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Liver fibrosis is one of the most common pathological consequences of chronic liver diseases (CLD). To develop effective antifibrotic strategies, a novel class of 1-(substituted phenyl)-1,8-naphthalidine-3-carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. By means of the collagen type I α 1 (COL1A1)-based screening and cytotoxicity assay in human hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line LX-2, seven compounds were screened out from total 60 derivatives with high inhibitory effect and relatively low cytotoxicity for further COL1A1 mRNA expression analysis. It was found that compound 17f and 19g dose-dependently inhibited the expression of fibrogenic markers, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloprotein 2 (MMP-2), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) on both mRNA and protein levels. Further mechanism studies indicated that they might suppress the hepatic fibrogenesis via inhibiting both PI3K/AKT/Smad and non-Smad JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. Furthermore, 19g administration attenuated hepatic histopathological injury and collagen accumulation, and reduced fibrogenesis-associated protein expression in liver tissues of bile duct ligation (BDL) rats, showing significant antifibrotic effect in vivo. These findings identified 1,8-naphthalidine derivatives as potent anti-hepatic fibrosis agents, and provided valuable information for further structure optimization., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Fluorescent sensors are a vital research tool, enabling the study of intricate cellular processes in a sensitive manner. The design and synthesis of responsive and targeted probes is necessary to allow such processes to be interrogated in the cellular environment. This remains a challenge, and requires methods for functionalisation of fluorophores with multiple appendages for sensing and targeting groups. Methods to synthesise more structurally complex derivatives of fluorophores will expand their potential scope. Most known 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimides are only functionalised at imide and 4-positions, and structural modifications at additional positions will increase the breadth of their utility as responsive sensors. In this work, methods for the incorporation of a hypoxia sensing group to 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide were evaluated. An intermediate was developed that allowed us to incorporate a sensing group, targeting group, and ICT donor to the naphthalimide core in a modular fashion. Synthetic strategies for attaching the hypoxia sensing group and how they affected the fluorescence of the naphthalimide were evaluated by photophysical characterisation and time-dependent density functional theory. An extracellular hypoxia probe was then rationally designed that could selectively image the hypoxic and necrotic region of tumour spheroids. Our results demonstrate the versatility of the naphthalimide scaffold and expand its utility. This approach to probe design will enable the flexible, efficient generation of selective, targeted fluorescent sensors for various biological purposes., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A transition-metal-free approach for construction of nitronaphthylamines has been developed for the first time through aza-henry, chemoselective, and regioselective annulation of 2-alkynylbenzonitriles with nitromethane. In addition, the strategy provides an elegant, operationally simple and atom-economical route for the synthesis of nitroamino substituted heterocyclic scaffolds, featuring a range of sensitive functional groups. The reaction could also devise acetonitrile and acetophenone as nucleophile. The protocol has been successfully implemented for late-stage modification of bioactive molecules.

