Design and synthesis of novel 2-phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP) derivatives and their antiproliferative effects in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules14104166

A series of novel 2-phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP) derivatives structurally related to STI-571 were designed and synthesized. The abilities of these compounds to inhibit proliferation were tested in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. (E)-3-(2-bromophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2- ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide( 12d) was the most effective cell growth inhibitor and was 3-fold more potent than STI-571.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules14104166

Molecules 2009, 14, 4166-4179; doi:10.3390/molecules14104166
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Design and Synthesis of Novel 2-Phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP)
Derivatives and Their Antiproliferative Effects in Human
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Sheng Chang 1, Shi-Liang Yin 1, Jian Wang 1, Yong-Kui Jing 2 and Jin-Hua Dong 1,*
1
Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China;
E-Mails: changsheng-pharm@hotmail.com (S.C.); yslal@163.com (S-L.Y.);
wjmed@163.com (J.W.)
2
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA;
E-Mail: yongkui.Jing@mssm.edu (Y-K.J.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: dongjh66@hotmail.com;
Tel.: +86 2423986402; Fax: +86 2423904249.
Received: 1 September 2009; in revised form: 30 September 2009 / Accepted: 12 October 2009 /
Published: 19 October 2009
Abstract: A series of novel 2-phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP) derivatives structurally
related to STI-571 were designed and synthesized. The abilities of these compounds to
inhibit proliferation were tested in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells.
(E)-3-(2-bromophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acryla-
mide(12d) was the most effective cell growth inhibitor and was 3-fold more potent than
STI-571.
Keywords: 2-Phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP) derivative; STI-571; antiproliferative activity
Introduction
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic disorder characterized by the uncontrolled
expansion of myeloid progenitors in the bone marrow [1-3]. Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, a gene product of
the reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 has been found to be a main cause of
CML and has been used as a successful target for the treatment of CML [4-6].

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Molecules 2009, 14
The 2-phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP) derivative STI-571 (4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-
methyl-3-(4-pyridine-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]benzamide mesylate, imatinib mesylate,
Gleevec) is a potent and relative selective Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown potent
efficacy in CML patients in chronic phase [7,8]. Although newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase
disease achieve durable responses to STI-571 therapy, relapse and resistance are frequently observed in
patients with advanced disease [9,10]. Mutations in the kinase domain of Bcr-Abl have been found to
be one of the main reasons of resistance to STI-571 [11]. Crystallographic studies have revealed a
basic structure of Abl in which mutations in the kinase domain confer STI-571 resistance [12].
STI-571 binds to an inactive conformation of the active loop of Abl. Mutations in the kinase domain
influence the residues to which the drug binds or change the conformation of Abl making STI-571
unable to bind [12,13]. Potent Bcr-Abl activity inhibition by 2-phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP)
derivatives which bind to Abl in a different way suggests that novel PAP derivatives would be more
potent CML cell growth inhibitors than STI-571 [14-18]. Recently, we synthesized a series of novel
PAP cinnamamide derivatives structurally related to STI-571 and compared their antiproliferative
activity in CML K562 cells. Several derivatives with more potent antiproliferative activity were found.
Results and Discussion
Design and synthesis of PAP cinnamamide derivatives
The design of PAP derivatives was based on the vinylogy rule. A double bond was introduced into
the benzamide moiety to construct an α,β-unsaturated acylamide (Figure 1), with the reasoning that
α,β-unsaturated enones could react with the nuclephilic groups of residues in the Abl kinase domain.
Therefore, a series of PAP cinnamamide derivatives with various substituents on the right hand
benzene ring were synthesized. In order to investigate the effect of the conjugate moiety, compound 15
was also synthesized. The synthetic routes of the target compounds are shown in Scheme 1.
Figure 1. The structures of the designed compounds related to STI-571.
