Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of new delavirdine analogues carrying arylpyrrole moieties

Article abstract of DOI:10.1248/cpb.49.1406

In our search for novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 agents, 14 delavirdine analogues were synthesized and evaluated as potential anti-HIV-1 agents in cell-based assays. Compound 1Aa exhibited potent and selective anti-HIV-1 activity in acutely infected MT4 cells, with effective concentration (EC₅₀) values in the submicromolar range.

Full text of DOI:10.1248/cpb.49.1406

1406
Chem. Pharm. Bull. 49(11) 1406—1411 (2001)
Vol. 49, No. 11
Synthesis and Anti-HIV-1 Activity of New Delavirdine Analogues
Carrying Arylpyrrole Moieties
Gérard Aimè PINNA,*,a Giovanni LORIGA,a Gabriele MURINEDDU,a Giuseppe GRELLA,a
b
Massimo MURA,b Laura VARGIU,b Chiara MURGIONI,b and Paolo LA COLLA
Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tossicologico, Università di Sassari,a Via F. Muroni 23, 07100 Sassari, Sardinia, Italy and
Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari,b Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari,
Sardinia, Italy. Received May 11, 2001; accepted August 2, 2001
In our search for novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 agents, 14 delavirdine analogues were
synthesized and evaluated as potential anti-HIV-1 agents in cell-based assays. Compound 1Aa exhibited potent
and selective anti-HIV-1 activity in acutely infected MT4 cells, with effective concentration (EC50) values in the
submicromolar range.
Key words delavirdine analogue; arylpyrrole motif synthesis; anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the re- atives of the general structure reported in Chart 1.
sult of an infection by the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV)-1. This retrovirus shows a specific tropism for the Chemistry
helper/inducer T cells, leading to their depletion. The resul-
Title delavirdine analogues 1 were prepared in a conver-
tant profound immunosuppression predisposes patients to gent manner as shown in Chart 2.
life-threatening opportunistic infections.1) The current most
The acids 2—9 were reacted, with a stoichiometric amount
successful strategy to HIV therapy is treatment with a combi- of N-isopropyl-N-(2-piperazine-3-pyridyl)amine (10), in the
nation of two types of anti-HIV-1 agents: HIV-1 reverse tran- presence of 1,1Ј-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) or 1-(3-dimethyl-
scriptase inhibitors (RTIs) and protease inhibitors.2,3) The aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), to
RTIs can be further subdivided into nucleoside (NI) and non- give intermediates 11—16 and the target compounds 1Ag
nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTI).4) Among NNRTIs,5) the and 1Bg in low to moderate yields. Anilino-derived com-
discovery of the bis(heteroaryl)piperazine (BHAP) class has pounds 1Ad—f and 1Bd—f were prepared from intermedi-
led to the development of the clinical candidates atevirdine ates 11—13 by hydrogenation with H2 and 10% Pd–C, or
and delavirdine. The latter as mesylate salt is currently mar- from 14—16 by transfer hydrogenation with HCOONH4 and
keted under the name Rescriptor®. Unfortunately, clinical ev- 10% Pd–C. Finally, treatment of anilino compounds with
idence has demonstrated limited long-term efficacy for this methansulfonyl chloride in pyridine gave the mesylates
agent even in combinations, due to the appearance of drug 1Aa—c and 1Ba—c.
resistant mutant viruses6) and because of short serum half-
Carboxylic acids 2—9 were prepared according to Charts
3 and 4. The condensation reaction of b arylacroleins 17—
life7) (t1/2ϭ5.8 h).
To circumvent these therapeutic difficulties, the discovery 20 with methyl azidoacetate and sodium methoxide gave
of new delavirdine analogues with enhanced activity and/or azides 21—24. The pyrroles 25—27 and 288) were prepared
metabolic stability is actively pursued. Therefore, following by thermal cyclization of the azides 21—24 using boiling xy-
molecular simplification as a criterion of rational drug de- lene. Alkaline hydrolysis of these pyrroles afforded 5-aryl-
sign, we synthesized simple bis(heteroaryl)piperazinyl deriv- 1H-2-pyrrolcarboxylic acids 2—5 (Chart 3).
