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Quinazolines have long been known to exert varied pharmacologic activities that make them suitable for use in treating hypertension, viral infections, tumors, and malaria. Since 2014, we have synthesized approximately 150 different 6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline-2,4-diamines and evaluated their antimalarial activity via structure-activity relationship studies. Here, we summarize the results and report the discovery of 6,7-dimethoxy-N(4)-(1-phenylethyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinazolin-4-amine (20, SSJ-717), which exhibits high antimalarial activity as a promising antimalarial drug lead.

Background Basic blue 3 is a promising anti-malarial lead compound based on the π-delocalized lipophilic cation hypothesis. Its derivatives with nitrogen atoms bonded to carbon atoms at the 3- and 7-positions on the phenoxazine ring were previously shown to exert potent antiprotozoal activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and Leishmania donovani parasites in vitro. However, compounds with nitrogen modification at the 10-position on the phenoxazine ring were not evaluated. Methods Six acylphenoxazine derivatives (ITT-001 to 006) with nitrogen modification at the 10-position on the phenoxazine ring, which were synthesized from basic blue 3, were characterized and evaluated for anti-malarial activity in vitro with an automated haematology analyzer (XN-30) and light microscopy. Intensity of self-fluorescence was measured using a fluorometer. Localization of basic blue 3 was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using human cell lines, HEK293T and HepG2 cells. Finally, anti-malarial activity was evaluated in a rodent malaria model. Results All the six derivatives showed anti-malarial efficacy even against chloroquine-, pyrimethamine-, and artemisinin-resistant field isolates similar to the sensitive strains and isolates in vitro. The efficacy of basic blue 3 was the strongest, followed by that of ITT-001 to 004 and 006, while that of ITT-005 was the weakest. Basic blue 3 showed strong self-fluorescence, whereas ITT derivatives had five- to tenfold lower intensity than that of basic blue 3, which was shown by fluorescence microscopy to be selectively accumulated in the plasmodial cytoplasm. In contrast, ITT-003, 004, and 006 exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity in HEK293T and HepG2 cells in vitro and the highest selectivity between anti-malarial activity and cytotoxicity. The in vivo anti-malarial assay indicated that oral administration of ITT-004 was the most effective against the rodent malaria parasite, Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain. Conclusions The six ITT derivatives were effective against chloroquine- and pyrimethamine-resistant strains and artemisinin-resistant field isolates as well as the sensitive ones. Among them, ITT-004, which had high anti-malarial activity and low cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, is a promising anti-malarial lead compound. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-019-2873-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A multicomponent domino reaction involving three mechanistically distinct Tf2NH-catalyzed reactions was developed. The reaction cascade enables the assembly of a skewed 5/6/4 tricyclic motif with migration of the reactive site with the assistance of a catalyst. The tricyclic product was used to achieve the first total synthesis of cytotoxic paesslerin A by regioselective C-H insertion of the sulfonyl carbenoid and base-promoted olefin isomerization. Our results led to the revision of the originally proposed tricyclic structure of paesslerin A.

Total synthesis of (−)- and (+)-petrosin was accomplished. Stereocontrolled construction of the quinolizidine ring was achieved through a diastereoselective Mannich reaction and an aza-Michael reaction. Head-to-tail dimerization was performed by assembly of the two monomers using Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling and subsequent ring-closing metathesis to construct the 16-membered ring. Biological evaluation of synthetic (−)- and (+)-petrosin and its derivatives indicated that the bispiperidine structure was necessary for the inhibition of syncytium formation.

A productive synthesis of benzo[a]phenoxazine derivative SSJ-183 (1), a promising lead for antimalarial agents, was developed using a one pot procedure. Furthermore, N-deethylated metabolite 3 and bis-N,N-deethylated metabolite 4 were synthesized by the application of the method. The metabolites 3 and 4 showed comparable and ∼2-fold increased activities against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

Tropical diseases are serious infectious diseases caused by protozoan parasites in tropical and subtropical regions Novel effective safe and inexpensive drugs are required to treat the parasites and contribute to the global goal of eradication A series of phenothiazinium chlorides were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activities against Plasmodium falciparum Trypanosoma cruzi Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Leishmania donovani Notably 3 7-bis(piperidinyl)phenothiazinium chloride showed IC50 of 0 097 mu mol L-1 against T cruzi and 3 7-bis(benzyl(methyl)amino)phenothiazinium chloride exhibited IC50 of 0 081 mu mol L-1 against L donovani although the cytotoxicities of these compounds against L-6 cells were observed at low concentration (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites in tropical and subtropical regions. Even inhabitants of temperate zones are exposed to the danger of malaria infection because of travel and global warming. Novel, effective, safe, and inexpensive drugs are required to treat malaria and contribute to the global goal of eradication. A search for new antimalarial agents has been performed by the synthesis of new benzo[a]phenoxazines, followed by biological evaluations. The derivative SSJ-183 (5), having a 4-aminopyridine group, showed an IC50 value against Plasmodium falciparum of 7.6 nM and a selectivity index of7300. Cure was achieved by three oral doses of 5 at 100 mg/kg to mice infected with the Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. The safety of 5 was supported by acute toxicity testing in mice with single doses up to 2000 mg/kg po, chromosome aberration test, in vitro as well as in vivo micronucleus tests, and phototoxicity studies in mice. Thus, 5 is a promising candidate as a new antimalarial agent.

