumulation. The direct interaction of NT-7-16 with purified tubulin was confirmed, and it was more potent than combretastatin A-4 in these assays. Binding studies verified that NT-7-16 binds to tubulin within the colchicine site. The antitumor effects of NT-7-16 were evaluated in an MDA-MB-435 xenograft model and it had excellent activity at concentrations that were not toxic. A second compound, NT-9-21, which contains dichloro moieties in place of the 3,5-dibromo substituents of NT-7-16, had a poorer fit within the colchicine site as predicted by modeling and the Hydropathic INTeractions score. Biological evaluations showed that NT-9-21 has 10-fold lower potency than NT-7-16, confirming the modeling predictions. These studies highlight the value of the refined colchicine-site model and identify a new pyrrole-based colchicine-site agent with potent in vitro activities and promising in vivo antitumor actions.

3,5-Dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester is a promising antitubulin lead agent that targets the colchicine site of tubulin. C-2 analogues were synthesized and tested for microtubule depolymerizing and antiproliferative activity. Molecular modeling studies using both GOLD docking and HINT (Hydropathic INTeraction) scoring revealed two distinct binding modes that explain the structure–activity relationships and are in accord with the structural basis of colchicine binding to tubulin. The binding mode of higher activity compounds is buried deeper in the site and overlaps well with rings A and C of colchicine, while the lower activity binding mode shows fewer critical contacts with tubulin. The model distinguishes highly active compounds from those with weaker activities and provides novel insights into the colchicine site and compound design.

Compounds that bind at the colchicine site of tubulin have drawn considerable attention with studies indicating that these agents suppress microtubule dynamics and inhibit tubulin polymerization. Data for 18 polysubstituted pyrrole compounds are reported, including antiproliferative activity against human MDA-MB-435 cells and calculated free energies of binding following docking the compounds into models of alphabeta-tubulin. These docking calculations coupled with HINT interaction analyses are able to represent the complex structures and the binding modes of inhibitors such that calculated and measured free energies of binding correlate with an r(2) of 0.76. Structural analysis of the binding pocket identifies important intermolecular contacts that mediate binding. As seen experimentally, the complex with JG-03-14 (3,5-dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester) is the most stable. These results illuminate the binding process and should be valuable in the design of new pyrrole-based colchicine site inhibitors as these compounds have very accessible syntheses.

We studied the mechanism of action of 3,5-dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (JG-03-14) and found that it is a potent microtubule depolymerizer. JG-03-14 caused a dose-dependent loss of cellular microtubules, formation of aberrant mitotic spindles, accumulation of cells in the G(2)/M phase of the cell cycle, and Bcl-2 phosphorylation. These events culminated in the initiation of apoptosis, as evidenced by the caspase 3-dependent cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). JG-03-14 has antiproliferative activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines, with an average IC(50) value of 62 nM, and it is a poor substrate for transport by P-glycoprotein. JG-03-14 inhibited the polymerization of purified tubulin in vitro, consistent with a direct interaction between the compound and tubulin. JG-03-14 potently inhibited the binding of [(3)H]colchicine to tubulin, suggesting that it bound to tubulin at a site overlapping the colchicine site. JG-03-14 had antitumor effects in the PC3 xenograft model, in which it caused greater than 50% reduction in tumor burden after 14 days of treatment. Molecular modeling studies indicated that the dimethoxyphenyl group of JG-03-14 occupies a space similar to that of the trimethoxyphenyl group of colchicine. However, the 2,3,5-trisubstituted pyrrole group, which is connected to the dimethoxyphenyl moiety, interacted with both alpha and beta tubulin in space not shared with colchicine, suggesting significant differences compared with colchicine in the mechanism of binding to tubulin. Our results suggest that this tetransubstituted pyrrole represents a new, biologically active chemotype for the colchicine site on tubulin.

RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were exposed to the pyrrole-based compound 3,5-Dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (JG-03-14), which is a known microtubule depolymerizing agent with antitumor activity [1,2,3]. In this study exposure to JG-03-14 reduced the production of pro-inflammatory molecules by macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment with the pyrrole-based compound decreased the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) released from the macrophages. Exposure to JG-03-14 also decreased TNF-α mRNA expression levels and the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the enzyme responsible for NO production in the activated macrophages. Furthermore, JG-03-14 treatment significantly changed the degradation profile of IκB-β, an inhibitor of the NF-κB transcription factor, which suggests that JG-03-14 may attenuate the activation of the LPS-induced NF-κB signaling pathway needed to produce the pro-inflammatory mediators. We conclude that JG-03-14 possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

Studies directed on the synthesis of the pyrrole containing marine natural products Rigidin and Rigidin E via vinylogous iminium salts are described. The successful strategy relies on the formation of a 2,4-disubstituted pyrrole from a vinamidinium salt followed by acylation at the 5-position of pyrrole. Halogenation and aminocarbonylation at the 3-position of pyrrole followed by hydrolysis of the ester group at C-2 and subsequent Curtius rearrangement generates the pyrrolopyrimidine skeleton. A final deprotection step completes the synthesis of Rigidin and Rigidin E.

The highly stereoselective conversions of (Z)-3-aryl-3-chloropropenals to (E)-3-alkoxy-3-arylpropenals, to (E)-3-aryl-3-morphorlinopropenals, and to vinamidinium salts are reported. The stereochemical assignments were based on 2D-NMR experiments.

A new and efficient relay synthesis of the marine natural products polycitone A and B is described. The new strategy relies on the formation of 2,4-disubstituted pyrroles from a vinamidinium salt followed by electrophilic substitution at the 5-position of the pyrrole and Suzuki coupling at the 4-position to produce the tetrasubstituted heterocycle efficiently and with complete control of regiochemistry.

Convenient routes from (Z)-3-aryl-3-chloroenals to (2E,4Z)-5-aryl-5-chloro-2,4-pentadienoates and (2E)-5-aryl-2-penten-4-ynoates are described. The stereochemical assignments are based on NMR spectral data.

The substituted ethyl-2-phenacyl-3-phenylpyrrole-4-carboxylates were synthesized by a condensation of a beta-chloroenal and an alpha-aminoketone under neutral conditions. They proved to be potent cytotoxic agents against the growth of murine L1210 and P388 leukemias and human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia, HuT-78 lymphoma, and HeLa-S(3) uterine carcinoma. Selective compounds were active against the growth of Tmolt(3) and Tmolt(4) leukemias and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia, liver Hepe-2, ovary 1-A9, ileum HCT-8 adenocarcinoma, and osteosarcoma HSO. A mode of action study in HL-60 cells demonstrated that DNA and protein syntheses were inhibited after 60 min at 100 microM. DNA and RNA polymerases, PRPP-amido transferase, dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, and TMP kinase activities were interfered with by the agent with reduction of d[NTP] pools. Nonspecific interaction with the bases of DNA and cross-linking of the DNA may play a role in the mode of action of these carboxylates.

A vinylogous iminium salt derivative has been used to prepare a 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrole synthon in a regioselective, efficient and convenient manner. This pyrrole synthon was subsequently converted to the multidrug-resistant (MDR) reversal agent, Ningalin B hexamethyl ether, via alkylation, hydrolysis and oxidative lactonization steps. This methodology provides an alternative pathway to this important class of pyrrole containing marine natural products.

A variety of vinylogous iminium salt derivatives have been examined as useful precursors for the regiocontrolled synthesis of heterocyclic appended pyrazoles. The reaction conditions for such processes have been optimized and the regiochemical preferences have been determined. Such reaction sequences represent methodologies which may have useful applications for the preparation of biologically interesting substances.

Lycogarubin C, permethyl storniamide A and lamellarin G trimethyl ether are pyrrole containing, natural products, which exhibit interesting biological properties. Such properties include anti-tumor activity on a variety of cancer cell lines including those that confer drug resistance, inhibition of HIV integrase and vascular disrupting activity. We now describe the use of methyl and ethyl 3-bromo-2-formylpyrrole-5-carboxylate as building blocks for the formal synthesis of these three highly functionalized, bioactive pyrroles. These new building blocks will now provide ready access to the natural products and many novel analogs due to the ability to easily modify positions 2,3,4 and 5 of the pyrrole core.

