2‐Amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolines and Derived Novel Heterocycles: Syntheses and Structure–Activity Relationships of Potent Adenosine Receptor Antagonists

2‐Amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolines were identified as potent adenosine receptor (AR) antagonists. Synthetic strategies were devised to gain access to a broad range of derivatives including novel polyheterocyclic compounds. Potent and selective A₃AR antagonists were discovered, including 3,5‐diphenyl[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐c]quinazoline ( 17 , K_i human A₃AR 1.16 nm ) and 5′‐phenyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3′H‐spiro[indole‐3,2′‐[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolin]‐2‐one ( 20 , K_i human A₃AR 6.94 nm ). In addition, multitarget antagonists were obtained, such as the dual A₁/A₃ antagonist 2,5‐diphenyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazoline ( 13 b , K_i human A₁AR 51.6 nm , human A₃AR 11.1 nm ), and the balanced pan‐AR antagonists 5‐(2‐thienyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolin‐2‐amine ( 11 c , K_i human A₁AR 131 nm , A_2AAR 32.7 nm , A_2BAR 150 nm , A₃AR 47.5 nm ) and 9‐bromo‐5‐phenyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]quinazolin‐2‐amine ( 11 q , K_i human A₁AR 67.7 nm , A_2AAR 13.6 nm , A_2BAR 75.0 nm , A₃AR 703 nm ). In many cases, significantly different affinities for human and rat receptors were observed, which emphasizes the need for caution in extrapolating conclusions between different species.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of Substituted 4‐Iodopyrazolecarbaldehydes with 1,2‐Phenylenediamines and 2‐Aminophenols

A new approach for the synthesis of novel annulated‐pyrazoles is presented. This protocol includes an intermolecular condensation followed by a copper‐mediated intramolecular C N or C O coupling reaction. The method is applied to a range of substituted 4‐iodopyrazolecarbaldehydes which react with 1,2‐phenylenediamines or 2‐aminophenols to yield substituted 2,4‐ or 1,4‐dihydrobenzo[b]pyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,4]diazepines or substituted‐2H‐ or 1H‐benzo[b]pyrazolo[3,4‐f][1,4]oxazepines, respectively.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct Arylations of 1,2‐Azolo[1,5‐a]pyridines using Copper(I) Chloride as a Lewis Acid Activator and the Synthesis of 2,6‐Disubstituted Pyridines

A direct method for the arylation of 1,2‐azolo[1,5‐a]pyridines has been developed. In the process, the fused pyridines react with aryl halides in the presence of the palladium complex Pd(OAc)₂(Phen) as a catalyst and copper(I) chloride (CuCl) as a Lewis acid to form arylated derivatives. While pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines and [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines are arylated at ortho‐positions of their pyridine rings using this method, in situ ring‐opening of the formed C‐7 arylated [1,5‐a]pyridine takes place to generate the 2,6‐disubstituted pyridine. Also, upon treatment with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA), C‐7 arylated pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐3‐carboxylates react to produce diversely substituted 2,6‐disubstituted pyridines. Finally, a sequential C‐3 arylation was accomplished through a two‐step sequence involving hydrolysis of pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐3‐carboxylates followed by the bimetallic Pd/Cu‐catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reaction with aryl bromide.

     

Automated Synthesis of (rac)‐, (R)‐, and (S)‐[18F]Epifluorohydrin and Their Application for Developing PET Radiotracers Containing a 3‐[18F]Fluoro‐2‐hydroxypropyl Moiety

To introduce the 3‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐2‐hydroxypropyl moiety into positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers, we performed automated synthesis of (rac)‐, (R)‐, and (S)‐[¹⁸F]epifluorohydrin ([¹⁸F] 1 ) by nucleophilic displacement of (rac)‐, (R)‐, or (S)‐glycidyl tosylate with ¹⁸F^? and purification by distillation. The ring‐opening reaction of (R)‐ or (S)‐[¹⁸F] 1 with phenol precursors gave enantioenriched [¹⁸F]fluoroalkylated products without racemisation. We then synthesised (rac)‐, (R)‐, and (S)‐ 2‐{5‐[4‐(3‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐2‐hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]‐2‐oxobenzo[d]oxazol‐3(2H)‐yl}‐N‐methyl‐N‐phenylacetamide ([¹⁸F] 6 ) as novel radiotracers for the PET imaging of translocator protein (18 kDa) and showed that (R)‐ and (S)‐[¹⁸F] 6 had different radioactivity uptake in mouse bone and liver. Thus, (rac)‐, (R)‐, and (S)‐[¹⁸F] 1 are effective radiolabelling reagents and can be used to develop PET radiotracers by examining the effects of chirality on their in vitro binding affinities and in vivo behaviour.     