N
N
H
H
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
HN
N
R
HN
O
CH3SO3H
O
STI-571
PAP cinnamamide derivatives
The general method of Bredereck [14,19] was used to synthesize the pyrimidine ring system, which
involved reacting 3-acetylpyridine (4) with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (5) to give the
enaminone 6 in 92.6% yield. The phenylaminopyrimidine derivative ring system 7 was constructed by
reacting enaminone 6 with guanidinium 3, which was prepared in 66% yield via the reaction of
o-toluidine 1 with 50% aqueous cyanamide in refluxing n-butanol. Reduction of 7 with SnCl2·2H2O

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Molecules 2009, 14
afforded 6-methyl-N1-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diamine (8) in 75% yield, which
reacted with trans-cinnamyl chloride to afford the target compounds 12a-12w in yields ranging from
33.9% to 78.8%. Compound 15 was synthesized via the same method with 3-p-tolylpropanoic acid as
the starting material.
Scheme 1. Synthetic routes of the target compounds.
H
N
NH2
NH2
NH2
N
a
HNO3
b
c
NH
H
N
N
d
NO2
2
NO2
N
N
1
3
N
7
O
O
N
NO2
N
+
e
O
6
O
N
4
5
H
N
N
N
h
O
O
CHO
8
NH2
g
OH
Cl
f
R
R
R
10a-10w
11a-11w
9a-9w
N
H
N
N
N
R
HN
O
12a-12w
N
H
N
O
O
N
g
h
8
OH
Cl
N
HN
15
14
13
O
Reagents and conditions: (a) H2SO4, HNO3, -5 ºC; (b) 50% aqueous H2N-CN, HNO3, n-butanol,
100 ºC; (c) 100 ºC; (d) NaOH, n-butanol, 100 ºC; (e) SnCl2·2H2O, hydrochloric acid, 0 ºC-rt; (f)
malonic acid, piperidine, pyridine, reflux; (g) (COCl)2, CH2Cl2, 25 ºC; (h) CH2Cl2, Et3N, 0 ºC-rt.
Antiproliferative activities of PAP cinnamamide derivatives in CML cells and proposed binding mode
to c-Abl
The antiproliferative activities of these PAP cinnamamide derivatives were tested in human
leukemia K562 cells (Table 1), and the structure-activity relationship was analyzed. The results
revealed that compounds with sterical small substituents at position 2 or at position 4 on the right hand

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Molecules 2009, 14
benzene ring were more potent than the corresponding unsubstituted compound 12a. Compounds with
a substituent at position 2 were more potent than compounds with the same substituent at position 4.
Among them, compound 12c and 12d were more effective than STI-571 in inhibiting K562 cell
growth. Comparison of activities of the compounds with substitution at position 2 revealed that
electron-drawing groups were better than alkoxy groups for cell growth inhibition. The order of
activity of the compounds with a substituent at position 2 was Br > Cl > NO2 > F> OCH3 > OCH2CH3.
Introduction of an additional substituent into compound 12f with a -OCH3 at position 3 (i.e. compound
12o) improved the antiproliferative activity, while other compounds with double substituents were less
active than the compounds with a single substituent. Compound 12l was 7-fold more potent than
compound 15, suggesting that the vinylogy modification might be important for the antiproliferative
activity of these PAP cinnamamide derivatives.
Table 1. The substituents of target compounds and their antiproliferative effects in K562 cells.
