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β-Hydroxy sulfones are important in organic synthesis. The simplest method of β-hydroxy sulfones synthesis is the hydrogenation of β-keto sulfones. Herein, we report the reducing properties of alkyl aluminum compounds R 3 Al (R = Et, i -Bu, n -Bu, t -Bu and n -Hex); i -Bu 2 AlH; Et 2 AlCl and EtAlCl 2 in the hydrogenation of β-keto sulfones. The compounds i -Bu 2 AlH, i -Bu 3 Al and Et 3 Al are the at best reducing agents of β-keto sulfones to β-hydroxy sulfones. In reactions of β-keto sulfones with aluminum trialkyls, hydroalumination products with β-hydroxy sulfone ligands [R 2 AlOC(C 6 H 5 )CH 2 S(O) 2 ( p -R 1 C 6 H 4 ] n [where n = 1,2; 2aa : R = i -Bu, R 1 = CH 3 ; 2ab : R = i -Bu, R 1 = Cl; 2ba : R = Et, R 1 = CH 3 ; 2bb : R = Et, R 1 = Cl] and {[Et 2 AlOC(C 6 H 5 )CH 2 S(O) 2 ( p -ClC 6 H 4 ]∙Et 3 Al} n 3bb were obtained. These complexes in the solid state have a dimeric structure, while in solutions, they appear as equilibrium monomer-dimer mixtures. The hydrolysis of both the isolated 2aa , 2ab , 2ba , 2bb and the postreaction mixtures quantitatively leads to pure racemic β-hydroxy sulfones. Hydroalumination reaction of β-keto sulfones with alkyl aluminum compounds and subsequent hydrolysis of the complexes is a simple and very efficient method of β-hydroxy sulfones synthesis.3bb and the postreaction mixtures quantitatively leads to pure racemic β-hydroxy sulfones. Hydroalumination reaction of β-keto sulfones with alkyl aluminum compounds and subsequent hydrolysis of the complexes is a simple and very efficient method of β-hydroxy sulfones synthesis.

Since our study showed that sulfone derivatives' action mode creates a lesser risk of inducing widespread resistance among Candida spp., we continued verifying sulfones' antifungal activity using the following newly synthesized derivatives: bromodichloromethy-4-hydrazinyl-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (S1), difluoroiodomethyl-4-hydrazinyl-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (S2), and chlorodifluoromethyl-4-hydrazinyl-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (S3). As the mechanism by which sulfones gain access to the cytoplasm has not been elucidated yet, in order to track S1-3, we coupled their hydrazine group with BODIPY (final S1-3 BODIPY-labelled were named SB1-3). This approach allowed us to follow the vital internalization and endocytic routing of SB1-3, while BODIPY interacts primarily with fungal surfaces, thus confirming that S1-3 and their counterparts SB1-2 behaved as non-typical agents by damaging the cell membrane and wall after being endocytosed (SB1-3 fluorescence visible inside the unlysed sessile cells). Thus greatly decreasing the likelihood of the appearance of strains resistance. Core sulfones S1-3 are a promising alternative not only to treat planktonic C. albicans but also biofilm-embedded cells. In the flow cytometric analysis, the planktonic cell surface was digested by S1-3, which made the externalized PS accessible to AnnexinV binding and PI input (accidental cell death ACD). The occurrence of ACD as well as apoptosis (crescent-shaped nuclei) and anoikis of sessile cells (regulated cell death by 100%-reduction in attachment to epithelium) was assessed through monitoring the AO/PI/HO342 markers. CLSM revealed the invasion of S1-3 and SB1-3 in C. albicans without inducing cell lysis. This was a novel approach in which QCM-D was used for real-time in situ detection of viscoelastic changes in the C. albicans biofilm, and its interaction with S1 as a representative of the sulfones tested. S1 (not toxic in vivo) is a potent fungicidal agent against C. albicans and could be administered to treat invasive candidiasis as a monotherapy or in combination with antifungal agents of reference to treat C. albicans infections., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Candida albicans represents an interesting microorganism to study complex host-pathogen interactions and for the development of effective antifungals. Our goal was to assess the efficacy of 4-chloro-3-nitrophenyldifluoroiodomethyl sulfone (named Sulfone) against the C. albicans infections in the Galleria mellonella host model. We assessed invasiveness of CAI4 parental strain and mutants: kex2Δ/KEX2 and kex2Δ/kex2Δ in G. mellonella treated with Sulfone. We determined that KEX2 expression was altered following Sulfone treatment in G. mellonella-C. albicans infection model. Infection with kex2Δ/kex2Δ induced decreased inflammation and minimal fault in fitness of larvae vs CAI4. Fifty percent of larvae died within 4-5 days (P value < 0.0001) when infected with CAI4 and kex2Δ/KEX2 at 10 9  CFU/mL; survival reached 100% in those injected with kex2Δ/kex2Δ. Larvae treated with Sulfone at 0.01 mg/kg 30 min before infection with all C. albicans tested survived infection at 90-100% vs C. albicans infected-PBS-treated larvae. Hypersensitive to Sulfone, kex2Δ/kex2Δ reduced virulence in survival. KEX2 was down-regulated when larvae were treated with Sulfone: 30 min before and 2 h post-SC5314-wild-type infection respectively. kex2Δ/kex2Δ was able to infect larvae, but failed to kill host when treated with Sulfone. Sulfone can be used to prevent or treat candidiasis. G. mellonella facilitates studding of host-pathogen interactions, i.e., testing host vs panel of C. albicans mutants when antifungal is dosed.