A New Entry for Short and Regioselective Synthesis of [1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]‐triazin‐7(1H)‐ones

Reaction of benzenediazonium chloride with active [1,2,4]triazin‐3‐ylthio‐methylene compounds 3 afforded the azo coupling products 5 , which yielded [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐b][1,2,4]triazin‐7(1H)‐ones 8 upon treatment with sodium ethoxide in ethanol. The latter products 8 were characterized on the basis of alternate synthesis and spectral data. The mechanism of formation of 8 and the regiochemistry of the studied reactions are discussed.     

Potent,Metabolically Stable 2‐Alkyl‐8‐(2H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐2‐yl)‐9H‐adenines as Adenosine A2A Receptor Ligands

Inhibition of adenosine A_2A receptors has been shown to elicit a therapeutic response in preclinical animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We previously identified the triazolo‐9H‐purine, ST1535, as a potent A_2AR antagonist. Studies revealed that ST1535 is extensively hydroxylated at the ω‐1 position of the butyl side chain. Here, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of derivatives in which the ω‐1 position has been substituted (F, Me, OH) in order to block metabolism. The stability of the compounds was evaluated in human liver microsomes (HLM), and the affinity for A_2AR was determined. Two compounds, (2‐(3,3‐dimethylbutyl)‐9‐methyl‐8‐(2H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐2‐yl)‐9H‐purin‐6‐amine ( 3 b ) and 4‐(6‐amino‐9‐methyl‐8‐(2H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐2‐yl)‐9H‐purin‐2‐yl)‐2‐methylbutan‐2‐ol ( 3 c ), exhibited good affinity against A_2AR (K_i=0.4 nM and 2 nM , respectively) and high in vitro metabolic stability (89.5 % and 95.3 % recovery, respectively, after incubation with HLM for two hours).     

Syntheses and biological activities of novel diheterocyclic compounds containing 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole

In a search for novel agrochemicals with high activity and low toxicity, a series of diheterocyclic compounds containing 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole rings were designed and synthesized by a four‐step synthetic route starting from 2‐mercapto‐5,7‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine. The structures of all the compounds synthesized were confirmed by ¹H NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The preliminary bioassay against Brassica campestris L and Echinochloa crusgalli Beavu indicated that the title compounds displayed herbicidal activity at the concentration of 100 ppm and that compounds 5a (R = CH₃), 5d (R = C₂H₅) and 5f (R = i‐Bu) were found to have particularly high activities. In addition, the results of an in vivo test at a concentration of 50 ppm showed that all the compounds prepared were highly active against Rhizoctonia slain, but not active against Fusarium oxysporum, Gibberella zeave and Phoma sparagi. A further in vivo test showed that compound 5j possessed better fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani at a concentration of 200 ppm than Carbendazim and Validamycin A, which are well known for their fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. To our knowledge, this is the first report that 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives display fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Annulation of 3‐[2‐(2‐Iodobenzylamino)aryl]‐N‐arylpropiolamides: Synthesis of 3‐[5H‐Dibenzo[b,e]azepin‐11(6H)‐ylidene]indolin‐2‐ones

A novel palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular tandem annulation method is presented for the synthesis of 3‐[5H‐dibenzo[b,e]azepin‐11(6H)‐ylidene]indolin‐2‐ones. This method allows the conversion of various 3‐[2‐(2‐iodobenzylamino)aryl]‐N‐arylpropiolamides to the corresponding 3‐[5H‐dibenzo[b,e]azepin‐11(6H)‐ylidene]indolin‐2‐ones through the diarylation of an alkyne.     

The Discovery of a Highly Selective 5,6,7,8‐Tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one SIRT2 Inhibitor that is Neuroprotective in an in vitro Parkinson’s Disease Model

