4-Aminoquinoline derivatives: Synthesis, in?vitro and in?vivo antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant parasites

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.033

Synthetic quinoline derivatives continue to be considered as candidates for new drug discovery if they act against CQ-resistant strains of malaria even after the widespread emergence of resistance to CQ. In this study, we explored the activities of two series of new 4-aminoquinoline derivatives and found them to be effective against Plasmodium falciparum under in?vitro conditions. Further, we selected four most active derivatives 1m, 1o, 2c and 2j and evaluated their antimalarial potential against Plasmodium berghei in?vivo. These 4-aminoquinolines cured BALB/c mice infected with P.?berghei. The ED₅₀values were calculated to be 2.062, 2.231, 1.431, 1.623 and 1.18?mg/kg of body weight for each of the compounds 1m, 1o, 2c, 2j and amodiaquine, respectively. Total doses of 500?mg/kg of body weight were well received. The study suggests that these new 4-aminoquinolines should be used for structure activity relationship to find lead molecules for treating multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.033

Accepted Manuscript
4-Aminoquinoline derivatives: Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activity
against chloroquine-resistant parasites
Shailja Singh, Drishti Agarwal, Kumkum Sharma, Manish Sharma, Morten A. Nielsen,
Michael Alifrangis, Ashok K. Singh, Rinkoo D. Gupta, Satish K. Awasthi
PII:
S0223-5234(16)30512-8
10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.033
EJMECH 8694
DOI:
Reference:
To appear in: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Received Date: 14 September 2015
Revised Date: 31 May 2016
Accepted Date: 19 June 2016
Please cite this article as: S. Singh, D. Agarwal, K. Sharma, M. Sharma, M.A. Nielsen, M. Alifrangis,
A.K. Singh, R.D. Gupta, S.K. Awasthi, 4-Aminoquinoline derivatives: Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo
antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant parasites, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
(2016), doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.033.
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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

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4-Aminoquinoline derivatives: Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo
antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-resistant parasites
Shailja Singha, Drishti Agarwal a, c, Kumkum Sharmaa, Manish Sharmaa, Morten A
Nielsenb, Michael Alifrangisb, Ashok K Singhd, Rinkoo D Guptac, Satish K Awasthia*
aChemical Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi- 110007, India
bCentre for Medical Parasitology, Institute of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of
Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
cFaculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi- 110021, India
dDepartment of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
*Corresponding author:
Satish K. Awasthi
Chemical Biology Laboratory,
Department of Chemistry,
University of Delhi,
Delhi- 110007, India
Tel.: +91- 9582087608, Fax: +91-11-27666605
E-mail: satishpna@gmail.com
skawasthi@chemistry.du.ac.in

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Abstract
Synthetic quinoline derivatives continue to be considered as candidates for new drug discovery if
they act against CQ-resistant strains of malaria even after the widespread emergence of resistance
to CQ. In this study, we explored the activities of two series of new 4-aminoquinoline derivatives
and found them to be effective against Plasmodium falciparum under in vitro conditions. Further,
we selected four most active derivatives 1m, 1o, 2c and 2j and evaluated their antimalarial
potential against Plasmodium berghei in vivo. These 4-aminoquinolines cured BALB/c mice
infected with P. berghei. The ED50 values were calculated to be 2.062, 2.231, 1.431, 1.623 and
1.18 mg/kg of body weight for each of the compounds 1m, 1o, 2c, 2j and amodiaquine,
respectively. Total doses of 500 mg/kg of body weight were well received. The study suggests
that these new 4-aminoquinolines should be used for structure activity relationship to find lead
molecules for treating multidrug-resistant P. falciparum and P. vivax.
Keywords: Antimalarial, Amodiaquine, Chloroquine, 4-Aminoquinoline analogues, Plasmodium
falciparum, Plasmodium berghei

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1. Introduction
Malaria mortality rates have come down by a drastic 47% between 2000 and 2013 globally [1].
The improvements are mainly the result of large scale investments and implementation of
insecticide treated nets (ITNs), improved diagnostics using rapid diagnostics tests and treatment of
malaria using the efficacious antimalarial drug combinations. However, emergence of drug and
insecticide-resistance stand ahead as major obstacles, and attempts should be directed at
overcoming them as soon as possible, so as to avoid an upsurge in malaria attributed morbidity
and mortality.
Combination therapy is undoubtedly the best way to treat malaria and to mitigate the emergence
of drug resistance [2]. The World Health Organization (WHO), back in 2001, recommended the
use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in endemic areas of Africa and other
tropical countries [3]. However, decreased susceptivity of P. falciparum to artemisinin pose
serious concerns [4] and new drugs and drug combinations are highly needed.
Drug candidates based on the 4-aminoquinoline scaffold continue to be considered as promising
candidates for combination therapy [5].Till date, no other drug has been able to match the
antimalarial attributes of chloroquine (CQ). However, widespread resistance has rendered it
almost useless throughout the world, particularly against P. falciparum infections [6].
Amodiaquine (AQ), effective against many chloroquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum, was
developed by the US Army-sponsored program to develop alternatives to quinine; its use became
widespread both prophylactically and therapeutically [7]. Soon after, in the 1980s, its use was
terminated because of the occurrence of numerous cases of agranulocytosis, neutropenia and
hepatotoxicity in adults taking the drug prophylactically [8]. However, later, its therapeutic use
was reiterated and to date, there is no evidence for serious toxicity associated with amodiaquine
therapy [9]. AQ toxicity has been explained by the presence of its 4-hydroxyanilino moiety, which
is believed to undergo extensive metabolization to its quinoneimine variant (Fig. 1), a feature
contrasting to chloroquine [10].
In this article, we describe the synthesis and antimalarial activity of amodiaquine analogues under
two series, I and II. These analogues inhibit the formation of toxic metabolites by simple oxidation
due to absence of hydroxyl group at position 4 of benzene unlike amodiaquine. Moreover, these are
potent against CQ resistant P. falciparum parasites. The compounds were tested: (i) as blood

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schizonticides against P. falciparum in vitro; (ii) against P. berghei infections in mice; (iii) for their
in vitro cytotoxicity; (iv) in vivo toxicity; (v) for their binding mode to lactate dehydrogenase and
dimeric hematin in silico. Apart from an excellent antiplasmodial profile, these analogues are
extremely cost-effective to synthesize. On the basis of initial data reported in this paper, selected
potent analogues may represent new leads for development of synergistic drug partners in
antimalarial combination therapy.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1 Synthesis of 4-aminoquinoline analogues
Most of the clinical antimalarial drugs including chloroquine (CQ) have lost their utility due to the
development of drug resistance. A closely related amodiaquine could be applied as an alternate
since it retains antimalarial activity against many CQ-resistant parasites [11]. Activity of AQ is
linked to a dynamic conformation in which the separation between the quinoline nitrogen and the
diethylamino nitrogen is approximately 8.30 A˚, which is very much similar to chloroquine [12].
Research studies reveal that intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl and the proton
of the charged diethylamino function plays a significant role in the activity of amodiaquine
derivative. However, AQ produces a toxic quinoneimine metabolite (Fig. 1) thus; it has been
limited since the mid 1980s [13]. According to last WHO’s guidelines for treatment of malaria,
use of AQ is still recommended either in combination with artemisinin derivatives or with
sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. On careful examination of the structure of amodiaquine, we have
found that there is still some scope for modification of basic scaffolds to improve antimalarial
activity.
OH
OH
Metabolic
Oxidation
OH
HN
N
CYP2C8
HN
N
N
N
HN
N
HN
Cl
Cl
Quinoneimine
Formation
Cl
Amodiaquine
P 450
GS
OH
N
Hepatotoxicity
OH
and
Agranulocytosis
HN
N
HN
NH2
Cl
Cl
N