Chart 1
To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: pinlab@uniss.it
© 2001 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

November 2001
1407
Reagents: (i) N3–CH2COOCH3, CH3ONa; (ii) xylene; (iii) KOH/H2O 12%.
Chart 3
Reagents: (i) CDI or EDC in THF; (ii) 10% Pd/C, EtOH; (iii) HCO2NH4, 10% Pd/C,
MeOH; (iv) CH3SO2Cl, pyridine in CH2Cl2.
Chart 2
The arylpyrroles 40—43 were prepared by 5-exo-trig cy-
clization9) of the a-cyano-g-keto esters 32—34, 36 with
gaseous HCl in Et2O. Pyrrole 44 was synthesized by hydride
hydrogenolysis of 43 using ammonium formate in the pres-
ence of palladium on carbon. The a-cyano-g-keto esters
32,10) 33 and 3410) were obtained together with the bis alky-
lating products 37—39 by alkylation of ethyl cyanoacetate
with known or commercially available bromides 29,11) 30,11)
31 and K2CO3 in acetone. Interestingly, nitration of 34 with
potassium nitrate in concentrate sulphuric acid produced the
m-nitrophenyl-g-keto-a-carbamoyl-ester which was dehy-
Reagents: (i) NC–CH2COOEt, K2CO3; (ii) H2SO4 conc., KNO3; (iii) POCl3, CH2Cl2;
(iv) HCl gas, Et2O; (v) HCOONH4 or H2, MeOH, 10% Pd/C; (vi) KOH/H2O 12%.
Chart 4
drated to give the desired cyanoketoester 36. Final alkaline tuted derivative 4814) (15%), which were resolved by Al2O3
hydrolysis of 40—44 afforded the acids 6—9.
chromatography eluting with CHCl3. Protection of the re-
The other key intermediate, the pyridylpiperazine 10 was maining free nitrogen of 47 as tert-butyl-carbamate, and sub-
prepared in a fashion similar to that reported previously12) sequent hydrogenation, reductive alkylation, and deprotec-
and it is shown in Chart 5. However, we optimized the nucle- tion provided the desired N-isopropyl-N-(2-piperazine-3-
ophilic aromatic substitution as follows: the 2-chloro-3-ni- pyridyl)amine 10 as already reported.12)
tropyridine 46 was reacted with 10 eq of piperazine in the
presence of diisopropylethylamine furnishing a mixture of 1- Results and Discussion
(3-nitro-2-pyridyl)piperazine 4713) (60%) and of bis-substi-
The newly synthesized delavirdine analogues 1 were eval-

1408
Vol. 49, No. 11
Table 2. Antiviral Activity of 1Aa against HIV Wild-Type and Resistant
Mutants
K103N–
Y181C
WTIIIB
K103R
Y181C
a)
Compd. CC50
b)
c)
c)
b)
b)
EC50
EC90
0.8
EC90
EC50
EC50
1Aa
Efavirenz
29
35
0.9
Ͼ20
Ͼ20
Ͼ20
0.004
0.008
1.8
0.025
0.15
a, b) See legend to Table 1. c) Compound concentration (mM) required to reduce
the amount of p24 by 90% in WTIIIB or K103R resistant mutant. Data represent mean
values for two separate experiments. Variation among duplicate samples was less than
15%.
1Aa and it could represent an interesting hit which could fur-
ther optimized.
The effect of 1Aa on the multiplication of NNRTI-resis-
tant mutant viruses possessing the amino acid substitutions
K103R, Y181C or the double substitution K103N–Y181C is
shown in Table 2. Unfortunately, compound 1Aa was inac-
tive against the above mutant variants.
On the basis of the results reported in Table 1, several
comments can be made. In general the presence of a car-
bonyl group linked at the a position of the pyrrole ring cor-
relates with significant anti-HIV-1 activity (compounds 1A).
In fact, derivatives bearing the same junction on the pyrrole b
carbon (compounds 1B) were devoid of antiretroviral activ-
ity, with the sole exception of compounds 1Bf and 1Bg.