A highly selective detection method of native protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is described using a target specific probe equipped with 1-naphthylamine (λ ex =330 nm, λ em =445 nm). Irradiation of a mixture of PTP1B and Probe 1 with ultraviolet light of 280 nm (corresponding to PTP1B excitation maximum) resulted in significant fluorescence increase at 445 nm, following FRET characteristics. This phenomenon does not occur with other closely related phosphatases or cellular abundant alkaline phosphatase (APP). Probe 1, the most potent and selective probe, was found to competitively inhibit PTP1B (K i ≈42 nm), whereas APP inhibition was found to be in the low micromolar range. Furthermore, Probe 1 discriminates between PTP1B and several other phosphatases. Here, we report real-time label-free FRET detection of pure PTP1B as well as induced human PTP1B in Escherichia coli cell lysate. In contrast to 6,8-difluoro-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate (DiFMUP), a representative fluorescence turn-on PTP substrate, our FRET probe successfully differentiated human cervical carcinoma cell lysate, SiHa, which has a high expression level of PTP1B, from PTP1B-knockdown SiHa cell lysate (that is, siRNA was used for PTP1B knockdown)., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery It is reported that 1,4-naphthoquinones and their derivatives have potent antitumor activity in various cancers, although their clinical application is limited by observed side effects. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of naphthoquinones in the treatment of cancer and to reduce side effects, we synthesized a novel naphthoquinone derivative, 2-(naphthalene-2-thio)-5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (NTDMNQ). In this study, we explored the effects of NTDMNQ on apoptosis in gastric cancer cells with a focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our results demonstrated that NTDMNQ exhibited the cytotoxic effects on gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. NTDMNQ significantly induced mitochondrial-related apoptosis in AGS cells and increased the accumulation of ROS. However, pre-treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, inhibited the NTDMNQ-induced apoptosis. In addition, NTDMNQ increased the phosphorylation of p38 kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), protein kinase B (Akt), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3); these effects were blocked by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor and NAC. Taken together, the present findings indicate that NTDMNQ-induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis via ROS-mediated regulation of the MAPK, Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways. Therefore, NTDMNQ may be a potential treatment for gastric cancer as well as other tumor types., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The Keap1-Nrf2 system is involved not only in biological defense but also in malignancy progression and chemoresistance. The ubiquitin-binding protein p62/Sqstm1 (p62), which is highly expressed in several cancers, competes with Nrf2 for Keap1 binding, leading to activation of Nrf2-mediated gene expression and survival of cancer cells. We had previously identified an inhibitor for the Keap1-phosphorylated-p62 (p-p62) protein-protein interaction (PPI), the acetonyl naphthalene derivative K67. In this study, we established facile synthetic routes for K67 and derivatives with various side chains on the C-2 position of naphthalene ring. K67 possessed high selectivity in the inhibition of Keap1-p-p62. Other derivatives showed potent Keap1-Nrf2 and Keap1-p-p62 PPI inhibitory activities, though the selectivity between the two activities was lower than K67., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Derivatives of 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide containing a free alkyl chain bearing carboxyl group as linker and different substituents at 4-amino function have been synthesized, characterized and studied for their photophysical properties. Steady state fluorescence studies showed quantum yield varied from 0.45 to 0.65 with Stokes shift in the range of 5824-8558 cm(-1). Spectroscopic and physicochemical parameters, like electronic absorption, emission, and extinction coefficient were investigated in order to explore the analytical potential of compounds. Solvatochromic studies demonstrated that all compounds were sensitive towards the polarity of different solvents showing the highest degree of fluorescence in acetonitrile. In addition, the compounds in the presence of ions, viz. Na(+), K(+) and Mg(2+) at concentration of 0.1-2 equivalents, showed a decreasing trend in fluorescence with increasing ionic concentration. TCSPC set - up was used to measure the fluorescence lifetime of compounds, which was found to be bi-exponential with longer and shorter component at their respective amplitudes. The average lifetime of compounds was observed to be 5.76-9.96 ns indicating the possibility of their greater utilization in research and diagnosis.