Compound
12a
12b
12c
12d
12e
12f
12g
12h
12i
12j
12k
12l
12m
12n
12o
12p
12q
12r
12s
12t
12u
12v
12w
15
R
H
2-F
2-Cl
2-Br
2-NO2
2-OCH3
2-OCH2CH3
4-F
4-Cl
4-Br
4-NO2
4-CH3
GI50 (μM) in K562a
2.01 ± 0.10
0.67 ± 0.07
0.10 ± 0.01
0.07 ± 0.01
0.26 ± 0.02
0.83 ± 0.05
1.55 ± 0.21
1.83 ± 0.09
1.26 ± 0.04
0.55 ± 0.05
0.39 ± 0.04
0.51 ± 0.02
1.05 ± 0.06
> 5
0.14 ± 0.01
1.26 ± 0.05
0.78 ± 0.06
0.99 ± 0.17
> 5
0.48 ± 0.04
> 5
> 5
4-OCH3
4-OCH2Ph
2,3-di-OCH3
2,4-di-OCH3
2,3,4-tri-OCH3
3,4-di-OCH3
3-OCH3,4-OCH2CH3
3-OCH2CH3,4-OCH3
3-OCH3,4-OCH2Ph
3-OCH2Ph,4-OCH3
3,4(-OCH2O-)
0.57 ± 0.02
3.51 ± 0.33
0.23 ± 0.01
STI-571
a GI50 is the concentration that inhibits 50% of cell growth. Cells were seeded at 4.0 × 104 cells/mL
and incubated with various concentrations of tested compounds for 72 h. The data shown are the
mean ± SE of three independent experiments.

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Molecules 2009, 14
The proposed binding mode may partially rationalize above pharmacological results. The most
potent compound 12d was found to share the same binding mode as that of STI-571 observed in the
crystal structure of c-Abl kinase. Both STI-571 and compound 12d form hydrogen bonds with Met318,
Thr315, Glu286 and Phe382. Furthermore, the olefinic bond of compound 12d matches the stereo
conformation of the phenyl group of STI-571, which might form π-π interaction with c-Abl residues.
Figure 2. Binding modes of STI-571 (orange; X-ray crystal structure) and compound 12d
(green; docked pose) to the c-Abl kinase domain.
Experimental
General
All reagents and solvents (analytical grade) were commercially available and used without further
1
purification. Melting points were determined with a Yanaco apparatus and are uncorrected. H-NMR
spectra were recorded in DMSO-d6 (unless otherwise specified) on a Bruker AV-500 spectrometer. The
coupling constants were recorded in hertz (Hz) and chemical shifts were reported in parts per million
(δ, ppm) downfield from tetramethylsilane (TMS). High-resolution mass spectra (HRMS) were
recorded on a high-resonance electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometer LC/MSD QTOF 6520
(Agilent).
2-Methyl-5-nitroaniline (2)
To sulfuric acid (225 g) cooled at -5 ºC, o-toluidine (1, 15 g, 140 mmol) was added dropwise with
vigorous stirring. Mixed acid (14 g of 65% nitric acid and 50 g of sulfuric acid) was then added
dropwise at -5 ºC during 2 h. Then the mixture was poured onto crushed ice and made alkaline with
aqueous sodium hydroxide. The precipitate formed was collected by filtration and air-dried.

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Molecules 2009, 14
Subsequent recrystallization from 50% ethanol provided 17.28 g (81%), of product as maroon crystals,
mp: 105-107 ºC.
N-(2-Methyl-5-nitrophenyl)guanidinium nitrate (3)
To a solution of 2-methyl-5-nitroaniline (2, 20.46 g, 135 mmol ) in n-butanol (120 mL), 65% nitric
acid (10.5 mL) was added dropwise followed by a 50% aqueous solution of cyanamide (22.7 mL,
22.81 g, 270 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 12 h and then cooled to 0 ºC. The
precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with chilled solution of methanol and diethyl ether
(1:1, 20 mL) and air-dried to afford 18.48 g (53%) of the title product as a yellow solid, mp: 216-218 ºC.
3-Dimethylamino-1-(pyridin-3-yl)propenone (6)
A mixture of 3-acetylpyridine (4, 24.21 g, 200 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal
(5, 30.96 g, 260 mmol) was refluxed for 16 h under nitrogen and then concentrated under reduced
pressure. To the residue, cyclohexane (100 mL) was added, and the mixture was cooled to 0 ºC. The
precipitate was collected by filtration to afford 32.61 g (92.6%) of product as yellow crystals, mp:
78-80 ºC. 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ: 9.05 (d, 1H, J = 1.6, Py-2-H), 8.68 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H),
8.21 (dt, 1H, J1 = 7.9, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.86 (d, 1H, J = 12.2, COCH=CH) , 7.37 (dd, 1H, J1 = 7.3, J2 =
4.9, Py-5-H), 5.69 (d, 1H, J = 12.2, COCH=CH ), 3.20 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.97 (s, 3H, CH3).