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Figure 1. Production of a toxic quinoneimine metabolite by amodiaquine.
In this way newer cost effective compounds with significant antimalarial activity can be designed
and synthesized.Till now little systematic study has been carried out using different electron
releasing and donating groups on phenyl rings which exhibited the effect of substituents on the
activity of the basic scaffold [14]. Keeping these facts in mind and in the continuation of our
ongoing projects on malaria drug discovery [15-18] and biophysical analysis of amodiaquine
analogues [19], we have synthesized and characterized two different libraries of small 4-
aminoquinoline analogues under series I & II as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Series I and II showing reagents and conditions used in synthesis of compounds.
Since AQ retains antimalarial activity against many CQ-resistant parasites, several modifications
were made to synthesize safer, cost-effective alternative. Other groups have reported the synthesis
of fluoro amodiaquine (FAQ) [20]. This analogue cannot form toxic metabolites due to absence of
hydroxyl group and retains substantial antimalarial activity versus CQ-resistant parasites [21]. In
order to diversify AQ analogues, in this study, we further report the design and synthesis of newer
compounds by introducing different functional groups on phenyl ring to improve antimalarial
efficacy and lessen toxicity. We assume that these combinations might have significant impact on
the parasite life cycle by inhibiting hemozoin formation as well as non-toxic in nature.

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We have synthesized 16 analogues (series-I) by direct nucleophilic substitution reaction on 4, 7-
dichlroquinoline using various substituted anilines. Further, the introduction of a flexible linear
chain between the two amino functions in CQ and the replacement of the terminal diethylamino
group by different substituents like alkyl, phenyl with electron donating and electron withdrawing
groups were screened and well reported [22]. It is found that 4-aminoquinoline derivatives having 2
or 3 carbon linear chain between two terminal amino groups exhibited promising antimalarial
activity (Fig. 3) [23]. These modifications were expected to enhance the lifetime of chloroquine
analogues and interesting activity against CQ resistant strains. Keeping the above facts in mind, we
have synthesized small library of compounds by reductive amination reaction (series II) in which
the length of four carbon linker chain is similar to that of chloroquine except that one carbon is
replaced by NH group. Different electron releasing and electron withdrawing groups were placed on
o, m or p-positions to get maximum inhibitory activity. All new compounds were well
characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry.
Figure 3. Basis for the synthesis of 4-aminoquinoline derivatives by reductive amination reaction
Under series-I, we have synthesized 16 compounds (Table 1) using different substituted aromatic
anilines. Briefly, equimolar amount of 4, 7-dichloroquinoline and desired aniline were reflux in dry
ethanol in basic condition (K2CO3, 1.2 eq.). Compounds were purified by crystallization in methanol
/ methanol+acetone or C2H5OH as solvent.
All the 11 compounds of series-II (Table 2) were synthesized using N1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-
ethane-1, 2-diamine (2) as starting substrate. In general, commercially available starting material 4,
7-dichloroquinoline was treated with an excess of aliphatic linear chain diaminoalkane via a SNAr
type of reaction under usual conditions as reported in the literature to afford substituted 4-

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aminoquinolines with free terminal amino groups in good yield [24]. This intermediate on reaction
with suitable aldehydes yielded desired product in minor to low yield [25].
All the compounds synthesized by the above given procedure were purified either by crystallization or
by column chromatography and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques viz. IR, 1H & 13C-
NMR and MASS. Figure 2 summarizes the synthesis strategy behind series-I and II.
2.2 Efficacies of 4-aminoquinoline analogues against P. falciparumin vitro
Two newer series of AQ analogues, series-I (1a-p) and series-II (2a-k) were evaluated in
vitro against the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum (FCR3 strain, a chloroquine, pyrimethamine
and cycloguanil resistant strain). Results in Table 1 show that most of the new compounds of
series-I exhibited very promising activity ranges, depending on the functional group on phenyl
ring. The most potent compounds were 1m (IC50 95% Confidence intervals = [2.9x10-5; 9.3x10-
5]g/L), which contains fluoro group at para position and 1o (IC50 95% Confidence intervals
=
[2.2x10-5; 6.8x10-5]g/L), with 2, 5-dimethoxy groups on phenyl ring. However, the compound 1e
having three methoxy groups at 3, 4, 5-positions of the phenyl ring showed significant loss of
activity as compared to the compound 1o. This could be attributed to steric hindrance caused by the
presence of three methoxy groups. Further, compounds 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, 1l and 1p exhibit moderate
activity, while compound 1c shows least antimalarial activity in comparison to the most active
compounds in series I.
In series-II, compound 2c (IC50 95% Confidence intervals = [2.1x10-5; 5.6x10-5]g/L) and 2j (IC50
95% Confidence intervals = [1.1x10-5; 4x10-5]g/L) were most active. This result signifies that
fluoro and bromo at para position in phenyl ring impart significant antimalarial activity. The
electron releasing groups such as methoxy and methyl at para position on phenyl ring (compounds
2a and 2i, respectively) also enhance antimalarial activity while chloro group (compound 2b) has
lesser effect on antimalarial activity. Further, compounds 2d, 2e, 2g and 2h display moderate
while compound 2f shows least antimalarial efficacy with respect to the most active compounds.
Interestingly, 3, 5-dimethoxy group enhance antimalarial activity in series I while it has lesser
effect in series II. The reason behind such varying behavior of compounds with similar nature of
functional groups is still elusive. This study clearly demonstrates that there is need of systematic
SAR study to establish meaningful correlation among various functional groups. Work in this
direction is under progress.

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Table 1. List of compounds synthesized using series-I, along with their antiplasmodial activities
against P. falciparum FCR3 strain and cytotoxicities against Huh-7 cells.
Mean CC50± SEa
(µg/mL)
IC50 95% Confidence
intervals (g/L )
Compound
R1
Code
[7.6x10-4; 3.9x10-3]
>100ꢀg/mL
1a
[4.0x10-4; 1.3x10-3]
[1.9x10-3; 5.5x10-3]
>100ꢀg/mL
1b
1c
1d
1e
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
[4.6x10-4; 1.8x10-3]
[6.4x10-4; 3.2x10-3]
[7.6x10-5; 4.3x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
1f
[1.7x10-4; 6.2x10-4]
[9.8x10-5; 2.7x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
1g
1h
[3.6x10-5; 1.3x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
1i

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[4.6x10-5; 1.5x10-4]
[5.6x10-5; 1.9x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
1j
1k
[4.5x10-5; 1.8x10-4]
[2.9x10-5; 9.3x10-5]
[1.6x10-4; 5.0x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
1l
1m
1n
[2.2x10-5; 6.8x10-5]
[6.5x10-5; 2.1x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
1o
1p
Table 2. List of compounds synthesized using series-II, along with their antiplasmodial activities
against P. falciparum FCR3 strain and cytotoxicities against Huh-7 cells.
IC50 95% confidence
interval(g/L)
Mean CC50
±
Compound
Code
R2
SEa(µg/mL)
[1.3x10-5; 3.4x10-5]
[1.9x10-3; 3.0x10-3]
>100ꢀg/mL
2a
2b
>100ꢀg/mL

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[2.1x10-5; 5.6x10-5]
[3.0x10-5; 1.2x10-4]
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
2c
2d
[2.8x10-5; 1.2x10-4]
[1.8x10-3; 1.1x10-2]
>100ꢀg/mL
39.58ꢀg/mL
2e
2f
[5.0x10-5; 1.9x10-4]
[7.2x10-5; 4.4x10-4]
[1.8x10-5; 6.6x10-5]
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
2g
2h
2i
2j
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
>100ꢀg/mL
[1.1x10-5; 3.4x10-5]
[1.4x10-5; 3.5x10-5]
2k