A series of N-aryl-naphthylamines, exemplified by the structures 11-16, were chosen for an in-house library screening to assay their ability to disrupt the interaction between the LEDGF cofactor and the HIV integrase. Structure modification led also to design and synthesize new compounds 17a-f. Compounds 11e,h,k,n, 13b, and 14 showed good activity in AlphaScreen assay. The most active compound 11e (IC50 = 2.5 μM) was selected for molecular modeling studies and showed a binding mode similar to the one of the known LEDGIN 8., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Two Schiff base compounds, N,N'-bis(2-methoxy phenylidene)-1,5-diamino naphthalene (L(1)) and N,N'-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenylidene)-1,5-diamino naphthalene (L(2)) were synthesized and characterized by the analytical and spectroscopic methods. The electrochemical and photoluminescence properties of the Schiff bases were investigated in the different conditions. The compounds L(1) and L(2) show the reversible redox processes at some potentials. The sensor properties of the Schiff bases were examined and color changes were observed upon addition of the metal cations, such as Hg(II), Cu(II), Co(II) and Al(III). The Schiff base compounds show the bathochromic shift from 545 to 585 nm. The single crystals of the compounds (L(1)) and (L(2)) were obtained from the methanol solution and characterized structurally by the X-ray crystallography technique. The molecule L(2) is centrosymmetric whereas the L(1) has no crystallographically imposed molecular symmetry. However, the molecular structures for these compounds are quite similar, differing principally in the conformation about methoxy groups and the dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings and diamine naphthalene., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Workup in organic synthesis can be very time-consuming, particularly when using reagents with both a solubility similar to that of the desired products and a tendency not to crystallize. In this respect, reactions involving organic bases would strongly benefit from a tremendously simplified separation process. Therefore, we synthesized a derivative of the superbasic proton sponge 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) and covalently linked it to the strongest currently available nanomagnets based on carbon-coated cobalt metal nanoparticles. The immobilized magnetic superbase reagent was tested in Knoevenagel- and Claisen-Schmidt-type condensations and showed conversions of up to 99%. High yields of up to 97% isolated product could be obtained by simple recrystallization without using column chromatography. Recycling the catalyst was simple and fast with an insignificant decrease in catalytic activity.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule with diverse biological roles. Various fluorescent probes for H2S with biological application have been developed. However, two-photon ratiometric imaging of mitochondrial H2S is scarce. In this paper, we report two ratiometric two-photon probes, AcHS-1 and AcHS-2, which employ 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide as the fluorophore and 4-azidobenzyl carbamate as the H2S response site. These probes exhibit high selectivity toward H2S over biothiols and other reactive species, low detection limits of 50-85 nM, low cytotoxicity, and high stability under physiological conditions. Furthermore, through cell imaging with one-photon and two-photon microscopy, MCF-7 cells incubated with two probes show a marked change in emission color from blue to green in response to H2S. Cell images costraining with a mitochondrial dye reveal that AcHS-2 is a mitochondria-specific two-photon probe for H2S. These results show that AcHS-2 may find useful applications in biological research such as tracking mitochondrial H2S in living biological specimens.

The synthesis and photophysical studies of two cationic Tröger's base (TB)-derived bis-naphthalimides 1 and 2 and the TB derivative 6, characterized by X-ray crystallography, are presented. The enantiomers of 1 and 2 are separated by cation-exchange chromatography on Sephadex C25 using sodium (-)-dibenzoyl-l-tartarate as the chiral mobile phase. The binding of enantiomers with salmon testes (st)-DNA and synthetic polynucleotides are studied by a variety of spectroscopic methods including UV/vis absorbance, circular dichroism, linear dichroism, and ethidium bromide displacement assays, which demonstrated binding of these compounds to the DNA grooves with very high affinity (K ∼ 10(6) M(-1)) and preferential binding of (-)-enantiomer. In all cases, binding to DNA resulted in a significant stabilization of the double-helical structure of DNA against thermal denaturation. Compound (±)-2 and its enantiomers possessed significantly higher binding affinity for double-stranded DNA compared to 1, possibly due to the presence of the methyl group, which allows favorable hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions with DNA. The TB derivatives exhibited marked preference for AT rich sequences, where the binding affinities follow the order (-)-enantiomer > (±) > (+)-enantiomer. The compounds exhibited significant photocleavage of plasmid DNA upon visible light irradiation and are rapidly internalized into malignant cell lines.

A series of aromatic and aliphatic bis[aminomethylidene(bisphosphonic)] acids was synthesized in the reaction of triethylphosphite with isonitriles followed by hydrolysis or dealkylation. The in vitro anti-proliferative effect of all synthesized tetraphosphonic acids against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, J774E macrophages and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells was determined. Three aromatic derivatives (5a, 5f and 5j) showed a similar or higher anti-proliferative activity than zoledronic acid., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this paper, a new kind of phenol-based chemsensor L2 comprised of a Schiff base and azo groups was rationally designed and synthesized. It could selectively recognize fluoride anion among tested anions such as F(-), AcO(-), H2PO4(-), Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-) with obvious color changes from yellow to fuchsia. The intramolecular PT (proton transfer) in L1 and L2 was responsible for the sensing ability, which was certified by the (1)H NMR and Uv-vis experiments., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this account, we report the development of a series of substituted cinnamic anilides that represents a novel class of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) inhibitors. Initial class expansion led to the establishment of the basic structural requirements for activity and to the identification of derivatives with inhibitory potency higher than that of the standard inhibitor cyclosporine-A (CsA). These compounds can inhibit mPTP opening in response to several stimuli including calcium overload, oxidative stress, and thiol cross-linkers. The activity of the cinnamic anilide mPTP inhibitors turned out to be additive with that of CsA, suggesting for these inhibitors a molecular target different from cyclophylin-D. In vitro and in vivo data are presented for (E)-3-(4-fluoro-3-hydroxy-phenyl)-N-naphthalen-1-yl-acrylamide 22, one of the most interesting compounds in this series, able to attenuate opening of the mPTP and limit reperfusion injury in a rabbit model of acute myocardial infarction.

