Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of a new group of heterocyclic analogues of the combretastatins

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules19067881

A series of new analogs of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4, 1) with the A or B-ring replaced by a 3-oxo-2,3-dihydrofurocoumarin or a furocoumarin residue have been designed and synthesized by employing a cross-coupling approach. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity with respect to model cancer cell lines (CEM-13, MT-4, U-937) using conventional MTT assays. Structure-activity relationship analysis reveals that compounds 2, 3, 6-8 in which the (Z)-styryl substituent was connected to the 2-position of the 3-oxo-2,3-dihydrofurocoumarin core, demonstrated increased potency compared to 3-(Z)-styrylfurocoumarins 4, 5, 9-11. The methoxy-, hydroxyl- and formyl- substitution on the aromatic ring of the (Z)-styryl moiety seems to play an important role in this class of compounds. Compounds 2 and 3 showed the best potency against the CEM-13 cell lines, with CTD50 values ranging from 4.9 to 5.1 iM. In comparison with CA-4, all synthesized compounds presented moderate cytotoxic activity to the T-cellular human leucosis cells MT-4 and lymphoblastoid leukemia cells CEM-13, but most of them were active in the human monocyte cell lines U-937.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules19067881

Molecules 2014, 19, 7881-7900; doi:10.3390/molecules19067881
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of a New Group of
Heterocyclic Analogues of the Combretastatins
Alla V. Lipeeva 1, Elvira E. Shults 1,*, Makhmut M. Shakirov 1, Mikhail A. Pokrovsky 2 and
Andrey G. Pokrovsky 2
1
Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch,
Russian Academy of Sciences, Lavrentjev Avenue 9, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia;
E-Mails: mond_05@list.ru (A.V.L.); mmsh@nioch.nsc.ru (M.M.S.)
2
Medicinal Department, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova St. 2, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia;
E-Mails: miha.pokrovsky@gmail.com (M.A.P.); decan@medf.nsu.ru (A.G.P.)
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: schultz@nioch.nsc.ru;
Tel.: +7-383-330-8533; Fax: +7-383-330-4752.
Received: 15 April 2014; in revised form: 3 June 2014 / Accepted: 5 June 2014 /
Published: 11 June 2014
Abstract: A series of new analogs of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4, 1) with the A or B-ring
replaced by a 3-oxo-2,3-dihydrofurocoumarin or a furocoumarin residue have been
designed and synthesized by employing a cross-coupling approach. All the compounds
were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity with respect to model cancer cell lines (CEM-13,
MT-4, U-937) using conventional MTT assays. Structure-activity relationship analysis
reveals that compounds 2, 3, 6–8 in which the (Z)-styryl substituent was connected to the
2-position of the 3-oxo-2,3-dihydrofurocoumarin core, demonstrated increased potency
compared to 3-(Z)-styrylfurocoumarins 4, 5, 9–11. The methoxy-, hydroxyl- and
formyl- substitution on the aromatic ring of the (Z)-styryl moiety seems to play an
important role in this class of compounds. Compounds 2 and 3 showed the best potency
against the CEM-13 cell lines, with CTD50 values ranging from 4.9 to 5.1 μM. In
comparison with CA-4, all synthesized compounds presented moderate cytotoxic activity
to the T-cellular human leucosis cells MT-4 and lymphoblastoid leukemia cells CEM-13,
but most of them were active in the human monocyte cell lines U-937.
Keywords: furocoumarins; oreoselone; psoralen; Sonogashira coupling; semi-hydrogenation;
combretastatins; cytotoxicity

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1. Introduction
Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4, 1, Figure 1), isolated from the bark of South African tree Combretum
caffrum [1] is one of the well-known natural tubulin-binding molecules affecting microtubule
dynamics by binding to the colchicine site [2]. CA-4 (1) shows strong cytotoxic activity against a wide
variety of human cancer cell lines, including those that are multidrug resistant [2]. A water soluble
disodium phosphate derivative of CA-4 (CA-4P, fosbretabulin) has shown promising results in human
cancer clinical trials [3,4], thus stimulating significant interest in a variety of CA-4 analogues [5].
Figure 1. Structures of combretastatin A-4 (1) and furocoumarin analogs of combretastatins 2–13.
Different analogs of combretastatins are obtained, including heterocombretastatins containing
heterocyclic fragments as rings A or B [6–12]. A considerable cytotoxicity and antitubulin
activity was revealed for heterocombretastatins containing a (4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)- or a
(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridin-4-yl) ring B [6]. Compounds with benzo[b]furan ring B [9,10] or
A [10], attached to the 6 position, demonstrated high antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo models.
In more recent works, replacement of the B-ring of CA-4 (1) with a (benzofuran-2-yl) moiety was also
examined and the activity of the benzofuranyl derivatives was evaluated [11,12].
Herein we describe the first synthesis of combretastatin A-4 analogues 2,3 and 4,5 by replacement
of the A or B aromatic ring with linear dihydrofurocoumarins or furocoumarins (psoralens) (Figure 1).
The (Z)-styryl moiety was attached to 2- or 3-position of the heterocyclic molecule. We also include
other examples of (Z)-arylvinylfurocoumarins 6–11 for obtaining structure-cytotoxicity relationships.
Linear furocoumarins are employed in Psoralen + UVA (PUVA) therapy for the treatment of
autoimmune or hyper-proliferative skin diseases, including psoriasis and vitiligo. Activated by UV-A

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light furocoumarins induce many biological effects, such as photocycloadditions to DNA, immune
system modulation, reactions with proteins, RNA and lipids [13–15]. In last decades many new
potential therapeutic applications for furocoumarins are found. For instance, some psoralen derivatives
were found to induce erythroid differentiation in different cellular models [16,17]. Moreover it was
shown that annelation of a cyclopentane, cyclohexane, benzene, or pyridazine ring to the furan ring in
the psoralen skeleton changed the phototoxicity and, in some cases led to a marked increase in
the photo-antiproliferative activity [18]. There was therefore value in a targeted preparation and
investigation of novel furocoumarins, containing a (Z)-styryl substituent in the furan ring of the
molecules. Compounds 12 and 13, containing an additional N-methylpiperazinyl substituent in the
furocoumarin scaffold were also prepared and investigated, since modification in the 9-position
has a great influence on the properties of psoralenes as enzymatic inhibition and human keratinocyte
proliferation [13].
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemical Synthesis
The synthetic route followed for the synthesis of the desired novel combretastatin A-4 analogs 2–3,
and 6–8 is outlined in Scheme 1. Previously we found that the plant coumarin oreoselone (14) by
reaction with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride gave 2-(tosyl)oreoselone (15), which showed a high activity
in Pd-catalyzed desulfonative cross-coupling reactions [19]. Herein, oreoselone (14) was converted
into 2-(arylethynyl)furocoumarins 16–20 by the copper-free cross-coupling reaction with arylalkynes
21a-e in the presence of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride. After the purification by column chromatography
compounds 16–20 were isolated in 44%–62% yield. 2-(Propan-2-ylidene)-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-
3,7(2H)-dione (22) [20] was also isolated with 10%–25% yield, presumably after elimination of
p-toluenesulfinic acid from the in situ formed 2-(tosyl)oreoselone (15). Alkynes 16 and 20 were also
prepared by the cross-coupling reaction of previously synthesized 2-(tosyl)oreoselone (15) with
arylalkynes 21a,e in a THF solution in the presence of a base and a catalytic amounts of
trans-dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) (yield 59%–66%). Additionally, compound 22 was
also isolated in the yield 5%–7%. To obtain heterocombretastatins containing a furocoumarin residue,
we have studied the reduction of 2-(arylethynyl)furocoumarins 16–20. Several protocols (alkyne
hydroboration [21], hydrolysis of a preformed Ti(II)-diarylalkyne complexes [22], or Lindlar’s
semi-hydrogenation [23]) are employed for the selective transformation of diarylalkynes into cis
alkenes in the synthesis of CA-4 1. Treatment of alkynes 16, 18 with Ti(O-iPr)4 (2 equiv) and n-BuLi
(4 equiv.) at −78 °С in THF and then increasing the temperature to 50 °С and keeping the
reaction mixture at this temperature for 2 h (for hydrolysis of the formed complexes) afforded
2-(Z)-(styryl)furocoumarins 2, 6 (yield 40%–42%). 2-(Z)-(Styryl)furocoumarins 3, 7 and 8 were
obtained by partial hydrogenation of alkynes 17, 19 and 20 (isolated in 32%, 24% and 37% yield,
respectively, after column chromatography) using Lindlar’s catalyst (Scheme 1).