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2.3 In vitro cytotoxicity assay
To substantiate the therapeutic value of compounds in series-I and series-II, toxicity on
mammalian cells was assessed against Huh7 cells; a hepatocyte derived cellular carcinoma cell
line (Tables 1 and 2). However, only compound 2f, containing nitrile group at para position of
phenyl ring appeared to be associated with some toxicity (CC50 value of 39.58ꢀg/mL). All the
other compounds are devoid of any considerable cytotoxicity at the highest test concentration
(100ꢀg/mL). Thus, these results further support the significance of this study.
2.4 In vivo activities of selected derivatives against rodent malaria
We chose 4 compounds that displayed the most potent in vitro activity (compounds 1m and 1o
from series I; compounds 2c and 2j from series II) for evaluation in vivo, against the rodent
malaria parasite P. berghei (erythrocytic stage of ANKA, a CQ resistant strain). After conducting
Peters’ four-day suppressive test, it was observed that there was a reduction in the levels of
parasitemia in all the test groups, as well as that of the standard drug (AQ) group. However, the
reverse was the case for the negative control group, as there was a marked increase in parasitemia
level on day 4. The in vivo antimalarial activity of the various test compounds is presented in
Figure 4.
Results were significant as analyzed by ANOVA (P <0.05). The ED50 values were calculated to be
2.062, 2.231, 1.431, 1.623 and 1.18mg/kg BW for each of the compounds 1m, 1o, 2c, 2j and
amodiaquine respectively, as indicated in Table 3. The mean survival time (MST) values of the
animals in test groups were determined, demonstrating a dose-dependent increase in the number
of days the mice survived in various groups survived post-four-day treatment. MST values of the
treated groups were significantly higher than that of control and were comparable to that of the
standard drug (Fig. 5). All the results were significant (P < 0.005) as analyzed by Log-rank
(Mantel-Cox) test. No significant side-effects such as weight loss were observed in compound
treated groups.

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Figure 4. Effects of various compounds and amodiaquine on established P. berghei infections in
mice. The experimental hosts were infected on day 0 and treated intraperitoneally with normal
saline; compounds 1m, 1o, 2c, 2j and amodiaquine at 0.1, 1.0, 5, or 10 mg·kg-1BW·day-1on days 0
to 3, as described by Ryley and Peters. Data expressed as Mean ± SD of five mice per condition.
Table 3. Antiplasmodial activity of amodiaquine and derivatives against P. berghei ANKA strain.
Percentage Inhibition
Mean ED50 ± SEa
(on day 4)
Compound Code
0.1
1
5
10
(mg/ Kg B. W.)
mg/ Kg
mg/ Kg
mg/ Kg
mg/ Kg
2.062 ± 0.433
2.231 ± 0.502
21.63
32.027
21.68
54.19
79.13
1m
1o
11.985
58.073
93.363
1.431 ± 0.353
25.653
45.253
58.79
82.70
2c
1.623 ± 0.381
1.187 ± 0.256
8.413
36.73
48.24
67.597
67.137
97.357
94.07
2j
28.023
Amodiaquine

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Figure 5. Kaplan Meier survival analysis curves of BALB/c mice, administered drugs once daily
ip for four consecutive days, as described by Ryley and Peters (5 mice per group). Results
between test and control were significant by P < 0.005 as analyzed by Log-rank test.
* Activity in 5 mg/Kg BW treated groups is being superimposed by the activity in 10 mg/Kg BW
treated groups.
2.5 Favourable safety profiles in test animals
In the LD50test for determining the therapeutic indices of compounds, BALB/c mice died
at1000mg/kg BW of all the compounds and could tolerate 500mg/kg BW. However, at 800mg/kg
BW, half the population of mice died. Therapeutic indices were determined as 387.973, 358.584,
559.05and 492.914 for compounds 1m, 1o, 2c and 2j, respectively.
2.6 In silico studies
2.6.1 Inhibition of hemozoin formation

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Whether anti P. falciparum activity of the selected derivatives involves inhibition of hemozoin
formation was evaluated by docking them with dimeric hematin. Docking studies with compounds
1m, 1o, 2c and 2j showed that the H-bond energies between the antimalarial compounds and the
dimeric hematin (Table 4) were approximately -6.0 kcal mol-1, ascertaining that hydrophobic
interactions were the main contributors for the binding. Thus, all four AQ derivatives, similar to
CQ [26], were able to interact with dimeric hematin to form a complex, which in turn is
responsible for the hindrance caused to heme polymerization. The best conformations obtained for
the complexes showed that the aromatic rings of all the compounds were parallel to the hematin
ferriprotoporphyrin group (Fig. 6).
Table 4. Docking energies of the 4-aminoquinoline analogues with dimeric hematin.
Compound
H Bond Energy (Kcal/ mol-1)
1m
1o
2c
2j
-6.01
-5.98
-5.81
-5.13

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Figure 6. Compounds docked in dimeric hematin, illustrating the formation of complexes to
inhibit hemozoin polymerization. (A) 1m, (B) 1o, (C) 2c, (D) 2j.
2.6.2 Binding to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) contributes to the antimalarial action
Table 5 presents the H-bond energy of the residues involved in H-bonds with compounds 1m, 1o,
2c and 2j, docked to PfLDH. Figure 6 shows that these compounds presented the most stable
energy conformations in the binding site of NADH. This suggests that they are NADH
competitors. The H-bond energies between the amodiaquine derivatives and the enzyme were
considerably high, as compared with that of NADH H-bond energy (-35.3 kcal mol-1) [26].
Furthermore, 2j presented the lowest energy, which was quite large when compared to NADH.
These results imply that all the test compounds are weak inhibitors of PfLDH, as previously
reported for CQ [27].
Although PfLDH is not the principal target of CQ, experimental data and modeling studies have
explored its weak binding to CQ [28]. The existence of this shared target-binding site suggests
that PfLDH has an inevitable role to play in drug effectiveness. The docking data (Table 5)
suggest that the compounds present the most stable energetic conformations at the binding site of
NADH inside PfLDH. The H-bond energy, residues involved in the H-bonds with NADH,
residues contributing to vanderwaals and other weak interactions and the compounds bound to
PfLDH (Fig. 7) suggest that these compounds are NADH competitors. Overall, these findings
stand in strong support of these compounds acting as weak inhibitors of PfLDH, as has been
observed in the case of chloroquine [29, 30].

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Figure 7. Best conformations of the amodiaquine derivatives in the binding pocket of NADH as
generated by the Autodock software. (A) 1m, (B) 1o, (C) 2c, (D) 2j.
Table 5. Docking results of the 4-aminoquinoline analogues in the active site of PfLDH.
Compound H Bond Energy Residues
Residues
(Kcal/ mol-1)
(H Bond Interactions) (Vander waals/ other weak
Interactions)
1m
1o
-6.21
Gly99
Asp53, Ile54, Tyr85, Ala98, Lys118,
Ile119, Glu122, Ile123
-6.5
Asp53
Gly27, Ser28, Gly29, Met30, Ile31,
Val36, Asp53, Ile54, Thr97, Ala98,
Gly99, Phe100, Thr101,Ile119,Glu122
Gly99, Glu122, Lys118, Ile123, Gly32,
Thr101, Phe52.
Gly27, Gly29,Ile31, Ile54,Thr97,
Ala98, Gly99, Phe100, Thr101,
Val138, Thr139, Asn140
2c
2j
-7.85
-5.13
Val55, Tyr85
Gly99, Thr97