A new stilbazolium dye 4-{(E)-2-[4-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-yl]ethenyl}-1-methylquinolinium iodide monohydrate (DANSQI) having enlarged π-conjugated system was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman, UV-Vis, Fluorescence, (1)H- and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to obtain electronic structure and vibrational data, using DFT. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/n, with a=8.0751(14), b=25.839(4), c=10.9031(15) Å, V=2141.4(6) Å(3), and Z=4 (at 300(2) K). The unit cell contains four molecules of the dye, participating in weak intermolecular interactions. The cation is nearly flat with a deviation of the planarity of 5.08 (1)°. The dye investigated is the first stilbazolium iodide containing water molecule in the solid state therefore the N-dimethylamino group declines significantly from planarity, as indicated by C13N1C2C3 torsion angle of 16.08°. The dye studied shows solvatochromism of 84 nm in visible region and very large Stokes shift up to 253 nm. The intensity of fluorescence bands strongly depends on solvent polarity., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A palladium(II)-catalyzed quinolinamide-directed 8-arylation of 1-naphthylamides with aryl iodides is reported. The bidentate directing group (quinolinamide) proved to be crucial for a highly regioselective transformation. In addition, the amide directing group can be easily hydrolyzed under basic conditions to offer a range of 8-aryl-1-naphthylamine derivatives. The theoretical calculations suggest that the C-H arylation reaction proceeds through a sequential C-H activation/oxidative addition pathway.

A new sequential three-component heterocyclization was developed by reacting aromatic and heterocyclic substrates, including aminobenzenes, 1-aminonaphthalene, 2-aminopyrazines, 5-aminopyrazoles, 3-aminopyridine, 5-aminopyrimidine, 5-aminoquinoline, and 8-aminoquinoline, with formamide in the presence of PBr(3). The reaction gave the corresponding pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines in good yields (59-96%), except for aminobenzenes and 3-aminopyridine. A plausible reaction mechanism involving amidination, electrophilic substitution imination, and oxidative cyclization in three steps was proposed to account for the heterocyclization. The reactivity of the reaction was found proportional to the electrophilicity of the aromatic or heterocyclic substrate.

N,N'-Disubstituted naphthalenediimides (NDIs), planar, electron-deficient building blocks, play an important role in materials and biological sciences. Naphthalene core substituents control the HOMO and LUMO energies, whereas the N-alkyl or aryl substituents affect the solubility, aggregation, and packing propensity in condensed phases. N,N'-Dihydroxynaphthalenediimide (DHNDI) allows expanding the chemical diversity by O-alkylation, acylation, or sulfonylation; these derivatives also allow fine-tuning of the HOMO/LUMO levels. The synthesis, UV-vis, electrochemical, solid state, and computational prediction of the properties of such derivatives are presented., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