Sirtuins, NAD⁺‐dependent histone deacetylases (HDACs), have recently emerged as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of a variety of diseases. The discovery of potent and isoform‐selective inhibitors of this enzyme family should provide chemical tools to help determine the roles of these targets and validate their therapeutic value. Herein, we report the discovery of a novel class of highly selective SIRT2 inhibitors, identified by pharmacophore screening. We report the identification and validation of 3‐((2‐methoxynaphthalen‐1‐yl)methyl)‐7‐((pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)amino)‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydrobenzo[4,5]thieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one (ICL‐SIRT078), a substrate‐competitive SIRT2 inhibitor with a K_i value of 0.62±0.15 μM and more than 50‐fold selectivity against SIRT1, 3 and 5. Treatment of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells with ICL‐SIRT078 results in hyperacetylation of α‐tubulin, an established SIRT2 biomarker, at doses comparable with the biochemical IC₅₀ data, while suppressing MCF‐7 proliferation at higher concentrations. In concordance with the recent reports that suggest SIRT2 inhibition is a potential strategy for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, we find that compound ICL‐SIRT078 has a significant neuroprotective effect in a lactacystin‐induced model of Parkinsonian neuronal cell death in the N27 cell line. These results encourage further investigation into the effects of ICL‐SIRT078, or an optimised derivative thereof, as a candidate neuroprotective agent in in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease.     

Synthesis and photochemical reaction of benzo[a]quinoxalino[2,3‐c]phenazine dyes

Novel dyes based on the benzo[a]quinoxalino[2,3‐c]phenazine skeleton and necessary intermediates (benzo[a]phenazine‐5,6‐diones) were synthesized. The heterocyclic dyes and benzo[a]phenazine‐5,6‐diones were characterized using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and chemical ion (CI) mass spectrometry. Their spectral properties, such as absorption and emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yield, were also measured. Experimental results demonstrated that photolysis of benzo[a]quinoxalino[2,3‐c]phenazine dyes in 2‐propanol and cyclohexene oxide leads to dihydro derivatives. The same product is formed during irradiation of dye/iodonium salt photoredox pairs in monomers. These compounds absorb incident light at longer wavelength and act as in situ sensitizers. Thus, when a composition was irradiated with a xenon lamp through a 395 cutoff filter, higher conversion was achieved than under monochromatic light.     

A One‐Pot Synthesis of [1,2,4]Triazino[4,3‐b]‐[1,2,4,5]tetrazines

Reactions of hydrazonoyl halides 6 with either 4‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐6‐substituted‐3‐thioxo‐[1,2,4]‐triazin‐5(4H)ones 1 ( 2 ) or 4‐amino‐3‐methylthio‐6‐substituted‐[1,2,4]‐triazin‐5(4H)ones 3 ( 4 ) gave [1,2,4]‐triazino‐[4,3‐b][1,2,4,5]tetrazine derivatives 9 ( 10 ), respectively. The mechanism of the reactions studied is discussed.     

8‐Benzyltetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purinediones: Water‐Soluble Tricyclic Xanthine Derivatives as Multitarget Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases

8‐Benzyl‐substituted tetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purinediones were designed as tricyclic xanthine derivatives containing a basic nitrogen atom in the tetrahydropyrazine ring to improve water solubility. A library of 69 derivatives was prepared and evaluated in radioligand binding studies at adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes and for their ability to inhibit monoamine oxidases (MAO). Potent dual‐target‐directed A₁/A_2A adenosine receptor antagonists were identified. Several compounds showed triple‐target inhibition; one of the best compounds was 8‐(2,4‐dichloro‐5‐fluorobenzyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione ( 72 ) (human AR: K_i A₁ 217 nM , A_2A 233 nM ; IC₅₀ MAO‐B: 508 nM ). Dichlorinated compound 36 [8‐(3,4‐dichlorobenzyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydropyrazino[2,1‐f]purine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione] was found to be the best triple‐target drug in rat (K_i A₁ 351 nM , A_2A 322 nm; IC₅₀ MAO‐B: 260 nM ), and may serve as a useful tool for preclinical proof‐of‐principle studies. Compounds that act at multiple targets relevant for symptomatic as well as disease‐modifying treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are expected to show advantages over single‐target therapeutics.     

Vanadyl Acetylacetonate Catalyzed Methylenation of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by Using Dimethylacetamide as a Methylene Source: Direct Access to Bis(imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐3‐yl)methanes

An efficient protocol has been developed for the methylenation of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines using dimethylacetamide (DMA) as methylene source in the presence of vanadyl acetylacetonate [VO(acac)₂] as the catalyst and iodobenzene diacetate as the oxidant. The reaction involves coupling of sp³‐ and sp²‐hybridized carbons and proceeds through the formation of an iminium ion. A wide variety of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines were converted to bis(imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridin‐3‐yl)methanes in good to excellent yields. A gram‐scale reaction demonstrated the potential for the scale‐up processes.