N-(2-Methyl-5-nitrophenyl)-4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamine (7)
To a suspension of 3-dimethylamino-1-(pyridin-3-yl)propenone (6, 26.96 g, 153 mmol) and
N-(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)guanidinium nitrate (3, 51.40 g, 200 mmol) in n-butanol (200 mL), solid
sodium hydroxide (8.63 g, 216 mmol) was added. The mixture was refluxed for 16 h and then cooled
to 0 ºC. The precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with methanol and diethyl ether, and
air-dried to afford 43.62 g (92.4 %) of product as a yellow solid, mp: 196-197 ºC.
6-Methyl-N1-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diamine (8)
To a solution of stannous chloride dihydrate (11.29 g, 50 mmol) in hydrochloric acid (30 mL) cooled
at 0 ºC, N-(2-methyl-5-nitrophenyl)-4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamine (7, 3.69 g, 12 mmol) was
added in portions while the suspension was vigorously stirred for 6 h. The mixture was then poured
onto crushed ice, made alkaline with solid sodium hydroxide, and extracted three times with ethyl
acetate (100 mL). The combined organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the
filtrate was evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from methylene chloride to
1
afford 2.52 g (75%) of product as a yellow solid, mp: 142-144 ºC. H-NMR δ: 9.24 (d, 1H, J = 2.2,
Py-2-H ), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.63 (s, 1H, NH), 8.46 (d, 1H, J = 5.1,
pyrimidyl-6-H), 8.39 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 2.0, Py-4-H), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 7.9, J2 = 5.1, Py-5-H), 7.35
(d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidyl-5-H ), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 8.2), 6.80 (d, 1H, J = 2.3), 6.35 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 =
2.3), 4.83 (br, 2H, NH2), 2.07 (s, 3H, CH3).

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General procedure for the synthesis of substituted cinnamic acids 10a-10w
Malonic acid (1.92 g 18.33 mmol) and the appropriate substituted benzaldehyde 9a-9w (12.23
mmol) were dissolved in pyridine (2.5 mL) and a catalytic amount of piperidine was added. The
reaction mixture was refluxed for 1-3 h, and then cooled to room temperature and acidified with
diluted hydrochloric acid. The precipitate was collected by filtration, air-dried and recrystallized from
ethanol to yield corresponding cinnamic acid.
General procedure for the synthesis of the target compounds 12a-12w and 15
To a solution of cinnamic acid 10a-10w or 13 (0.84 mmol) in methylene chloride (15 mL), oxalyl
chloride (1 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2-3 h at room temperature, and then
evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The cinnamoyl chloride or 14 yielded was dissolved in methylene
chloride (5 mL) and used in the subsequent reaction. To a solution of 6-methyl-N1-(4-pyridin-3-yl-
pyrimidin-2-yl)benzene-1,3-diamine (8, 0.21 g, 0.76 mmol) and triethylamine (0.25g, 2.48 mmol) in
methylene chloride (15 mL) cooled at 0 ºC, the above methylene chloride solution of the cinnamoyl
chloride or 14 was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was then stirred for 2-8 h at room
temperature. The precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with methylene chloride and water,
and air-dried to afford the corresponding cinnamamide derivatives.
(E)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-3-phenylacrylamide (12a): yield:
74.5%; mp:181-182 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.12 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92 (s, 1H,
NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.2, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt, 1H, J1
= 8.0, J2 = 1.8, Py-4-H), 7.99 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.61 (d, 2H, J = 7.1), 7.57 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH),
7.54 (dd, 1H, J1 = 7.9, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.46-7.39 (m, 5H), 7.19 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 6.84 (d, 1H, J = 15.8,
COCH=CH), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C25H21N5ONa [M+Na]+ 430.16438, found:
430.21130.