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Scheme 1. Synthesis of 2-(Z)-styrylfurocoumarins 2, 3, 6, 7, 8.
Reagents and Reaction Conditions: (a): oreoselone (14), TsCl, Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (5 mol %), THF, reflux, 6 h,
then alkyne 21, Et3N, THF, reflux, 7–8 h; (b): 2-tosyloreoselone (15), alkynes 21a,e, Pd(PPh3)2Cl2
(10 mol %), Et3N, THF, reflux, 8 h; (c) Ti(O-iPr)4–n-BuLi, THF, −78 °С, then 50 °С, 2 h; (d): H2, 1 atm,
Lindlar’s catalyst, EtOH, rt, 20–30 h.
3-(Z)-(Styryl)furocoumarins 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (Scheme 2) are obtained from 2-isopropyl-3-
(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)psoralene (23) [24] or 2-isopropyl-9-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-3-
(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)psoralene (24) [25], by approaches described early for preparation of
compounds 4, 5 [26]. The reaction of triflates 23 with arylalkynes 21c–e in a benzene (WARNING—
this solvent is a known carcinogenic substance) solution in the presence of a catalytic amounts of
trans-dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II), copper(I) iodide, and triethylamine led to the
corresponding 3-(arylalkyne)furocoumarins 25–27 in the yield 68%–73% after the column
chromatography. By using the mentioned cross-coupling conditions for reacting of psoralen
derivatives 24 with the alkynes 21d,e, compounds 28, 29 are obtained (yield 42%–58%). For
preparation of compound 26 we employed another approach. At first, by the Sonogashira coupling of
oreoselone triflate 23 with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene 30 we obtained 3-(trimethylsilyl)-2-isopropyl-
psoralene (31) (yield 58%). Desilylation of compound 31 produced the corresponding 3-ethynyl-2-
isopropylpsoralen (32) (66% yield). Hydrolysis of in situ formed Ti(II)-alkyne complex of alkyne 25
gave the 3-(Z)-(2,3,4-trimethoxystyryl)furocoumarin (9) (yield 60%). Partial reduction of alkynes
26–29 using Lindlar’s catalyst resulted in the isolation of 3-(Z)-styrylsubstituted furocoumarins 10, 11,
12, or 13 (yield 40%–60%) (Scheme 2).

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Scheme 2. Synthesis of 3-(Z)-styrylfurocoumarins 9–13.
Reagents and Reaction Conditions: (a): triflate 23, or 24, Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (4 mol %), CuI (2 mol %), Et3N,
alkynes 21c–e, PhH, reflux, 8–10 h; (b): triflate 23, alkyne 30, Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (4 mol %), CuI (2 mol %), Et3N,
PhH, reflux, 10 h; (c): CsF, MeOH, benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, rt; (d): Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (4 mol %), CuI
(2 mol %), Et3N, bromide 33, PhH, reflux, 10 h; (e): Ti(O-iPr)4–n-BuLi, THF, −78 °С, then 50 °С, 2 h; (f): H2,
1 atm, Lindlar’s catalyst, EtOH, rt, 30 h.
The structure of the synthesized compounds was established based on the combination of IR, UV,
and NMR spectral data. The IR spectra of compounds 16–20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 and 32 is
characterized by the presence of the absorption band of the alkyne linker group at 2046–2191 cm−1.
The 1H and 13C-NMR spectra of all synthesized compounds agree well with their structure and contain
one set of characteristic signals of psoralen (3-oxo-2,3-dihydrofurocoumarin) skeleton and the
corresponding substituent. The spin-spin coupling constants between alkenyl proton signals H-1a and H-1b
(J 8.8–9.5 Hz) indicate the formation of compounds 2–13 with the (Z)-configuration of the double bond.

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2.2. Cytotoxicity Studies
The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized series of 2-(Z)-styryldihydrofurocoumarins 2,3,6–8,
3-(Z)-styrylfurocoumarins 4,5,9–13, the parent oreoselone (14) and combretastatin A-4 (1) was
determined by measuring the concentration inhibiting human tumor cell viability by 50% (CTD50). The
CTD50 was determined using the conventional MTT assay, which allows to estimate the number of
survived cells spectrophotometrically [27]. The results are presented in Table 1. At first glance, it is
evident that there is a difference in activity between the parent compound 14 and (Z)-styryl modified
furocoumarins 2–13.
Table 1. Cytotoxic activity of heterocyclic analogs of combretastatins 2–13.
Cytotoxicity (CTD50, μM) against Cell Line a
Compound
CEM-13
4.9 ± 0.2
5.1 ± 0.9
28.6 ± 2.1
29.0 ± 3.2
22.1 ± 2.3
9.3 ± 2.6
14.1 ± 1.6
95.0 ± 3.4
49.1 ± 4.5
26.7 ± 2.9
20.2 ± 1.6
9.0 ± 2.6
>100
MT-4
U-937
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
13.4 ± 4.5
10.1 ± 2.1
22.4 ± 2.6
36.1 ± 4.6
28.6 ± 3.7
9.2 ± 0.5
12.1 ± 3.2
24.5 ± 3.2
13 ± 2.8
45.1 ± 1.9
5.2 ± 0.8
8.1 ± 0.7
70.9 ± 3.6
12.1 ± 2.0
18.0 ± 2.9
41.3 ± 6.8
32.1 ± 3.5
33.1 ± 3.9
12.0 ± 0.8
13.3 ± 2.1
>100
29.0 ± 3.1
28.0 ± 4.2
9.1 ± 1.2
12.1 ± 2.3
65.2 ± 3.9
>100 b
11
12
13
(14)
CA-4 (1)
0.8 ± 0.03
0.1 ± 0.012
a
b
The cell were continuously treated with compounds for 72 h; СА-4 provide inhibition of 47% in
concentration 0.1–100 μM.
All synthesized compounds 2–13 exhibited cytotoxic activity in respect to model cancer cell lines
and were more potent than furocoumarin 14. Furocoumarins 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11, in which the (Z)-styryl
substituent was located in the 3-position, demonstrated decrease of potency compared to 2-(Z)-styryl-
3-oxodihydrofurocoumarins 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. Compounds 2, 3 possessed the best activity on the
lymphoblastoid leukemia cells CEM-13. The phenolic substituent in (Z)-styryl moiety seems to have
an important role in this class of compounds; indeed 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl substituent in compounds 7,
10, 12 demonstrated increase of potency against MT-4 cell lines. Compounds having а 2,3,4-
trimethoxyphenyl moiety (compounds 6, 9) show week cytotoxic activity, while several derivatives
containing a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl residue (compounds 2, 4) shown improved activity. The latter effect
is unsurprising, since it is well established that the replacement of A-ring in combretastatins [28,29]
and phenstatin [30] is highly detrimental for the activity of the compounds. In the 3,9-disubstituted
furocoumarins 12,13 cytotoxicity does not seem to greatly influence by the substituent in the aromatic
ring, however, the (4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl) substitution on the 9th-position in 3-styrylfurocoumarin
core gave increase in cytotoxic activity of compounds (compare 10 and 12 or 11 and 13), especially,
on the human monocyte-lines U-937. The activity of all synthesized compounds on the lymphoblastoid

