A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Medicine (Pharmacology) Johannesburg,2015 / Breast cancer, is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and is associated with high mortality rates in South Africa. There is a high prevalence of metastatic breast cancer and triple negative tumours, which are associated with poor prognosis. In this study, the response of two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, were evaluated when treated with novel imidazo[1 ,2-a]pyridine amines. The compounds were synthesized by the School of Chemistry of the University of the Witwatersrand using the Groebke-Blackburn-Bienayme multicomponent reaction and tested for purity by elemental analysis. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of test compounds on breast cancer cells and the toxic effect of compounds on non-tumorigenic unstimulated peripheral leukocytes. IC50 values of test compounds were calculated from sigmoidal dose response curves. The morphology of cells exposed to test compounds was assessed by fluorescent microscopy using Hoechst 33342, acridine orange and ethidium bromide. The ability of test compounds to induce apoptosis was measured by a colorimetric caspase-3 assay and a fluorometric Annexin-V-FITC assay. Monodansylcadaverine was used to determine if autophagic vacuoles were formed after exposure to test compounds. Three imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine amines, JD88, JD253 and JD256, were more cytotoxic to MCF-7 than to MDA-MB-231 cells. MCF-7 cells showed morphological features associated with apoptosis, and proteolysis by caspase-3/7 was observed after MCF-7 cells were exposed to JD88 for two hours. Vacuole formation induced by these compounds was not autophagic in since they did not co-localize with MDC florescent clusters. This together with the exposure of phosphatidylserine to the outer surface of MCF-7 cells suggests that apoptosis is induced in these cells. There was no evidence of cytochrome c translocation to the cytoplasm, which indicates that the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis is not activated. MDA-MB-231 cells treated with JD88, JD253 and JD256 were large with multiple nuclei and decondensed chromatin, morphological features associated with mitotic catastrophe. The cells also showed morphological features associated with necrosis and apoptosis, which include loss of cell membrane integrity and cell membrane blebbing respectively. MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to JD88 showed marked exposure of phosphatidylserine and this was observed to a minor extent in cells exposed to JD253 and JD256. Proteolysis by caspase-3/7 was activated in MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to JD88 as early as 2 hours after exposure. In conclusion three compounds; JD88, JD253 and JD256 were able to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. These compounds were selectively toxic against MCF-7 cells compared to MDA-MB-231 cells and JD256 in particular was less toxic to leukocytes, which may translate to fewer serious adverse effects. Addition of a copper dioxygen complex to these compounds increases activity against both breast cancer cells. JD88 in particular has shown effective induction of apoptosis and this merits further investigation into its potential as a lead compound in breast cancer therapy. / AC2016

São estudados por espectroscopia Raman e infravermelho os complexos de prata (I) com ligantes orgânicos monodentados do tipo [Ag(L)2]NO3 (L= piridina, piridina-d5,2,4-dimetilpiridina e 2,6-dimetilpiridina) e [Ag(py)2]ClO4. Com o objetivo de investigar os deslocamentos de algumas frequências dos ligantes quando os complexos são formados, obtivemos os espectros no estado sólido e, em alguns complexos, em solução do ligante. É revista a atribuição das freqüências dos ligantes e, com base a esta, é apresentada uma tentativa de atribuição para os complexos acima citados. Os deslocamentos observados nos espectros dos complexos de prata (I) com piridina têm a mesma ordem de grandeza dos obtidos nos correspondentes complexos de metais de transição, porém diferentes dos obtidos por outros autores nos compostos de boro com piridina. Observa-se que os deslocamentos são devidos não só à complexação mas, principalmente, à mudança de estado. A análise dos espectros indicam bem que as bandas deslocadas da piridina e da 2,4-dimetilpiridina, nos complexos, podem ser atribuídas às vibrações de deformação do anel do plano e fora do plano, respiração do anel e deformação C-H no plano. / The complexes of silver (I) with monodentates organic ligands of the type [Ag(L)2]NO3 (L= pyridine, pyridine-d5, 2,4-dimetylpyridine and 2,6-dimetylpyridine) and [Ag(py)2]Clo4 are studied by Ramanand infrared spectroscopy. In order to investigate the displacement of some frequencies of the ligands when the complexes are formed, the spectra were obtained in the solid state and, in some complexes, in solution of the ligand. Previous assignments of the ligand frequencies are reviewed and, based on this, a tentative assignments for the above complexes is presented. The observed displacement in the spectra of the complex of silver (I) with pyridine have the same order of magnitude as those obtained in the correspondent transition metals complexes but different from those obtained by other authors in boron compounds with pyridine. It is observed that displacements are not due only to complexation but mainly due to the change of physical state. The analysis of the spectra shows that the changes in the pyridine and 2,4-dimetylpyridine bands in the complexes can be assigned to the in plane and out-of-plane ring deformation, to the ring breathing vibration and to the C-H in plane deformation.