(E)-3-(2-fluoropheny)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12b):
yield: 76.8%; mp: 243-245 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.26 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.28 (d, 1H, J = 1.6, Py-2-H), 8.95 (s,
1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.48 (dt, 1H,
J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 8.04 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.84 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH ), 7.76-7.71 (m, 2H),
7.54 (dd, 1H, J1 = 7.9, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (t, 1H, J = 8.4), 7.44 (d, 2H, J = 5.2), 7.37-7.34 (m, 1H),
7.21 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for
C25H21FN5O [M+H] + 426.17301, found: 426.20733.
(E)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12c):
1
yield: 77.8%; mp: 270-272 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.24 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92
(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.2, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.48 (dt,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 8.01 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.87 (d, 1H, J = 15.5, COCH=CH), 7.78-7.76 (m,
1H), 7.56-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.42 (m, 4H), 7.20 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 6.90 (d, 1H, J = 15.5, COCH=CH),
2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C25H21ClN5O [M+H] + 442.14346, found: 442.14943.

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Molecules 2009, 14
(E)-3-(2-bromophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12d):
1
yield: 80.8%; mp: 268-269 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.26 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.28 (d, 1H, J = 1.7, Py-2-H), 8.95
(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.49 (dd,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.8, Py-4-H), 8.04 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.84 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH ), 7.76-7.71 (m,
2H), 7.54 (dd, 1H, J1 = 7.9, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (t, 1H, J = 5.2), 7.44 (d, 2H, J = 5.2), 7.37-7.34 (m,
1H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for
C25H21BrN5O [M+H] + 486.09295, found: 486.09298.
(E)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-3-(2-nitrophenyl)acrylamide (12e):
1
yield: 78.8%; mp: 270-272 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.26 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92
(s, 1H, NH), 8.68 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.49 (dt,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.8, Py-4-H), 8.08 (d, 1H, J = 7.9), 8.01 (d, 1H, J = 1.8), 7.84 (d, 1H, J = 15.8,
COCH=CH), 7.82-7.80 (m, 2H), 7.68-7.65 (m, 1H), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.44-7.40
(m, 2H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 6.83 (d, 1H, J = 15.5, COCH=CH), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd.
for C25H20N6O3Na [M+Na]+ 475.14946, found: 475.16374.
(E)-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12f):
yield: 66.3%; mp: 246-247 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.08 ( s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.7, Py-2-H), 8.92
(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.2, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.99 (d, 1H, J = 1.8), 7.79 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 7.56 (dd, 1H,
J1 = 7.8, J2 = 1.5), 7.53(dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.3),
7.10 (d, 1H, J = 8.2), 7.01 (t, 1H, J = 7.5), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH3)
2.21(s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C26H23N5O2Na [M+Na]+ 460.17494, found: 460.16676.
(E)-3-(2-ethoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12g):
yield: 66.6%; mp: 255-257 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.09 ( s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92
( s,1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.48 (dt,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 8.01 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.84 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 7.57 (dd, 1H,
J1 = 7.8, J2 = 1.3), 7..53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.43-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.18
(d, 1H, J = 8.3), 7.08 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 7.01 (t, 1H, J = 7.5), 6.85 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 4.15 (q,
2H, J = 7.0, OCH2CH3).), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.41(t, 3H, J = 7.0, OCH2CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for
C27H26N5O2 [M+H]+ 452.20865, found: 452.24296.
(E)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12h):
1
yield: 70.6%; mp: 194-198 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.28 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92
(s, 1H, NH), 8.68 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.47 (dt,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97(d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.68 (dd, 2H, J1 = 8.5, J2 = 5.5), 7.56 (d, 1H, J =
15.8, COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.43 (d, 1H, J = 5.3), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 2.0),
7.28 (t, 2H, J1 = 8.5), 7.19 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 6.78 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3);
HRMS m/z calcd. for C25H20FN5ONa [M+Na]+ 448.15496, found: 448.13271.

