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NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) receptor antagonists are promising tools for the treatment of a wide variety of central nervous system impairments including major depressive disorder. We present here the activity optimization process of a biphenyl-based NMDA negative allosteric modulator (NAM) guided by free energy calculations, which led to a 100 times activity improvement (IC(50) = 50 nM) compared to a hit compound identified in virtual screening. Preliminary calculation results suggest a low affinity for the human ether-a-go-go-related gene ion channel (hERG), a high affinity for which was earlier one of the main obstacles for the development of first-generation NMDA-receptor negative allosteric modulators. The docking study and the molecular dynamics calculations suggest a completely different binding mode (ifenprodil-like) compared to another biaryl-based NMDA NAM EVT-101.

Synthetic approaches to previously unknown 4-OR-2-methyltetrahydroquinazoline N-oxides were elaborated. 4-Alkoxy- and 4-aryloxy-2-methyltetrahydroquinazoline N-oxides were investigated in the condensation reactions with aromatic aldehydes to give a series of novel π-conjugated structures with fluorescent properties.

An efficient protocol for the straightforward functionalization of the isoxazole ring via the reactions of aromatic nucleophilic substitution of the nitro group with various nucleophiles has been elaborated. The method features excellent chemical yields, easy operability of the reaction, mild reaction conditions and a broad scope of both 5-nitroisoxazoles and nucleophiles. A synthetic approach to 3,5- and 3,4,5-substituted isoxazoles via the sequential functionalization of the isoxazole ring has been developed based on the excellent regioselectivity of the reaction of 3,5-dinitroisoxazoles with nucleophiles.

The Ritter-type reaction of alkyl perchlorates with nitriles of various structures was systematically studied. The reaction has a wide scope and proceeds under extremely mild conditions without any catalysts or special activation of reagents. A structural diversity of the obtained by the Ritter-type reaction N-alkyl amides bearing small ring, double bonds, additional functional groups, aromatic and adamantane fragments, was demonstrated.

A straightforward approach for the synthesis of 4-nitroisoxazoles has been developed via heterocyclization of aryl/hetaryl-substituted α,β-unsaturated ketones upon treatment with tetranitromethane-triethylamine (TNM-TEA) complex or t-BuONO. This strategy features high efficiency and wide substrate tolerance under simple reaction conditions.

A series of novel antimitotic agents was designed using the replacement of heterocyclic cores in two tubulin-targeting lead molecules with the acylated 4-aminoisoxazole moiety. Target compounds were synthesized via heterocyclization of β-aryl-substituted vinylketones by tert-butyl nitrite in the presence of water as a key step. 4-Methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide (1aa) was found to stimulate partial depolymerization of microtubules of human lung carcinoma A549 cells at a high concentration of 100 µM and to totally inhibit cell growth (IC

Two dispiro[cyclopropane-1,3’-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-7′,1″-cyclopropanes] were treated with various oxidative systems. The conditions providing mono- or dioxidation of the CH2 groups neighbouring to spiro-annulated cyclopropane moieties to afford the corresponding mono- or diketones were found.

A series of bis-amides of bis(aminoalkyl)benzenes and diaminoalkanes were synthesized. Positive modulation of kainate-induced transmembrane currents was registered on Purkinje neurons for isobutyric acid derivative with 1,4-bis(aminomethyl)benzene linker (40% potentiation at 1 nm). This compound also demonstrated a neuroprotective effect at 0.1 nm in an oxidative stress model in HT-22 cells when applied 24 h before H2O2.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the genusFlavivirus, is common in Europe and Asia and causes a severe disease of the central nervous system. A promising approach in the development of therapy for TBEV infection is the search for small molecule antivirals targeting the flavivirus envelope protein E, particularly its β-n-octyl-d-glucoside binding pocket (β-OG pocket). However, experimental studies of candidate antivirals may be complicated by varying amounts and different forms of the protein E in the virus samples. Viral particles with different conformations and arrangements of the protein E are produced during the replication cycle of flaviviruses, including mature, partially mature, and immature forms, as well as subviral particles lacking genomic RNA. The immature forms are known to be abundant in the viral population. We obtained immature virion preparations of TBEV, characterized them by RT-qPCR, and assessedin vivoandin vitroinfectivity of the residual mature virions in the immature virus samples. Analysis of the β-OG pocket structure on the immature virions confirmed the possibility of binding of adamantylmethyl esters of 5-aminoisoxazole-3-carboxylic acid in the pocket. We demonstrated that the antiviral activity of these compounds in plaque reduction assay is significantly reduced in the presence of immature TBEV particles.

