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Abstract Partially saturated, fluorine-containing rings are ubiquitous across the drug discovery spectrum. This capitalises upon the biological significance of the native structure and the physicochemical advantages conferred by fluorination. Motivated by the significance of aryl tetralins in bioactive small molecules, a reaction cascade has been validated to generate novel gem-difluorinated isosteres from 1,3-diaryl cyclobutanols in a single operation. Under the Brønsted acidity of the catalysis conditions, an acid-catalysed unmasking/fluorination sequence generates a homoallylic fluoride in situ. This species serves as the substrate for an I(I)/I(III) cycle and is processed, via a phenonium ion rearrangement, to an (isolable) 1,3,3-trifluoride. A final C(sp3)-F bond activation event, enabled by HFIP, forges the difluorinated tetralin scaffold. The cascade is highly modular, enabling the intermediates to be intercepted: this provides an expansive platform for the generation of structural diversity.

Substrate specificity is ubiquitous in biological catalysis, but less pervasive in the realm of small-molecule catalysis. Herein, we disclose an intriguing example of substrate specificity that was observed whilst exploring catalysis-based routes to generate α-fluoroketones from terminal and internal alkynes under the auspices of I(I)/I(III) catalysis. Utilising p-TolI as an inexpensive organocatalyst with Selectfluor® and amine/HF mixtures, the formation of protected α-fluoroketones from simple alkynes was realised. Whilst the transient p-TolIF2 species generated in situ productively engaged with pentynyl benzoate scaffolds to generate the desired α-fluoroketone motif, augmentation or contraction of the linker suppressed catalysis. The prerequisite for this substructure was established by molecular editing and was complemented with a physical organic investigation of possible determinants.

A complex [Zn(bpy)(acr)2]·H2O (1) was converted in a DMF medium (DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide) into a coordination polymer [Zn(bpy)(acr)(HCOO)]n (1a) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, and Hacr = acrylic acid), and the species was fully characterized through a single crystal X-ray diffraction. Additional data were obtained by IR and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex (1a) crystalized the coordination polymer in the space group Pca21 of an orthorhombic system. Structural characterization revealed that Zn(II) adopted a square pyramidal stereochemistry generated by bpy molecules, coordinated by chelate, acrylate, and formate ions as unidentate and bridged, respectively. The presence of both the formate and the acrylate with different coordination modes generated two bands in ranges that were characteristic for the carboxylate vibration modes. Thermal decomposition occurs in two complex steps: it first happens via a bpy release, which is followed by an overlapped process that is associated with acrylate and formate decomposition. The obtained complex is of present interest due to the presence of two different carboxylates in its composition and situation, which is rarely reported in the literature.

New antithrombotic drugs are needed to combat thrombosis, a dangerous pathology that causes myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. In this respect, thrombin (FIIa) represents an important drug target. We herein report the synthesis and biological activity of a series of 1H-pyrazol-5-amine-based thrombin inhibitors with a serine-trapping mechanism of action. Among synthesized compounds, flexible acylated 1H-pyrazol-5-amines 24e, 34a, and 34b were identified as potent 16–80 nM thrombin inhibitors, which showed practically no off-targeting effect against other physiologically relevant serine proteases. To prove that synthesized compounds are covalent thrombin inhibitors, the most potent derivative 24e (FIIa IC50 = 16 nM) was studied in a mass-shift assay, where it has been shown that 24e transfers its acyl moiety (pivaloyl) to the catalytic Ser195 of thrombin. Performed herein docking studies also confirmed the covalent mechanism of thrombin inhibition by synthesized compounds. Acylated aminopyrazoles found during this study showed only limited effects on plasma coagulation in activated partial thrombin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) in vitro assays. However, such thrombin inhibitors are expected to have virtually no effect on bleeding time and can be used as a starting point for developing a safer alternative to traditional non-covalent anticoagulants.