A novel tetradentate Cu(II) complex of the type, [CuL](NO(3))(2) was synthesized by the interaction of Schiff base ligand, N,N-bis[(E)-2-thienylmethylidene]-1,8-naphthalenediamine, L obtained by the condensation of thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene. The formation of Schiff base ligand, L and its Cu(II) complex was confirmed on the basis of results of elemental analyses, mass, FT-IR, (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectral studies. UV-Vis, EPR and magnetic susceptibility data support a square planar environment around Cu(II) ion. However, molar conductance values confirmed 1:2 electrolytic nature for the Cu(II) complex. The electrochemical studies of Cu(II) complex was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry which revealed the complex to exhibit quasi reversible process. The biological activity of Cu(II) complex such as ability to bind DNA and DNA cleavage were studied where the Cu(II) complex was shown to cause considerable DNA cleavage and also generated reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion. Since it is known that various anticancer drugs act through induction of oxidative stress that is mediated by reactive oxygen species, our results suggest a putative role of Cu(II) complex similar to various anticancer drugs., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Surgery is currently the best approach for treating either primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies. Because only 20% of hepatic cancers are operable in patients, several types of regional therapy (RT) are emerging as alternate treatment modalities. However, RTs can have their own limitations at controlling tumor growth or may lack the ability to detect such metastases. Additional strategies can be implemented to enhance their efficacy. An animal model of hepatic metastases coupled with a gastroduodenal artery (GDA) cannulation technique may provide a site to apply such therapies. In our study, splenic injections were performed with CC531 adenocarcinoma cells, which generated metastatic hepatic tumors in WAG/RijHsd rats. Cannulation of GDA was achieved via a polyethylene catheter. Infusion of generation 3 polyamidoamine 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide dendrimer containing 8 europium ions (Eu-G3P4A18N) via the GDA resulted in luminescence of the hepatic metastatic nodules. Imaging of the metastatic hepatic nodules was obtained with the help of a cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera., From the Clinical Editor: Hepatic malignancies represent a major therapeutic challenge, despite the available surgical and oncologic treatment modalities. In this paper, an animal model of hepatic adenocarcinoma is used in demonstrating successful targeting of spleen metastases with generation 3 polyamidoamine 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide dendrimer containing 8 europium ions (Eu-G3P4A18N) for luminescence imaging., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A naphthalimide-based highly selective colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for the fluoride ion displayed both one- and two-photon ratiometric changes. Upon reaction with the F(-) (TBA(+) and Na(+) salts) anion in CH(3)CN as well as in aqueous buffer solution, probe 1 shows dramatic color changes from colorless to jade-green and remarkable ratiometric fluorescence enhancements signals. These properties are mechanistically ascribed to a fluoride-triggered Si-O bond cleavage that resulted in a green fluorescent 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide.

1,8-Bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene ("Proton Sponge") and bromomaleic anhydride react quickly at room temperature, generating 3-(4,5-bis(dimethylamino)napthalen-1-yl)furan-2,5-dione (4-maleicanhydridoproton sponge or "MAPS"). MAPS is a deep purple solid that exhibits positive solvatochromism in solution. It is a weaker base than Proton Sponge. When protonated in solution, MAPS loses its color, but the color change can be reversed by deprotonation with a stronger base. MAPS thus acts as a colorimetric version of a proton sponge.

The synthesis and characterization of three bis-1,8-naphthalimide-containing Tröger's bases 1-3, formed from the corresponding 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide precursors 7-9 in a single step, is described. The photophysical investigation of 1-3 and 7-9 was carried out in various organic solvents as well as in water and as a function of pH using UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. As for their 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide precursors 7-9, both the ground-state and excited-state characteristics of 1-3 were dependent on the polarity and the hydrogen-bonding ability of the solvent medium. The DNA-binding affinities of 1-3 were also studied in aqueous solution at pH 7.4, in the presence of calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA), using various UV/vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. These molecules exhibited significant DNA-binding ability, where large binding values K(b) in the range of 10(6) M(-1) were determined. Such strong binding to ct-DNA was maintained even in competitive media (50 and 160 mM NaCl) and was also found to be irreversible regardless of the concentration of the ionic strength. Thermal denaturation experiments also demonstrated that the interaction of 1-3 with ct-DNA gave rise to significant stabilization in the double-helical structure of DNA. The binding affinity of 1-3 for ct-DNA was also compared to that of their 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide precursors 7-9, determined by fitting of data using "intrinsic" methods and ethidium bromide displacement assays. The latter method gives outstanding binding constants for 1-3 in the range of 10(7) M(-1).

