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Rationale: 3-Aroylbenzofurans and their 2-nitrophenyl derivatives constitute fundamental intermediates for the synthesis of target compounds with pharmaceutical properties. However, their preparation via the Friedel–Crafts acylation of 2-phenylbenzofurans, using Lewis acid as catalyst, often leads to mixtures of regioisomeric aroylbenzofurans that can be challenging to distinguish, thus preventing the reaction characterization. Method: We report a method for the unambiguous identification and differentiation of the desired 3-benzoyl isomers from their 4- and 6-regioisomers in a crude reaction mixture using gas chromatography coupled to multiple-stage mass spectrometric (GC/MSn) analysis performed in collision-induced dissociation (CID) mode. Results: Upon electron ionization, each set of isomers displayed nearly identical mass spectra. MSn revealed fragmentation patterns that varied in the location of the benzoyl group on the benzofuran scaffold: CID experiments performed on the molecular ion allowed the distinction of the 3-acyl isomers from the 4- and 6-regioisomers; CID experiments on the [M − Ar]+ ion allowed the distinction of the 4-benzoyl from the 6-benzoyl regioisomer, when the nitro group is located on the 2-phenyl ring. Moreover, the unusual loss of OH• radical allowed ascertaining the position of the nitro group in 3-acyl regioisomers bearing the NO2 group. The origin of the diagnostic OH• loss was investigated through MSn experiments using 18O-labelled 3-benzoyl derivatives. Conclusions: The method allows the rapid characterization of crude reaction mixtures of benzoylbenzofurans using solely GC/MSn analysis, simplifying the workflow of extensive isolation and purification for structure elucidation The present work was partially supported by FIR (Fondo Integrativo per la Ricerca – annualità 2018 and 2019), University of Cagliari SI

The reaction of o-acyloxybenzylidenetriphenylphosphoranes with substituted benzoyl chlorides in an aprotic solvent led, together with the expected 2-phenylbenzofuran, to isomeric 3-benzoyl-2-phenylbenzofuran derivatives. This result formally corresponds to intramolecular migration of the benzoyl group from the ortho oxygen atom to the ylide carbanion via cyclization and ring opening of the starting o-acyloxybenzylidenetriphenylphosphoranes.

The reaction of 2-hydroxybenzyltriphenylphosphonium bromide with substituted benzoyl chlorides under Wittig conditions, led to 2-phenylbenzofuran derivatives 4a–p and the unexpected formation of 3-benzoyl-2-phenylbenzofuran derivatives 5a–p. Benzoyl chlorides possessing electron-withdrawing groups afforded 3-benzoyl-2-phenylbenzofuran derivatives in higher yields than those with electron-donating groups. This reaction represents a simple and regioselective, one-pot route towards the preparation of deactivated 3-benzoyl-2-phenylbenzofuran compounds which are difficult to obtain by the direct acylation of 2-phenylbenzofurans.

Isomeric chlorobenzoyl cations (m/z 139), under collision-induced experiments, fragment identically. Chlorobenzoyl cations can be efficiently converted into cholorophenol radical cations by the reaction with methanol in the ion trap analyzer under CI-MSn conditions. The substitution of the carbonyl group with a hydroxyl moiety is able to induce an ortho effect, which is absent in the startingortho-chlorobenzoyl cation. This transformation could be useful to recognize ortho-chlorinated benzoyl derivatives without the need of MS spectrum comparison of the whole set of isomers. The method reported in this study could be applicable to biologically active molecules that dissociate to form the chlorobenzoyl cations under CI or CI collision-induced dissociation conditions, such as indomethacin, the degradation products from the insect growth regulator 1-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) urea, and lorazepam.

Historically, natural products have been the most successful source of inspiration for the development of new drugs. Members of the Thymelaeaceae family have been of interest owing to their excellent medicinal value. Given the successful history of natural product-based drug discovery, extracts from the aerial parts of Thymelaea hirsuta were essvaluated for their potential anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity. Ethyl acetate extracts from leaves (71B) and branches (72B) of Thymelaea hirsuta showed potent and selective activity against HIV-1 wt (EC50 = 0.8 &micro, g/mL) at non-cytotoxic concentrations (CC50 &gt, 100 &micro, g/mL). They proved to be active against HIV-1 variants carrying clinically relevant NNRTI and NRTI mutations at low concentration (0.3&ndash, 4 &micro, g/mL range) and against the M-tropic strain HIV-1 BaL. The 72B extract, chosen as a lead, was not able to inhibit the RT and protease enzymatic functions. Furthermore, it was not virucidal, since exposure of HIV to high concentration did not affect virus infectivity. The pre-clinical safety profile of this extract showed no adverse effect on the growth of Lactobacilli, and non-toxic concentration of the extract did not influence the Caco-2 epithelial cells monolayer integrity. Additionally, extract 72B prevented syncytia formation at low concentration (0.4 &micro, g/mL). The potent inhibitory effect on the syncytia formation in co-cultures showed that 72B inhibits an early event in the replication cycle of HIV. All of these findings prompt us to carry on new studies on Thymelaea hirsuta extracts.