A total synthesis of (±)-lepadiformine A was accomplished through construction of the 1-azaspiro[4.5]decane skeleton by a sequential radical translocation-cyclization reaction.

Anti-Leishmania in vitro and in vivo activities of various rhodacyanine derivatives have been examined. Among them, the fluorinatied variant SJL-01 (8) showed IC(50) of 0.011 microM against Leishmania donovani strain MHOM/ET/67/L82 (selective index of >15000) and 95-97% inhibition against L. donovani strain MHOM/ET/67/HU in female BALB/c mice by 1.3-12.5 mg/kg x 5 iv administrations. Negative results on chromosomal aberration test and in vitro micronucleus test suggest that compound 8 is a hopeful candidate for visceral leishmaniasis (VL).

Zinc chloride-free 3,7-bis(dialkylamino)phenoxazinium salts carrying different anions (chloride, bromide, hydrosulfate, tosylate, perchlorate and nitrate) were synthesized with the yields up to 84%. Their structures were determined by spectroscopy and elemental analyses.

3,7-Bis(dialkylamino)phenoxazinium salts were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro activities against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei rhodesiense, and Leishmania donovani. Notably, the compounds showed potent antiprotozoal activities, especially against P. falciparum and T. cruzi. The compounds with alkyl side chains less than three carbons in length possessed good activities with high selective indices.

A CO2-fixation reaction of 4-(benzylamino)-2-butynyl carbonates and benzoates, carried out in the presence of DBU, provides substituted 5-vinylideneoxazolidin-2-ones. The reaction has been successfully applied to the CO2-recycling process and fixation of atmospheric CO2.

A CO2-recycling reaction using (E)-4-(benzylamino)-2-butenyl methyl carbonates has been examined and substituted vinyloxazolidinones were obtained via a CO2 fixation–elimination process, carried out in the presence of palladium catalyst with DBU.

Total synthesis of (−)- and (+)-petrosin was accomplished. Stereocontrolled construction of the quinolizidine ring was achieved through a diastereoselective Mannich reaction and an aza-Michael reaction. Head-to-tail dimerization was performed by assembly of the two monomers using Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling and subsequent ring-closing metathesis to construct the 16-membered ring. Biological evaluation of synthetic (−)- and (+)-petrosin and its derivatives indicated that the bispiperidine structure was necessary for the inhibition of syncytium formation.

Selected members of three classes of rhodacyanine dyes, [0,0]-, [1,0]-, and [0,0,0]-rhodacyanines, were synthesized and their in vitro antimalarial activities against Plasmodium falciparum K1 (chloroquine-resistant strain) as well as their in vivo activities against P. berghei in mice were determined. The novel [0,0,0]-rhodacynines, 3e and 3h, possessing a benzothiazole moiety, were shown to have highly promising antimalarial activities in vivo. Moreover, the [0,0,0]-rhodacyanines were found to be orally bioavailable.

An imino Diels–Alder reaction of 2-siloxydienes with aldimines catalyzed by triflic imide (Tf2NH; 0.1∼10 mol % amount) has been developed leading to substituted piperidin-4-ones. Tf2NH catalyst is compatible with basic functions, such as pyridine and indole rings in the imino Diels–Alder reaction. Furthermore, X-ray crystallographic analysis indicates that trans-2,6-diphenyl-4-piperidinone 4a obtained by this reaction has a unique conformation in the solid state.

[3+2] Cycloadditions of silyl enol ethers with donor-acceptor (D-A) cyclopropanes, such as 2-alkoxycyclopropanecarboxylates and 2-(p-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropyl phenyl ketone, proceed in the presence of a catalytic amount of triflic imide (Tf2NH) to give functionalized cyclopentanes in high yield. The catalytic process allows promotion of the cycloaddition of substrates incorporating Lewis basic functions, such as ether and carbamate moieties. Moreover, multicomponent [4+2]-[3+2] cascade cycloadditions of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, 2-siloxydienes and D-A cyclopropanes to form highly-functionalized bicyclo[4.3.0]nonanes have been demonstrated.