A new pyrrole building block is described, which allows for the regiospecific synthesis of 2,3,5-trisubstituted pyrroles and 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted pyrroles. Optimization studies are presented for the preparation of the pyrrole building block along with the evaluation of various cross-coupling conditions and cross-coupling agents. A short, formal synthesis of the natural products Polycitone A, Polycitone B, and Polycitrin A from the pyrrole building block is also described.

β-Fluorinated vinamidinium salts ( 1 ) readily reacted with a series of Grignard reagents in tetrahydrofuran, followed by the action of reducing agents at room temperature, to produce stereospecifically the corresponding fluorinated allylamines ( 4 and 5 ) in good to excellent yields.

The 2,4-disubstituted and 2,3,4-trisubstituted brominated pyrroles were successfully prepared and demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against the growth of suspended murine and human tumors, i.e. leukemia and lymphomas, acute monocytic leukemia, and HeLa S 3 uterine carcinoma. The brominated compounds were more selective in inhibiting the growth of tumors derived from human selective in inhibiting the growth of tumors derived from human solid tumors. Nevertheless, activity with some of the derivatives occurred in the human KB nasopharynx, SW-480 colon, and HCT ileum adenocarcinoma, and lung A549 carcinoma screens. In Tmolt 4 T cell leukemia cells DNA synthesis was reduced over 60 min from 25 to 100 μM followed by RNA synthesis reduction. De novo purine synthesis was retarded with the regulatory enzyme PRPP-amido transferase being markedly inhibited with less effects on the activities of IMP dehydrogenase, dihydrofolate reductase, and the nucleoside kinases. After 60 min incubations d[TTP] and d[GTP] pools were marginally reduced. In vitro ct-DNA studies suggest that the agents may affect the DNA molecule itself with increased DNA viscosity and the Tmolt 4 studies suggest that DNA cross-linking of DNA strands may be present.

Numerous novel pyrrole containing marine natural products have been shown to possess interesting biological properties. These compounds have been the synthetic targets of several research groups and we have previously reported synthetic methods which utilize vinylogous iminium salt derivatives as building blocks for analogous pyrrrole systems. We now report a novel and regiocontrolled synthesis of a known pyrrole synthetic precursor to the compounds Lukianol A and Lammelarin O dimethyl ether based on this synthetic methodology.

β-Trifluoromethyl vinamidinium salt 1 reacted cleanly with a variety of Grignard reagents 2 in tetrahydrofuran under reflux for 3 h to produce a mixture of diastereoisomers ( dl and meso ) of the corresponding difluoromethylene compounds 3 in good to excellent yields.

Two alkyl-3,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrrole-2-carboxylates proved to be potent cytotoxic agents in the murine L1210 lymphoid leukemia screen. DNA synthesis was preferentially inhibited with the major target of the agents being de novo purine biosynthesis at the regulatory enzyme sites of PRPP-amido transferase and IMP dehydrogenase. Other enzymatic activities which were suppressed by the drugs were DNA polymerase alpha, RNA polymerases, ribonucleoside reductase and dihydrofolate reductase. The d[NTP] pools, nucleoside kinase and the pyrimidine pathway were not affected by the presence of drugs. The DNA molecule itself was not the target of the agents, i.e. no alkylation of nucleotide bases, intercalation between bases or cross-linking of DNA strands occurred. The agents did cause L1210 DNA fragmentation after 24 h incubation at 100 microM.

β-Fluorovinamidinium salt ( 1 ) reacted cleanly with a variety of Grignard reagents in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature, followed by acid workup, to produce the corresponding (Z)-α-fluoro-α,β-unsaturated aldehydes ( 3 ) in good to excellent yields.

β-Fluoro vinamidinium salt ( 1 ) reacted with 1.1 equiv. of methylene compounds activated with carbonyl or cyano groups in the presence of lithium diisopropylamide or sodium hydride and triethylamine in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature to give monofluorinated multifunctional dienaminones ( 3 ) and dienaminonitriles ( 5 ) in moderate to good yields. The reactions of 1 with 2.2 equiv. of enolates derived from β-keto esters at 80 °C gave the cyclization products, fluorinated isophthalates ( 6 ) in good yields, while a similar reaction with 2.2 equiv. of cyanoacetate and malononitrile produced the non-cyclic 1, 3-dienecarbonitriles ( 7 ) in excellent yields.