3-Aroyl[b]benzofurans represent the structural cores of a large number of bioactive molecules in current pharmaceutical use or development. As a result, numerous approaches towards the synthesis of 3-acylbenzofurans have been disclosed in the literatura. The Wittig reaction, is an easy procedure to the benzofuran ring system. In a previous paper Hercouet and Le Corre reported that the intramolecular condensation of o-acyloxybenzylidenetriphenylphosphoranes leads to the benzofuran in aprotic medium (toluene) or to acylated product in protic medium (t-BuOH). We recently found that the reaction of the triphenylphosphonium salt and aroyl chlorides leads together with the expected benzofurans, also to 3-benzoyl-2-phenylbenzo[b]furans via ylide acylation under Wittig conditions. We hypothesised that the key intermediate that leads to the 3-benzoyl derivatives was the o-[(benzoyloxy)benzyl]-triphenyl-phosphoranes. It was therefore prepared starting from o-cresol, and reacted with benzoyl chloride using Et3N in aprotic solvent i.e. toluene. In contrast with Hercouet and Le Corre findings, we obtained the 3-benzoyl derivatives, thus confirming our hypothesis. However, when the o-(benzoyloxy)benzyl)-triphenyl-phosphonium salt was reacted with 4-nitrobenzoyl chloride, we unexpectedly observed the formation of two 3-acyl isomers, thus suggesting that the regioselective benzoyl group migration occurred in some extent. Our results are of considerable interest not only because they get insights into the reactivity of o-acyloxybenzylidenetriphenylphosphoranes, but also because they allowed to discover a versatile and general approach to functionalized 3-benzoyl-2-phenylbenzo[b]furans.

Ion-molecule reactions between the α-phenylvinyl cation and isomeric naturally occurring phenols were investigated using a quadruple ion trap mass spectrometer. The α-phenylvinyl cation m/z 103, generated by chemical ionization from phenylacetylene, reacts with neutral aromatic compounds to form the characteristic species: [M + 103](+) adduct ions and the trans-vinylating product ions [M + 25](+) , which correspond to [M + 103](+) adduct after the loss of benzene. Isomeric differentiation of several ring-substituted phenols was achieved by using collision-induced dissociation of the [M + 103](+) adduct ions. This method also showed to be effective in the differentiation of 4-ethylguaiacol from one of its structural isomers that displays identical EI and EI/MS/MS spectra. The effects of gas-phase alkylation with phenylvinyl cation on the dissociation behavior were examined using mass spectrometry(n) and labeled derivatives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A ZnO-mediated one-pot solvent-free protocol for the regioselective C -arylsulfonylation of indoles is described and some novel derivatives were tested on wild type and non-nucleoside inhibitor resistant K103N and Y181C HIV-1 reverse transcriptases (RTs).

Ion-molecule reactions between the α-phenylvinyl cation (α-PVC) and mono-substituted benzenes have been investigated using a quadrople ion-trap mass spectrometer. The α-PVC, generated by chemical ionization from phenylacetilene, was found to react selectively with mono-substituted benzenes bearing electron withdrawing groups to give the product ions [M + 103]+ and the trans-vinylating product ions [M + 25]+. To characterize the reaction products, a combination of collision-induced dissociation, isotope-labeling experiments and model compounds were used. The results indicate, in addition to direct heteroatom alkylation, high extent of ortho attack. We attributed the positional selectivity of the α-PVC to the nature of the substituent on the neutral molecule. In particular, hydroxy and amino groups promoted the alkenylation at ortho position. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The regioselective reaction of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl with terminal alkynes was found to be rapidly catalyzed by InCl3 and ZrCl4. The chemoselectivity of catalysts and alkynes for biphenol over water, together with the reaction mechanism are discussed in details.

The formation of 2-substituted benzo[b]furan ions in the electron ionization (EI) mass spectra of a series of 6-alkyl- and 6-aryldibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines has been studied by means of exact mass measurements and multiple-stage mass spectrometry conditions using an ion trap mass spectrometer. The proposed mechanism of formation of benzo[b]furan ions requires the formation of a spirocyclic cyclohexadienone system, which undergoes elimination of a cyclopentadienone molecule. A parallel with the chemical conversion of arylmethyl-substituted dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines into an analogous spirocyclic system was also underlined.