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3. Conclusion
We have successfully designed, synthesized and characterized two series of new amodiaquine
derivatives utilizing readily available and inexpensive chemicals. The present study has led to the
identification of four antiplasmodial lead compounds: 1m and 1o from series-I; 2c and 2j from
series-II. These lead compounds display significant activity and low or no toxicity, both in vitro and
in vivo and could be converted to more potent, synergistic antimalarial drug partners to be employed
in the combination therapy approach. The preliminary screening of antimalarial activity should
encourage further detail studies aimed at optimizing their antimalarial activities.
4. Experimental procedure
4.1 General methods
Various chemicals and solvents used in this study were purchased from E. Merk (India) and Sigma-
Aldrich chemicals. The progress of reactions was monitored by silica gel thin layer chromatography
(TLC) plates and visualized under UV. Melting points were determined by using open capillary
1
13
method and Buchi Melting Point M 560 melting apparatus and are uncorrected. H-NMR and C-
NMR spectral data were recorded on BruckerAvance spectrometer at 300 MHz and Jeol JNM
spectrometer at 400 MHz, respectively in CDCl3 or CD3OD or DMSO-d6, using TMS as an internal
standard. The chemical shift values were recorded on δ scale and the coupling constants (J) in hertz.
The following abbreviations were used in reporting spectra: s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, q =
quartet, m = multiple. IR spectra were obtained on a Perkin Elmer Fourier-transform infrared (FT-
IR) Spectrophotometer (Spectrum 2000) in potassium bromide disk. ESI-MS spectra were obtained
on a Waters micromass LCT Mass spectrometer. Elemental analysis was done on Elementar GmbH
VarioElanalyser. MS and MS/MS data were also recorded automatically on the MALDI-TOF/TOF
instrument. Spectra were recorded in the reflectron mode using an Ultraflex III Tof/Tof mass
spectrometer (Bruker Daltonics) equipped with a 384-sample scout source. The ion acceleration
voltage after pulsed extraction was 29000 V. To record the spectra, compounds were mixed with an
acidic solid matrix such as α-cyano-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (CHCA) matrix 10 mg/ml, which
provides high sensitivity and negligible matrix adduction during the laser absorption and subjected
to laser radiation. The matrix was made in 70% acetonitrile and 0.03% TFA.

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4.2 General procedure for the synthesis of N1-(7-chloro-quinolin-4-yl)-ethane-1, 2-diamine (2)
A mixture of 4,7-dichloroquinoline (1, 5.0 g, 0.025 mol) and 1,2- ethylene diamine (5.8 g, 0.125
mol) was heated slowly from RT to 120 °C and the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature
for 6 h (Series II). After that the reaction mixture was cooled down to room temperature and ice cold
water was added to it. The solid thus obtained was filtered and washed with excess water. The crude
product was crystallized by using ethanol and the data corresponds to that reported in the literature.
[31]
4.3 General procedure for synthesis of various 7-chloroquinolin-4-yl-phenylamine (1a-1p)
Compounds were synthesized using 4, 7-dichloroquinoline and suitable substituted anilines. Briefly,
equimolar quantities of anilines (1 mmol) and 4, 7-dichloroquinoline (1 mmol) were refluxed in dry
ethanol in basic medium (1.2 mmol K2CO3) for 2-16 h depending upon the various substituents.
Progress of reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography. After completion of reaction,
reaction mixture was neutralized by 1N NaOH solution and extracted with 3 x 50 mL of CHCl3,
washed with NaHCO3 and brine. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. The solvent
was again evaporated under reduced pressure. The ligands were purified by successive
recrystallization. [32]
Characterization data
Compound 1a: Yield=79%; mp=274-278 °C; Ms: m/z 323 [M + 1] +; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3,
ppm): δ 8.52 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.34 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.02 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.35-
7.47 (m, 4H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H + NH), δ 7.70 (d, 1H, J=4.8Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.47 ( s, 1H, NH), δ 7.41 (s,
1H, Ar-H), δ 7.35 (1H, Ar-H), δ 6.91 (d, 1H, J= 4.9 Hz, Ar-H); 13C-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ
168.54, 159.40, 150.91, 143.53, 138.57, 130.87, 129.59, 128.30, 126.76, 122.83, 122.79, 119.65,
118.91, 114.75, 114.53; Anal. Calcd.for C15H9Cl3N2: C, 54.98, H, 2.78; N, 5.15. Found: C, 55.20; H,
2.52; N, 6.68; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3448.63, 2593.15, 1608.33, 1369.54, 1207.25, 1093.78.
Compound 1b: Yield=62%; mp=308-312 °C; Ms: m/z 283 [M + 1]+; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3
ppm): δ 3.15 (s, 3H, CH3), δ 3.18 (s, 3H, CH3), δ 6.33 (d, 1H, J=5.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.47 (s, 1H, NH), δ
8.45 (d, 1H, J=5.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.01 (d, 1H, J= 1.5Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.14 (d, 1H, J=7.5 Hz, Ar-H), ,δ
7.86 (d, 1H, J=9.0Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.45 (d, 1H3, J=3.0 Hz), δ 7.14 (2H, Ar-H), δ 7.07 (d, 1H, J=7.8 Hz,
Ar-H) 13C-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3 ppm): δ 151.97, 149.51, 148.83, 136.65, 135.11, 134.52,
134.12, 132.16, 128.96, 127.93, 126.29, 125.78, 121.09, 117.42, 101.69, 20.99, 17.68; Anal.

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Calcd.for C17H15ClN2: C, 72.35, H, 5.22; N, 9.93. Found: C, 71.68, H, 6.20; N, 10.23; IR (KBr, cm-
1): 3184.15, 2870.07, 1653.93, 1450.62, 1329.59.
Compound 1c: Yield=81%; mp= 298-300°C; Ms: m/z 307 [M + 1] +; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 8.85 (d, H, J=8.4 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.19 (s, 1 H, Ar-H), δ 8.56 (d, 1H, J=5.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.79
(s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 6.83 (d, 1H, J=6.6 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.54-7.64 (m, 2H, Ar-H), δ 5.89 (s, br, 1H, NH);
13C-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 155.00, 143.52, 138.99, 138.45, 134.34, 127.85, 127.45,
126.60, 126.5, 126.35, 120.61, 120.36, 119.17, 117.92, 100.64; Anal. Calcd.for C15H9Cl2FN2: C,
58.95; H, 2.66; N, 9.19. Found: C, 60.10; H, 2.32; N, 7.89; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3115.37, 3052.15,
2879.07, 2585.09, 1420.19, 1231.56.
+
1
Compound 1d: Yield=58%; mp>310-313 °C; Ms: m/z 283 [M + 1] ; H-NMR (300 MHz,
CD3OD, ppm): δ 2.35 (s, 6H, CH3), δ 8.85 (d, 1H, J=9.03 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.31 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.67 (d,
1H, J=8.5 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.50 (d, 1H, J=7.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.12 (d, 1H, J=3.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.20 (s, 1H,
NH), δ 6.5 (d, 1H, J=4.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.7 (d, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, Ar-H); 13C-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD,
ppm): δ 153.02, 151.91, 149.82, 134.60, 133.10, 128.43, 124.56, 123.99, 127.32, 115.21, 110.48,
128.22, 117.24, 115.12, 103.01, 20.20, 12.44; Anal. Calcd.for C17H15ClN2: C, 72.21; H, 5.35; N,
9.91. Found: C, 70.90; H, 5.63; N, 10.10; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3180.15, 3004.73, 1540.87, 1231.56,
1056.85.
Compound 1e: Yield=85%; mp=313-317 °C; Ms: m/z 345 [M + 1]+; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 3.70 (s, 3H, OCH3), δ 3.78 (s, 6H, OCH3), δ 6.06 (s, br, 1H, NH), δ 6.81 (s, 2H, Ar-H), δ
6.86 (d, 1H, J=5.1Hz), δ 7.86 (d, 1H, J=6.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.14 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 8.48 (d, 1H, J = 5.1
Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.78 (d, 1H, J = 6.9 Hz, Ar-H). 13C-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 155.10,
153.68, 143.37, 139.02, 138.38, 136.63, 132.56, 127.38, 125.94, 119.25, 115.75, 103.21, 100.87,
60.19, 56.14; Anal. Calcd.for C18H17ClN2O3: C, 62.28; H, 4.12; N, 8.70. Found: C, 63.24, 3.70,
9.21; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3006.19, 2901.43, 1607.65, 1560.24, 1330.02, 1242.00.
Compound 1f: Yield=55%; mp=238-240 °C; Ms: m/z 286 [M + 1]+; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 2.55 (s, 3H, CH3), δ 8.85 (d, 1H, J=8.01 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.31 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.67 (d, 1H,
J=5.3 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.50 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.55 (d, 2H, J =4.7, Ar-H), δ 6.44 (s, 1H, NH), δ
13
6.40 (d, 1H, J=7.1 Hz, Ar-H); C-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 153.11, 151.59, 149.81,
134.65, 133.01, 128.13, 126.77, 123.92, 127.30, 115.22, 110.74, 128.29, 117.23, 115.12, 103.18,