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cell lines was lower than the activity of СA-4 1, however, compounds 2,7,12 and 13 shown potency in
respect to human monocyte-lines U-937 in comparison with СA-4.
3. Experimental Section
3.1. General
NMR spectra were acquired on Bruker AV-400 (1H: 400.13 MHz, 13C: 100.78 MHz) or Bruker
AV-600 (1H: 600.30 MHz, 13C: 150.95 MHz) (Bruker BioSpin GmbH, Rheinstetten, Germany)
1
instruments, using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standart. In the description of the H and
13C-NMR spectra, the furocoumarin skeleton atoms numeration system given in structure 14 was used.
The IR spectra were recorded by means of the KBr pellet technique on a Bruker Vector-22
spectrometer. The UV spectra were obtained on an HP 8453 UV-Vis spectrometer (Hewlett-Packard,
Waldbronn, Germany). The melting points were determined on a Stuart SMF-38 melting point
apparatus (Bibby Scientific, Staffordshire, UK) and are uncorrected. Elemental analysis was carried out
on a Carlo-Erba 1106 Elemental analysis instrument (Carlo-Erba, Milan, Italy). Spectral and analytical
investigations were carried out at Collective Chemical Service center of Siberian Branch of the
Russian Academy of Sciences.
Reaction products were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel 60 (0.063–0.200 mm,
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) and eluted with chloroform and chloroform-ethanol (100:1; to
25:l). The reaction progress and the purity of the obtained compounds were monitored by TLC on
Silufol UV-254 plates (Kavalier, Czech Republic, CHCl3-EtOH, 25:1; detection under UV light or by
treatment with iodine vapor).
Chemicals used—TsCl, Ti(O-iPr)4, n-BuLi, CuI, PPh3, Lindlar’s catalysts and (trimethylsilyl)acetylene
30—were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA) or Alfa Aesar (GmbH, Karlsruhe,
Germany). Dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) was obtained as described in [31].
1-Ethynyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzene (21a) [32], 1-ethynyl-3-hydroxy-4-trimethoxybenzene (21b) [33],
1-ethynyl-2,3,4-trimethoxybenzene (21c) [34], 1-ethynyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzene (21d) [35], 1-ethynyl-
2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-formylbenzene (21e) [36], 3,4-dihydroxybromobenzene (33) [37] and
combretastatin A-4 (1) [22] are known compounds and were prepared by the reported methods.
Solvents (THF, benzene, MeOH) and Et3N were purified by standard methods and distilled in a stream
of argon just before use.
3.2. Synthesis and Spectral Data
2-Isopropyl-2-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (16). (a) To a
solution of oreoselone (14, 488 mg, 2 mmol) in THF (7 mL) under argon was added TsCl
(470 mg, 2.5 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (7 mg, 0.1 mmol). The mixture was heated at 60 °C for 6 h
(TLC), then 1-ethynyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzene (21a, 770 mg, 4 mmol) and Et3N (0.84 mL, 6 mmol)
was added. The reaction mixture was heated under stirring another 7 h. After cooling, 3 mL of water
was added and the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride (5 × 4 mL). The combined extract
was washed with water, dried over MgSO4 and filtered. The solvent was removed under reduced
pressure, and the residue was subjected to column chromatography to isolate 538 mg (62%) of 16 and

Molecules 2014, 19
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40 mg (12%) of 22. Compound 16 was recrystallized from diethyl ether, m.p. 101–102 °С. IR (KBr, ν,
cm−1): 2974, 2927, 2879, 2852, 2150, 1732, 1664, 1626, 1531, 1481, 1411, 1390, 1353, 1286, 1253, 1126,
1095, 1039, 970, 948, 916, 866, 827, 734, 661. 1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.98 (d, J = 6.9 Hz,
3Н, СН3), 1.28 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 2.46 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 3.84 (s, 9Н, 3 × OСН3), 6.34 (d,
J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.96 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.04 (s, 2Н, Н-2',6'), 7.68 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.87 (s,
1Н, Н-4). 13C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 16.5 (CH3), 17.4 (CH3), 36.4 (CH), 56.0 (3C-CH3),
72.1 (C-1a), 82.6 (C-1b), 99 (C-2), 101.4 (C-9), 106.5 (C-2' and C-6'), 115.2 (C-6), 115.6,
115.5 (C-3a,4a),119.4 (C-1'), 125.8 (C-4), 131.5 (C-4'), 143.0 (C-5), 153.4 (C-8a), 155.8 (C-3' and
C-5'), 158.6 (C-7), 169.4 (C-9a), 193.8 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax, (lgε): 257 (4.56), 297 (4.3), 307 (4.27),
348 (4.11) nm. Anal. Calcd for C25H22O7: С, 69.12; Н, 5.10; found С, 69.29; Н, 5.02. (b) A mixture of
2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)oreoselone (15, 398 mg, 1 mmol), 1-ethynyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzene (21a,
385 mg, 2 mmol), Et3N (0.42 mL, 3 mmol), and Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (7 mg, 0.1 mmol) in 5 mL of anhydrous
THF was heated for 7 h under reflux in argon. The mixture was evaporated, the residue was treated
with 10 mL of water and extracted with methylene chloride (4 × 5 mL). The combined extract was
dried over MgSO4, filtered and evaporated. The residue was subjected to column chromatography on
silica gel to isolate 287 mg (66%) of compound 16 and 12 mg (5%) of compound 22.
2-[(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (17). This
compound (374 mg, 48%) was prepared as a yellow oil from oreoselone (14, 488 mg, 2 mmol) and
1-ethynyl-3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzene (21b (592 mg, 4 mmol) using the procedure (a) described for
16. IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3467, 3086, 3062, 3030, 2976, 2923, 2850, 2191, 1751, 1660, 1625, 1600, 1494,
1
1419, 1353, 1267, 1207, 1149, 1110, 1066, 1028, 977, 935, 806, 752, 696. H-NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3, δH): 1.09 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.20 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 3.03 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2],
3.79 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 6.05 (s, 1H, OH), 6.40 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.92 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'),
6.97 (dd, J = 7.8 and 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 6.98 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 6.99 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-2'), 7.66 (d,
13
J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.85 (s, 1Н, Н-4). C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 16.2 (CH3), 17.4 (CH3),
30.1 (CH), 54.1 (CH3), 73.5 (C-1a), 82.4 (C-1b), 96.1 (C-2), 100.1 (C-9), 112.4 (C-6), 113.1 (C-5'),
113.4 (C-3a), 115.2 (C-4a), 118.1 (C-1'), 120.5 (C-2'), 123.1 (C-6'), 125.7 (C-4), 142.3 (C-5),
147.9 (C-3'), 149.1 (C-4'), 156.6 (C-8a), 158.1 (C-7), 172.6 (C-9a), 195.5 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε):
258 (4.52), 295 (3.96), 307 (3.88), 351 (3.93) nm. Anal. Calcd for C23H18O6: С, 70.76; Н, 4.65; found
С, 70.39; Н, 4.92.
2-Isopropyl-2-[(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (18). Compound
18 (560 mg, 65%) was prepared from oreoselone (14, 488 mg, 2 mmol) and 1-ethynyl-2,3,4-
trimethoxybenzene (21c, 770 mg, 4 mmol) using the procedure (a) described for 16. Compound 22 (30 mg,
10%) was also isolated. Compound 18, m.p. 101–102 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3066, 2976, 2939,
2861, 2189, 1737, 1679, 1625, 1487, 1423, 1388, 1352, 1286, 1224, 1141, 1122, 1093, 1022, 983, 943,
866, 825, 790, 734, 691. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.91 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.31 (d, J =
6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 2.50 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 3.82 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 3.88 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 3.97 (s, 3Н,
OСН3), 6.34 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.70 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.99 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.52 (d, 1Н, J =
8.2 Hz, Н-6'), 7.72 (d, 1Н, J = 9.6 Hz, Н-5), 7.90 (1Н, s, Н-4). 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 16.6
(CH3), 17.5 (CH3), 36.4 (CH), 56.0 (CH3), 60.8 (CH3), 62.2 (CH3), 71.6 (C-1a), 82.3 (C-1b), 98.9 (C-