Among compounds 1A, high anti-HIV-1 activity is correlated
with the presence of a polar group (NH2 or CH3SO2NH) in
the para position of the phenyl moiety.
Reagents: (i) N-Ethyl(iso-Pr)2 amine, CH2Cl2; (ii) (BOC)2O, Et3N, CH2Cl2; (iii) H2,
MeOH, 10% Pd/C; (iv) CH3COCH3, NaCNBH3, MeOH; (v) CF3COOH, CH2Cl2.
Chart 5
Table 1. Cytotoxicity and Anti-HIV Activity of Compounds 1
Although compound 1Aa is less potent than delavirdine
and, like this latter, is inactive against clinically relevant
NNRTIs resistant mutants, we think to introduce further
chemical modifications in order to obtain compounds with an
enhanced potency against the above mutants.
a)
b)
Compd.
Ar
X
CC50
EC50
SIc)
116
Experimental
1Aa
1Ab
1Ac
1Ad
1Ae
1Af
1Ag
1Ba
1Bb
1Bc
1Bd
1Be
1Bf
p-CH3SO2NHC6H4 2-CO
m-CH3SO2NHC6H4 2-CO
29
21
0.25
6
Chemistry. General Unless otherwise noted, all materials were ob-
tained from commercial suppliers and used without purification. Anhydrous
solvents were obtained from Aldrich in sure-seal bottles.
All reactions involving air- or moisture-sensitive compounds were per-
formed under an argon atmosphere. Flash chromatography was performed
using Merck Silica gel 60 (230—400 mesh ASTM).
3.5
o-CH3SO2NHC6H4 2-CO Ͼ200 Ͼ200
p-NH2C6H4
m-NH2C6H4
o-NH2C6H4
C6H5
2-CO
2-CO
2-CO
2-CO
27
42
72
26
24
35
22
2
3
16
Ͼ26
Ͼ24
Ͼ35
Ͼ22
13.5
14
4.5
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed with Polygram® SIL N-
HR-/HV254 precoated plastic sheet (0.2 mm). 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra were
determined in CDCl3 unless otherwise specified in the Experimental, with
superconducting Fourier transform (FT)-NMR using a XL-200 Varian appa-
ratus at 200 MHz.
p-CH3SO2NHC6H4 3-CO
m-CH3SO2NHC6H4 3-CO
o-CH3SO2NHC6H4 3-CO
p-NH2C6H4
m-NH2C6H4
o-NH2C6H4
C6H5
3-CO Ͼ200 Ͼ200
3-CO
3-CO
3-CO
21
98
78
Ͼ21
14
24
Chemical shifts are expressed in d (ppm) downfield from internal tetra-
7
3
1
methylsilane (TMS) and coupling costants in Hz. Significant H-NMR data
1Bg
are reported in the following order: multiplicity (s, singlet; d, doublet; t,
triplet; q, quartet; m, multiplet; dq, double quartet; dd, double doublet; br s,
broad singlet), number of protons, and coupling costants in Hz. IR spectra
were recorded as thin films (for oils) or Nujol mulls (for solids) on NaCl
plates with a Perkin-Elmer 781 IR spectrophotometer and are expressed in n
(cmϪ1). UV–Vis spectra were recorded as ethanolic solutions with a Perkin-
Elmer Lambda 5 spectrophotometer and the absorption wavelengths are ex-
pressed in nm followed by (log e). Melting points were determined on a
Thomas Hoover capillary melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Ele-
mental analyses were performed at Laboratory of Microanalysis, Depart-
ment of Chemistry, University of Sassari (Italy), and are within Ϯ0.4% of
the calculated values. The following known materials were prepared as de-
scribed in the literature: 29,11) 3011) or obtained from commercial suppliers
(17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 45, 46).
Delavirdine
Ͼ100
0.01
a) Compound concentration (mM) required to reduce the viability of mock-infected
MT-4 cells by 50%, as determined by the MTT method. b) Compound concentration
(mM) required to achieve 50% protection of MT-4 cells from the HIV-1-induced cy-
topathogenicity, as determined by the MTT method. c) Selectivity Index (ratio:
CC50/EC50). Data represent mean values for two separate experiments. Variation
among duplicate samples was less than 15%.
uated for their inhibitory effects against the HIV-1 multipli-
cation in acutely infected MT4 cells (Table 1).