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
23.53; Anal. Calcd.for C16H12ClFN2: C, 67.02; H, 9.77; N, 8.70. Found: C, 66.80; H, 10.14; N, 9.23;
IR (KBr, cm-1): 3279.75, 2809.57, 2036.49, 1615.49, 1337.05, 1239.84, 1164.43.
+
1
Compound 1g: Yield=67%; mp>298-302 °C; Ms: m/z 333 [M + 1] ; H-NMR (300 MHz,
DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 8.85 (d, 1H,J=9.03 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.31 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.67 (d, 1H, J= 4.3 Hz,
Ar-H), δ 7.50 (d, 1H, J=5.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.74-7.65 (m, 4H, J = 25.2 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.41 (s, 1H, NH);
13C-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 158.12, 151.45, 149.81, 134.62, 133.02, 128.13, 126.75,
123.93, 127.33, 115.20, 110.47, 128.27, 117.23, 115.24, 103.13; Anal. Calcd.for C15H10BrClN2: C,
54.00; H, 3.02; N, 23.95. Found: C, 55.12, 2.86; N, 22.41; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3185.38, 2880.13,
2845.73, 1660.02, 1551.02, 1329.89, 1291.91.
Compound 1h: Yield=87%; mp=317-319 °C; Ms: m/z 273 [M + 1]+; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 8.91 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.54 (d, 1H, J = 5.1Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.20 (d, 1H, J=7.3 Hz,
Ar-H), δ 7.52 (d, 1H, J=5.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.40 (t, 1H, J=18.3 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.90 (d, 1H, J=5.1 Hz, Ar-
H), δ 6.87 (s, br, 1H, NH); 13C-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ161.23, 154.48, 143.60, 139.16,
138.45, 131.72, 127.48, 126.31, 121.34, 119.24, 116.12, 114.43, 112.89, 112.12, 100.76; Anal.
Calcd.for C15H10ClFN2: C, 66.70; H, 3.06; N, 10.27. Found: C, 65.82; H, 3.83; N, 10.41; IR (KBr,
cm-1): 3445.09, 3004.97, 1587.72, 1542.37, 1331.71, 1255.52.
1
Compound 1i: Yield=85%; mp=281-284 °C; Ms: m/z 283 [M + 1]+; H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3
ppm): δ 2.18 (s, 3H, CH3), δ 2.35 (s, 3H, CH3), δ 8.29 (d, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.14 (d, 1H, J=8.7
Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.91 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.45 (d, 1H, J=18.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.06 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.06-7.09
13
(d, 3H, Ar-H + 1H, NH), δ 6.25 (d, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, Ar-H); C-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ
150.90, 150.83, 148.48, 137.33, 137.22, 135.99, 132.0, 131.44, 128.14, 127.68, 127.08, 126.03,
122.8, 117.65, 101.47, 20.91, 17.30; Anal. Calcd.for C17H15ClN2: C, 72.24; H, 5.60; N, 9.76. Found:
C, 72.41; H, 5.28; N, 10.21; IR (KBr, cm-1): 348.63, 2593.15, 1578.07, 1445.69, 1207.25, 1093.78.
Compound 1j: Yield=82%; mp=166-168 °C; Ms: m/z 283 [M + 1]+; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 2.30 (s, 6H, CH3), δ 8.46 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.83-7.90 (m, 3H, J=22.5, Ar-H + 1H, NH), δ
7.71 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.04-7.14 (m, 2H, Ar-H), δ 6.82 (d, 1H, J=9.6 Hz, Ar-H), 13C-NMR
(300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 158.42, 149.96, 136.98, 135.41, 132.27, 131.83, 131.2, 131.0,
130.31, 129.99, 129.03, 127.34, 126.01, 124.8, 115.5, 19.72, 13.48; Anal. Calcd.for C17H15ClN2: C,
72.44; H, 5.65; N, 9.96. Found: C, 72.41; H, 5.13; N, 10.20; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3279.75, 2036.49,
1587.58, 1497.98, 1367.03, 1239.84.

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Compound 1k: Yield=61%; mp>281-283 °C; Ms: m/z 323 [M + 1]+; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 8.90 (d, H, J=9.0 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.58 (d, 1H,J=4.0 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.24 (d, 1H, J=3.0 Hz, Ar-
H), δ 7.78-7.81 (m, 3H, J=8.4 Hz, Ar-H + 1H, NH),δ 6.41 (d, 1H, J=4.0 Hz, Ar-H); 13C-NMR (300
MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 155.31, 144.42, 139.79, 138.92, 136.08, 133.22, 132.63, 130.5, 130.45,
129.96, 128.19, 126.58, 120.15, 116.19. 101.72; Anal.Calcd.for C15H9Cl3N2: C, 55.77; H, 2.70; N,
8.56. Found: C, 56.20; H, 3.12; N, 7.58.; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3006.19, 2676.07, 1607.65, 1542.56,
1459.16, 1330.02.
1
Compound 1l: Yield=75%; mp=210-213 °C; Ms: m/z 291 [M+], H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6,
ppm): δ 9.03 (d, 1H, H2, J=9.0Hz), δ 8.62 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz), δ 8.26 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.86 (d,
13
1H,J=8.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.67-7.53 (q, 2H, J=22.4 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.32-7.37 (1H, NH); C-NMR (300
MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 155.44, 143.62, 138.0, 138.57, 133.83, 133.26, 132.36, 131.12, 130.41,
129.27, 127.83, 126.40, 19.41,115.70,100.77; Anal. Calcd. (%) for C15H9ClF2N2: C, 61.88; H, 3.22;
N, 9.07. Found: C, 60.43, H, 4.12, N, 9.56; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3006.54, 2886.07, 1605.65, 1512.52,
1451.13, 1330.22.
1
Compound 1m: Yield=87%; mp>305°C; Ms: m/z 273 [M+ 1]+; H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6,
ppm): δ 4.66 (s, 1H, NH), δ 8.87 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz), δ 8.61 (d, 1H, J=7.3 Hz), δ 8.20 (s, 1H, H8), δ
7.84 (d, 1H,H6 J=8.7 Hz), δ 7.34-7.62 (3H, Ar-H + 1H, NH), δ 7.03 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H); 13C-
NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD, ppm): δ 157.25,143.55, 141.38, 141.29, 140.28, 137.51, 130.80, 129.05,
126.09, 123.91, 120.23, 117.01, 101.51; Anal. Calcd. (%) for C15H10ClFN2: C, 66.75; H, 3.06; N,
10.22. Found: C, 66.43; H, 4.22; N, 10.41; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3184.15, 3115.37, 2649.47, 1585.09,
1540.87, 1291.49.
Compound 1n: Yield=82%; mp=314-317 °C; Ms: m/z 283 [M+ 1]+; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3,
ppm): δ 2.28 (s, 6H, CH3), δ 8.51 (d, 1H,J=8.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.16 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.92 (s,
13
1H, Ar-H), δ 7.54 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.12 (s, 1H, NH), δ 6.73 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H); C-NMR
(300 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 155.66, 141.44, 139.96, 138.61, 138.33, 136.44, 133.46, 130.59, 127.63,
125.73, 124.54, 122.13, 118.73, 115.31, 99.76, 18.87, 18.48; Anal. Calcd. (%) for C17H15ClN2: C,
72.20; H, 5.45; N, 9.82. Found: C, 73.12; H, 4.89; N, 8.12; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3370.21, 2834.24,
1612.59, 1408.51, 1365.66, 1229.94.
Compound 1o:Yield=75%; mp=195 °C; Ms: m/z 314 [M+]; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm):
δ 3.74 (s, 6H, OCH3), δ 8.86 (d, 1H,J=9.0 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.48 (d, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.21 (s, 1H,
Ar-H), δ 7.84 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz, Ar-H), ), δ 7.04 (s, 1H, NH), 7.07 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 6.35 (d, 1H,

