Bioinspired radical cyclization of tryptamines: synthesis of peroxypyrroloindolenines as potential anti-cancer agents

Chem Commun (Camb). 2018 Dec 18;55(1):63-66. doi: 10.1039/c8cc08866g.

Abstract

Inspired by the heme iron-catalyzed radical insertion of dioxygen to the tryptophan indole ring, herein we utilize alkylperoxy radical species as a coupling partner to trigger a peroxycyclization of readily accessible tryptophan derivatives and enable the first synthesis of peroxypyrroloindolenines. A preliminary biological evaluation revealed promising anti-cancer activities (IC50 = 22.00 μM for compound 2a), and revealed that both the indolenine core and the peroxy functionality are responsible for the antiproliferation effect against Hela cell lines.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclization
  • Free Radicals / chemistry*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tryptamines / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Free Radicals
  • Indoles
  • Tryptamines