Since candidiasis is so difficult to eradicate with an antifungal treatment and the existing antimycotics display many limitations, hopefully new sulfone derivatives may overcome these deficiencies. It is pertinent to study new strategies such as sulfone derivatives targeting the virulence attributes of C. albicans that differentiate them from the host. During infections, the pathogenic potential of C. albicans relies on the virulence factors as follows: hydrolytic enzymes, transcriptional factors, adhesion, and development of biofilms. In the article we explored how the above-presented C. albicans fitness and virulence attributes provided a robust response to the environmental stress exerted by sulfones upon C. albicans; C. albicans fitness and virulence attributes are fungal properties whose inactivation attenuates virulence. Our understanding of how these mechanisms and factors are inhibited by sulfones has increased over the last years. As lack of toxicity is a prerequisite for medical approaches, sulfones (non-toxic as assessed in vitro and in vivo) may prove to be useful for reducing C. albicans pathogenesis in humans. The antifungal activity of sulfones dealing with these multiple virulence factors and fitness attributes is discussed., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Aim: The effect of KEX2 mutations on C. albicans virulence and resistance to halogenated methyl sulfones was assessed., Materials & Methods: The mechanism of action of sulfones was studied using flow cytometry and microscopy. Expression of KEX2 and SAP5 was assessed using quantitative Real-Time-PCR. 2,3-Bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide and lactate dehydrogenase assays were elaborated to study, respectively, metabolism of Candida treated with sulfones and their cytotoxicity against tissues. Inflammatory response was detected by ELISA., Results: Lysosome permeabilization and dose-dependent programmed cell death under sulfones were noted. KEX2 induction depended on halogenomethylsulfonyl groups, which affected cell wall biosynthesis and adhesion., Conclusion: Sulfones treatment reduced Candida pathogenicity in Galleria mellonella. Sulfones are an alternative for antifungal therapies due to their safety profile and antibiofilm activity.

The influence of halogenated methyl sulfones, i.e. bromodichloromethyl-4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (named halogenated methyl sulfone 1), dichloromethyl-4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (halogenated methyl sulfone 2), and chlorodibromomethyl-4-hydrazino-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (halogenated methyl sulfone 3), on cell growth inhibition, aspartic protease gene (SAP4-6) expression, adhesion to epithelium, and filamentation was investigated. Antifungal susceptibility of the halogenated methyl sulfones was determined with the M27-A3 protocol in the range of 16-0.0313 µg/mL. Adherence to Caco-2 cells was performed in 24-well plates; relative quantification was normalized against ACT1 in cells after 18 h of growth in YEPD and on Caco-2 cells. SAP4-6 expression was analyzed using RT-PCR. Structure-activity relationship studies suggested that halogenated methyl sulfone 1 containing bromodichloromethyl or dichloromethyl function at C-4 (halogenated methyl sulfone 2) of the phenyl ring showed the best activity (100% cell inhibition at 0.5 µg/mL), while hydrazine at C-1 (halogenated methyl sulfone 3) reduced the sulfone potential (100% = 4 µg/mL). SAP4-6 were up- or down-regulated depending on the strains' genetic background and the substitutions on the phenyl ring. Halogenated methyl sulfone 2 repressed germination and affected adherence to epithelium (P ≤ 0.05). The tested halogenated methyl sulfones interfered with the adhesion of Candida albicans cells to the epithelial tissues, without affecting their viability after 90 min of incubation. The mode of action of the halogenated methyl sulfones was attributed to the reduced virulence of C. albicans. SAP5 and SAP6 contribute to halogenated methyl sulfones resistance. Thus, halogenated methyl sulfones can inhibit biofilm formation due to their interference with adherence and with the yeast-to-hyphae transition., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The successful preventing and effective treatment of invasive Candida albicans infections required research focused on synthesis of new classes of agents and antifungal activity studies. Bromodichloromethyl-4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (named compound 6); dichloromethyl-4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (named 7); and chlorodibromomethyl-4-hydrazino-3-nitrophenyl sulfone (named 11) on inhibition of planktonic cells' growth, leucine arylamidase APE2 gene expression, and adhesion to epithelial cells were investigated. In vitro anti-Candida activities were determined against wild-types, and the morphogenesis mutants: Δefg1 and Δcph1. MICs of compounds 6, 7 and 11 (concentrated at 0.25-16μg/ml) were determined using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Broth Microdilution Method (M27-A3 Document). APE2 expression was analyzed using RT-PCR; relative quantification was normalized against ACT1 in cells growth in YEPD and on Caco-2 cell line. Adherence assay of C. albicans to Caco-2 was performed in 24-well-plate. The structure activity relationship suggested that sulfone containing hydrazine function at C-1 (compound 11) showed higher antifungal activity (cell inhibition%=100 at 1-16μg/ml) than the remaining sulfones with chlorine at C-1. Δcph1/Δefg1 was highly sensitive to compound 11, while the sensitivity was reduced in Δcph1/Δefg1::EFG1 (%=100 at 16-fold higher concentration). Compound 11 significantly affected adherence to epithelium (P ⩽0.05) and hyphae formation. The APE2 up-regulation plays role in sulfones' resistance on MAP kinase pathway. Either CPH1 or EFG1 play a role in the resistance mechanism in sulfones. The strain-dependent phenomenon is a factor in the sulfone resistance mechanism. Sulfones' mode of action was attributed to reduced virulence arsenal in terms of adhesiveness and pathogenic potential related to the APE2 expression and morphogenesis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fungal virulence factors represent a strategy for the design of new compounds with effective activities against Candida spp. Dichloromethyl-4-chloro-3-nitrophenylsulfone (named Compound 1) and chlorodibromomethyl-4-hydrazino-3-nitrophenylsulfone (Compound 2) versus Candida albicans virulence factors (SAP2 expression and adhesion to Caco-2 cell line) were investigated. Candida albicans SC5314 and its mutants: Δsap9, Δsap10, Δsap9/10 were used. MICs of the Compounds (concentrated at 0.0313-16 µg/ml) were determined using M27-A3. Percentage of cell inhibition was assessed spectrophotometrically (OD405) after 48 h at 35 °C. The SAP2 expression was analyzed with the use of RT-PCR; relative quantification was normalized against ACT1 in cells grown in YEPD and on Caco-2. Adherence assay of C. albicans to Caco-2 was performed in a 24-well-plate. Compound 1 showed higher activity (% = 100 at 4 µg/ml) than Compound 2 (MIC90 = 16 µg/ml). Dichloromethyl at the para position of the phenyl ring exerted anti-Candidal potential. Under Compound 1, SAP2 was down-regulated in all the strains (P ≤ 0.05). Conversely, SAP2 was over-expressed in Δsap9-10 (untreated cells) compared with the wild-type. The Compounds significantly affected adherence to epithelium (P ≤ 0.05). The tested sulfones interfered with the adhesion of C. albicans cells to the epithelial tissues without affecting their viability after 90-min of incubation. The Compounds' mode of action was attributed to the reduced adhesiveness and the lower SAP2 expression. Saps9-10 play a role in C. albicans adhesion and they can be involved in the sulfone resistance mechanisms.

t‐Butyl derivatives play a significant role in the organometallic chemistry of group 13 metals. It was shown on the basis of reactions of t‐Bu3Al·OEt2 with [p‐RC6H4S(O)2C(H)2C(Ph) = O] (where R = CH3, Cl) β‐keto sulfones that the structure of the reaction products depends on the purity of the aluminum compound used. In the reactions, in addition to the expected complexes [p‐RC6H4S(O2)C(H) = C (Ph)‐OAl(t‐Bu)2] [where R = CH3 (2); R = Cl (4)] possessing β‐keto sulfone ligands, complexes with β‐hydroxy sulfone ligands [p‐RC6H4S(O2)C(H)2‐C (Ph)‐OAl(t‐Bu)2] [where R = CH3 (1); R = Cl (3)] were formed. Compounds 1 and 3 were the result of the hydroalumination reaction of the β‐keto sulfone ligands with t‐Bu2AlH, which is an impurity of t‐Bu3Al. These compounds are obtained, for the first time, as intermediate products in the hydrogenation reaction of β‐keto sulfones. In this work, during t‐Bu3Al·OEt2 production t‐Bu2AlH·OEt2 formed as a by‐product. Re‐examination of reaction conditions of AlCl3 with t‐BuMgCl resulted in a control of the t‐Bu2AlH·OEt2 by‐product content in t‐Bu3Al·OEt2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: 82 refs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents chemical equations related to the article "A Novel Method for the Synthesis of Aryl Trihalomethyl Sulfones and Their Derivatization: The Search for New Sulfone Fungicides" by M. D. Korzynski, K. M. Borys and others, published in the periodical "Tetrahedron Letters" in 2014.