Molecules 2014, 19
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2), 101.5 (C-9), 107.2 (C-5'), 115.4 (C-3a,4a), 115.3 (C-6), 115.6, 123.1 (C-1'), 124.0 (C-6'), 125.9 (C-
4), 141.4 (C-3'), 143.1 (C-5), 156.7 (C-2'), 158.8 (C-4'), 159.1 (C-8a),161.1 (C-7), 169.5
(C-9a), 192.6 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 257 (4.42), 297 (4.17), 307 (4.14), 348 (3.97) nm. Anal.
Calcd for C25H22O7: С, 69.12; Н, 5.10; found С, 69.49; Н, 5.12.
2-[(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (19). Compound 19
(330 mg, 44%) was prepared from oreoselone (14, 488 mg, 2 mmol) and 1-ethynyl-2,3,4-
trimethoxybenzene (21d, 540 mg, 4 mmol) using the procedure (a) described for 16. Compound 22
(82 mg, 25%) was also isolated. Compound 19, m.p. 84–86 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3340, 3320,
3087, 3071, 2974, 2929, 2879, 2852, 2114, 1732, 1664, 1625, 1595, 1531, 1390, 1353, 1286, 1253,
1126, 1095, 1039, 948, 866, 827, 735. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.96 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3),
1.37 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 2.55 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 6.40 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 7.05 (s, 1Н, Н-9),
7.46 (d, J 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-2'), 7.52 (dd, J = 8.0 and 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.66 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'),
7.73 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.93 (s, 1Н, Н-4). 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): 15.6 (CH3), 16.0 (CH3),
31.1 (CH), 73.9 (C-1a), 81.9 (C-1b), 98.6 (C-2), 101.4 (C-9), 115.7 (C-3a), 116.0 (C-6), 116.7 (C-4a),
117.8 (C-1'), 120.2 (C-5'), 122.7 (C-2'), 124.1 (C-4), 126.1 (C-6'), 143.3 (C-5), 158.5 (C-8a),
159.3 (C-3'), 160.4 (C-4'), 161.9 (C-7), 171.8 (C-9a), 191.9 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 256 (4.4),
303 (3.92), 348 (3.87) nm. Anal. Calcd for C22H16O6: С, 70.21; Н, 4.29; found С, 70.49; Н, 4.20.
2-[(5-Formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione
(20). Compound 20 (493 mg, 59%) was prepared from oreoselone (14, 488 mg, 2 mmol) and
1-ethynyl-5-formyl-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene (21e, 705 mg, 4 mmol) using the procedure (a)
described for 16, or from 2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)oreoselone (15, 398 mg, 1 mmol) and 1-ethynyl-5-
formyl-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene (21e, 353 mg, 2 mmol) using the procedure (b) described for 16.
Yield 60%. Compound 22 was also isolated [62 mg, procedure (a) and 23 mg, procedure (b)].
Compound 20, m.p. 91–93 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3456, 3155, 3065, 2978, 2939, 2881, 2839,
2112, 1738, 1680, 1626, 1582, 1554, 1487, 1423, 1389, 1352, 1286, 1260, 1250, 1225, 1201, 1141,
1122, 1094, 1043, 1022, 984, 970, 943, 916, 866, 826, 790, 760, 735, 690, 6800. 1H-NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3, δH): 0.91 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.29 (d, J =6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 2.48 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2],
3.77 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 6.32 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.96 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.43 (br s, 1Н, Н-4'), 7.50 (br s,
1H, OH), 7.60 (br s, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.69 (d, J = 9.8Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.88 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 9.91 (s, 1H, CHO).
13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 15.2 (CH3), 15.6 (CH3), 33.7 (CH), 55.4 (OCH3), 71.3 (C-1a), 80.2
(C-1b), 98.3 (C-2), 101.1 (C-9), 115.4 (C-3a), 115.7 (C-6), 116.4 (C-4'), 118.3 (C-4a), 119.5 (C-1'),
121.5 (C-6'), 125.7 (C-4), 133.6 (C-5'), 143.1 (C-5), 156.6 (C-3'), 158.9 (C-2'), 161.6 (C-7),
165.1 (C-8a), 171.5 (C-9a), 191.6 (CHO), 192.3 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 253 (4.21), 328 (3.45),
350 (3.15) nm. Anal. Calcd for C24H18O7: С, 68.90; Н, 4.34; found С, 68.69; Н, 4.56.
(Z)-2-Isopropyl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxystyryl)-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (2). A solution of
n-BuLi (0.08 mL, 1.04 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of 2-isopropyl-2-[(3,4,5-
trimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (16, 100 mg, 0.23 mmol) and
tetraisopropoxytitanium (140 mg, 0.52 mmol) in anhydrous THF (3 mL) at −78 °C. The stirring was
continued for 10 min at the same temperature. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature

Molecules 2014, 19
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and heated at 50 °С for 2 h. After cooling, the reaction was quenched with a saturated solution of
NH4Cl (3 mL), water (3 mL), and extracted with dichloromethane (3 × 4 mL), the combined organic
layers was washed with water, dried over anhydrous MgSO4, and filtered. The solvent was evaporated,
and the residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel (chloroform and chloroform–ethanol
100:1 as eluent) to afford compound 2 (42 mg, 42% yield) as a yellow powder, m.p. 91–92 °С (ether).
IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3047, 2974, 2935, 1736, 1701, 1628, 1585, 1474, 1390, 1356, 1286, 1226, 1195,
1120, 1034, 1011, 972, 900, 866, 840, 827, 756, 740, 700, 681. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.88
(d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3], 1.11 (d, J =6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 3.20 [m, 1Н,СН-(СН3)2], 3.83 (s, 9Н,
3 × OСН3), 6.23 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1Н, Н-1a), 6.36 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.74 (d, J = 9.2 Hz, 1Н, Н-1b),
13
6.94 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.10 (br s, 2Н, Н-2',6'), 7.67 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.90 (s, 1Н, Н-4). C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 16.1 (CH3), 17.0 (CH3), 29.2 (CH), 55.6 (3×OCH3), 98.3 (C-2), 101.0 (C-9),
106.1 (C-2',6'), 114.8 (C-3a,4a), 115.1, 115.2 (C-6), 125.4 (C-4), 119.0 (C-1'), 126.8 (C-1a), 131.1 (C-1b),
131.8 (C-4'), 142.6 (C-5), 153.0 (C-8a), 155.3 (C-3',5'), 158.2 (C-7), 168.9 (C-9a), 192.4 (C-3). UV
(EtOH) λmax (lgε): 255 (4.44), 296 (4.07), 310 (4.01), 344 (sh), 354 (3.9) nm. Anal. Calcd for
C25H24O7: С, 68.80; Н, 5.54; found С, 68.69; Н, 5.17.
(Z)-2-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxystyryl)-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (3). Lindlar’s catalyst
(5 mg, 2 mol %) was added to a solution of 2-isopropyl-2-[(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)ethynyl]-
2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (17, 100 mg, 0.26 mmol) in dry ethanol (6 mL). The system was
filled with hydrogen, and the reaction mixture was stirred in a hydrogen flow for 20 h and then
concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography on silica gel afforded compound 3 (31 mg,
32% yield) as a yellow oil. IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3520, 3488, 3398, 2960, 2925, 2852, 1750, 1726, 1724,
1630, 1576, 1510, 1480, 1463, 1356, 1335, 1300, 1250, 1176, 1157, 1143, 1105, 1032, 978, 935, 901,
885, 831, 813, 760, 744, 700, 671. 1H-NMR δH (600 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.87 [d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3),
1.15 [d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 2.37 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 3.76 (s, 3Н, OCH3), 6.26 (d, J = 9.5 Нz, 1Н,
Н-1b), 6.33 (d, J = 9.7 Нz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.92 (d, J = 7.8 Нz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.79 (d, J 9.5 Нz, 1Н,
Н-1b), 6.89 (dd, J = 8.0 and 1.8 Нz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.00 (s, 1Н,Н-9), 7.06 (d, J = 8.0 Нz, 1Н, Н-5'), 7.25 (d,
J = 1.8 Нz, 1Н, Н-2'), 7.68 (d, J = 9.7 Нz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.78 (s, 1Н, Н-4). 13C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3, δC):
15.6 (CH3), 18.6 (CH3), 31.2 (CH), 55.3 (OCH3), 92.9 (C-2), 100.9 (C-9), 113.6 (C-6), 114.4 (C-5'),
114.8 (C-3a), 116.4 (C-4a), 119.3 (C-2'), 121.7 (C-6'), 124.3 (C-4), 125.2 (C-1a), 129.2 (C-1b), 134.9
(C-1'), 143.5 (C-5), 149.2 (C-3'), 150.3 (C-4'), 159.4 (C-8a), 160.1 (C-7), 173.9 (C-9a),199.4 (C-3).
UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 253 (4.41), 296 (4.08), 308 (4.06), 341 (sh), 353 (4.1) nm, Anal. Calcd for
C23H20O6: С, 70.40; Н, 5.14; found С, 70.78; Н, 4.92.
(Z)-2-Isopropyl-2-(2,3,4-trimethoxystyryl)-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (6). Compound 6 (40 mg)
was prepared from 2-isopropyl-2-[(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione
(18, 100 mg, 0.23 mmol) using the procedure described for 2. Yield 40%, m.p. 112–114 °С (ether). IR
(KBr, ν, cm−1): 3047, 2974, 1736, 1701, 1628, 1585, 1473, 1391, 1355, 1286, 1220, 1196, 1121, 1034,
1011, 972, 900, 866, 850, 827, 800, 756, 740, 680. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.98 (d, J = 6.9 Нz,
3Н, СН3), 1.19 (3Н, J = 6.9 Нz, d, СН3), 3.28 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 3.91 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 3.92 (s,
3Н,OСН3), 3.94 (s, 3Н,OСН3), 6.23 (d, J = 9.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-1a), 6.45 (d, J = 9.6 Нz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.67 (d,
J = 8.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.81 (d, J = 9.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-1b), 7.18 (d, J = 8.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.97 (d, J = 9.6 Нz,