New 8-arylidene-4-cyanotetrahydroquinazoline N-oxides were obtained via the condensation of readily available 4-cyanotetrahydroquinazoline N-oxides with aromatic aldehydes. Some of the synthesized compounds revealed fluorescent properties and moderate cytotoxic activity.

4-Azido-2-methyltetrahydroquinazoline N-oxide cleanly undergoes the copper( i )-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction with alkynes to give new conjugates with pyrimidine N-oxide and triazole moieties. Its deoxygenated analogue, 4-azido-2-methyltetrahydroquinazoline, is inert in CuACC process due to the shift of imidoyl azide–tetrazole equilibrium towards the tetrazole tautomer.

5-Aminoisoxazoles bearing 3-positioned electron-withdrawing group react chemoselectively with trifluoroacetyl nitrate (generated from ammonium nitrate and trifluoroacetic anhydride) to give the corresponding 4-nitro derivatives in yields up to 80%. The results were rationalized by computation studies. Several 5-amino-4-nitroisoxazole-3-carboxilic acid derivatives revealed moderate antibacterial activity.

Pyrimidine N-oxide moiety for the first time was used as a heterocyclic core for the construction of π-conjugated molecules with fluorescent properties. For the synthesis of the title compounds a simple two-step protocol starting from readily available 4-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidine N-oxides was elaborated. A series of 17 novel pyrimidine N-oxide derivatives containing various functional substituents and π-conjugated systems of different length were obtained. The title compounds revealed fluorescent properties in visible region, possessing emission maximum up to 575 nm. Deoxygenation of the N-oxide group led to the loss of visible fluorescence. The chemosensor properties towards TFA and a number of metal cations were demonstrated for 3a, the first representative of the title series. Cytotoxic activity against breast adenocarcinoma cell line was found for three pyrimidine N-oxide derivatives 3b,i,n. Pyrimidine N-oxide 3a was shown to possess excellent biocompatibility and capability to enter cells, that makes it a promising structure for development of bioimaging fluorescent probes.

1-Aminospiro[2.3]hexane-1,5-dicarboxylic and 1-ammo-5-(ammomethyl)spiro[2.3]hexane-1-carboxylic acids, which are the conformationally rigid analogues of glutamic acid and lysine, respectively, were synthesized from 3-methylidenecyclobutanecarbonitrile. The synthetic route includes a catalytic [1+2]-cycloaddition of ethyl 2-diazo-2-nitroacetate to a double bond of the unsaturated nitrile, a subsequent chemoselective reduction of the nitro and cyano groups, and a hydrolysis of the ester moiety.

Nitro-substituted isoxazoles are of utmost interest both as versatile intermediates for targeted organic synthesis and as perspective bioactive compounds for drug development. Nevertheless, the existing approaches to them usually lack generality and strongly depend on the position of the nitro group and on the presence of other substituents in the isoxazole ring. This review provides the first systematization of all available data concerning synthetic approaches to 3-, 4-, and 5-nitroisoxazoles. There are a number of preparative approaches to 4-nitroisoxazoles based on classical heterocyclization reactions of nitro-substituted compounds and the nitration of isoxazoles. 3-Nitro- and, especially, 5-nitroisoxazoles are much less readily available. A few methods affording 3-nitroisoxazoles have been reported, often employing the heterocyclization of unsaturated compounds by treatment with sodium nitrite. The sole general preparative method for 5-nitroisoxazoles, containing a variety of functional groups, employs the heterocyclization of electrophilic alkenes by treatment with tetranitromethane activated with triethylamine.1 Introduction2 Synthesis of 4-Nitroisoxazoles2.1 Nitration of Isoxazoles2.2 Condensations of α-Nitro Ketones or Their Oximes2.3 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrile Oxides to Acetylenes and Their Synthetic Equivalents2.4 Heterocyclization of Acetylene Derivatives by Treatment with Sodium Nitrite2.5 Heterocyclization of Nitro Derivatives of 1,3-Diketones and Their Synthetic Equivalents2.6 Miscellaneous Methods3 Synthesis of 3-Nitroisoxazoles3.1 Heterocyclization of Acetylene Derivatives or 1,3-Dihalogenoalkenes by Treatment with Sodium Nitrite3.2 Heterocyclization of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Acetates by Treatment with Sodium Nitrite3.3 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions4 Synthesis of 5-Nitroisoxazoles4.1 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions4.2 Synthesis Using Polynitro Compounds5 Conclusion