Several aza-fused rhodacyanines were synthesized and assessed for their in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activities against Plasmodium falciparum K1 and P. berghei. All synthetic compounds showed strong selective antimalarial in vitro activity. Class II azarhodacyanines, 3, consisting of four heterocyclic units, were found to display good parasitemia suppression and low acute toxicity in vivo. Among them, 3c appeared to be the most effective at a dose of 20-25 mg kg(-1) day(-1) (ip).

A convergent total synthesis of (+)-mycalamide A is described. A Yb(OTf)3-TMSCl catalytic system is used to synthesize a trioxadecalin ring system, which contains the right segment of mycalamide A. In addition, a tetrahydropyran ring, which is the left segment, is constructed with use of a novel one-pot delta-lactonization protocol. Both segments are prepared from a common starting material, d-mannitol. These segments are then coupled and the functional groups are transformed to synthesize (+)-mycalamide A.

A novel type of coupling reaction has been developed by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of propargylic oxiranes with arylboronic acids, in which anti-substituted 4-aryl-2,3-allenols were produced in a highly diastereoselective manner. A chiral-substituted allene has been synthesized from the reaction of a chiral propargylic oxirane without loss of the chirality.

Total syntheses of serofendic acids A (1a) and B (1b) are described. The key strategic element of the approach involves the novel tin-free homoallyl-homoallyl radical rearrangement of 5 for the construction of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring system 4. In addition, the conversion of methyl atisirenoate 2 to serofendic acids A (1a) and B (1b) was achieved on the basis of the Michael reaction of sodium thiomethoxide.[reaction: see text]

Phenoxy-substituted 2,3-dihydrofurans were synthesized by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of 5-methoxycarbonyloxy-3-pentyn-1-ol with phenols. The propargylic carbonate containing a nucleophilic phenoxy group also reacted in the presence of palladium to produce the product. The reaction of 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxycarbonyloxy-1-propyne with 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione or 2-methyl-1,3-cycohexanedione yielded the substituted benzofurans. The propargylic compound having a acetoxy group as a leaving group exhibited similar reactivity.

Novel entry to synthesize medium-sized cycloalkanones is described. Thus, employment of catalytic (2+2)-cycloaddition for cyclic silyl enol ether followed by radical mediated ring-opening reaction provided medium-sized γ-halocycloalkanones.

Several beta-carbolines including naturally occurring substances and their corresponding cationic derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antimalarial (antiplasmodial) activity in vitro and in vivo. A tetracyclic carbolinium salt was elucidated for antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activities in vitro as well as antiplasmodial activity. Quarternary carbolinium cations showed much higher potencies in vitro than electronically neutral beta-carbolines and a good correlation was observed between pi-delocalized lipophilic cationic (DLC) structure and antimalarial efficacy. beta-Carbolinium compounds exhibit medium suppressive activity in vivo against rodent malaria.

[reaction: see text] Electroreductive tandem cyclization of 4-allyl-4-(2-bromoprop-2-en-1-yl)cyclohex-2-en-1-one to tricyclo[6.2.1.0(1,6)]undecan-4-one has been demonstrated. This protocol represents an attractive alternative to conventional tandem radical cyclization.

An intermolecular aza-double Michael reaction has been developed leading to functionalized piperidin-2-ones from simple starting materials. The method allows to utilize α,β-unsaturated amides as a synthon of piperidine nucleus. The short synthesis of anti-depressant paroxetine was demonstrated by using the new methodology.

[reaction: see text] A stereoselective approach to the spirocyclic nucleus of halichlorine and pinnaic acids has been developed starting from a piperidine derivative. A key transformation in this sequence involves a cascade radical translocation/cyclization process.

A novel type of ring expansion reaction of acetylenylcyclobutanols which involves a dimerization process has been developed. The reaction simply proceeds in the presence of ruthenium catalyst to afford the ring-expanded dimer in moderate yield.

A palladium-catalyzed CO(2)-recycling reaction has been developed. Reaction of 4-methoxycarbonyloxy-2-butyn-1-ols with phenols, carried out in the presence of a palladium catalyst, produces phenoxy-substituted cyclic carbonates by way of a pathway involving a CO(2) elimination-fixation. A variety of propargylic alcohols and phenols participate in these reactions which yield cyclic carbonates with high efficiencies. Stereoselective construction of trans-cyclic carbonates is achieved by using nonsymmetric substrates. Highly enantioselective reactions occur when (S)-BINAP is used as a ligand. Reaction of 4-phenoxycarbonyloxy-2-butyn-1-ol in the presence of the palladium catalyst yields the corresponding cyclic carbonates via a three-component decomposition-reconstruction process.