Novel β-polyfluoroalkoxy vinamidinium salts 3 and/or 4 were prepared in good yields by the reaction of N -(2-polyfluoroalkoxy-3,3-difluoro-1-propenyl) trimethylammonium iodides ( 2 ) with secondary amines in acetonitrile at 70 °C for 1 h. These vinamidinium salts readily reacted with bifunctional heteronucleophiles, such as amidines, guanidines and hydrazines, to give regiospecifically polyfluoroalkoxylated pyrimidines ( 6 ) and pyrazoles ( 8 ) in good yields. The one-pot procedure starting from N -(2,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)trimethylammonium iodide ( 1 ), which was the precursor of 2 , was applicable for synthesizing the heterocyclic compounds in almost comparable yields with those obtained by the stepwise procedure using isolated 3 and 4 .

Reactions of 2,3-disubstituted chloropropeniminium salts and related synthons with ethyl glycinate, ethyl N-methylglycinate, and ethyl N-benzylglycinate have been studied under acidic, basic and neutral conditions. Such reactions have resulted in efficient and selective methodology for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrole systems.

The reaction of 1-substituted vinamidinium salts with sarcosine ethyl ester produced 2,3-disubstituted pyrroles; a similar reaction with glycine ethyl ester gave 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles. Reactions of related three-carbon synthons with sarcosine and glycine were studied under basic, neutral and acidic conditions which demonstrated the utility of these derivatives for the regiocontrolled preparation of disubstituted pyrroles.

β-Trifluoromethylated vinamidinium salt (1) was prepared in high yield by the reaction between 3,3,3-trifluoropropanoic acid and phosphorus oxychloride in N,N-dimethylformamide at 70 °C for 1 h. This salt 1 reacted readily with bifunctional nitrogen nucleophiles, such as amidine and hydrazine derivatives, in acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide to furnish the corresponding trifluoromethylated azaheterocycles in good yields.

The reaction of unsymmetrical vinylogous iminum salts and related analogs with β-aminocrotononitrile to yield 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines with regioselective control is described.

β-Fluorovinamidinium salt (2), readily prepared fromN-(2, 3, 3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)trimethyl-ammonium iodide (1) and diethylamine, reacted with bifunctional hetero nucleophiles such as amidine and guanidine hydrochlorides in the presence of a base to afford regiospecifically monofluorinated pyrimidines4 in good yields. The one-pot procedure starting from1 was applicable for synthesizing heterocyclic compounds4 in almost comparable yields.

The reaction of vinylogous iminium salts and related analogs with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole to yield 7-substituted and 5-substituted triazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidines is described.

A three step synthesis of a novel 2-(1-benzotriazolyl)-vinamidinium salt is described along with its direct conversion to a series of unusual 5-(1-benzotriazolyl) pyrimidines, 4-(1-benzotriazolyl)-pyrazoles, and 4-(1-benzotriazolyl) pyrroles.

Studies directed at the synthesis of (Z)-5-benzylidene-4-arylpyrrol-2(5H)-ones from (Z)-3-aryl-3-haloenoic acids are described. The successful strategy relies on the preparation of (Z)-3-aryl-3-haloenoic acids from acetophenones through the corresponding (Z)-3-aryl-3-haloenals and the conversion of the (Z)-3-aryl-3-haloenoic acids to (Z)-5-benzylidene-4-aryl-5H-furan-2-ones. The furanones were subsequently treated with primary amines and dehydrated to the corresponding (Z)-5-benzylidene-4-arylpyrrol-2(5H)-ones.

Studies directed at the amine exchange reaction of vinamidinium salts followed by sodium borohydride reduction to secondary and tertiary allylic amines are described. The tertiary allylic amines were alkylated and subjected to base mediated rearrangement to yield a variety of highly functionalized tertiary homoallylic amines.