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H), 13C-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ 155.19, 153.45, 148.26, 142.85, 138.92,
138.25, 127.28, 126.07, 125.19, 119.22, 115.48, 114.39, 113.9, 113.69, 101.078, 56.08, 55.67; Anal.
Calcd.for C17H15N2O2: C, 64.77; H, 4.90; N, 8.70. Found: C, 65.13; H, 5.20; N, 7.75; IR (KBr, cm-
1): 3370.21, 3057.92, 1612.59, 1560.07, 1365.66, 1313.57.
1
Compound 1p: Yield=71%; mp=277-279 °C; Ms: m/z 306 [M+]; H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3,
ppm): δ 9.52 (d, 1H, J=8.7 Hz, Ar-H), δ 9.17 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz,Ar-H), δ 8.93 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 8.65
(d, 1H, J=9.3 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.56 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 8.25 (d, 1H3, J=7.5 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.07-8.13 (m,
3H,J=1.5 Hz, Ar-H + 1H, NH), δ 7.75 (d, 1H, Ar-H); 13C-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 155.29,
143.64, 138.96, 138.67, 133.83, 133.26, 132.36, 131.12, 130.41, 129.27, 127.83, 126.14, 119.41,
115.61, 101.03; Anal. Calcd.for C15H9Cl2FN2: C, 58.95; H, 2.66; N, 9.19. Found: C, 57.30; H, 3.32;
N, 10.41; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3279.75, 2809.57, 2036.49, 1615.49, 1539.97, 1337.05.
4.4 General procedure for synthesis of various N-benzyl-N'-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-ethane-1,
2-diamine (2a-2l)
In a round bottom flask, added N1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-ethane-1, 2-diamine (13-15 mmol) and
aldehydes (10 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere in dry acetonitrile (30-40 mL). Allow the reaction
mixture at stirring for 2-4 h at room temperature. Progress of reaction was monitored by thin layer
chromatography. When the spot of aldehyde and amine get disappeared in TLC, 15-17 mmol of
sodium triacetoxyborohydride in dry CH3CN (5 mL) or dry DCM (5 mL) (depending on the
aldehydes used) was added into the reaction mixture under a nitrogen atmosphere.The reaction
mixture was left for 18-23 h on constant starring at room temperature and progress of reaction was
monitored by TLC. Imine formation, however, is a reversible reaction and requires long reaction
times and the use of a dehydrating agent such as molecular sieves can be used for the reaction to
completion. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was extracted with ether (3 x 10
mL). The combined ether extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product
thus obtained was purified by column chromatography (silica gel 60-120 mesh) using ethylacetate-
hexane as eluent [33, 34].
Characterization data
1
Compound 2a: Yield=62%; Brown oily compound; Ms: m/z 341 [M+]; H-NMR (300 MHz,
CD3OD, ppm): δ 2.62 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.65 (d, 2H, J= 3.3 Hz, CH2), δ 3.70 (s, 3H, OCH3), δ 3.81 (d,
2H, J = 5.2 Hz, CH2), δ 8.87 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.24 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.36 (d, 1H, J=7.3 Hz,

ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT
Ar-H), δ 6.33 (d, 1H, J=7.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.54-6.88 (m, J=10.2 Hz, 1H, NH + 2H, Ar-H,), δ 7.16-
6.94 (m, 3H, J = 20.4,Ar-H +1H, NH); 13C-NMR (300 MHz, CD3OD, ppm): δ 158.42, 150.21,
149.59, 143.10, 141.47, 136.18, 134.83, 130.52, 129.21, 121.15, 120.82, 119.22, 111.10, 110.29,
103.41, 62.40, 58.71, 44.72, 38.14;Anal. Calcd.for C19H20ClN3O: C, 68.56; H, 5.82; N, 15.49.
Found. C: 68.95, H: 5.45, N: 15.15; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3327.34, 2626.07, 1815.65, 1563.56, 1445.32,
1361.03.
1
Compound 2b: Yield=86%; mp=158-161 °C; Ms: m/z 380 [M+]; H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6,
ppm): δ 3.31 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.60 (d, 2H, J= 5.4 Hz, CH2), δ 3.86 (d, 2H, J = 5.7 Hz, CH2), δ 8.39 (d,
1H, J=5.4 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.34 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.75 (t, 1H, J=6.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.51 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ
8.25 (s, 1H, NH), δ 8.22 (s, 1H, NH);13C-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6, ppm): δ149.49, 142.35,
138.35, 137,26, 137.15, 134.48, 130.19, 125.46, 122.23, 118.05, 114.67, 110.18, 106.19, 105.22,
103.89, 55.43, 48.77, 46.30; Anal. Calcd.for C18H16Cl3N3: C, 68.89; H, 7.24; N, 15.14. Found: C,
68.72; H, 7.28; N, 15.21; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3316.19, 2453.43, 1627.55, 1616.24, 1320.02, 1243.45.
1
Compound 2c: Yield=71%; mp=147-150°C; Ms: m/z 390 [M+]; H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6,
ppm): δ 2.69 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.61 (d, 2H, CH2, J = 4.5 Hz), δ 3.87 (d, 2H, CH2, 3.9 Hz), δ 8.51 (br, s,
1 H, NH), δ 8.38 (d, 1H, J = 4.5, Hz Ar-H), δ 8.22 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.76 (d, 1H, J = 2.7
13
Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.44 (d, 1H, Ar-H), δ 6.84 (d, 2H, Ar-H+ NH), δ 6.59 (d, 1H,J= 4.2 Hz, Ar-H); C-
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 168.54, 159.40, 151.85, 149.84, 148.89, 136.67, 130.9, 129.54,
128.50, 128.17, 125.30, 121.24, 99.17, 50.23, 46.63, 41.82; Anal. Calcd.for C18H17BrClN3: C,
55.33; H, 4.39; N, 10.07. Found: C, 56.35; H, 4.30; N, 11.20; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3236.19, 2903.43,
1617.65, 1566.24, 1330.02, 1243.00.
Compound 2d: Yield=67%; mp=148-149°C; Ms: m/z 329.11 [M+]; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-
d6, ppm): δ 2.62 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.83 (d, 2H, J = 4.6 Hz, CH2), δ 3.83 (d, 2H, J = 3.7 Hz,CH2), δ 9.21
(s, 1H, NH), δ 8.89 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.34 (s, 1H, NH), δ 7.66 (d, 1H, J=5.3 Hz, Ar-H), δ
7.35 (d, 1H, J=5.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.31 (d, 1H, J=4.2 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.55 (d, 1H, J=6.2 Hz, Ar-H); 13C-
NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 160.71, 158.52, 151.20, 149.23, 147.34, 144.15, 136.21, 133.22,
131.10, 130.82, 129.20, 121.45, 112.20, 103.42, 59.10, 48.23, 35.51;Anal. Calcd.for C18H17FClN3:
C, 66.55; H, 5.20; N, 12.74. Found: C, 65.83; H, 5.58; N, 13.20. IR (KBr, cm-1): 3162.27, 1620.88,
1467.01, 1381.13, 1292.77.