     

Synthesis of chitosan‐graft‐poly[2‐cyano‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)allyl acrylate] copolymer from a novel monomer,prepared using a Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction,and characterization of its antimicrobial activity

A novel method has been developed to modify the natural polymer chitosan. The process utilizes a monomer prepared by employing a Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction. Specifically, the vinyl monomer 2‐[hydroxy(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]acrylonitrile (HPA) was synthesized using a high‐yielding MBH reaction of acrylonitrile with pyridine‐3‐carboxaldehyde in the presence of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Conversion of HPA to 2‐cyano‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)allyl acrylate (CPA) was then carried out by reaction of acryloyl chloride. The highly functionalized monomer CPA was grafted onto chitosan through a reaction in 2% acetic acid containing a persulfate and a sulfite (K₂S₂O₈/Na₂SO₃) as redox promoter. An optimal grafting percentage of 123% is obtained when the grafting process is conducted at 60 °C for 4 h employing a 1:0.5 ratio of K₂S₂O₈ and Na₂SO₃ at a concentration of 2.5 × 10^?3 mol L^?1. Chitosan‐graft‐poly[2‐cyano‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)allyl acrylate] graft copolymers, having various grafting percentages, were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the results of studies probing the antimicrobial activities of the polymers against selected microorganisms show that the graft copolymers display higher growth inhibition activities against bacteria and fungi than does chitosan. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition/Ring‐Opening Rearrangement/[4+2] Cycloaddition/Aromatization Cascade: An Unprecedented Chemo‐ and Stereoselective Three Component Coupling of Sulfonyl Azide,Alkyne and N‐Arylidenepyridin‐2‐ amine to Pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐imine

A novel synthetic protocol for the one‐pot chemo‐ and stereoselective construction of diversely functionalized pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐imines via copper(I)‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition/ring‐opening rearrangement/[4+2] cycloaddition/aromatization cascade of sulfonyl azides, alkynes and N‐arylidenepyridin‐2‐amines under mild reaction conditions is reported. In addition, the catalytic activity of copper(I)‐modified zeolite, a recyclable, heterogeneous catalyst is also investigated, which gives improved yield compared to its homogeneous equivalents.     

Exploration of Sulfur‐Containing Analogues for Imaging Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter in the Brain

Sixteen new sulfur‐containing compounds targeting the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) were synthesized and assessed for in vitro binding affinities. Enantiomers (?)‐(1‐(3‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)piperidin‐4‐yl)(4‐(methylthio)phenyl)methanone [(?)‐ 8 ] and (?)‐(4‐((2‐fluoroethyl)thio)phenyl)(1‐(3‐hydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaph‐thalen‐2‐yl)piperidin‐4‐yl)methanone [(?)‐ 14 a ] displayed high binding affinities, with respective K_i values of 1.4 and 2.2 nm for human VAChT, moderate and high selectivity for human VAChT over σ₁ (≈13‐fold) and σ₂ receptors (>420‐fold). Radiosyntheses of (?)‐[¹¹C] 8 and (?)‐[¹⁸F] 14 a were achieved using conventional methods. Ex vivo autoradiography and biodistribution studies in Sprague–Dawley rats indicated that both radiotracers have the capacity to penetrate the blood–brain barrier, with high initial brain uptake at 5 min and rapid washout. The striatal region had the highest accumulation for both radiotracers. Pretreating the rats with the VAChT ligand (?)‐vesamicol decreased brain uptake for both radiotracers. Pretreating the rats with the σ₁ ligand YUN‐122 (N‐(4‐benzylcyclohexyl)‐2‐(2‐fluorophenyl)acetamide) also decreased brain uptake, suggesting these two radiotracers also bind to the σ₁ receptor in vivo. The microPET study of (?)‐[¹¹C] 8 in the brain of a non‐human primate showed high striatal accumulation that peaked quickly and washed out rapidly. Although preliminary results indicated these two sulfur‐containing radiotracers have high binding affinities for VAChT with rapid washout kinetics from the striatum, their σ₁ receptor binding properties limit their potential as radiotracers for quantifying VAChT in vivo.     