Under our assay conditions, some of the new compounds,
elicited significant anti-HIV-1 activities, with effective con-
centration (EC50) values ranging from 0.25 to 10 mM (1Aa,
1Ad, 1Ae, 1Ab).
[4-[3-(Isopropylamino)-2-pyridyl]piperazino]-(5-phenyl-1H-2-
pyrrolyl)methanone (1Ag)
A solution of 5-phenyl-1H-2-pyrrolecar-
boxylic acid10) (5) (0.44 g, 2.37 mmol) and CDI (0.49 g, 2.37 mmol) in
The most potent compound in this series was compound

November 2001
1409
tetrahydrofuran (THF) (6 ml) was stirred for 1 h at room temperature and
[4-[3-(Isopropylamino)-2-pyridyl]piperazino]-[5-(4-aminophenyl)-1H-
under argon atmosphere. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, and N- 2-pyrrolyl]-methanone (1Ad) A solution of 11 (0.25 g, 5.75 mmol) in dry
isopropyl-N-(2-piperazine-3-pyridyl)amine 1012) (0.49 g, 2.22 mmol) in THF EtOH (8 ml) was treated with 10% Pd/C (0.025 g) in a Parr shaker. The ap-
(7 ml) was added. The reaction was stirred for 12 h at room temperature, and
paratus was sealed under hydrogen pressure to 30 psi, heated at 35 °C for 2 h.
poured into NaHCO3 solution. The aqueous mixture was extracted with The apparatus was then cooled to room temperature, vented and the contents
CH2Cl2. The organic layer was washed with NaHCO3 solution, dried over filtered. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give 0.20 g (86.9%) of 1Ad
Na2SO4 and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chro- as a green solid: Rf 0.52 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 111—114 °C; IR:
matography (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ8 : 2) to give 0.35 g (40.4%) of 1Ag as a 3330, 3190, 1620; UV: 209 (4.20), 256 (4.01), 320 (4.33); 1H-NMR: 1.24 (d,
yellow oil: Rf 0.23 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ8 : 2); mp 132—135 °C (EtOH) as
6H, Jϭ7.4 Hz), 1.70 (br s, 2H, exch. with D2O), 3.08—3.25 (m, 4H), 3.50—
1Ag·3HCl·3H2O; IR: 3340, 3150, 1620; UV: 206 (4.21), 215 (4.15), 257 3.70 (m, 1H), 3.90—4.08 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 6.35—
1
(3.96), 308 (4.30); H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.05—3.20 (m, 4H),
7.75 (m, 9H), 9.47 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H28N6O:
3.43—3.68 (m, 1H), 3.90—4.10 (m, 4H), 4.11—4.24 (m, 1H, exch. with C, 68.29; H, 6.98; N, 20.78. Found: C, 68.36; H, 7.04; N, 20.72.
D2O), 6.53—7.75 (m, 10H), 10.03 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd
for C23H27N5O·3HCl·3H2O: C, 49.96; H, 6.56; Cl, 19.24; N, 12.67. Found:
C, 49.86; H, 6.53; Cl, 19.29; N, 12.69.
The following compounds (1Ae, 1Af) were prepared by a manner similar
to that used for 1Ad.
1Ae: Yield 79.8%; Rf 0.28 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 97—100 °C;
The following compounds (1Bg, 14—16) were prepared by a manner sim- IR: 3320, 3200, 1620; UV: 216 (4.37), 252 (4.24), 309 (4.40); 1H-NMR:
ilar to that used for 1Ag.