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1
Compound 2e: Yield=50%; mp=227-232°C; Ms: m/z 345.08 [M+]; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3,
ppm): δ 2.62 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.25 (d, 2H, J = 3.6,CH2), δ 3.80 (d, 2H, J = 4.1,CH2), δ 9.31 (s, 1H,
NH), δ 8.82 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.33 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.35 (d, 1H, J=5.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.32 (d,
13
1H, J=4.2 Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.56 (s, 1H, J=3.2 Hz, NH); C-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 151.58,
149.10, 147.45, 144.92, 136.18, 134.62, 132.24, 131.10, 130.81, 129.22, 121.32, 112.21, 103.14,
48.72, 36.92, 32.51; Anal. Calcd.for C18H17Cl2N3: C, 62.44; H, 4.95; N, 11.14. Found: C, 63.24; H,
5.18; N, 10.15; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3143.27, 1667.81, 1462.01, 1392.23, 1207.12.
1
Compound 2f: Yield=88%; mp=219-221°C; Ms: m/z 336 [M+]; H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6,
ppm): δ 2.44 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.53 (d, 2H, J = 4.5 Hz, CH2), δ 3.76 (d, 2H, J = 4.8 Hz, CH2), δ 8.38 (d,
1H, J=4.9 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.22 (d, 1H, J = 6.6, Ar-H), δ 8.10 (s, 1H, J = 6.6, Ar-H), δ 7.76 (d, 1H, J=1.5
Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.43-7.41 (m, 2H, J = 8.1, Ar-H), δ 7.17 (d, 1H, J = 1.2, Ar-H), δ 6.92 (d, 1H, Ar-H), δ
13
6.33 (s,br, 1H,NH), δ 5.28 (s, br, 1H, NH); C-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ160.91, 150.20,
149.49, 142.35, 138.55, 137.26, 137.15, 134.48, 130.19, 122.23, 118.05, 110.1, 106.19, 105.22,
48.77, 30.92, 24.76; Anal. Calcd. (%) for C19H17ClN4: C, 67.75; H, 5.09; N, 16.53. Found: C, 66.89;
H, 5.15; N,17.30; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3108.27, 1621.24, 1462.01, 1341.20, 1307.12.
Compound 2g: Yield=62%; mp>133-136°C; Ms: m/z 345 [M + 1]; 1H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6,
ppm): δ 3.18 (d, 2H, J = 4.9, CH2), δ 3.60 (d, 2H, J = 4.5Hz, CH2), δ 3.18 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 8.39 (d, 1H,
13
J=4.2 Hz), δ 8.33 (s, 1H, NH), δ 7.77 (s, 1H, NH), δ 6.58 (d, 1H, J = 4.5Hz, Ar-H); C-NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 168.66, 150.98, 144.60, 138.57, 134.55, 130.10, 129.94, 129.58, 128.37,
127.86, 126.75, 126.56, 125.97, 124.52, 119.67, 50.73, 46.86, 41.42; Anal. Calcd.for C18H17Cl2N3: C,
62.19; H, 4.98; N, 12.34. Found: C, 62.04; H, 5.20; N, 11.74; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3125.89, 1786.22,
1542.12, 1299.02.11, 1297.79.
1
Compound 2h: Yield=34%; mp=210-212°C; Ms: m/z 371; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ
3.20 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.60 (s, 6 H, OCH3), δ 3.85 (d, 2H, J = 3.2 Hz, CH2), δ 4.12 (d, 2H, J = 4.9 Hz,
CH2), δ 8.87 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.22 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 7.75 (s, 1H, NH), δ 7.33 (d, 1H, J=7.1
Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.53 (s, 1H, NH), δ 6.19 (s, 1H, Ar-H), δ 6.09 (d, 1H, J = 5.8Hz, Ar-H);13C-NMR (400
MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 163.4, 160.2, 151.5, 147.0, 144.7, 135.1, 133.1, 130.8, 130.2, 124.2, 121.9,
112.2, 103.4, 57.1, 48.7, 41.80, 35.52; Anal. Calcd.for C20H22ClN3O2: C, 64.56; H, 6.00; N,
11.30.Found: C, 64.20; H, 5.62; N, 12.14; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3336.27, 1660.83, 1487.66,
1288.61,1207.12.

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Compound 2i: Yield=55%; mp=217-220°C; Ms: m/z 326 [M+]; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm):
δ 2.39 (s, 3H, CH3), δ 3.34 (s, 2H, J = 3.34, CH2), δ 3.65 (s, 2H, J = 3.9, CH2), δ 3.96 (t, 3 H, J = 7.8 Hz,
CH2), δ 5.51 (s, br, 1H, NH), δ 8.30 (s, 1H, J=8.0 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.97 (d, 1H, J = 1.5Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.66-
13
7.69 (m, 1H, J = 9.9Hz, Ar-H), δ 6.93 (s,br, NH); C-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ144.69,
142.10, 141.07, 132.11, 131.04, 129.88129.68, 129.60, 128.45, 128.27, 120.70, 18.94, 113.90, 55.24,
41.21, 29.67, 21.51; Anal. Calcd.for C19H20ClN3: C, 70.94; H, 6.18; N, 12.00. Found: C, 68.26; H,
5.58, N, 14.60; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3466.57, 1710.88, 1432.01, 1324.87,1243.12.
Compound 2j: Yield=48%; mp=228-231°C; Ms: m/z 347 [M+]; 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm):
δ 3.32 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 3.68 (d, 2H, J = 4.2Hz, CH2), δ 4.03 (d, 2H, J = 3.9Hz, CH2), δ 8.77 (s, 1 H,
NH), δ 8.55 (d, 1H, J=4.5 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.95-8.02 (m, 3H, Ar-H), δ 7.69 (s, 1 H, Ar-H), δ 7.26 (s, 1 H,
NH), 13C-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 161.52, 151.90, 149.62, 149.04, 142.04, 134.91, 133.97,
130.78, 130.23, 128.64, 125.41, 121.04, 99.30, 59.07, 43.59, 30.89; Anal. Calcd.for C18H16ClF2N3:
C, 62.64; H, 4.16; N, 12.08. Found: C, 63.14; H, 4.48; N, 11.20; IR (KBr, cm-1): 3006.54, 2886.07,
1605.65, 1512.52, 1451.13, 1330.22.
1
Compound 2k: Yield=41%; mp>211-213°C; Ms: m/z 371.14 [M+]; H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3,
ppm): δ 2.48 (s, 2H, CH2), δ 2.85 (d, 2H, J = 7.2Hz, CH2), δ 3.45 (d, 2H, J = 7.7, CH2), δ 8.25 (d, 1 H,
J=6.6 Hz, Ar-H), δ 8.01 (d, 1 H, J=6.3 Hz, Ar-H), δ 7.64-7.72 (m, 5H, Ar-H + 1H, NH), δ 7.60 (s,
1H, NH), δ 6.32 (d, 1 H6, J=7.1 Hz), δ 6.53 (d, 1 H3, J=7.5 Hz), δ 6.19 (s, 2 H, Ar-H), δ 6.09 (s, 1H,
Ar-H). 13C-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, ppm): δ 189.09, 168.49, 161.63, 150.96, 139.76, 138.51,
132.69, 129.54, 128.52, 127.28, 127.10, 126.72, 119.56, 98.94, 60.80, 39.79, 30.90, 24.56; Anal.
Calcd. (%) for C20H22ClN3O2: C, 61.53; H, 6.30; N, 14.36. Found: C, 60.22; H, 5.98; N, 15.65; IR
(KBr, cm-1): 34548.63, 2673.43 1570.07, 1541.61, 1233.59, 1247.30.
4.5 In vitro susceptibility assay of P. falciparum
Antiplasmodial activity of compounds was determined against erythrocytic stages of the CQ (100
ng/mL), pyrimethamine (15 nM) and cycloguanil resistant FCR3 strain of P. falciparum by a
modified [3H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay [35]. Briefly, all parasites were cultured in 96-
well microtitre plates and incubated at 37 °C under 2% O2, 5.5% CO2, 92.5% N2 atmosphere in
RPMI 1640 (Invitrogen) with 25mM HEPES, 25mM NaHCO3, 200mM L-glutamine, 50mg/L
gentamycin (Gibco), 5g/L Albumax II (Life Technologies) and 20mg/L tritium labeled
hypoxanthine (Perkin Elmer) with a final reactivity of 0.01 µCi. Parasite cultures were grown and