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(E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12i):
yield: 65.8%; mp:268-269 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.14 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92 (s,
1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.2, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt, 1H,
J1 = 8.0, J2 = 2.0, Py-4-H), 7.98 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.64 (d, 2H, J = 8.6), 7.56 (d, 1H, J = 15.6,
COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (t, 2H, J1 = 8.5), 7.43 (d, 1H, J = 5.2), 7.41
(d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.19 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 6.84 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH ), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS
m/z calcd. for C25H21ClN5O [M+H] + 442.14346, found: 442.14943.
(E)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide (12j):
yield: 49.6%; mp:124-125 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.14 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92 (s,
1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt, 1H,
J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.98 (d, 1H, J = 1.5), 7.64 (d, 2H, J = 8.5), 7.59 (d, 1H, J = 15.6,
COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (t, 2H, J1 = 8.5), 7.43 (d, 1H, J = 5.2), 7.41
(d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.19 (d, 1H, J = 8.3), 6.86 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH ), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS
m/z calcd. for C25H20BrN5ONa [M+Na]+ 508.07489, found: 508.05714.
(E)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl)acrylamide (12k):
1
yield: 70.0%; mp: 252-254 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.28 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.94
(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.7, Py-6-H), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.2, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.47 (dt,
1H, J1 = 8.0 Hz , J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 8.29-8.27 (m, 2H), 8.00 (d, 1H, J = 1.9) 7.89 (d, 2H, J = 8.9), 7.67
(d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.44-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.21 (d,1H,
J = 8.4), 7.02 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C25H20N6O3Na
[M+Na]+ 475.14946, found: 475.13600.
(E)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-3-p-tolylacrylamide (12l): yield:
68.8%; mp: 205-208 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.07 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92 (s, 1H,
NH), 8.68 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.47 (dt, 1H, J1 =
8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.52 (d, 1H, J =
15.6, COCH=CH), 7.50 (d, 2H, J = 8.0), 7.42 (d, 1H, J = 5.2), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 2.0), 7.25 (d, 2H, J =
8.0), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 6.78 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 2.33 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3);
HRMS m/z calcd. for C25H24N5O [M+H]+ 442.19809, found: 422.19907
(E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide
(12m): yield: 63.3%; mp: 115-117 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.03 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H),
8.92 (s,1 H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46
(dt, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, 1H, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.7), 7.56 (d, 2H, J = 8.8), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 =
8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.52 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 7.42 (d, 1H, J = 5.2), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 2.0),
7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 7.01 (d, 2H, J = 8.8), 6.69 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH3),
2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C26H24N5O2 [M+H]+ 438.19300, found: 438.17750.
(E)-3-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide
(12n): yield: 51.4%; mp: 221-222 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.02 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H),

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8.91 (s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.49 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.45
(dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.7), 7.56 (d, 2H, J = 8.7), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2
= 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.51 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 7.45 (d, 2H, J = 7.3), 7.43-7.39 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.32
(m, 1H), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 7.08 (d, 2H, J = 8.7), 6.70 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 5.20 (s, 2H,
OCH2Ph), 2.20 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C32H28N5O2 [M+H]+ 514.22430, found:
514.23057.
(E)-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide
(12o): yield: 33.9%; mp: 146-147 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.13 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H ),
8.91(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.52 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46
(dt, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 8.00 (d, 1H, J = 1.5), 7.76 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.43 (d, 1H, J = 5.1), 7.41 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.20-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.14 (t,
1H, J = 8.0), 7.10 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.7), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH ), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH3),
3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C27H25N5O3Na [M+Na]+ 490.18551,
found: 490.19200.
(E)-3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide
(12p): yield: 65.1%；mp:154-156 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 9.98 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H),
8.91(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46
(dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.70 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd,
1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (d, 1H, J = 8.5), 7.42 (d, 1H, J = 5.1), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.17 (d,
1H, J = 8.4), 6.74 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 6.61-6.60 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.82 (s, 3H,
OCH3), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C27H25N5O3Na [M+Na]+ 490.18551, found:
490.19263.
