Polycyclic nitrogen containing heterocycles form the basic skeleton of numerous alkaloids and physiologically active drugs. Alloyohimbane was obtained from 3,4-dihydro-â-carboline using an iron-mediated [2+2+1] cycloaddition as the key-step. The bis-TMS-diyne was conveniently obtained by the C-alkylation of 3,4-dihydro-â-carboline followed by N-alkylation. Demetalation of the iron-complex followed by hydrogenation, E-ring expansion, and reduction provided alloyohimbane, a structurally and biologically interesting substance, via a linear eight-step sequence in 7% overall yield based on 3,4-dihydro-â-carboline. Another sequence provided (±)-alloyohimbane and (±)-3-epi-alloyohimbane in nine steps. The pyrrole unit occurs in a variety of naturally occurring compounds, pharmaceutical products and polymers. A novel two-step procedure for the synthesis of pyrroles by addition of a propargyl Grignard reagent to a Schiff base and subsequent silver(I)-promoted oxidative cyclization of the resulting homopropargylamine has been developed. The generality of this reaction was proven by the synthesis of a broad variety of substituted pyrroles using silver(I)-promoted cyclization. A three-step synthesis of (±)-harmicine, a natural product isolated from the Malaysian plant Kopsia griffithii having strong anti-leishmania activity, from 3,4-dihydro-â-carboline is achieved by addition of 3-trimethylsilylpropargyl Grignard reagent, Ag(I)-promoted oxidative cyclization to a pyrrole, and chemoselective hydrogenation of pyrrole ring. Total synthesis of anti-tumor active crispine A and biologically active 1,2,3,5,6,10b-hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline have been achieved in three steps using silver(I)-promoted oxidative cyclization as key step.

The aim of this thesis is the preparation and characterization of model components for organic thin-film solid-state lasers. The theses focuses on comparing different methods of determining the threshold energy, which leads to an amplified spontaneous emission of the studied derivative diketo-pyrrolo-pyrrole. The theoretical part is devoted to a summary of knowledge on the interaction of light with matter and lasers with a focus on organic solid-state lasers. The practical part is focused on preparation of model components for organic solid-state lasers, modification of apparatus for their characterization, comparison of evaluation methods for determining the threshold energy and study of the effect of different conditions of components preparation.

Dans une première partie, une méthode efficace et générale de préparation de pyrroles E-fluoroalkylés a été développée. Ces derniers ont été facilement obtenus en deux étapes à partir d'énones E-fluoroalkylées avec de bons rendements. L'oxydation sélective du squelette furanique des pyrroles E-fluoroalkylés, comportant un groupement 2-furyl en position 5 du cycle pyrrolique, puis leur décarboxylation, ont alors donné accès à deux nouvelles familles de synthons pyrroliques fluoroalkylés, très intéressantes pour la conception de molécules bioactives. Dans une seconde partie, deux méthodes originales de trifluorométhoxylation nucléophile, utilisant le triflate de rifluorométhyle (TFMT) ou le 2,4-dinitro(trifluorométhoxy) benzène (DNOB) en tant que générateurs de l'anion trifluorométhanolate, ont été développées. Certains trifluorométhyl éthers ainsi synthétisés ont alors été employés pour la préparation d'énaminones trifluorométhoxylées, précurseurs d’hétérocycles aromatiques trifluorométhoxylés inédits tels que des nicotinates, des pyrimidines, des pyrazoles et des isoxazoles / In a first part, an efficient and versatile method of preparation of E-fluoroalkylated pyrroles has been developed. These compounds have been readily obtained in two steps starting from E-fluoroalkylated enones with good yields. Then, the selective oxidation of the furyl moiety of E-fluoroalkylated pyrroles, bearing a 2-furyl group in the 5-position of the pyrrole ring, followed by their decarboxylation, provided two new classes of pyrrolic building-blocks. In a second part, two original methods of nucleophilic trifluoromethoxylation, using trifluoromethyl triflate (TFMT) or 2,4-dinitro(trifluoromethoxy)benzene (DNOB) as generators of the trifluoromethoxide anion, have been developed. Among the trifluoromethyl ethers so-prepared, some of them have been used to synthesise trifluoromethoxylated enaminones, precursors of novel trifluoromethoxylated aromatic heterocycles such as nicotinates, pyrimidines, pyrazoles and isoxazoles, which are very interesting for the design of bioactive molecules