When allenylcyclobutanols having a 1-substituted allenyl group were treated with aryl iodides in the presence of palladium(0), ring-expanded cyclopentanones possesing quaternary carbon stereocenter at the α-position were stereoselectively obtained. The reactions can be applied to various kinds of allenylcyclobutanols and aryl halides.

Tributyltin hydride and tris(trimethylsilyl)silane promote sequential/cascade free radical cyclization reactions of dienoate tethered vinyliodides or alkynes. These processes produce [4 + 1] and [4 + 2] annulated products. In contrast, the electrochemical reductions of the vinyliodides afford monocyclic compounds. Both the regiochemical and stereochemical courses of the sequential radical cyclizations strongly depend on substrate structure. Especially important is the balance between steric and stereoelectronic (Baldwin's rules) factors that serve to control cyclization regiochemistry.

The intramoleculae Diels-Alder reaction of cyclohexenone having an unsaturated ester side chain afforded tricyclo[4.3.1.0(3,7)]decanone in both a regio- and stereoselective manner under TMSCl-NEt(3)-ZnBr(2) conditions. Unexpectedly, the regiochemical control was against the conventional orbital requirement.

The rhodacyanine dye MKT-077 (1), a potent antitumor agent, was found to possess strong in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum and a low cytotoxicity. Several new rhodacyanine dyes related to 1, containing a variety of linked heterocyclic moieties, were synthesized, and their antimalarial potencies were evaluated. The synthetic rhodacyanines were found to have EC(50) values against P. falciparum in vitro in the range of 4-300 nM. Several compounds in this series have remarkable selective toxicity profiles (100).

To solve the drawback (considerable decrease in yield on a large scale) of cycloalkenylation employing stoichiometric amounts of Pd(OAC) 2 , a novel palladium-catalyzed cycloalkenylation has been developed. Stereoselectivetotal syntheses of several bioactive terpenoids have been achieved by means of the above catalytic reaction.

A novel method for the synthesis of α-substituted cyclopentanones by the ruthenium-catalyzed rearrangement of allenylcyclobutanols with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been developed.

Intramolecular Michael-aldol reactions of (-)-phenylmenthyl enoates tethered to cycloalkanone affords tricyclic cyclobutanes with high degrees of diastereochemical control. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies revealed that the Michael-aldol reaction is reversible under conditions in which trimethylsilyl iodide is used in the presence of hexamethyldisilazane at ambient temperature. Different levels of diastereoselectivity are observed when this cyclization process is carried out under kinetic vs thermodynamic conditions. Finally, an influence of added iodonium donors on the reaction rate has been noted.

The radical reaction of 1-iodo-1,5,10-trienoate afforded a linear fused five-membered carbocycle. Another key feature of this reaction is the remarkable acceleration of the reaction rate and enhancement of selectivity caused by the introduction of a conjugated ester moiety at the terminal olefin. This cascade reaction proceeds through three sequential 5-exo cyclizations. The result is in stark contrast with the previously reported radical reaction of 1-iodo-1,5,9,14-tetraenoate, which afforded a linear fused six-membered carbocycle through a 6-endo, 6-endo, 6-exo cyclization.

Palladium mediated cycloalkenylation reaction of enol silanes of medium and large rings provides concise access to the corresponding bridged bicycloalkenones, a structural unit present in a large number of biologically active natural products.

Refixation of the CO2 from a decarboxylation occurs in the palladium-catalyzed domino reaction of 4-methoxycarbonyloxy-2-butyn-1-ols with phenols. The reaction enables the construction of various cyclic carbonates [Eq. (1)] by efficient reincorporation of the CO2 molecule under mild conditions, and is thus a convenient and environmentally friendly method.

Biological evaluations of bicyclo[6.4.0]dodecenone derivatives on antimalarial activity in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum and cytotoxicity against human KB cells were made. (±)-(1R*, 4S*, 7R*, 8S*)-4-tert-Butyldimethylsiloxy-5, 5-dimethyl-1-methyl-9-methylene-7-phenylsulfonylbicyclo[6.4.0]dodec-2, 11-dien-10-one (15) exhibited potent antimalarial activity, whereas (±)-(1R*, 7R*, 8S*)-1-methyl-9-methylene-7-phenylsulfonylbicyclo[6.4.0]dodec-2, 11-dien-10-one (14) showed significant cytotoxic activity in human KB cells. Both 14 and 15 possess, as a structural character, the exo-methylene moiety in their 6-membered ring of the 8-6 fused ring system.