The mass spectrometric behaviour of a series of 6,6-disubstituted dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepine derivatives have been studied. The fragmentation patterns were described and discussed in detail with the aid of labelled compounds, accurate mass measurements and collisionally induced dissociation experiments performed using an ion trap.

A series of different furocoumarinones was submitted to electron impact (EI) and tandem MS experiments. The compounds examined showed decomposition patterns that allowed structural interpretation and the isomer pairs were characterised by collision experiments performed by an ion trap mass spectrometer. Electron impact spectra were partially ineffective for distinguishing between isomer pairs, while the breakdown curves of M+ · ions, obtained by varying the tickle voltage on an ion trap instrument, allowed their characterisation. Presented at the “4th Italian‐Spanish Symposium on Organic Chemistry” August 31st‐September 3rd, 2002, Perugia‐Italy.

"Cannonau of Jerzu" wine is a typical Sardinian product, obtained from only one particular grape variety. Its aroma profile is highly characteristic from the organoleptic point of view but, until now, no analytical investigation of the aroma components has been reported. This aspect has been studied by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Using this approach, 76 abundant aroma components were identified. The results thus obtained show on one hand that the terpene profile is, as expected, dependent on the quality of the grapes (in terms of selection before vintage), and, on the other, that some components are strongly dependent on the production and ageing method.

New 1-[1-(1H-indol-3-yl) alkyl]-1H-indoles, surprisingly, have been obtained from the addition of indole to a variety of aldehydes under neat conditions. CaO, present in excess, was fundamental for carrying out the reaction with paraformaldehyde. Under the same reaction conditions, aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes afforded only classical bis (indolyl) aryl indoles. In this paper, the role of CaO, together with the regiochemistry and the mechanism of the reaction, are discussed in detail. The effect of some selected 3,3′- and 1,3′-diindolyl methane derivatives on cell proliferation of the hepatoma cell line FaO was also evaluated.

Ion-molecule reactions between the α-phenylvinyl cation and isomeric naturally occurring phenols were investigated using a quadruple ion trap mass spectrometer. The α-phenylvinyl cation m/z 103, generated by chemical ionization from phenylacetylene, reacts with neutral aromatic compounds to form the characteristic species: [M + 103](+) adduct ions and the trans-vinylating product ions [M + 25](+) , which correspond to [M + 103](+) adduct after the loss of benzene. Isomeric differentiation of several ring-substituted phenols was achieved by using collision-induced dissociation of the [M + 103](+) adduct ions. This method also showed to be effective in the differentiation of 4-ethylguaiacol from one of its structural isomers that displays identical EI and EI/MS/MS spectra. The effects of gas-phase alkylation with phenylvinyl cation on the dissociation behavior were examined using mass spectrometry(n) and labeled derivatives. Copyright © 2015 John WileySons, Ltd.

Moreover, indoles and sulfonyl chlorides with strong electron withdrawing groups furnish the corresponding 2-sulfinyl or 3-sulfinyl indole derivatives.

9,10-Anthracenedione derivatives are known to exhibit a quite potent anticancer activity. It has also been reported that these compounds can be effectively employed in both antibacterial and antitrypanosomal therapy. Anthraquinones also exhibit some undesirable side effects, like cardiotoxicity. So many interactions seem to demonstrate that 9,10-anthracenediones strongly interact with a number of biological sites. In this paper we wish to report on the synthesis and the pharmaceutical activity of some newly synthesised derivatives containing the anthraquinone pharmacophore.

A set of aminoalkoxy-substituted, differently annullated furocoumarins, differing in the position of the aminoalkoxy chain and in the unsaturation level of the fused ring, has been subjected to electron impact and electrospray ionisation (ESI) experiments. In order to achieve a distinct characterisation of isomeric compounds, which partially failed under electron impact conditions, collision-induced dissociation experiments were performed on protonated molecules. The breakdown curves obtained by varying the tickle voltage on an ion trap ESI instrument led to the desired characterisation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Arylidenimidazoles bearing a thioethereal function in the position 2 of the imidazole ring show good antimicrobial activity. We now report on the synthesis and the biological properties of some novel arylidenisothiosemicarbazones, structurally related to the arylideneiminoimidazoles of which they can be considerecd the linear precursors. Particular attention has been put on the influence of structural modifications on the biological activity.

A mild and versatile method for the synthesis of some novel indole-1-carbinols has been developed via one-pot reaction of indoles and paraformaldehyde in the presence of an excess of CaO, MgO, ZnO or TiO(2). The solvent-free reaction provided all the indole derivatives in moderate to good yields and short reaction times. Moreover, the effect of some selected indole-1-carbinols on cell proliferation of the hepatoma cell line FaO was evaluated.