Fluorescence imaging is a powerful tool for the visualization of biological molecules in living cells, tissue slices, and whole bodies, and is important for elucidating biological phenomena. Furthermore, zinc (Zn(2+)) is the second most abundant heavy metal ion in the human body after iron, and detection of chelatable Zn(2+) in biological studies has attracted much attention. Herein, we present a novel, highly sensitive off-on fluorescent chemosensor for Zn(2+) by using the internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The rationale of our approach to highly sensitive sensor molecules is as follows. If fluorescence can be completely quenched in the absence of Zn(2+), chemosensors would offer a better signal-to-noise ratio. However, it is difficult to quench the fluorescence completely before Zn(2+) binding, and most sensor molecules still show very weak fluorescence in the absence of Zn(2+). But even though the sensor shows a weak fluorescence in the absence of Zn(2+), this fluorescence can be further suppressed by selecting an excitation wavelength that is barely absorbed by the Zn(2+)-free sensor molecule. Focusing on careful control of ICT within the 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide dye platform, we designed and synthesized a new chemosensor (1) that shows a pronounced fluorescence enhancement with a blueshift in the absorption spectrum upon addition of Zn(2+). The usefulness of 1 for monitoring Zn(2+) changes was confirmed in living HeLa cells. There have been several reports on 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent sensor molecules. However, 1 is the first Zn(2+)-sensitive off-on fluorescent sensor molecule that employs the ICT mechanism; most off-on sensor molecules for Zn(2+) employ the photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) mechanism.

In a continuation of our studies into 4-Amino-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-ones as novel modulators of allergic and inflammatory phenomena, we have extended our work to include dimeric analogues. Of these derivatives, the most promising activity was seen with tertiary amine 58a, which exhibited potent mast cell-stabilising activity in vitro against a variety of stimuli and also in vivo against passive cutaneous anaphylaxis., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Herein we report novel naphthalene homo-oligoamides, derived from 4-amino-3-methoxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid and 4-amino-1-methoxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid as monomer building blocks, that display an anti-periplanar arrangement of the naphthyl rings, primarily induced by steric interactions between adjacent groups and functionalities.

Racemization catalyst 5 c and the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B were combined in a one-pot dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of primary amines in which a wide range of amines were transformed to their corresponding amides in up to 95 % isolated yield and >99 % ee. The DKR protocol was applicable with either isopropyl acetate or dibenzyl carbonate as the acyl donor. In the latter case, release of the free amine from the carbamate products was carried out under very mild conditions. The racemization of (S)-1-phenylethylamine with several different Ru catalysts was also evaluated. Catalyst 5 c, of the Shvo type, was able to selectively racemize amines and was also compatible with the reaction conditions used for DKR. A racemization study of three different amines with varying electronic properties was also performed. Competitive racemization of a 1:1 mixture of the deuterated and non-deuterated amine was carried out with 5 c and a primary kinetic isotope effect was observed for all three amines, providing support that the rate-determining step is beta-hydride elimination. The chemoenzymatic DKR protocol was applied to the synthesis of norsertraline (16) by using a novel route starting from readily available 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine (1 o).

Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels) participate in the control of neuronal excitability, in the shaping of action potential firing patterns, and in the regulation of synaptic transmission.SK channel inhibitors have the potential of becoming new drugs for treatment of various psychiatric and neurological diseases such as depression, cognition impairment, and Parkinson's disease. In the present study we describe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a class of 2-(N-substituted)-2-aminobenzimidazoles that constitute a novel class of selective SK channel inhibitors that, in contrast to classical SK inhibitors, do not block the pore of the channel. The pore blocker apamin is not displaced by these compounds in binding studies, and they still inhibit SK channels in which the apamin binding site has been abolished by point mutations. These novel SK inhibitors shift the concentration-response curve for Ca2+ toward higher values and represent the first example of negative gating modulation as a mode-of-action for inhibition of SK channels. The first described compound in this class is NS8593 (14), and the most potent analogue identified in this study is the racemic compound 39 (NS11757), which reversibly inhibits SK3-mediated currents with a K(d) value of 9 nM.