(E)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-3-(2,3,4–trimethoxyphenyl)
acrylamide (12q): yield: 69.0%; mp:226-227 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.05 (s, 1H, NHC=O), 9.26 (d, 1H, J =
1.8, Py-2-H), 8.91(s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.51(d, 1H, J = 5.1,
pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.48 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.99 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.65 (d, 1H, J = 15.8,
COCH=CH), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.43 (d, 1H, J = 5.1), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.33
(d, J = 8.8), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 6.91( d, 1H, J = 8.8), 6.79 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 3.84 (s, 3H,
OCH3), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for
C28H27N5O4Na [M+Na]+ 520.19607, Found: 520.19694.
(E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide
(12r): yield: 67.8%; mp: 234-235 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.03 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H),
8.92 (s,1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.50 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46
(dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.98 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50
(d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 7.42-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J = 1.8), 7.18 (dd, 2H, J1 = 8.6, J2 =
3.1)，7.01 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 6.71(d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH3),
2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C27H26N5O3 [M+H]+ 468.20357, found: 468.20356.

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(E)-3-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino]phenyl]acryla-
1
mide (12s): yield: 68.8%; mp: 256-258 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.03 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8,
Py-2-H), 8.92 (s, 1H, NH), 8.68 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.51(d, 1H, J = 5.2,
pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.47 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9 Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0,
J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (d, 1H, J = 15.6,COCH=CH), 7.42 (d,1H, J = 5.1), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 2.0), 7.20 (d,
1H, J = 1.9), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 7.15 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.4, J2 = 1.9), 6.99 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 6.70 (d, 1H, J
= 15.7, COCH=CH ), 4.05 (q, 2H, J = 7.0, OCH2CH3), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.34 (t,
3H, J = 7.0, OCH2CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C28H28N5O3 [M+H]+ 482.21921, found: 482.22009.
(E)-3-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acryla-
1
mide (12t): yield: 68.5%; mp: 263-264 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.01 (s, 1H, NHC=O), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8,
Py-2-H), 8.92 (s, 1H, NH), 8.68 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.2, pyrimidinyl
-6-H), 8.47 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8,
Py-5-H), 7.50 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH)), 7.42 (d,1H, J = 5.1), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 2.1), 7.19-7.16 (m,
3H), 7.00 (d,1H, J = 8.4), 6.70 (d, 1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 4.06(q, 2H, J = 6.9, OCH2CH3) 3.80 (s,
3H, OCH3), 2.21 (s, 3H, CH3), 1.35 (t, 3H, J = 6.9, OCH2CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C28H28N5O3
[M+H]+ 482.21921, Found: 482.22036.
(E)-3-(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]
1
acrylamide (12u): yield: 36.4%; mp: 178-179 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.08 ( s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27 (d, 1H J =
1.8, Py-2-H), 8.98 (s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1= 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1,
pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.7), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0,
J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.51 (1H, J = 15.7, COCH=CH), 7.49-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.40 (m, 4H), 7.36-7.33
(m, 1H), 7.33 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.22 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.4, J2 = 1.8), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 7.05 (d, 1H, J =
8.7), 6.70 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 5.20 (s, 2H, OCH2Ph), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.20 (s, 3H,
CH3)；HRMS m/z calcd. for C33H30N5O3 [M+H]+ 544.23486, found: 544.23565.
(E)-3-(3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-phenyl]
1
acrylamide (12v) yield: 42.7%; mp: 232-234 ºC. H-NMR δ: 10.04 ( s, 1H, NHCO), 9.27(d, 1H, J =
1.8, Py-2-H), 8.92( s,1 H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.8, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.51 (d, 1H, J = 5.1,
pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.7), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0,
J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.50 (d, 1H, J = 15.8, COCH=CH), 7.46-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.38 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.33
(m, 1H), 7.23 (d, 1H, J = 1.9), 7.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4), 7.15 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.4, J2 = 1.8)，7.09 (d, 1H, J =
8.4), 6.70 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 5.13 (s, 2H, OCH2Ph), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.20 (s, 3H, CH3);
HRMS m/z calcd. for C33H30N5O3 [M+H]+ 544.23486, found: 544.23565.
