Scalable (Enantioselective) Syntheses of Novel 3-Methylated Analogs of Pazinaclone, (S)-PD172938 and Related Biologically Relevant Isoindolinones
Herein, we report the application of an efficient and practical K2CO3 promoted cascade reaction of 2-acetylbenzonitrile in the synthesis of novel 3-methylated analogs of Pazinaclone and PD172938, belonging to isoindolinones heterocyclic class bearing a tetrasubstituted stereocenter. Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of the key intermediate and its transformation into highly enantioenriched 3-methylated analog of (S)-PD172938 was also developed. These achievements can be of particular interest also for medicinal chemistry, since the methyl group is a very useful structural modification in the rational design of new and more effective bioactive compounds.
MicroRNA targeting by quercetin in cancer treatment and chemoprotection
A growing number of evidences from clinical and preclinical studies have shown that dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) function contributes to the progression of cancer and thus miRNA can be an effective target in therapy. Dietary phytochemicals, such as quercetin, are natural products that have potential anti-cancer properties due to their proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects. Available experimental studies indicate that quercetin could modulate multiple cancer-relevant miRNAs including let-7, miR-21, miR-146a and miR-155, thereby inhibiting cancer initiation and development. This paper reviews the data supporting the use of quercetin for miRNA-mediated chem…
Dimethyl 2-(1-methyl-3-oxo-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-1-yl)malonate
In this work we report a facile access to a 3,3-disubstituted isobenzofuranone by tandem addition/cyclization reaction to methyl 2-acetylbenzoate in the presence of dimethyl malonate, under basic conditions.