Tick-borne encephalitis is an important human arbovirus neuroinfection spread across the Northern Eurasia. Inhibitors of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) strain Absettarov, presumably targeting E protein n-octyl-β-d-glucoside (β-OG) pocket, were reported earlier. In this work, these inhibitors were tested in vitro against seven strains representing three main TBEV subtypes. The most potent compound, 2-[(2-methyl-1-oxido-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-4-yl)amino]-phenol, showed EC50 values lower than 22 µM against all the tested strains. Nevertheless, EC50 values for virus samples of certain strains demonstrated a substantial variation, which appeared to be consistent with the presence of E protein not only in infectious virions, but also in non-infectious and immature virus particles, protein aggregates, and membrane complexes.

Background: Increasing use of the three-membered ring in drug development initiates the search for efficient methods of transformations of cyclopropane derivatives. Oxidation of methylene group activated by an adjacent cyclopropane represents a direct approach towards carbonylcyclopropanes, allows avoiding unnecessary synthetic stages and meets the requirements of atom economy. Objective: In this review all available data concerning the oxidation of cyclopropane-containing hydrocarbons and their functionally substituted derivatives are systematized, and the general regularities between the structure of the starting compound, the oxidant employed and the reaction outcome are underlined. Conclusion: The following regularities were distinguished for the oxidation of cyclopropane-containing compounds into cyclopropylketones. The main structural parameters of the starting compounds, which influence the distribution of the oxidation products, are the followings: the presence of competing C-H bonds, flexibility or rigidity of structure, electron and sterical substituents effects. A number of preparative methods of activated C(sp3)-H bonds oxygenation were elaborated, employing such powerful oxidants as ozone, dioxiranes, CrO3 and a variety of catalytic systems, based on transition metals. For the oxidation of cyclopropane derivatives all these oxidants may be employed. RuO4, generated in situ, usually behaves as selective and soft oxidant. TFDO often demonstrates lesser selectivity, but it may be the best choice when several activated CH2 groups should be oxidised. In the case of dihalocyclopropanes the use of CrO3 is preferable. Summarily, the oxidation of methylene group adjacent to cyclopropane has been undoubtedly developed into a reliable preparative approach to cyclopropylketones, which should find an active use in synthetic organic chemistry.

A series of polycyclic hydrocarbons containing cyclopropane moieties 1,2-annelated or spiro-condensed with cyclooctane ring were investigated under oxidative conditions. Four oxidizing systems (O3 on SiO2, dioxirane derived from trifluoroacetone, CrO3 and RuO4, generated in situ), were employed to evaluate and compare their reactivity and usefulness. RuO4 was found to be the best one, considering its oxidative power together with a simple preparative procedure. The conditions for specific oxidation of polycyclic hydrocarbons were found. Novel cyclooctane derivatives containing cyclopropyl carbonyl moieties were obtained.

Bisamides of 1,4-bis(aminomethyl)benzene with cyclopropane-, cyclobutane- and cyclopentanecarboxylic acids reveal the negative modulation of kainate-induced currents in rat Purkinje neurons observed using patch clamp technique. The most pronounced effect has been found for the bisamide of cyclobutanecarboxylic acid, which blocks the currents by 41 and 49% at concentrations of 1 × 10−10 and 1 × 10−9 mol dm−3, respectively.