by Wang Guo-Xin. / "April 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-194). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Graduation date: 2006

This thesis deals with the preparation and use of chiralbispyridylamides as ligands in metal-catalyzed asymmetricreactions. The compounds were prepared by amide formation usingdifferent coupling reagents. Bispyridylamides havingsubstituents in the 4- or 6- positions of the pyridine ringswere prepared by functional group interconversion of the 4- or6- halopyridine derivatives. These synthetic approaches provedto be useful for various types of chiral backbones. Pseudo C2-symmetric bispyridylamides were also synthesizedby means of stepwise amide formation. The compounds were used as ligands in themicrowave-accelerated Mocatalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylationreaction. Ligands having ð-donating substituents in the4-positions of the pyridine rings gave rise to products withhigher branched to linear ratio. The catalytic reaction, whichproved to be rather general for allylic carbonates with anaromatic substituent, was used as the key step in thepreparation of (R)-baclofen. The Mo-bispyridylamide catalystprecursor was studied by NMR spectroscopy. Bispyridylamide complexes of metal alkoxides were alsoevaluated in the asymmetric addition of cyanide to aldehydesand the metal complexes involved were studied by NMRspectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Chiral diamines wereused as additives to study the ring opening of cyclohexeneoxide with azide, catalyzed by Zr(IV)-bispyridylamidecomplexes. Various bispyridylamides were attached to solid supports oforganic or inorganic nature. The solid-supported ligands wereused in Mo-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reactionsand in the asymmetric addition of cyanide to benzaldehyde. Keywords:asymmetric catalysis, chiral ligand, pyridine,amide, allylic alkylation, enantioselective, cyanation,ring-opening, chiral Lewis acid.

This work was initially launched to study the synthesis of low-valent group 13 compounds bearing the bis(imino)pyridine ligand framework. Since its inception, this project has grown beyond the boundaries of group 13 to include low valent tin, silver, and rhenium. Alongside the reports of novel coordination compounds, we utilized computational chemistry to uncover unprecedented interactions which challenge conventional concepts of bonding. Synthesis, characterization, and complimentary computational studies are presented herein. Chapter 1 presents a historical overview of the bis(imino)pyridine ligand as well as our synthetic methodology and characterization of new ligand variants we have contributed to the literature. Chapter 2 presents the synthesis of a series of In(I) and In(III) bis(imino)pyridine complexes with varied sterics. Ligand-metal interaction and effect of ligand steric bulk on complex stability, as well as computational studies highlighting weak covalent interactions will be discussed. Chapter 3 presents the synthesis of Ga(III) bis(imino)pyridine complexes. Reactivity with “GaI” synthon as well as varied-stoichiometry one-pot synthesis attempts to generate low valent Ga-bis(imino)pyridine complexes will be discussed. Chapter 4 presents the synthesis of a series of Tl(I) bis(imino)pyridine complexes with varied sterics analogous to the approach taken with indium(I). Unprecedented weak ligand-metal as well as Tl-arene interactions will be discussed. Chapter 5 presents the synthesis of a series of Sn(II) bis(imino)pyridine complexes with varied sterics and halide substituents. Preferential cation-anion pair formation and attempted reactivity will be discussed. Chapter 6 presents the synthesis of a series of Ag(I) bis(imino)pyridine complexes with varied sterics. Resulting ligand-metal interactions as well as reactivity towards Lewis basic donor ligands will be discussed. Chapter 7 presents the synthesis of first crystallographically authenticated examples of rhenium(I) pincer complexes utilizing the bis(imino)pyridine ligand. Chapter 8 presents a general conclusion to the work.