A new co-crystal with the formula [Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)]·MA (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, acr = acrylate and MA = melamine) has been synthesized and characterized using IR, UV-Vis, thermogravimetric analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex contains discrete unities of [Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)] and melamine linked in a complex network by both hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Structural characterization revealed that Ni(II) adopts an octahedral distorted stereochemistry, and acrylate ions present both unidentate and chelate coordination modes. Thermal decomposition occurs in four steps, the ligands being stepwise released in the order of water, acrylate, bipyridine and melamine. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained complex, its precursor ([Ni(bpy)(acr)2(H2O)]) and melamine were assessed against planktonic (minimal inhibitory concentration—MIC) and biofilm-embedded (minimal biofilm eradication concentration—MBEC) Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The obtained results revealed that the new complex and its precursor exhibited a superior activity compared to MA, the highest susceptibility being recorded for the Staphylococcus aureus strain. The MIC and MBEC ranges were very similar, indicating the potential of this complex and its precursor to develop novel anti-biofilm agents.

The adenosine A3 receptor is a promising target for treating and diagnosing inflammation and cancer. In this paper, a series of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-based nucleosides was synthesized and evaluated for their P1 receptor affinities in radioligand binding studies. The study focused on modifications at 1-, 2-, and 6-positions of the purine ring and variations of the 5′-position at the bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane moiety, closing existing gaps in the structure–affinity relationships. The most potent derivative 30 displayed moderate A3AR affinity (Ki of 0.38 μM) and high A3R selectivity. A subset of compounds varied at 5′-position was further evaluated in functional P2Y1R assays, displaying no off-target activity.

Herein, we describe a catalytic fluorooxygenation of readily accessible N-allylcarboxamides via an I(I)/I(III) manifold to generate 2-oxazolines containing a fluoromethyl group. Catalysis is conditional on the oxidation competence of Selectfluor®, whilst HF serves as both a fluoride source and Brønsted acid activator. The C(sp3)–F bond of the mono-fluoromethyl unit and the C(sp3)–O bond of the ring are aligned in a synclinal relationship thereby engaging in stabilising hyperconjugative interactions with vicinal, electron-rich σ-bonds (σC–C→σ*C–F and σC–H→σ*C–O). This manifestation of the stereoelectronic gauche effect was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis of a representative example. Given the importance of fluorine in drug discovery, its ability to modulate conformation, and the prevalence of the 2-oxazoline scaffold in Nature, this strategy provides a rapid entry into an important bioisostere class.

As part of our efforts to exploit the antitrypanosomal potential of sesquiterpene lactones (STL) from Helianthus tuberosus L. (Asteraceae), besides the known 4,15-iso-atriplicolide tiglate, -methacrylate and -isobutyrate, a hitherto unknown STL was isolated. Its structure was solved by extensive NMR measurements and confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. This novel compound is a structural analog 4,15-iso-atriplicolide tiglate that possesses the same basic furanoheliangolide skeleton but differs in the position of the oxo function which is at C-2 instead of C-1, as well as in the fact that the oxygen atom of the furanoid ring is part of a hemiketal structure at C-3 and a double bond between C-5 and C-6. For this new STL we propose the name heliantuberolide-8-O-tiglate. Its activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (causative agent of East African Human Typanosomiasis, Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas Disease), Leishmania donovani (Visceral Leishmaniasis) and Plasmodium falciparum (Tropical Malaria) as well as cytotoxicity against rat skeletal myoblasts (L6 cell line) was determined along with those of the hitherto untested 4,15-iso-atriplicolide methacrylate and isobutyrate. In comparison with the iso-atriplicolide esters, the new compound showed a much lower level of bioactivity.

