Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Cancer Activity Evaluation of a 3-methyleneisoindolin- 1-One Library

Background: Isoindolin-1-ones are medicinally privileged heterocyclic compounds. Due to the interesting biological activities exhibited by these compounds, several synthetic and medicinal research groups have developed numerous synthetic approaches for these compounds. We have also previously reported two efficient approaches for the synthesis of the isoindolin-1-ones through iodoaminocyclization of alkynyl amides using n-BuLi and phosphazene superbases. Objective: This study aimed to construct a medium-size library of multi-substituted 3- methyleneisoindolin-1-ones and study its biological profile, specifically anti-cancer activity. Methods: Solution phase parallel synthesis was performed for the synthesis of the 3- methyleneisoindolin-1-ones library through n-BuLi-mediated iodoaminocyclization of 2.(1- Alkynyl)benzamides. The iodocyclized products were further derivatized through palladiumcatalyzed Sonogashira and Suzuki Miyaura couplings and N-alkylation reactions. In silico evaluation of the physicochemical and ADMET properties was performed to examine the drug-likeness of the library compounds. Selected isoindolin-1-one analogues were evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative activity in various human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A-549, and U-373 MG). Results: A library of 46 multisubstituted 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-ones has been synthesized. The iodo-isoindolin-1-ones were synthesized in 66-76% yields through n-BuLi-mediated iodoaminocyclization of 2.(1-Alkynyl)benzamides. Further diversification afforded the diverse library members in yields of 40-96%. Two of the library compounds exhibited GI50 values of < 10 μM in the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Conclusion: Isoindolin-1-one library was constructed through electrophilic cyclization. The diversification was successfully performed through various C-C and C-N bond formation reactions. The anti-proliferative activity of the library members appears to be arising from the interaction of the compounds with the protein kinase drug targets.