Dans une première partie, la protection des phénols et des pyridinols a été étudiée. Une nouvelle méthode de tetrahydropyranylation a été développée via la réaction de Mitsunobu. Les pyridinols et des phénols ont ainsi été protégés sous forme d'acétal. Cette méthode est sélective d'un phénol vis-à-vis d'un alcool ou d'une amine. La métallation régiosélective des pyridinols 3- et 4- OTHP a été ensuite réalisée. La fonctionnalisation de ces composés, via des réactions successives de métallation et une hydrolyse acide, a permis la synthèse de pyridinols difonctionnalisés "one-pot". Dans le but d'étudier le pouvoir ortho-directeur du groupe O-THP lors de la réaction de métallation, des essais de déprotonations compétitives ont été réalisés avec un pyridinol protégé par un OMe ou une carbamate. Dans une seconde partie, nous avons étudié une synthèse courte et efficace de la (-)-lentiginosine et de ses épimères à partir de la 2-bromopyridine avec de bons rendements. Nous avons synthétisé la (-)-lentiginosine et deux de ses épimères avec de bons rendements. Au cours de cette synthèse, nous avons développé une nouvelle méthodologie de quaternarisation de pyridine via la réaction de Mitsunobu.

Investigations pertaining to the rhodium(I)-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to (arylsulfonyl)acetonitriles were undertaken. The resulting carbon-carbon bond forming reaction has led to the efficient synthesis of novel stereoselective (Z)-β-sulfonylvinylamines, which upon acidic hydrolysis, afford useful β-keto sulfones possessing a diverse range of aryl and sulfonyl substituents. The synthetic utility of these (Z)-β-sulfonylvinylamines was subsequently explored by generating the corresponding 1-aza-allyl anion equivalents under basic conditions. This interesting anionic intermediate was then introduced to various α,β-unsaturated systems to produce a diverse array of functionalized pyridine derivatives including unsymmetrical polysubstituted pyridines.

Investigations pertaining to the rhodium(I)-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to (arylsulfonyl)acetonitriles were undertaken. The resulting carbon-carbon bond forming reaction has led to the efficient synthesis of novel stereoselective (Z)-β-sulfonylvinylamines, which upon acidic hydrolysis, afford useful β-keto sulfones possessing a diverse range of aryl and sulfonyl substituents. The synthetic utility of these (Z)-β-sulfonylvinylamines was subsequently explored by generating the corresponding 1-aza-allyl anion equivalents under basic conditions. This interesting anionic intermediate was then introduced to various α,β-unsaturated systems to produce a diverse array of functionalized pyridine derivatives including unsymmetrical polysubstituted pyridines.

The development of novel selective 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor antagonists is an ever-growing area of interest among medicinal chemists. The potential of developing a therapeutic agent useful as an antipsychotic or antidepressant, as well as the possibility to develop a drug for Alzheimer’s disease and obesity has led to an increase in synthesis of possible lead compounds. The synthesis of unfused biheteroaryl derivatives is described within. The derivatives have been evaluated for binding affinity at 5-HT2A, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors. The most potent 5-HT6 receptor antagonists include a benzene ring, a hydrophobic group and a protonated nitrogen atom. The most potent and selective compound synthesized is 1-[3-butyl-5-(thienyl)phenyl]-4-methylpiperazine. The binding site of the 5-HT7 receptor is similar to that of the 5-HT6 receptor and the most selective and potent 5-HT7 receptor antagonist also contains a potonated nitrogen atom and a hydrophobic group. The difference in selectivity between the 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptor antagonists is the aromatic ring. The most potent 5-HT7 receptor antagonist synthesized contains a pyridine ring instead of benzene, as in the 5-HT6 receptor antagonist. The most potent and selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist is 1-[4-(3-furyl)-6-methylpyridin-2-yl]-4-methylpiperazine. The need to increase selectivity for both 5-HT6 and 5-HT7 receptors has led to the synthesis of flexible-chain linked derivatives and the results are described within.