Five new copper(II) acrylate complexes (acr is the acrylate anion: C3H3O2) with imidazole derivatives (2-methylimidazole/2-MeIm, 5-methylimidazole/5-MeIm, 2-ethylimidazole/2-EtIm) of type: cis-[Cu(2-RIm)2(acr)2]·xH2O ((1): R = ⁻CH3, x = 2; (4): R = ⁻CH2⁻CH3, x = 0), trans-[Cu(2-RIm)2(acr)2] ((2): R = ⁻CH3; (5): R = ⁻CH2⁻CH3) and trans-[Cu(5-RIm)2(acr)2] ((3): R = ⁻CH3) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FTIR), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), electronic reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mass spectrometry. The single crystal X-ray diffraction study of complexes (2) and (5) reveals that the copper(II) ion is located on an inversion center and show elongated octahedral geometry completed by two coplanar bidentate acrylates and two unidentate imidazole derivatives displayed in trans positions. For complex (4) the single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the copper(II) ion is in a distorted octahedral environment which can be easily confused with a trigonal prism completed by two bidentate acrylates and two unidentate imidazole derivatives displayed in cis positions. These results indicate the fact that complexes (4) and (5) are the geometric isomers of the same compound bis(acrylate)-bis(2-ethylimidazole)-copper(II). Complexes (1) and (2), as well as (4) and (5), were produced simultaneously in the reaction of the corresponding copper(II) acrylate with imidazole derivatives in methanol solution. Furthermore, in order to be able to formulate potential applications of the obtained compounds, our next goal was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized complexes against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal strains, of both clinical and ecological importance (biodeterioration of historical buildings). The trans isomers (2) and (5), followed by (4) have shown the broadest range of antimicrobial activity. In case of (1) and (2) isomers, the trans isomer (2) was significantly more active than cis (1), while the cis isomer (4) proved to be more active than trans (5). Taken together, the biological evaluation results indicate that the trans (2) was the most active complex, demonstrating its potential for the development of novel antimicrobial agents, with potential applications in the biomedical and restoration of architectural monuments fields.

Methods for the detection of reactive intermediates such as transient radicals are important in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, biology or medicine. Along these lines we recently reported that 1,5-diphenyl-6-oxo verdazyl radicals can be used as fluorescent spin sensors. In situ generated C-centered radicals are efficiently trapped by the verdazyls, which in turn undergo transformation from a paramagnetic non-fluorescent state to a diamagnetic fluorescent state. Whereas the N-phenyl substituent in the spin probes is of high importance for obtaining profluorescent behavior, the effect of the C(3)-substituent has not been investigated to date. We herein present the synthesis and characterization of various 1,5-diphenyl-6-oxo-verdazyl radicals bearing differently hybridized C-substituents at the C(3) position. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in solution and in the solid state along with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations reveal that a C(3)-aryl substituent is crucial for obtaining fluorescence after spin trapping. In addition, it is shown that the emission wavelength of the C(3)-aryl substituted verdazyl derivatives can be tuned by selective destabilization of the HOMO and the LUMO.

We report the synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly behavior of a 4,4-Difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dye functionalized at the meso-position with a butyric acid group. Various spectroscopic investigations (UV-Vis, emission, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies) supported by X-ray analysis revealed the formation of self-assembled structures in the solid state with translationally stacked BODIPY units driven by hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups.

The synthesis, structural characterization, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties of four new complexes formed by employing acrylate anion and 2,2′-bipyridine are reported herein. X-ray crystallography revealed the trinuclear nature of [Mn3(2,2′-bipy)2(C3H3O2)6] (1), meanwhile complexes with general formula [M(2,2′-bipy)(C3H3O2)2(H2O)x]∙yH2O ((2) M: Ni, x = 1, y = 0; (3) M: Cu, x = 1, y = 0; (4) M: Zn, x = 0, y = 1; 2,2′-bipy: 2,2′-bipyridine; C3H3O2: acrylate anion) were shown to be mononuclear. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 128 μg mL−1 was recorded for all four tested complexes against Candida albicans, for complex (3) against Escherichia coli, and for complex (4) against Staphylocococcus aureus. Compounds (3) and (4) were also potent efflux pumps activity inhibitors (EPI), proving their potential for use in synergistic combinations with antibiotics. Complexes (1)–(4) revealed that they were not cytotoxic to HCT-8 cells. They also proved to interfere with the cellular cycle of tumour HCT-8 cells by increasing the number of cells found in the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of zinc and copper complexes for use in the development of novel antimicrobial and anti-proliferative agents.