Molecules 2014, 19
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1Н, Н-5), 8.19 (s, 1Н, Н-4). 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 16.5 (CH3), 17.4 (CH3), 31.6 (CH), 55.9
(OCH3), 62.1 (OCH3), 60.7 (OCH3), 99.5 (C-2), 101.4 (C-9), 107.2 (C-5'), 115.2 (C-6), 115.5, 115.6
(C-3a, 4a), 123.9 (C-6'), 123.0 (C-1'), 125.9 (C-4), 126.9 (C-1a), 133.1 (C-1b), 141.3 (C-5), 144.2 (C-3'),
156.6 (C-2'), 158.7 (C-4'), 159.0 (C-8a), 160.9 (C-7), 170.7 (C-9a), 190.5 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε):
255 (4.32), 296 (3.94), 310 (3.88), 344 (sh), 354 (3.78) nm. Anal. Calcd for C25H24O7: С, 68.80; Н,
5.54; found С, 69.09; Н, 5.42.
(Z)-2-[(3,4-Dihydroxystyryl)-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (7). Compound
7
(24 mg) was prepared by partial reduction of 2-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-2H-
furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (19, 100 mg, 0.26 mmol) using the procedure described for 3 (reaction
time 30 h). Yield 24%, m.p. 68–71 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3470, 2979, 2922, 2851, 1751, 1661,
1626, 1601, 1598, 1495, 1420, 1354, 1327, 1267, 1207, 1150, 1111, 1086, 1028, 1002, 978, 935, 914,
823, 800, 752, 696. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.85 (d, J = 6.9 Нz, 3Н, СН3), 0.91 [d, J = 6.9 Нz,
3Н, СН3), 2.99 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 6.21 (d, J = 9.5 Нz, 1Н, Н-1a), 6.37 (d, J = 9.7 Нz, 1Н, Н-6),
6.37 (d, J = 8.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.81 (d, J = 9.5 Нz, 1Н, Н-1b), 6.89 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.36 (d, J = 1.8 Нz,
1Н, Н-2'), 7.49 (dd, J = 8.0 and 1.8 Нz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.65 (d, J = 8.0 Нz, 1Н, Н-5'), 7.91 (d, J = 9.6 Нz,
1Н, Н-5), 8.03 (s, 1Н, Н-4). 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 15.1 (CH3), 15.5 (CH3), 30.5 (CH),
98.5 (C-2), 100.9 (C-9), 115.2 (C-3a), 115.5 (C-6), 116.2 (C-5'), 117.2 (C-4a), 119.7 (C-1'),
122.2 (C-2'), 123.6 (C-6'), 125.5 (C-4), 127.1 (C-1a), 132.4 (C-1b), 142.8 (C-5), 157.9 (C-3'),
158.8 (C-4'), 159.9 (C-8a), 161.4 (C-7), 171.3 (C-9a), 190.3 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 256 (4.76),
292 (4.33), 349 (4.13) nm. Anal. Calcd for C22H18O6: С, 69.83; Н, 4.79; found С, 70.10; Н, 4.31.
(Z)-2-(5-Formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxystyryl)-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione
(8).
Compound 8 (37 mg) was prepared from 2-[(5-formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-
isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g] chromene-3,7-dione (20, 100 mg, 0.24 mmol) using the procedure described
for 3. Yield 37%, a yellow oil. IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3435, 3063, 3042, 2960, 2925, 2853, 2808, 1739,
1726, 1714, 1629, 1600, 1576, 1510, 1500, 1464, 1440, 1394, 1355, 1334, 1300, 1250, 1230, 1176,
1
1157, 1144, 1105, 1032, 978, 935, 915, 893, 831, 814, 761, 744, 720, 668. H-NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3, δH): 0.97 (d, J = 6.9 Нz, 3Н, СН3], 1.07 [d, J = 6.9 Нz, 3Н, СН3), 3.15 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2],
3.92 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 6.23 (d, J = 9.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-1a), 6.37 (1Н, J = 9.8 Нz, d, Н-6), 6.41 (d, J = 1.8 Нz,
1Н, Н-6'), 6.83 (d, J = 9.3 Нz, 1Н, Н-1b), 7.05 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.69 (d, 1Н, J = 9.6 Нz, Н-5), 7.78 (1Н,
13
J = 1.8 Нz, d, Н-4'), 7.85 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 8.07 (1Н, J = 8.8 Нz, d, Н-1b), 9.98 (s, 1Н, CНO). C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 15.6 (CH3), 15.9 (CH3), 34.0 (CH), 55.7 (OCH3), 99.5 (C-2), 100.6 (C-9),
115.6 (C-6), 116.0 (C-3a), 116.7 (C-4a), 118.7 (C-4'), 121.8 (C-6'), 119.8 (C-1'), 126.0 (C-4), 127.5
(C-1a), 132.6 (C-1b), 133.9 (C-5'), 144.8 (C-5), 156.9 (C-3'), 158.9 (C-2'), 161.9 (C-8a), 165.3 (C-7),
171.8 (C-9a), 191.9 (СНО), 194.6 (C-3). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 256 (4.41), 291 (3.97), 349 (3.78) nm.
Anal. Calcd for C24H20O7: С, 68.57; Н, 4.80; found С, 68.24; Н, 4.68.
2-Isopropyl-3-[(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-7-one (25). To a solution of
2-isopropyl-3-(trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy)psoralene (23, 150 mg, 0.4 mmol) and 1-ethynyl-2,3,4-
trimethoxybenzene (21c, 85 mg, 0.44 mmol) in benzene (5 mL) was added CuI (1.5 mg, 2 mol %),
Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (11 mg, 4 mol %), and Et3N (0.076 mL, 0.55 mmol; 1.4 equiv) under argon. The reaction

Molecules 2014, 19
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mixture was stirred at 80 °C for 8 h (TLC). The mixture was cooled and 5 mL of water was added. The
separated water layer was extracted with methylene chloride (5 × 4 mL). The combined organic
extracts was washed with water, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure.
The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel. Eluting with chloroform and
crystallization from diethyl ether gave 122 mg (73%) of compound 25. M.p. 121–122 °С (ether). IR
(KBr, ν, cm−1): 3051, 2979, 2927, 2854, 2472, 2118, 1732, 1622, 1603, 1580, 1514, 1470, 1386, 1363,
1321, 1277, 1252, 1213, 1194, 1167, 1140, 1115, 1096, 1068, 1043, 980, 959, 935, 916, 870, 850, 820,
1
770, 750, 741, 702, 677. H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.35 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.37 [d,
J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 3.25 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 3.86 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 3.92 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 4.01 (s, 3Н,
OСН3), 6.40 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.72 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.98 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.59 (d, J = 8.2 Hz,
13
1Н, Н-6'), 7.79 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 7.80 (d, 1Н, J = 9.8 Hz, Н-5). C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.3
(CH3), 20.5 (CH3), 25.9 (CH), 56.1 (OCH3), 60.9 (OCH3), 62.3 (OCH3), 86.5 (C-1a), 94.0 (C-1b), 95.5
(C-3), 97.5 (C-9), 107.3 (C-5'), 100.5 (C-4a), 111.1 (C-6), 116.6 (C-3a), 118.9 (C-1'), 124.2 (C-6'),
126.5 (C-4), 141.6 (C-3'), 143.5 (C-5), 152.0 (C-9a), 153.1 (C-8a), 154.1, 154.7 (C-2',4'), 156.9 (C-2),
159.2 (C-7). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 249 (3.65), 306 (3.75), 327 (3.73), 351 (sh), 355(2.85) nm. Anal.
Calcd for C25H22O6: С, 71.76; Н, 5.30; found С, 71.49; Н, 5.12.
3-[(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-7-one (26). Compound 26 was
prepared by two methods. Reaction of psoralene derivative 23 (150 mg, 0.4 mmol) with
1-ethynyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzene (21d, 60 mg, 0.44 mmol) by the procedure described for 25 (method a)
gave 98 mg (68%) of compound 26. (b) To a solution of 3-ethynyl-2-isopropylpsoralene (32, 100 mg,
0.4 mmol) in benzene (5 mL) was added 3,4-dihydroxybromobenzene (33, 83 mg, 0.44 mmol), 1.5 mg
(2 mol %) of CuI, 11 mg (4 mol %) of Pd(PPh3)2Cl2, and 0.076 mL (1.4 equiv, 0.55 mmol) of Et3N
under argon. The mixture was stirred at 80 °C for 10 h (TLC). Then the solution was cooled, 3 mL of
water was added and reaction mixture was extracted with methylene chloride (5 × 4 mL). The
combined extract was washed with water, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced
pressure. The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel. Eluting with chloroform
and crystallization from diethyl ether gave 60 mg (42%) of compound 26. M.p. 104–105 °С. IR (KBr,
ν, cm−1): 3450, 3327, 3051, 2980, 2880, 2556, 2472, 2096, 1732, 1716, 1697, 1620, 1590, 1550, 1514,
1431, 1364, 1278, 1253, 1213, 1191, 1160, 1140, 1095, 1041, 980, 950, 876, 860, 849, 825, 770, 754,
740, 685, 650. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.38 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.40 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н,
СН3), 3.30 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 4.09 (br.s, 2Н, OH), 6.32 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 7.07 (s, 1Н, Н-9),
7.26 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-2'), 7.32 (dd, J = 8.0 and 2.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.46 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'),
13
7.77 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.80 (s, 1Н, Н-4). C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.0 (CH3), 20.1
(CH3), 25.8 (CH), 86.4 (C-1a), 94.0 (C-1b), 100.3 (C-3), 102.8 (C-9), 112.3 (C-4a), 115.2 (C-6), 115.3
(C-3a), 116.5 (C-1'), 120.2 (C-5'), 121.2 (C-4), 124.5 (C-2'), 126.2 (C-6'), 144.2 (C-5), 145.9 (C-3'),
147.4 (C-4'), 152.1 (C-9a), 155.3 (C-8a), 160.4 (C-2), 161.3 (C-7). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 252 (3.64),
309 (3.94), 339 (3.43), 355 (sh) nm. Anal. Calcd for C22H16O5: С, 73.33; Н, 4.48; found С, 73.30; Н, 4.55.
3-[(5-Formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-7H-furo[3,2-g] chromene-7-one (27).
Compound 27 (112 mg) was prepared from psoralene derivative 23 (150 mg, 0.4 mmol) and
1-ethynyl-5-formyl-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene (21e, 75 mg, 0.44 mmol) using the procedure