(E)-3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]acrylamide
(12w): yield: 46.8%; mp: 244-246 ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 10.02 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.2, Py-2-H),
8.91 (s, 1H, NH), 8.69 (dd, 1H, J1 = 4.5, J2 = 1.1, Py-6-H), 8.51 (d, 1H, J =5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46
(dt, 1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.9, Py-4-H), 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.3), 7.53 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 4.8, Py-5-H), 7.49
(d, 1H, J=15.6, COCH=CH), 7.42 (d, 1H, J = 5.1), 7.40 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.18 (d, 2H, J = 7.2), 7.13 (dd,

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Molecules 2009, 14
1H, J1 = 8.1, J2 = 1.4), 6.97 (d, 1H, J = 8.0), 6.67 (d, 1H, J = 15.6, COCH=CH), 6.08 (s, 2H, OCH2O),
2.21 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z calcd. for C26H21N5O3Na [M+Na]+ 474.15421, found: 474.14769.
N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-3-p-tolylpropionamide (15)：yield: 76.6%;
mp: 168-169ºC. 1H-NMR δ: 9.81(s, 1H, NHCO), 9.26 (d, 1H, J = 1.8, Py-2-H), 8.90 (s, 1H, NH), 8.69
(dd, 1H, J1 = 4.7, J2 = 1.6, Py-6-H ), 8.50 (d, 1H, J = 5.1, pyrimidinyl-6-H), 8.46 (dt, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 =
1.8, Py-4-H), 7.88 (d, 1H, J = 1.6), 7.51 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0 Hz , J2 = 4.8, Py-4-H), 7.41 (d, 1H, J = 5.1),
7.28 (dd, 1H, J1 = 8.0, J2 = 1.8), 7.14-7.12 (m, 3H), 7.07 (d, 2H, J = 8.0), 2.86 (t, 2H, J = 7.45,
COCH2CH2), 2.58 (t, 2H, J = 7.45, COCH2CH2), 2.24 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.19 (s, 3H, CH3); HRMS m/z
calcd. for C26H26N5O [M+H]+ 424.21374, found: 424.24776.
Antiproliferative activity assay
Human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells containing Bcl-Abl fusion kinase were cultured in
RPMI 1640 medium (Gibco; New York, NY, USA) containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Cells were
seeded at 4.0 × 104 cells/mL and incubated with various concentrations of test compounds for 72 h.
Total cell number in each group was counted with the aid of a hemocytometer. The growth inhibition
ability was calculated and expressed as the ratio of the cell number in treated group to that in the
untreated group. The concentration that inhibited half of the cell growth (IG50) was calculated [20].
Molecular modeling
Molecular docking was carried out using Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) [21]. The small
molecules and the X-ray crystal structure of c-Abl in complex with STI-571 (PDB code: 1iep[12])
were imported, and STI-571 was used to define the binding cavity. Molecular docking was carried out
using the Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) [21]. The docking algorithm was set at 1,500 maximum
iterations with a simplex evolution population size of 50 and a minimum of 10 runs. The schematic
diagrams of interactions between c-Abl and docked poses were analyzed by Sybyl 6.91 package [22].
Conclusions
A series of novel PAP cinnamamide derivatives structurally related to STI-571 were synthesized
and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity toward human leukemia K562 cells. Compounds 12c
and 12d with a substitution of Cl or Br at position 2 were the most effective compounds in inhibiting
K562 cell growth, being 2-3 fold more potent than STI-571. The effects of these compounds on the
inhibition of Bcr-Abl activity are worthy of further study.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Molegro ApS for kindly providing us with a free evaluation copy of
their software package.

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