JG-03-14, a novel tetrasubstituted pyrrole with microtubule-depolymerizing and anti-proliferative activities, was tested for its effect on endothelial cell (EC) functions in vitro . JG-03-14 was a potent inhibitor of EC vessel-like tube formation on extracellular matrix (IC 50 of 40 nM) and caused the involution of established vessels, potential anti-angiogenic and vascular-disrupting activities, respectively. These actions were not due to the inhibition of EC proliferation or to the induction of apoptosis by JG-03-14. While similar effects were observed with the microtubule-depolymerizing and vascular-disrupting drug combretastatin-A4 (CoA4), JG-03-14 had a more selective effect on tube formation, relative to its cytotoxic actions, than did CoA4. Potential molecular mechanisms for JG-03-14's anti-vascular actions were explored. In contrast to the taxanes, which also have anti-vascular actions, JG-03-14 did not disrupt focal adhesion formation or block VEGF-induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase. It did, however, inhibit VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VE-cadherin and reduce the association of β-catenin with VE-cadherin. It caused cell retraction, intercellular gaps, and abnormally elongated adherens junctions at low concentrations, and prominent, but reversible, plasma membrane blebbing at higher concentrations. These results suggest that JG-03-14 may affect vascular morphogenesis by disrupting the interaction of adjacent endothelial cells, possibly as a consequence of effects on VE-cadherin, β-catenin, and/or actin. They also provide the first report of anti-vascular activity for this class of compounds.

Studies directed at the synthesis of polycitone and storniamide natural products via vinylogous iminium salts and microwave accelerated Vilsmeier-Haack formylations are described. The successful strategy relies on the formation of a 2,4-disubstituted pyrrole or a 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrole from a vinamidinium salt or vinamidinium salt derivative followed by formylation at the 5-position of the pyrrole. Subsequent transformations of the selectively formylated pyrroles lead to efficient and regiocontrolled relay syntheses of the respective pyrrole containing natural products.

JG-03-14, a substituted pyrrole that inhibits microtubule polymerization, was screened against MCF-7 (p53 wild type), MDA-MB 231 (p53 mutant), MCF-7/caspase 3 and MCF-7/ADR (multidrug resistant) breast tumor cell lines. Cell viability and growth inhibition were assessed by the crystal violet dye assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by the TUNEL assay, cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry, autophagy by acridine orange staining of vesicle formation, and senescence based on β-galactosidase staining and cell morphology. Our studies indicate that exposure to JG-03-14, at a concentration of 500 nM, induces time dependent cell death in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 cell lines. In MCF-7 cells, a residual surviving cell population was found to be senescent; in contrast, there was no surviving senescent population in treated MDA-MB 231 cells. No proliferative recovery was detected over a period of 15 days post-treatment in either cell line. Both the TUNEL assay and FLOW cytometry indicated a relatively limited degree of apoptosis (< 10%) in response to drug treatment in MCF-7 cells with more extensive apoptosis (but < 20%) in MDA-MB231 cells; acidic vacuole formation indicative of autophagic cell death was relatively extensive in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells. In addition, JG-03-14 induced the formation of a large hyperdiploid cell population in MDA-MB231 cells. JG-03-14 also demonstrated pronounced anti-proliferative activity in MCF-7/caspase 3 cells and in the MCF-7/ADR cell line. The observation that JG-03-14 promotes autophagic cell death and also retains activity in tumor cells expressing the multidrug resistance pump indicates that novel microtubule poisons of the substituted pyrroles class may hold promise in the treatment of breast cancer.

β-Trifluoroethoxy vinamidinium salts 1 reacted smoothly with various types of the carbanions, generated by treatment of ketones, esters, amide and nitriles with LDA, to give the corresponding trifluoroethoxylated multifunctional dienamine derivatives 3 in moderate to good yields. On the other hand, the reaction of 1 with lithium acetylide and other carbanions derived from methyl compounds bearing sulfonyl, sulfinyl, and phosphonyl groups produced the corresponding α,β-unsaturated aldehydes 5 in good yields.

The synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling of a series of pyrrole compounds related to 3,5-dibromo-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid that evaluates and optimizes C-4 substituents are reported. The key factor for microtubule depolymerization activity appears to be the presence of an appropriately positioned acceptor for Cys241β in the otherwise hydrophobic subpocket A.