Improved conversion of 6‐endo‐tosyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐ones into 6‐exo‐acetoxy and 6‐exo‐benzoyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐ones

The reaction conditions for the conversion of 6‐endo‐tosyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐one ( 7b ) into 6‐exo‐acetoxy ( 8b ) and 6‐exo‐benzoyloxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐one ( 8a ), respectively, were improved. Thus known 6‐endo‐tosyloxy‐bicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2‐ones (+)‐(1RS,6SR,8SR,11RS)‐11‐[(4‐toluenesulfonyl)oxy]tricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan‐9‐one ( 1a ), 13‐methyl‐15‐oxo‐9β,13b‐ethano‐9β‐podocarpan‐12β‐yl‐4‐toluenesulfonate ( 3a ), and methyl (13R)‐16‐oxo‐13‐[(4‐tolylsulfonyl)oxy]‐17‐noratisan‐18‐oate ( 5 ), were converted,in comparable yields, as previously recorded, but much shorter times, into (+)‐(1RS,6SR,8SR,11SR)‐11‐(benzoyloxy) tricyclo[6.2.2.0^1,6]dodecan‐9‐one ( 2 ), 13‐methyl‐15‐oxo‐9β,13β‐ethano‐9β‐podocarpan‐12α‐yl benzoate ( 4 ), and methyl (13S)‐13‐(benzoyloxy)‐16‐oxo‐17‐noratisan‐18‐oate ( 6 ), respectively.     

Ring Transformations of Bicyclic Cycloalka[d]‐ to the Isomeric Cycloalka[c]isothiazolium Salts and their Oxidation to ω‐(2‐Aryl‐1,1,3‐trioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐isothiazol‐4‐yl)‐alkanoic Acids

The synthesis of tetrahydro‐2,1‐benzisothiazolium salts 8 and cyclohepta[c] isothiazolium salts 11 by ring transformation of bicyclic isothiazolium perchlorates 2 , 3 is described and the by‐products 9 , 10 and 12 are characterized. Oxidation of the bicyclic salts 8 and 11 results in a new route to obtain ω‐(2‐aryl‐1,1,3‐trioxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐isothiazol‐4‐yl)‐alkanoic acids 17 and 18 by Criegee‐type‐rearrangement.     

Impact of alkyl side chain on the photostability and optoelectronic properties of indacenodithieno[3,2‐b]thiophene‐alt‐naphtho[1,2‐c:5,6‐ c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole medium bandgap copolymers

Three donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) type alternating conjugated polymers, namely PIDTT‐DTNT‐C16, PIDTT‐DTNT‐HD and PIDTT‐DTNT‐OD bearing the same backbone of indacenodithieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (IDTT) as the D unit and naphtho[1,2‐c:5,6‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole (NT) as the A moiety but with different flexible side chain (n‐hexadecyl (C16), 2‐hexyldecyl (HD) and 2‐octyldodecyl (OD)) substituted thiophene employed as π‐bridges, were synthesized and characterized. The effects of the side chain on absorption, photostability, energy levels, aggregation, backbone conformation, morphology and photovoltaic properties were systematically investigated. Because moderate D and strong A units were selected to construct the polymer backbone, a medium optical bandgap (ca. 1.66 eV) and low‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital energy level (E_HOMO ≈ ?5.36 V), thus resulting in a relatively higher open‐circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.80–0.83 V, were achieved. It was found that the side chain gave rise to an insignificant impact on absorption, aggregation and photostability in chlorobenzene solution and energy levels but a non‐negligible influence on absorption, photostability and aggregation behavior in the film state. It was found that PIDTT‐DTNT‐C16 with the densest and most ordered packing structure exhibited the best photostability. Inverted bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells based on PIDTT‐DTNT‐HD:PC₆₁BM ([6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester) showed at least a 1.5‐fold increase in power conversion efficiency, chiefly originating from its slightly improved absorption, more balanced μ_h/μ_e ratio and favorable morphology of the active layer as a result of incorporating branched HD side chains into the IDTT‐alt‐DTNT backbone. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

LEGO‐Inspired Drug Design: Unveiling a Class of Benzo[d]thiazoles Containing a 3,4‐Dihydroxyphenyl Moiety as Plasma Membrane H+‐ATPase Inhibitors

The fungal plasma membrane H⁺‐ATPase (Pma1p) is a potential target for the discovery of new antifungal agents. Surprisingly, no structure–activity relationship studies for small molecules targeting Pma1p have been reported. Herein, we disclose a LEGO‐inspired fragment assembly strategy for the design, synthesis, and discovery of benzo[d]thiazoles containing a 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl moiety as potential Pma1p inhibitors. A series of 2‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐ylthio)‐1‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethanones was found to inhibit Pma1p, with the most potent IC₅₀ value of 8 μm in an in vitro plasma membrane H⁺‐ATPase assay. These compounds were also found to strongly inhibit the action of proton pumping when Pma1p was reconstituted into liposomes. 1‐(3,4‐Dihydroxyphenyl)‐2‐((6‐(trifluoromethyl)benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)thio)ethan‐1‐one (compound 38 ) showed inhibitory activities on the growth of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which could be correlated and substantiated with the ability to inhibit Pma1p in vitro.