A new fluorescent reagent 1,5-bis(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)naphthalene (DTAN) was synthesized. The optimum conditions of fluorescent reaction of this reagent with aniline (PA) were also investigated. Based on this reaction, a new spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of aniline. The fluorescent intensity was directly proportional to the concentration of aniline in the ranges 0.05-2.0 microg mL(-1) and 2.0-50 microg mL(-1) with the detection limits of 34 ng mL(-1) and 90 ng mL(-1). This method is simple, practical and can afford good precision and accuracy and can be successfully applied to assess aniline in water samples. A possible mechanism of the change of fluorescence intensity introduced by putting the aniline into the system is also discussed.

A new fluorescent reagent, 1,5-bis(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)naphthalene, containing two active chlorines, was synthesized by a one-step reaction. Under the optimum conditions for the determination of dopamine, the enhanced fluorescence intensity is proportional to the dopamine concentration. The fluorescence intensity was measured at lambda(ex/em) = 400/460 nm, with and without dopamine. The linear range and detection limit for the determination of dopamine were 1.0 x 10(-7) mol/L-5.0 x 10(-5) mol/L and 4.0 x 10(-8) mol/L. This method is simple, practical, can afford good precision and accuracy and can be successfully applied to assess dopamine in injections and human serum samples., (Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

N-Methyl-N-methoxycarbonylmethyl-1-aminonaphthalene (MMAN) and N,N-dimethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-aminonaphthalene (DCAN) were synthesized and their fluorescence and absorption spectra in solvents of varied polarity were investigated and compared to those of 1-dimethylaminonaphthylene (DMAN). The data were discussed in terms of the N-substitution effects on the internal conversion (IC). Results showed that the IC was enhanced when the N-methyl group in DMAN was replaced by N-CH2CO2CH3.

Steady-state fluorescence spectra were measured for 1,8-naphthahlimide-linker-phenothiazine dyads (NI-L-PTZ, where L = octamethylenyl ((CH2)8) and 3,6,9-trioxaundecyl ((CH2CH2O)3C2H4)), NI-C8-PTZ and NI-O-PTZ, as well as the NI derivatives substituted on the nitrogen atom with various linker groups without PTZ as the reference NI molecule in n-hexane. Normal fluorescence peaks were observed at 367-369 nm in all NI molecules together with a broader emission around 470 nm, which is assigned to the excimer emission between the NI in the singlet excited state (1NI*) and the NI moiety of another NI molecule (1[NI/NI]*). In addition, a broad peak around 600 nm was observed only for NI-L-PTZ, which is assigned to an intramolecular exciplex emission between donor (PTZ) and acceptor (NI) moieties in the excited singlet state, 1[NI-L-NI]*. The formation of an intramolecular exciplex corresponds to the existence of a conformer with a weak face-to-face interaction between the NI and PTZ moieties in the excited state because of the long and flexible linkers. The excited-state dynamics of the NI molecules in n-hexane were established by means of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.

This paper describes a novel ratiometric fluorescence sensor for pH measurement. Two pH-sensitive fluorophores, N-allyl-4-(4'-methyl-piperazinyl)-1,8-naphthalimide (AMPN) and meso-5,10,15,20-tetra-(4-allyloxyphenyl)porphyrin (TAPP), which served as referencing indicators for each other, were co-polymerized with acrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate on the silanized glass surface. The proposed sensor is based on the pH-dependent fluorescence intensities of the two fluorophores in different pH ranges. The sensor covers a broad dynamic range of pH 1.5-9.0. It exhibits satisfactory analytical performance in terms of selectivity, reproducibility and stability. The successful fabrication of the proposed sensor provides an alternative concept to utilizing two or more fluorophores for the development of ratiometric sensors covering a broad range of pH.

We report that N(6)-(1-naphthyl)-ADP inhibits the Escherichia coli RecA protein in vitro. A novel rapid screen identified it as a potent inhibitor of RecA nucleoprotein filament formation, and further characterization established it as an ATP-competitive inhibitor of RecA-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis. This and other inhibitors of RecA activities represent a new approach for understanding the molecular targets and pathways involved in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