The title compounds (III) and (V) are obtained in an one-pot solvent-free reaction of indoles with paraformaldehyde in the presence of an excess of CaO, MgO, ZnO, or TiO2.

Arylidenimidazoles bearing a thioethereal function in the position 2 of the imidazole ring show good antimicrobial activity. We now report on the synthesis and the biological properties of some novel arylidenisothiosemicarbazones, structurally related to the arylideneiminoimidazoles of which they can be considerecd the linear precursors. Particular attention has been put on the influence of structural modifications on the biological activity.

9,10-Anthracenedione derivatives are known to exhibit a quite potent anticancer activity. It has also been reported that these compounds can be effectively employed in both antibacterial and antitrypanosomal therapy. Anthraquinones also exhibit some undesirable side effects, like cardiotoxicity. So many interactions seem to demonstrate that 9,10-anthracenediones strongly interact with a number of biological sites. In this paper we wish to report on the synthesis and the pharmaceutical activity of some newly synthesised derivatives containing the anthraquinone pharmacophore.

The regioselective reaction of 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl with terminal alkynes was found to be rapidly catalyzed by InCl3 and ZrCl4. The chemoselectivity of catalysts and alkynes for biphenol over water, together with the reaction mechanism are discussed in details.

Tandem mass spectrometry has been applied to differentiate three sets of o-, m- and p-methyl, -methoxy and -nitro-substituted-6-phenyl-dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments have been carried out on 2-phenylbenzo[b]furan fragment ions, which originate from the decomposition of the molecular ions after their EI-induced isomerization to spirocyclic structures. With the exception of m- and p-methylphenylbenzo[b]furan isomers, which display identical CID mass spectra, the three isomeric methoxy- and nitrophenylbenzo[b]furan fragment ions display very characteristic CID behavior which allows unequivocal differentiation of the 6-phenyl-dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepine isomers. 6-(o-nitrophenyl)-dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepine isomer, does not form a 2-(o-nitrophenyl)benzo[b]furan ion and, therefore, it can be differentiated from the m- and p- isomers based on the mere EI mass spectra. Furthermore, it shows a characteristic ion most likely due to an ortho effect between the nitro group and the dioxepine ring. Multiple stage mass spectrometric techniques (MSn), labeled derivatives and reference compounds were used in order to gain additional information on the structures of product ion from the CID fragmentation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In this work, the PEG-immobilization and the liquid phase synthesis of some coumarins derived from cardol are presented. Some preliminary results on their tyrosinase inhibitory activity are also included.

A new series of dibenzodioxepine and dibenzodioxocine derivatives was prepared starting from aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, underlining the chemoselectivity of both the catalyst and the biphenol, also confirming the importance of the hydrogen atom in a position to the carbonyl group.

In the presence of catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride (10 mol %), 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl and bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane react quickly, without using any solvent, with ketones or β-keto esters possessing at least one hydrogen atom in α to the ketone-carbonyl group, to afford some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and some 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives, respectively.

A series of cis- and trans-isomeric aziridines has been studied under electron impact (EI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) conditions. The fragmentation patterns of the examined compounds have been elucidated by means of sequential product ion fragmentation experiments (MS(n)) performed using an ion trap mass spectrometer. Particular attention has been paid to isomer characterization in these precursors of azetidinones, that in turn are precursors of new beta-lactam antibiotics.

Diels-Alder reactions between the furan double bond of 8-methoxypsoralen and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine or 3,6-bistrifluoromethyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine were accompanied by the release of diatomic nitrogen and the opening of the furan ring to leave a 6-pyridazinocoumarin. When 3,6-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine was used as diene with 8-methoxy-, 5-methoxy- or 8-hydroxypsoralen as substrate a previously unknown heterocyclic framework was created. Formation of the fourth ring was accompanied by conversion of the furan ring to a pyrone, presumably by intramolecular transestenfication with release of methanol. The characterization of the products of these reactions by exhaustive mass spectrometric analysis is discussed.

Diels-Alder reactions between the furan double bond of 8-methoxypsoralen and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine or 3,6-bistrifluoromethyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine were accompanied by the release of diatomic nitrogen and the opening of the furan ring to leave a 6-pyridazinocoumarin. When 3,6-bis(methoxycarbonyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine was used as diene with 8-methoxy-, 5-methoxy- or 8-hydroxypsoralen as substrate a previously unknown heterocyclic framework was created. Formation of the fourth ring was accompanied by conversion of the furan ring to a pyrone, presumably by intramolecular transestenfication with release of methanol. The characterization of the products of these reactions by exhaustive mass spectrometric analysis is discussed.