Molecules 2014, 19
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described for 25. Yield 70%, m.p. 110–112 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3430, 3325, 2989, 2880,
2713, 2472, 2046, 1944, 1782, 1732, 1716, 1697, 1620, 1602, 1514, 1469, 1431, 1363, 1315, 1278,
1
1253, 1220, 1191, 1139, 1095, 1041, 1020, 980, 904, 860, 848, 769, 754, 695, 650, 600. H-NMR
(400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.39 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.42 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 3.29 [m, 1Н,
СН-(СН3)2], 3.98 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 6.36 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 7.09 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.44 (br.s, 1Н, Н-4'),
7.50 (br.s, 1H, OH), 7.60 (br.s, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.75 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.82 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 10.01 (s,
1H, CHO). 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.5 (CH3), 20.6 (CH3), 26.2 (CH), 60.6 (OCH3),
85.6 (C-1a), 91.0 (C-1b), 99.5 (C-3), 104.4 (C-9), 115.8 (C-3a), 116.3 (C-6), 116.9 (C-4'), 118.9 (C-4a),
119.8 (C-1'), 120.6 (C-6'), 128.7 (C-4), 132.2 (C-5'), 143.9 (C-5), 150.7 (C-3'), 152.5 (C-8a), 153.1 (C-9a),
154.6 (C-2'), 159.2 (C-2), 160.7 (C-7), 191.8 (CHO). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 246 (3.92), 305 (sh),
329 (3.63), 355 (2.81) nm. Anal. Calcd for C24H18O6: С, 71.64; Н, 4.51; found С, 71.30; Н, 4.58.
3-[(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-9-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-7H-furo[3,2-g]-
chromene-7-one (28). Compound 28 (79 mg) was prepared from 2-isopropyl-9-((4-methylpiperazin-1-
yl)methyl)-7-oxo-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-3-yl trifluoromethanesulfonate (24, 195 mg, 0.4 mmol) and
1-ethynyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzene (21d, 60 mg, 0.44 mmol) using the procedure described for 25. Yield
42%, yellow powder, m.p. 118–120 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3437, 2967, 2922, 2851, 2111, 1732,
1635, 1628, 1585, 1511, 1496, 1465, 1431, 1388, 1348, 1319, 1250, 1213, 1198, 1140, 1114, 1095,
1
1047, 957, 870, 820, 737, 700, 626, 602. H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.33 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н,
СН3), 1.36 (3Н, d, J = 7.0 Hz, СН3), 2.32 (s, 3Н, NСН3), 2.38 (m, 4H, H-3'',5''), 2.68 (m, 4H, H-2'',6''),
3.25 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 4.46 (d, 1H, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, CH2), 4.58 (d, 1H, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, CH2), 6.27
(d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.52 (dd, J = 8.0 and 2.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 6.64 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-2'), 6.79
(d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'), 7.59 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.74 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 8.00 (br.s, 2Н, OН).
13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.1 (CH3), 20.3 (CH3), 25.9 (CH), 42.7 (NСН3), 48.5 (СН2N), 51.6
(C-2'',6''), 53.4 (C-3'',5''), 85.3 (C-1a), 90.7 (C-1b), 99.2 (C-3), 104.4 (C-9), 115.0 (C-1'), 115.6 (C-3a),
116.0 (C-6), 116.6 (C-4a), 117.6 (C-5'), 122.0 (C-2'), 128.4 (C-4), 130.8 (C-6'), 143.5 (C-5), 147.1
(C-2'), 148.7 (C-4'), 152.2 (C-8a), 153.0 (C-9a), 156.9 (C-2), 160.4 (C-7). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 250
(3.76), 284 (2.65), 327 (3.20), 346 (2.78) nm. Anal. Calcd for C28H28N2O5: С, 71.17; Н, 5.97; N, 5.93;
found С, 70.91; Н, 6.02; N, 5.63.
3-[(5-Formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-9-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-
7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one (29). Compound 29 (119 mg) was prepared from 2-isopropyl-9-((4-
methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-7-oxo-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-3-yl trifluoromethanesulfonate (24, 195 mg,
0.4 mmol) and 1-ethynyl-5-formyl-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene (21e, 5 mg, 0.44 mmol) using the
procedure described for 25. Yield 58%, m.p. 104–105 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3402, 3117, 3080,
2958, 2850, 2783, 2711, 2611, 2172, 2133, 1726, 1693, 1610, 1593, 1537, 1464, 1427, 1402, 1367,
1331, 1304, 1252, 1229, 1213, 1180, 1142, 1107, 1065, 1030, 993, 968, 908, 876, 845, 752, 741, 715,
667, 633, 621. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.36 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.39 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н,
СН3), 2.38 (s, 3Н, NСН3), 2.42 (m, 4H, H-3'',5''), 2.65 (m, 4H, H-2'',6''), 3.25 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2],
4.03 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 4.41 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, CH2), 4.48 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, CH2), 6.41 (d, J = 9.8 Hz,
1Н, Н-6), 6.89 (br.s, 1H, Н-4'), 7.41 (br.s, 1Н, OH), 7.44 (br.s, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.57 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 7.79 (d,
13
J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 9.99 (s, 1H, CHO). C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.2 (CH3), 20.5 (CH3),