1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 1.69 (br s, 2H, exch. with D2O), 3.02—3.22 (m,
1Bg: Yield 30.8%; Rf 0.40 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 140—143 °C 4H), 3.45—3.65 (m, 1H), 3.88—4.08 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with
(EtOH) as 1Bg·3HCl·3H2O; IR: 3335, 3150, 1620; UV: 207 (3.89), 216 D2O), 6.46—7.22 (m, 9H), 9.59 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for
(3.88), 259 (3.72), 283 (3.75); 1H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 2.99—3.15
C23H28N6O: C, 68.29; H, 6.98; N, 20.78. Found: C, 68.33; H, 7.00; N, 20.70.
(m, 4H), 3.43—3.68 (m, 1H), 3.80—3.99 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with
1Af: Yield 82.6%; Rf 0.20 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 101—103 °C;
D2O), 6.63—7.69 (m, 10H), 10.48 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd IR: 3340, 3210, 1620; UV: 216 (4.36), 253 (4.24), 293 (4.16), 316 (4.21);
for C23H27N5O·3HCl·3H2O: C, 49.96; H, 6.56; Cl, 19.24; N, 12.67. Found:
C, 49.99; H, 6.54; Cl, 19.21; N, 12.68.
1H-NMR: 1.28 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 2.80 (br s, 2H, exch. with D2O), 3.04—
3.22 (m, 4H), 3.45—3.68 (m, 1H), 3.88—4.04 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s, 1H, exch.
14: Yield 62.5%; Rf 0.47 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 238—242 °C with D2O), 6.40—7.80 (m, 9H), 9.90 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd
(triturated with hexane); IR: 3330, 3150, 1620, 1515, 1340; UV: 206 (4.35), for C23H28N6O: C, 68.29; H, 6.98; N, 20.78. Found: C, 68.35; H, 7.02; N,
238 (4.20), 318 (3.80), 373 (4.10); 1H-NMR: 1.26 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.05—
3.22 (m, 4H), 3.48—3.63 (m, 1H), 3.64—3.80 (m, 4H), 3.85—4.02 (br s,
1H, exch. with D2O), 6.64—8.20 (m, 8H), 12.17 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O).
Anal. Calcd for C23H25ClN6O3: C, 58.91; H, 5.37; Cl, 7.56; N, 17.92. Found:
C, 58.78; H, 5.45; Cl, 7.50; N, 17.88.
20.65.
[4-[3-(Isopropylamino)-2-pyridyl]piperazino]-[5-(4-aminophenyl)-1H-
3-pyrrolyl]-methanone (1Bd) A mixture of 14 (0.20 g, 0.42 mmol), ammo-
nium formate (0.24 g, 3.78 mmol) and 10% Pd/C (0.2 g) in CH3OH (10 ml)
was stirred overnight at room temperature under argon atmosphere. The re-
15: Yield 59.5%; Rf 0.37 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 82—85 °C (trit- action mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. The
urated with hexane); IR: 3325, 3150, 1620, 1510, 1350; UV: 211 (4.40), 256 crude residue was taken with acetone, and the acetone mixture filtered. The
1
(4.24), 284 (4.08); H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.4 Hz), 3.03—3.20 (m, 4H),
filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the resulting residue was submitted to
3.48—3.62 (m, 1H), 3.70—3.90 (m, 4H), 4.17 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), flash silica gel chromatography, eluting with 9.5 : 0.5 CHCl3 : MeOH to give
6.52—7.99 (m, 8H), 11.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for 0.13 g (76.4%) of 1Bd as a cream solid: Rf 0.36 (CHCl3 : CH3OHϭ9.5 : 0.5);
C23H25ClN6O3: C, 58.91; H, 5.37; Cl, 7.56; N, 17.92. Found: C, 58.95; H,
5.28; Cl, 7.60; N, 17.81.
mp 99—101 °C; IR: 3355, 3200, 1620; UV: 211 (4.44), 260 (4.20), 292
(4.34); 1H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz),
16: Yield 66.3%; Rf 0.45 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 108—113 °C 2.98—3.20 (m, 4H), 3.45—3.65 (m, 1H), 3.84—4.00 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s,
(triturated with hexane); IR: 3335, 3140, 1620, 1510, 1350; UV: 210 (4.47), 1H, exch. with D2O), 4.60 (br s, 2H, exch. with D2O), 6.95—7.90 (m, 9H),
259 (4.37), 298 (4.35); 1H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.05—3.20 (m, 10.05 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H28N6O: C, 68.29; H,
4H), 3.45—3.62 (m, 1H), 3.65—4.07 (m, 4H), 4.10 (br s, 1H, exch. with 6.98; N, 20.78. Found: C, 68.33; H, 7.09; N, 20.71.