Data on synthesis, reactivity and bioactivity of N-hydroxy(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)amines were discussed in the present review. General approaches to chiral N-glycosylhydroxylamines based on reactions of hydroxylamine with cyclic five-membered hemiacetals or dihydrofurans as well as reactions of tetrahydrofuran-containing nitrones with nucleophiles were systematized. The application of N-hydroxy(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)amines in the synthesis of chiral heterocycles, aminophosphonic acids, N-hydroxypropargylamines, as well as natural compounds (for example, sieboldin A), pharmaceuticals (Zileuton) and their analogs was demonstrated. It was found that depending on substituents, N-hydroxy(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-amines can act as lipoxygenase inhibitors, and show antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, and other types of activities.

3-Methylenecyclobutanecarboxylic acid and its methyl ester were used as the starting compounds for the synthesis of new spiro[2.3]hexane amino acids, the conformationally rigid analogs of γ-aminobutyric acid, namely, 5-aminospiro[2.3]hexanecarboxylic and 5-amino-spiro[2.3]hexanephosphonic acids, promising modulators of GABAergic cascades in the human central nervous system. The methods developed for the synthesis of the target amino acids are based on the reactions of catalytic [1+2] cycloaddition of diazoacetic and diazophosphonic esters to 3-substituted methylenecyclobutanes, as well as on a modified Curtius reaction for the transformation of a carboxy group to the amine one.

The heterocyclization of gem-dichlorocyclopropanes upon treatment with nitronium triflate in organic nitriles was studied and the influence of the medium on the reaction pathway was shown. While in anhydrous solvent 5-chloroisoxazole was the only product, the admixture with water promoted a three-component heterocyclization affording 4-chloropyrimidine N-oxides. This phenomenon was rationalized using DFT calculations.

Tricyclic bis-adducts of cyclohexa-1,4-diene with bromofluorocarbene and non-symmetric adducts with both bromofluoro- and dichlorocarbenes were synthesised selectively. The treatment of the bis-adducts with nitrating reagents in acetonitrile affords the products of heterocyclization of a sole dihalogenocyclopropane into 4-fluoropyrimidine N-oxide. The difference in the reactivity of bis-cyclopropanes with different sets of halogen substituents leads to selective heterocyclization of bromofluorocyclopropanes without affecting the dichlorocyclopropane moiety.

Ifenprodil-like NMDA receptor negative allosteric modulator based on the biphenyl scaffold has been identified using virtual screening. Docking approach demonstrated that the modulator maintains some characteristic interactions with protein similar to ifenprodil. Electrophysiological and radioligand investigations demonstrated the concentration-dependent NMDA/Gly-induced currents inhibition with IC50 = 5 μM and significant displacement of [H3]ifenprodil with EC50 = 30 μM, respectively.

Novel N-(1-oxidopyrimidin-4-yl)- and N,N′-bis(1-oxidopyrimidin-4-yl)diamines were prepared from 4-fluoropyrimidine N-oxides and diamines basing on SNAr reaction. One compound from this series possessed antiviral activity against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV).

A convenient approach to novel symmetric bispyrimidine diamines comprises SNAr reactions of 4-fluoropyrimidine N-oxide with alkane-α,ω-diamines with subsequent reduction of N-oxide function. The obtained substances were tested in patch-clamp experiments for the influence on the kainateinduced currents in Purkinje neurons and showed negative modulating effect.

The first example of a novel class of AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulators of the bis(pyrimidine) series having a hydroquinone linker has been obtained and showed a potency to increase kainate-induced currents at subnanomolar concentrations.

A novel reaction of tetranitromethane with electrophilic alkenes in the presence of triethylamine affording substituted 5-nitroisoxazoles is described. Triethylamine reacts with tetranitromethane to generate N-nitrotriethylammonium and trinitromethanide. This process provides the heterocyclization of electrophilic alkenes. A variety of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, ketones, esters, amides, phosphonates, nitro, and sulfur compounds was involved in the heterocyclization reaction, and a wide range of functionalized 5-nitroisoxazoles was obtained in good to high yields. The scope and limitations of the reaction and the mechanistic proposal are discussed.

Infections caused by flaviviruses pose a huge threat for public health all over the world. The search for therapeutically relevant compounds targeting tick-borne flaviviruses requires the exploration of novel chemotypes. In the present work a large series of novel polyfunctionalized isoxazole derivatives bearing substituents with various steric and electronic effects was obtained by our unique versatile synthetic procedure and their antiviral activity against tick-borne encephalitis, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, and Powassan viruses was studied in vitro. The majority of studied isoxazoles showed activity in low micromolar range. No appreciable cytotoxicity was observed for tested compounds. The lead compounds, 5-aminoisoxazole derivatives containing adamantyl moiety, exhibited strong antiviral activity and excellent therapeutic index.