Molecules 2014, 19
7894
25.9 (CH), 42.5 (NСН3), 48.2 (СН2N), 51.5 (C-2'',6''), 52.9 (C-3'',5''), 58.3 (OCH3), 85.2 (C-1a), 93.5
(C-1b), 100.5 (C-9), 104.2 (C-3), 115.5 (C-6), 115.7 (C-3a), 116.6 (C-4'), 118.9 (C-4a), 119.8 (C-1'),
120.5 (C-6'), 128.4 (C-4), 132.1 (C-5'), 143.5 (C-5), 150.6 (C-8a), 152.2 (C-9a), 153.4 (C-3'), 154.7
(C-2'), 156.9 (C-2), 160.4 (C-7), 189.3 (CHO). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 253 (3.81), 289 (2.52), 328
(3.11), 350 (3.08) nm. Anal. Calcd for C30H30N2O6: С, 70.02; Н, 5.88; N, 5.44; found С, 69.79; Н,
5.85; N, 5.16.
(Z)-2-Isopropyl-3-(2,3,4-trimethoxystyryl)-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (9). Compound 9 (60 mg)
was prepared from 2-isopropyl-3-[(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-7-one
(25, 100 mg, 0.24 mmol) using the procedure described for 2. Yield 60%, m.p. 94–97 °С (ether). IR
(KBr, ν, cm−1): 3062, 3049, 2980, 2950, 1732, 1700, 1636, 1589, 1495, 1465, 1433, 1389, 1346, 1288,
1259, 1203, 1169, 1140, 1094, 1047, 1029, 1009, 962, 937, 903, 870, 831, 820, 781, 754, 700, 678,
650, 623, 602. 1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.26 (d, J 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.28 [d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н,
СН3), 3.16 [m, 1Н,СН-(СН3)2], 3.87 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 3.88 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 3.90 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 6.23 (d,
J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.40 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-1a), 6.71 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-1b), 6.83 (d, 1Н,
J = 8.2 Hz, Н-5'), 6.90 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.19 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.77 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.94
(s, 1Н, Н-4). 13C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.1 (CH3), 20.3 (CH3), 25.9 (CH), 55.3 (OCH3),
58.7 (OCH3), 60.6 (OCH3), 95.9 (C-3), 98.4 (C-9), 108.5 (C-3a), 114.0 (C-6), 115.5, 115.6 (C-5',4a),
123.0 (C-1'), 124.2 (C-6'), 125.9 (C-4), 130.0 (C-1a), 133.4 (C-1b), 141.5 (C-3'), 143.5 (C-5),
152.2 (C-8a), 153.0 (C-2'), 153.8 (C-4'), 154.7 (C-9a), 157.5 (C-2), 160.4 (C-7). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε):
240 (4.25), 252 (4.14), 296 (3.82), 352 (3.49) nm. Anal. Calcd for C25H24O6: С, 71.41; Н, 5.75; found
С, 71.09; Н, 5.68.
(Z)-3-[(3,4-Dihydroxystyryl)-2-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (10). Compound 10 (42
mg) was prepared from 3-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-7-one
(26, 100 mg, 0.27 mmol) using the procedure described for 3. Yield 42%, a yellow oil. IR (KBr, ν,
cm−1): 3450, 3050, 2980, 1732, 1717, 1670, 1610, 1603, 1514, 1470, 1431, 1412, 1364, 1279, 1254,
1192, 1140, 1110, 1086, 1041, 990, 975, 928, 910, 860, 849, 820, 770, 754, 740, 648, 627, 601.
1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.36 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, (СН3), 1.37 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, (СН3), 3.25
[m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 3.78 (br.s, 2Н, OH), 6.30 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.39 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-1a),
6.65 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-1b), 6.80 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.89 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.36 (d, J = 1.6 Hz,
1Н, Н-2'), 7.42 (dd, J = 8.0 and 1.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.79 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 7.80 (s, 1Н, Н-4).
13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.1 (CH3), 20.3 (CH3), 24.4 (CH), 96.0 (C-3), 98.4 (C-9),
106.6 (C-3a), 114.0 (C-6), 114.9, 115.1 (C-1',5'), 115.5 (C-2'), 117.2 (C-4a), 117.6 (C-6'), 125.6 (C-4),
130.9 (C-1a), 133.8 (C-1b), 143.5 (C-5), 146.5 (C-3'), 147.9 (C-4'), 152.2 (C-8a), 153.0 (C-9a),
156.4 (C-2), 160.3 (C-7). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 252 (4.47), 287 (4.02), 350 (3.62) nm. Anal. Calcd for
C22H18O5: С, 72.92; Н, 5.01; found С, 72.78; Н, 4.88.
(Z)-3-(5-Formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxystyryl)-3-isopropyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione
(11).
Compound 11 (61 mg) was prepared from 3-[(5-formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-
isopropyl-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-7-one (27, 100 mg, 0.24 mmol) using the procedure described for 3.
Yield 60%, m.p. 104–105 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3435, 3063, 3042, 2960, 2925, 2853, 2808,

Molecules 2014, 19
7895
1739, 1726, 1714, 1629, 1600, 1576, 1510, 1500, 1464, 1440, 1394, 1355, 1334, 1300, 1250, 1230,
1176, 1157, 1144, 1105, 1032, 978, 935, 915, 893, 831, 814, 761, 744, 720, 668. 1H-NMR (400 MHz,
CDCl3, δH): 1.43 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.46 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 3.34 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2],
3.98 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 6.39 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.41 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 6.48 (d, J = 8.8 Hz,
1Н, Н-1a), 6.82 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-1b), 7.05 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.10 (br.s, 1Н, OН), 7.59 (d, J = 1.8 Hz,
1Н, Н-4'), 7.64 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 7.86 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 10.03 (1Н, s, CНO). 13C-NMR (100 MHz,
CDCl3, δ): 20.1 (CH3), 20.3 (CH3), 25.8 (CH), 55.9 (OCH3), 99.1 (C-3), 104.1 (C-9), 115.4 (C-3a),
115.9 (C-6), 116.5 (C-4'), 117.1 (C-4a), 118.6 (C-1'), 121.4 (C-6'), 126.8 (C-4), 128.3 (C-1b),
132.1 (C-1a), 132.6 (C-5'), 143.4 (C-5), 149.9 (C-3'), 152.1 (C-8a), 152.9 (C-9a), 154.4 (C-2'),
156.8 (C-2), 160.3 (C-7), 188.2 (СНО). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 252 (4.26), 284 (3.65), 346 (3.53) nm.
Anal. Calcd for C24H20O6: С, 70.92; Н, 4.88; found С, 71.28; Н, 4.98.
(Z)-3-[(3,4-Dihydroxystyryl)-2-isopropyl-9-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-2H-furo[3,2-g]-chrom-
ene-3,7-dione (12). The compound 12 (49 mg) was prepared from 3-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethynyl]-
2-isopropyl-9-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-7H-furo[3,2-g]-chromene-7-one (28, 123 mg, 0.26 mmol)
using the procedure described for 3. Yield 40%, a yellow oil. IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3433, 3060, 3049,
2955, 2922, 2851, 1732, 1660, 1628, 1580, 1496, 1467, 1431, 1389, 1349, 1310, 1286, 1250, 1213,
1198, 1140, 1115, 1071, 1047, 988, 957, 905, 870, 820, 790, 768, 752, 736, 725, 708, 690, 675, 650.
1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.35 (d, J= 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.37 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 2.28 (s,
3Н, СН3), 2.48 (m, 4H, H-3'',5''), 2.89 (m, 4H, H-2'',6''), 3.25 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 4.57 (d, J = 9.8 Hz,
1H, CH2), 4.62 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, CH2), 6.28 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.37 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-1a),
6.77 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'), 6.95 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-1b), 7.38 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-2'), 7.49 (dd,
J = 8.0 and 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 7.65 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1Н, Н-5'), 7.78 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 7.91 (d, 1Н, J = 9.7 Hz,
Н-5), 8.17 (br.s, 2Н, OH). 13C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 19.9 (CH3), 20.2 (CH3), 25.6 (CH), 42.4
(СН3), 48.2 (СН2), 52.8 (C-3'',5''), 51.3 (C-2'',6''), 98.9 (C-3), 103.9 (C-9), 115.2 (C-3a), 116.3 (C-6),
117.0 (C-5'), 117.4 (C-4a), 120.0 (C-1'), 126.1 (C-2'), 127.8 (C-6'), 128.1 (C-4), 130.6, 131.6 (C-1a,1b),
143.2 (C-5), 147.1 (C-3'), 148.1 (C-4'), 151.9 (C-9a), 152.7 (C-8a), 157.7 (C-2), 160.0 (C-7). UV
(EtOH) λmax (lgε): 252 (4.42), 275(sh), 288 (3.91), 306 (3.84), 322 (sh), 354 (3.28) nm. Anal. Calcd for
C28H30N2O5: С, 70.87; Н, 6.37; N, 5.90; found С, 71.02; Н, 6.33; N, 5.81.
(Z)-2-(5-Formyl-3-hydroxy-3-methoxystyryl)-3-isopropyl-9-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-2H-furo-
[3,2-g]chromene-3,7-dione (13). Compound 13 (56 mg) was prepared from 3-[(5-formyl-3-hydroxy-3-
methoxyphenyl)ethynyl]-2-isopropyl-9-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-
one (29, 133 mg, 0.26 mmol) using the procedure described for 3. Yield 42%, m.p. 100–102 °С
(ether). IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3402, 3200, 3061, 3049, 2968, 2954, 2922, 2874, 2818, 1732, 1705, 1628,
1580, 1510, 1497, 1466, 1431, 1410, 1389, 1348, 1300, 1287, 1250, 1214, 1198, 1140, 1115, 1070,
1047, 1020, 975, 956, 910, 870, 820, 780, 752, 737, 720, 700, 660. 1H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH):
1.34 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, (СН3), 1.39 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 3Н, (СН3), 2.28 (s, 3Н, СН3), 2.41 (m, 4H,
H-3'',5''), 2.65 (m, 4H, H-2'',6''), 3.24 [m, 1Н, СН-(СН3)2], 4.03 (s, 3Н, OСН3), 4.48 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H,
CH2), 4.52 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, CH2), 6.30 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 6.38 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1Н,
Н-1a), 6.45 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-6'), 6.95 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1Н, Н-1b), 7.48 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-4'),
13
7.68 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 7.77 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1Н, Н-5), 9.95 (br.s, 1Н, CНO). C-NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3,