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synchronized to ring stages and used at 1% parasitemia at 2% haematocrit of blood group O
erythrocytes. Cultures were exposed during 48 hours of incubation where after the plates were
harvested onto a filter plate (Perkin Elmer) using a Filter Mate harvester (Perkin Elmer). To each
well 50 µl of Microscint 20 (Sigma) was added and the plate counted in a MXT top count (Perkin
Elmer). Experiments included untreated controls and serial compound dilutions covering a range
from 0.05 mg/ml to 2x10-6 mg/ml, tested in triplicate and in two independent assays. As a control
for parasite inhibition we used artesunate (IC50 = 0.91ꢀg/L± 0.17ꢀg/L). The IC50 values were
calculated from the dose-response curves using GraphPad Prism software.
4.6 In vivo efficacy of amodiaquine derivatives against Plasmodium berghei
Evaluation of the curative potential of the few selected amodiaquine derivatives was done using
the method described by Ryley and Peters, 1970 (rodent malaria four-day suppressive test; Peters’
four-day suppressive test) [36, 37]. Rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA
chloroquine resistant strain, obtained from National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Delhi
was used for in vivo studies.
4.6.1 Experimental animals: Naïve Balb/C mice, males, 25 ± 5g (4-5 week old) free from
Eperythrozoon coccoides and Haemobartonella muris, were obtained from the Animal Facility
Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. They were maintained on a
commercial pellet diet and housed under appropriate conditions (room temperature at 22±2°C and
50-60% relative humidity, diet with p-aminobenzoic acid content of 45mg/kg, and water ad
libitum.). The study was conducted in accordance with the internationally accepted principles for
laboratory animal use and care.
4.6.2 Drug solutions: Each compound was made to strength of 2 mg/ml stock solution in 10%
DMSO and administered according to desired concentration and individual body weight.
4.6.3 Test Procedure: On Day 0, heparinized blood was withdrawn from an infected donor
mouse with approximately 25-30% parasitemia, and diluted in physiological saline to 108
parasitized erythrocytes per ml. An aliquot of 0.2ml (=2x107 parasitized erythrocytes) of this
suspension was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) into experimental groups of 5 mice each. One to

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three hours post-infection, the experimental groups were treated with varying doses of each of the
test compounds (0.1, 1, 5, 10 mg/kg BW) by the ip route. Identical doses of amodiaquine were
administered to the standard drug group and 0.2 mL of normal saline to the negative control
group.On Days 1 to 3, i.e. 24hrs, 48hrs and 72hrs post-infection, the experimental groups of mice
were treated again with the same dose and by the same route as on day 0. 24Hrs after the last
treatment, on Day 4 (i.e. 96 hrs post-infection), blood smears from the tail region of mice were
made and stained with Giemsa stain for microscopic study by counting 4 fields of approximately
300-500 erythrocytes per slide, to assess antimalarial efficacy of the test compound.
Differences in parasitemia percentage between treated group animals and untreated animals were
analyzed by a one-way ANOVA test using IBM SPSS Statistics 16.0 and differences considered
significant if P< 0.05. Further, difference between the mean value of the control group (taken as
100%) and those of the experimental groups is calculated and expressed as percent reduction (=
activity) using the following equation:
Mean parasitemia treated Activity = 100 – (Mean parasitemia/control) x 100
In untreated control mice mortality was observed approximately one week after infection. Treated
mice were observed for a period of 30 days, and the survival time (in days) was recorded. The
mean survival time was calculated in comparison to untreated (Normal saline) and standard drug
(amodiaquine) treated groups. Differences in survival time between treated groups and untreated
animals were analyzed by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test using GraphPad Prism 5 and differences
considered significant if P <0.005. Observations concerning adverse effects due to the compounds
were recorded.
4.7 Cytotoxicity against Huh-7 cells
Cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated in human hepato-cellular carcinoma cells (Huh-7)
using MTT assay [38] and CC50 values were calculated.Assays were performed in 96-well
microtiter plates, each well containing 100 ꢀL of DMEM medium supplemented with 1%
penicillin-streptomycin-glutamine solution and 10% fetal bovine serum, and 4 × 103 Huh-7 cells.
Serial drug dilutions of eight 2-fold dilution steps covering a range from 100 to 0.78ꢀg / mL were
prepared. After 72 h of incubation the plates were inspected under an inverted microscope to
assure growth of the controls and sterile conditions. 10 ꢀl of MTT reagent (5 mg MTT dissolved
in 1 mL PBS) was then added to each well and the plates incubated for 2-4 h in the cell culture

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incubator. 100 ꢀl of detergent reagent (90% isopropanol, 9.999% triton x-100, 0.001% conc. HCl)
was then added to each well and the plates incubated for another 2 h in the dark at room
temperature. The absorbance in each well was read with a Biotek Synergy HT microplate reader
at a wavelength of 570 nm. Data were analyzed using the microplate reader software. Each CC50
value obtained is the mean of at least two separate experiments performed in duplicate.
Amodiaquine was the standard drug used.
4.8 Therapeutic Index in mouse model
LD50 test was carried out on BALB/c mice using different dosages of various compounds: 50,
100, 200, 500, 600, 800 and 1000mg/kg BW ip and the animals were observed for 7 days.
Therapeutic Index (TI) values were determined by the formula:
Therapeutic Index (TI) = Median lethal dose (LD50)
Median effective dose (ED50)
4.9 Docking Energy Calculations
The 3D optimized structure of dimeric hematin was prepared using Marwin Sketch and Gaussian
09W software [39, 40]. For the optimization of ligands (amodiaquine derivatives viz. 1m, 1o, 2c
and 2j), we used 6-31 G basis set, Hartee-Fock method, default spin-singlet, ground state and zero
charge in Gaussian 09W software. Autodock tools 1.5.6 with AutoGrid 4 and AutoDock4 were
used to set up and perform docking calculations [41, 42]. To visualize the docking results, we
used Pymol, an open-source projected maintained by DeLano Scientific LLC and Viewerlite 4.2
software (Accelrys, San Diego, CA, USA).
The 3D structure of PfLDH complexed with NADH and the substrate oxamate used in the present
study was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) file 1LDG [43]. We performed rigid
docking studies with the four amodiaquine derivatives, aimed at drawing a comparison of their
interactions with that of protonated chloroquine at the active site of PfLDH [22]. For each of the
docking cases, the lowest energy docked conformation, according to the autodock scoring
function, was selected as the binding mode.
Abbreviations