One achiral seco-hydroxycyclopropylbenz[e]indolone (seco-CBI) (12) and seven achiral seco-amino-CBI (11a-g) analogues of CC-1065 and the duocarmycins were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their DNA-binding and anticancer properties. These compounds contain a core 2-chloroethylnaphthalene structure and they do not have a stereocenter. From thermal cleavage gel analyses, compounds 11a-g and 12 demonstrated similar covalent sequence specificity to adozelesin 3 and the racemic seco-CBI-TMI 4 for binding to the 5'-AAAAA(865)-3' site. Continuous exposure of human (K562) and murine (B16, L1210 and P815) cancer cell lines to the compounds demonstrated their significant cytotoxicity, with IC50 values in the sub-micromolar range. Generally, a good leaving group on the ethyl moiety and a free amino or hydroxyl group on the naphthyl moiety are essential for activity. According to NCI's cytotoxicity screen, compounds 11a and 12 were active against human cancer cell lines derived from lung, colon, melanoma, renal system, and breast. At the respective doses of 15 and 20 mg/kg (administered via an ip route), compounds 11a and 12 inhibited the growth of murine B16-F0 melanoma in C57BL/6 mice, with minimal toxicity, and 11a gave a significant anticancer effect. The in vivo anticancer activity of compound 11a was confirmed in a human tumor xenograft study (advanced stage SC-OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer growing in scid mice). Finally, compound 11a was not toxic to murine bone marrow cell growth in culture at a dose that was toxic for the previously reported compound 4.

[structure: see text] A new boronic acid fluorescent on-off reporter compound (1) was synthesized. This fluorescent sensor shows a 41-fold emission intensity increase upon addition of 50 mM fructose in 0.1 M aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.4.

The bis-dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-diones are a new series of antitumor agents that consist of two chromophores bridged by an alkylamino linker. In the present study we have explored the effect produced by the presence of two dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-dione moieties with different polyamine chains on cellular cytotoxicity. Bis-dibenz[de,h]isoquinoline-1,3-diones with the bridge (CH2)2-NH-(CH2)n-NH-(CH2)2, where n = 2-5, showed optimum cytotoxicity with IC50's around 10 nM. Compound 16, which has the (CH2)2-NH-(CH2)3-NH-(CH2)2 bridge, altered DNA mobility and topoisomerase I and II activity at approximately 5 microM. When tested in vivo, compound 16 increased the median survival time of mice implanted with M5076 with an optimum %T/C of 154% and produced cures in 50% of mice implanted with Lox melanoma.

A major disadvantage of conventional phototherapy is the requirement for the in situ delivery of stimulating photoenergy subsequent to the binding of photochemicals to target malignant cells, or virus-infected cells, or viruses. This drawback has resulted in considerable limitation in the use of photochemicals in photomedicine. To circumvent this problem, we have investigated the antiviral efficacy of a brominated 1,8-naphthalimide photocompound, termed LY66Br [3-bromo-4-(hexylamino)-N-hexyl-1,8-naphthalimide], which upon exposure to visible light at 420 nm generates independently of oxygen one or more stable antiviral molecular photoproducts (e.g., is 'preactivated'). Human cell lines infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), or with the human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-I) exposed to photochemical products of LY66Br (P-LY66Br) completely lost their ability to form syncytia in vitro. Photoproducts of P-LY66Br retain full antiviral activity for at least 3 and 6 weeks when stored at room temperature and at -80 degrees C, respectively. Concentrations of P-LY66Br, effective in inhibiting syncytium formation mediated by HIV-1 and HTLV-I, were nontoxic to normal red cell components of whole blood (red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid, adenosine triphosphate, osmotic fragility or blood type antigens). Additionally, no evidence of acute toxicity was demonstrated in mice following an intravenous bolus inoculation to achieve plasma concentration of 600 microM of P-LY66Br. These findings represent the first demonstration of inhibition of retrovirus-induced syncytium formation by a photochemical product, and justify further investigation of the preactivation process of photochemicals in the treatment of systemic viral infections such as the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in cancer therapy, and in sterilization of banked blood products.

With the purpose of obtaining latent forms, with prolonged action and less toxic, of four schistosomicidal 1-amino-4-naphthylazoderivatives synthesized early, embonates of these compounds were prepared by reacting disodium and tetrasodium embonates with hydrochlorides of the four naphthylazoderivatives. The eight embonates thus obtained were sent for biological assays.