Data on methods of synthesis and reactivity of α-diazomethylphosphonic acid esters are classified. Main approaches to obtain diazomethylphosphonate ester (the Seyferth—Gilbert reagent) as well as α-substituted diazomethylphosphonates are considered. The most important reactions of α-diazomethylphosphonates are discussed: [1+2] cycloaddition to alkenes, insertion into heteroatom—heteroatom bonds, reactions with aldehydes and ketones, being of interest as preparative methods to obtain cyclopropane phosphonates, α-substituted methylphosphonic esters and alkynes, correspondingly.

Tetraspiro[2.1.2(5).1.2(9).1.2(13).1(3)]hexadecane-1,3,5,7-tetraone 4, a unique tetraketone containing a cyclooctane core and four spiroannelated cyclopropane moieties, represents the previously unknown cyclotetramer of carbonylcyclopropane. For this purpose oxidation of the parent polyspirocyclic hydrocarbon was examined under various oxidative conditions, and the reactivity of oxidants towards methylene groups of the eight-membered cycle, activated by adjacent spirocyclopropane rings, was evaluated and contrasted. Whereas the treatment of tetraspirohexadecane with ozone resulted in monooxidation, its reaction with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane afforded the product of four-fold oxidation, triketoalcohol 10. Subsequent oxidation of the latter with Dess-Martin periodinane gave the target tetraketone 4.

Reactions of oxidative nucleophilic substitution of alkyl iodides with lithium perchlorate and dinitramide were studied. The reactions of alkyl iodides and lithium perchlorate, proceeding in the presence of nitronium tetrafluoroborate as an oxidant, furnished a series of new alkyl perchlorates, including those containing an adamantyl fragment. Spectral properties of alkyl perchlorates were studied in detail for the first time. The reactions of oxidative nucleophilic substitution of iodoacetic ester and lithium dinitramide, proceeding upon treatment with nitronium tetrafluoroborate or ozone, resulted in the substitution of an iodine atom with the nitrate anion.

5-Aminoisoxazoles containing trimethoxy- and methylenedioxyphenyl moieties were prepared by heterocyclization of electrophilic alkenes with tetranitromethane in the presence of triethylamine with subsequent reduction of resulting 5-nitroisoxazoles. The crystal structure of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl 5-aminoisoxazole-3-carboxylate was determined by X-ray analysis. Two novel 5-aminoisoxazoles demonstrated moderate antimitotic activity to human lung carcinoma A549 cell line.

An unusual condensation reaction of 2-methyltetrahydroquinazoline N-oxides with aromatic aldehydes was found. The reaction of 4-cyano substituted heterocycles as well as the use of microwave irradiation for 4-morpholinyl substituted heterocycles resulted in the condensation engaging the methylene group of the tetrahydroquinazoline fragment with simultaneous deoxygenation of the N-oxide. A preparative approach towards previously unknown pyrimidine-containing conjugated molecules was developed based on this process.

New conformationally rigid spirane analogues of γ-aminobutyric acid, namely, 4-aminospiro[2.2]pentanecarboxylic and 1-aminospiro[2.3]hexane-5-carboxylic acids were synthesized from the corresponding 4and 5-methoxycarbonyl-1-nitrospiro[2.n]alkane-1-carboxylic esters obtained in turn by the [1+2] cycloaddition of ethyl nitrodiazoacetate to methylidenecycloalkanecarboxylic esters.

A number of nitrosonium and nitronium salts were probed as reagents for the heterocyclization of 1-bromo-1-fluorocyclopropanes in the presence of organic nitriles to give pyrimidine N -oxides. Nitronium triflate, either preformed or generated in situ from nitric and triflic acids, was shown to be the most efficient reagent for this reaction, affording a mild and convenient procedure for the synthesis of 4-halogenopyrimidine derivatives. X-ray crystallography was used to confirm the ionic structure of nitronium triflate (NO 2 + )(CF 3 SO 3 − ).