No / PURPOSE: This phase I dose-escalation study was undertaken to establish the maximum tolerated dose of the sequence-selective minor groove DNA binding agent SJG-136 in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study also investigated antitumor activity and provided pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Sixteen patients were assigned sequentially to escalating doses of SJG-136 (15-240 microg/m(2)) given as a 10-minute i.v. infusion every 21 days. The dose was subsequently reduced in incremental steps to 45 microg/m(2) due to unexpected toxicity. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose of SJG-136 was 45 microg/m(2). The main drug-related adverse event was vascular leak syndrome (VLS) characterized by hypoalbuminemia, pleural effusions, ascites, and peripheral edema. Other unexpected adverse events included elevated liver function tests and fatigue. The VLS and liver toxicity had delayed onset and increased in severity with subsequent cycles. Disease stabilization was achieved for >6 weeks in 10 patients; in 2 patients this was maintained for >12 weeks. There was no evidence of DNA interstrand cross-linking in human blood lymphocytes with the use of the comet assay. Evidence of DNA interaction in lymphocytes and tumor cells was shown through a sensitive gamma-H2AX assay. SJG-136 had linear pharmacokinetics across the dose range tested. CONCLUSIONS: SJG-136 was associated with dose-limiting VLS and hepatotoxicity when administered by short injection every 21 days. DNA damage was noted, at all dose levels studied, in circulating lymphocytes. The etiology of the observed toxicities is unclear and is the subject of further preclinical research. Alternative clinical dosing strategies are being evaluated.

No / BACKGROUND: Activating mutations of FGFR3 are frequently identified in superficial urothelial carcinoma (UC) and increased expression of FGFR1 and FGFR3 are common in both superficial and invasive UC. METHODS: The effects of inhibition of receptor activity by three small molecule inhibitors (PD173074, TKI-258 and SU5402) were investigated in a panel of bladder tumour cell lines with known FGFR expression levels and FGFR3 mutation status. RESULTS: All inhibitors prevented activation of FGFR3, and inhibited downstream MAPK pathway signalling. Response was related to FGFR3 and/or FGFR1 expression levels. Cell lines with the highest levels of FGFR expression showed the greatest response and little or no effect was measured in normal human urothelial cells or in UC cell lines with activating RAS gene mutations. In sensitive cell lines, the drugs induced cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. IC(50) values for PD173074 and TKI-258 were in the nanomolar concentration range compared with micromolar concentrations for SU5402. PD173074 showed the greatest effects in vitro and in vivo significantly delayed the growth of subcutaneous bladder tumour xenografts. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that inhibition of FGFR1 and wild-type or mutant FGFR3 may represent a useful therapeutic approach in patients with both non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive UC.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This thesis reports the synthesis of various series of trifluoromethyl substituted nitrogenated heterocycles, such as pyrroles, pyrazoles, pyrimidines and 1,2,3-triazoles, exploiting the synthetic versatility of 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxypent-3-en-2-one in reactions with nitrogenated nucleophiles. In this way, synthesis of a novel series of 4-amino-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-N-substituted pyrroles was performed through two reaction steps. In the first stage is an addition reaction of primary or secondary amine in the 4-position of 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxy-3-penten-2-one furnishing 4-amino-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoropent-3-en-2-one. The second stage is a nucleophilic substitution of the bromine by a primary amine followed by an intramolecular cyclocondensation reaction resulting in the formation of pyrroles with yields from 50 to 98%. Through the reaction of 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxypent-3-en-2-one with sodium azide, 5-azido-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxypent-3-en-2-one was obtained. This compound was subjected to cycloaddition reaction [3 + 2] with terminal alkynes, allowing the synthesis of a novel series of 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxy-5-(4-alkyl/aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-pent-3-en-2-one (I) in good yields (74-90%). Through this reaction a wide range of bi-heterocycle compounds was obtained. For example, the reaction of compound I with 2-methylisothiourea sulfate gave a series of 4-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-methyl-6-trifluoromethyl pyrimidine (72-79%). In a second step, the SCH3 group of these pyrimidines was oxidized to SO2CH3 and subsequently substituted by primary and secondary amines to give a series of 2-aminopyrimidines derivatives in yields of 70-93%. Furthermore, the reaction with N1-substituted 2-methylisothiourea sulphates furnished two products: a 4-pyrimidinone and 1,4-dihydropyrimidine derivatives, depending on the reaction conditions employed. From the reaction of compound I with hydrazines and hydrazides a series of 4-[(4-alkyl/aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-5-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole, in yields of 77-90%, was obtained. The products obtained in this study were characterized by 1H- and 13C- NMR, mass spectrometry, high resolution mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Keywords: 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-methoxypent-3-en-2-one, 5-bromo-4-enaminoketone, 4-amino-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrroles N-substituted, 1,2,3-triazole, pyrimidine, pyrazolines, bi-heterocycles. / Esta tese apresenta a síntese de várias séries de heterociclos nitrogenados trifluormetil substituidos, tais como pirróis, pirazóis, pirimidinas e 1,2,3-triazóis, explorando-se a versatilidade sintética de 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluor-4-metoxipent-3-en-2-ona em reações com nucleófilos nitrogenados. Dessa forma, a síntese de uma série inédita de 4-amino-3-trifluormetil-1H-pirróis N-substituídos foi realizada através de duas etapas reacionais. Na primeira etapa ocorre uma reação de adição de amina primária ou secundária na posição-4 da 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluor-4-metoxipent-3-en-2-ona para a formação de 4-amino-5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluorpent-3-en-2-ona. Na segunda etapa ocorre a substituição nucleofílica do bromo por uma amina primária e consequente ciclocondensação intramolecular para a formação dos pirróis com rendimentos entre 50 a 98%. Através da reação da 5-bromo-1,1,1-trifluor-4-metoxipent-3-en-2-ona com azida de sódio, obteve-se a 5-azido-1,1,1-trifluor-4-metoxipent-3-en-2-ona, a qual, pela reação de cicloadição [3+2] com alcinos terminais possibilitou a síntese de uma série inédita de 1,1,1-trifluor-4-metóxi-5-(4-alquil/aril-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-il)-pent-3-en-2-ona (I), com bons rendimentos (74-90%). Por intermédio destes compostos foi obtida uma vasta gama de bi-heterociclos. Por exemplo, a reação do composto I com sulfato de 2-metilisotioureias possibilitou a obtenção da série de 4-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-il)metil-6-trifluormetil pirimidinas (72-79%). Em uma segunda etapa, o grupamento SCH3 destas pirimidinas foi oxidado a SO2CH3 e, posteriormente substituído por aminas primárias e secundárias, obtendo-se, assim, uma série de 2-aminopirimidinas derivadas com rendimentos de 70-93%. Além disso, a reação com os sulfatos de 2-metilisotioureia N1-substituídos levou a obtenção de dois produtos: uma 4-pirimidinona e uma 1,4-diidropirimidina, dependendo da condição reacional empregada. A partir da reação do composto I com hidrazinas e hidrazidas proporcionou a obtenção de uma série de 4-[(4-alquil/aril-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-il)metil]-5-hidróxi-5-trifluormetil-4,5-diidro-1H-pirazol com rendimentos de 77-90%. Os produtos obtidos neste trabalho foram caracterizados por Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de Hidrogênio e Carbono-13, Espectrometria de Massas, Espectrometria de Massas de Alta Resolução, Análise Elementar e Difratometria de Raio-X.

Modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is of great interest for its therapeutic relevance in several pathophysiological processes. The CB2 subtype is largely localized to immune effectors, including microglia within the central nervous system, where it promotes anti-inflammation. Recently, a rational drug design toward precise modulation of the CB2 active site revealed the novelty of Pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines tricyclic chemotype with a high conformational similarity in comparison to the existing leads. These compounds are structurally unique, confirming their chemotype novelty. In our continuing search for new chemotypes as selective CB2 regulatory molecules, following SAR approaches, a total of 17 selected (S,E)-11-[2-(arylmethylene)hydrazono]-PBD analogs were synthesized and tested for their ability to bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptor orthosteric sites. A competitive [H]CP-55,940 binding screen revealed five compounds that exhibited >60% displacement at 10 μM concentration. Further concentration-response analysis revealed two compounds, and , as potent and selective CB2 ligands with sub-micromolar activities ( = 146 nM and 137 nM, respectively). In order to support the potential efficacy and safety of the analogs, the oral and intravenous pharmacokinetic properties of compound were sought. Compound was orally bioavailable, reaching maximum brain concentrations of 602 ± 162 ng/g (p.o.) with an elimination half-life of 22.9 ± 3.73 h. Whether administered via the oral or intravenous route, the elimination half-lives ranged between 9.3 and 16.7 h in the liver and kidneys. These compounds represent novel chemotypes, which can be further optimized for improved affinity and selectivity toward the CB2 receptor.

No / We identify cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) as a target for tumor-selective drug development in bladder cancer and describe the characterization of ICT2700, designed to be metabolized from a prodrug to a potent cytotoxin selectively by CYP1A1. Elevated CYP1A1 expression was shown in human bladder cancer relative to normal human tissues. RT112 bladder cancer cells, endogenously expressing CYP1A1, were selectively chemosensitive to ICT2700, whereas EJ138 bladder cells that do not express CYP1A1 were significantly less responsive. Introduction of CYP1A1 into EJ138 cells resulted in 75-fold increased chemosensitivity to ICT2700 relative to wild-type EJ138. Negligible chemosensitivity was observed in ICT2700 in EJ138 cells expressing CYP1A2 or with exposure of EJ138 cells to CYP1B1- or CYP3A4-generated metabolites of ICT2700. Chemosensitivity to ICT2700 was also negated in EJ138-CYP1A1 cells by the CYP1 inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone. Furthermore, ICT2700 did not induce expression of the AhR-regulated CYP1 family, indicating that constitutive CYP1A1 expression is sufficient for activation of ICT2700. Consistent with the selective activity by CYP1A1 was a time and concentration-dependent increase in gamma-H2AX protein expression, indicative of DNA damage, associated with the activation of ICT2700 in RT112 but not EJ138 cells. In mice-bearing CYP1A1-positive and negative isogenic tumors, ICT2700 administration resulted in an antitumor response only in the CYP1A1-expressing tumor model. This antitumor response was associated with detection of the CYP1A1-activated metabolite in tumors but not in the liver. Our findings support the further development of ICT2700 as a tumor-selective treatment for human bladder cancers.