Molecules 2014, 19
7896
δC): 19.9 (CH3), 20.1 (CH3), 25.8 (CH), 42.5 (СН3), 48.3 (СН2), 51.4 (C-2'',6''), 52.8 (C-3'',5''), 58.3
(OCH3), 102.6 (C-3), 104.0 (C-9), 115.4 (C-3a), 115.8 (C-6), 116.4 (C-4a), 118.8 (C-4'), 119.9 (C-1'),
120.0 (C-6'),125.2 (C-4), 128.6 (C-1a),131.9 (C-1b), 133.1 (C-5'), 145.1 (C-5), 145.6 (C-3'), 151.3
(C-8a), 152.0 (C-9a), 154.6 (C-2'), 156.8 (C-2), 158.9 (C-7), 189.2 (СНО). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 252
(4.59), 290 (3.82), 336 (sh), 353(3.42) nm. Anal. Calcd for C30H32N2O6: С, 69.75; Н, 6.24; N, 5.42;
found С, 69.52; Н, 6.38; N, 5.35.
2-Isopropyl-3-[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]-7Н-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-оne (31). To a solution of oreoselone
triflate 23 (200 mg, 0.5 mmol) and (trimethylsilyl)acetylene (30, 73 mg, 0.75 mmol) in benzene (5 mL)
was added CuI (1.5 mg, 2 mol %), Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 (11 mg, 4 mol %), and Et3N (0.076 mL, 0.55 mmol;
1.1 equiv) under argon. The reaction mixture was stirred at 80 °C for 10 h (TLC). The mixture was
cooled, and 5 mL of water was added. The separated water layer was extracted with methylene
chloride (5 × 4 mL). The combined organic extracts was washed with water, dried over MgSO4,
filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to column chromatography
on silica gel. Eluting with chloroform and crystallization from diethyl ether gave 90 mg (58%) of
compound 31, m.p. 94–96 °С. IR (KBr, ν, cm−1): 3435, 2962, 2925, 2152, 1730, 1625, 1597, 1577,
1485, 1431, 1388, 1355, 1284, 1249, 1211, 1197, 1139, 1101, 1068, 1047, 914, 869, 754, 688.
1H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 0.16 [9Н, s, (СН3)3Si], 1.35 (d, J = 7 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.38 (d,
J = 7 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 3.25 [1H, m, СH(СН3)2], 6.40 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 7.40 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.57 (s,
13
1Н, Н-4), 7.79 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-5). C-NMR (150 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 9.5 (3×СН3), 20.1 (СН3),
20.3 (СН3), 27.3 (СН), 89.2 (С-1a), 94.8 (С-1b), 96.2 (С-3), 98.6 (С-9), 106.9 (С-3а), 114.3 (С-6),
115.7 (С-4а), 115.8 (С-4), 116.8 (С-3), 142.7 (С-5), 152.4 (С-8а), 153.2 (С-9a), 159.0 (С-2), 160.8 (С-7).
UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 222 (4.36), 251 (4.07), 294 (2.74), 338 (2.64) nm. Anal. Calcd for C19H20O3Si:
С, 70.34; Н, 6.21; Si 8.66; found С, 69.98; Н, 5.99; Si, 8.35.
3-Ethynyl-2-isopropyl-7H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-7-one (32). To a solution of compound 31 (100 mg,
0.3 mmol) in methanol (5 mL) were added CsF (230 mg, 1.5 mmol) and benzyltrimethylammonium
chloride (28 mg, 0.15 mmol). The mixture was stirred at rt for 10 h in under argon (TLC). Then 10 mL
of water was added and the mixture was extracted with methylene chloride (5 × 4 mL). The combined
extract was washed with water, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure.
The residue was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel. Eluting with chloroform and
crystallization from diethyl ether gave compound 32 (50 mg, 66%). M.p. 82–83 °С (ether). IR (KBr, ν,
cm−1): 3435, 3059, 2979, 2935, 2877, 2185, 1732, 1685, 1625, 1577, 1471, 1433, 1388, 1321, 1286,
1
1249, 1211, 1197, 1137, 1116, 1047, 869, 819, 721, 694. H-NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3, δH): 1.25 (d,
J = 7 Hz, 3Н, СН3), 1.29 (d,3Н, J = 7 Hz, СН3), 2.37 (s, 1H, ≡CH), 3.19 [m, 1H, СH(СН3)2], 6.32 (d,
13
J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-6), 7.33 (s, 1Н, Н-9), 7.50 (s, 1Н, Н-4), 7.71 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 1Н, Н-5). C-NMR
(100 MHz, CDCl3, δC): 20.2 (СН3), 20.4 (СН3), 25.8 (СН), 80.5 (С-1a), 87.6 (С-1b), 96.1 (С-3),
100.4 (С-9), 107.3 (С-3а), 115.6 (С-6), 116.0 (С-4а), 116.4 (С-4), 116.6 (С-3), 143.5 (С-5),
152.2 (С-8а), 153.1 (С-9a), 156.9 (С-2), 160.2 (С-7). UV (EtOH) λmax (lgε): 224 (3.91), 250 (3.94),
285 (sh), 335 (3.34) nm. Anal. Calcd for C16H12O3: С, 76.18; Н, 4.79; found С, 76.31; Н, 5.09.

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3.3. Cell Culture and Cytotoxicity Assay
The human cancer cells of the MT-4, CEM-13 (the cells of T-cellular human leucosis), and U-937
(human monocytes) were used in this study. The cells were cultured in the RPMI-1640 medium that
contained 10% embryonic calf serum, L-glutamine (2 mmol/L), gentamicin (80 lg/mL), and
lincomycin (30 mg/mL) in a CO2 incubator at 37 °C. The tested compounds were dissolved in DMSO
and added to the cellular culture at the required concentrations. Three wells were used for each
concentration. The cells which were incubated without the compounds were used as a control. Cells
were placed on 96-well microliter plates and cultivated at 37 °С C in 5% CO2/95% air for 72 h. The
cell viability was assessed through an MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-phenyl-2H-tetrazolium
bromide] conversion assay. 1% MTT was added to each well. Four hours later DMSO was added and
mixed for 15 min. Optical density (D) of the samples was measured on a BioRad 680
spectrophotometer Microplate Reader (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA) at the wavelength of 570 nm. The
50% cytotoxic dose (CTD50) of each compound (i.e., the compound concentration that causes the
death of 50% of cells in a culture, or decreases the optical density twice as compared to the control
wells) was calculated from the data obtained. Statistical processing of the results was performed using
the Microsoft Excel-2007, STATISTICA 6.0, and GraphPad Prism 5.0 programs. The results are given
as an average value ± a deviation from the average. Reliability of differences (p) was estimated using
the Student t test. The differences with p < 0.05 were considered as reliable. The experimental results
are given as the data average values obtained from three independently conducted experiments.
4. Conclusions
A series of original furocoumarin derivatives having 2-(Z)- or 3-(Z)-styryl substitution in
their structures have been synthesized. The cytotoxic activity of the resulting compounds against
several cancer lines have been determined in the conventional MTT assay. The cytotoxicity data of
compounds 2–13 demonstrate that they exhibit anticancer activity in micromolar range. Structure-activity
comparison provides evidence that а 2-(Z)-styryl substitution in the furocoumarin scaffold is preferred
for cytotoxicity over the subsequent 3-(Z)-styryl substitution; the (4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)
substitution in the 9-position of 3-styrylfurocoumarins increases the cytotoxic activity in MT-4 and
U-937 cell lines. The biological results for the furocoumarin analogs of CA-4 1, reported herein,
shown that the structural modification of furocoumarins with the introduction of (Z)-styryl moiety may
prove of great importance to obtain cytotoxic anti-cancer agents.
Acknowledgments
This investigation was supported in part by the Russian Federation Basic Research (projects
12-03-92200 and 11-03-00242) and the Grants Council of the president of the Russian Federation
(grants NS-3986.2012.3 and NS-2625.2014.3).
Author Contributions
The contributions of the respective authors are as follows: A. Lipeeva performed synthesis,
identification, and structure elucidation of the compounds, and prepared the manuscript. M.M.

Molecules 2014, 19
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Shakirov contributed to checking and confirming the procedures of the structural identification,
especially interpretation of the NMR spectra. M.A. Pokrovsky and A.G. Pokrovsky contributed to the
cytotoxicity experiments. This study was performed based on the planning of E. Shults, the
corresponding author.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds reported in this paper are available from the authors.
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