D2O), 6.57—8.38 (m, 8H), 11.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for
C23H25ClN6O3: C, 58.91; H, 5.37; Cl, 7.56; N, 17.92. Found: C, 59.03; H,
5.41; Cl, 7.49; N, 17.81.
[4-[3-(Isopropylamino)-2-pyridyl]piperazino]-[5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H- 3350, 3200, 1620; UV: 214 (4.33), 233 (4.31), 281 (4.07), 308 (3.98); H-
2-pyrrolyl]methanone (11) A mixture of 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-2-pyrrole- NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.02—3.20 (m, 4H), 3.42—3.68 (m, 1H),
carboxilic acid (2) (0.42 g, 1.78 mmol), N-isopropyl-N-(2-piperazine-3- 3.84—4.02 (m, 4H), 4.77 (br s, 3H, exch. with D2O), 6.50—7.70 (m, 9H),
pyridyl) amine 1012) (0.43 g, 1.95 mmol) and EDC (0.41 g, 2.12 mmol) in 8.36 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H28N6O: C, 68.29; H,
THF (6 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 12 h under argon atmo- 6.98; N, 20.78. Found: C, 68.35; H, 7.01; N, 20.69.
The following compounds (1Be, 1Bf) were prepared by a manner similar
to that used for 1Bd.
1Be: Yield 47.6%; Rf 0.57 (CHCl3 : CH3OHϭ9 : 1); mp 96—99 °C; IR:
1
sphere. The reaction mixture was poured into aqueous solution of NaHCO3
1Bf: Yield 56.5%; Rf 0.14 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 75—80 °C;
1
and extracted with CHCl3. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried IR: 3350, 3180, 1620; UV: 241 (4.46), 279 (4.33), sh 304 (4.14); H-NMR:
over MgSO4 and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.02—3.18 (m, 4H), 3.30—3.70 (m, 4H, 3H exch.
chromatography (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ6 : 4) to give 0.42 g (53.7%) of 11 as with D2O), 3.82—3.98 (m, 4H), 6.55—7.30 (m, 9H), 9.46 (br s, 1H, exch.
yellow solid: Rf 0.42 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 224—227 °C (tritu- with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H28N6O: C, 68.29; H, 6.98; N, 20.78. Found:
rated with acetone); IR: 3325, 3180, 1620, 1500, 1320; UV: 208 (4.15), 256 C, 68.23; H, 6.90; N, 20.81.
1
(4.06), sh 320 (3.81), 375 (4.13); H-NMR: 1.26 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.00—
N-[4-[5-([4-[3-(Isopropylamino)-2-pyridyl]piperazino]-carbonyl)-1H-
3.20 (m, 4H), 3.55—3.70 (m, 1H), 3.95—4.05 (m, 4H), 6.57—8.24 (m, 9H), 2-pyrrolyl]phenyl]methansulfonamide (1Aa) A mixture of 1Ad (0.14 g,
11.32 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H26N6O3: C, 63.58; H, 0.35 mmol), pyridine (0.056 ml, 0.69 mmol), and methanesulfonyl chloride
6.03; N, 19.34. Found: C, 63.52; H, 6.06; N, 19.40.
The following compounds (12, 13) were prepared by a manner similar to perature. The mixture was diluted with CH2Cl2 (7.5 ml) and water (3 ml), the
that used for 11. layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried
(0.027 ml, 0.35 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (1.5 ml) was stirred for 12 h at room tem-
12: Yield 49.4%; Rf 0.46 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 78—81 °C; IR: over Na2SO4, and evaporated in vacuo to give a crude brown oil. The result-
1
3330, 3180, 1620, 1510, 1370; UV: 208 (4.30), 256 (4.18), 309 (4.40); H- ing material was submitted to flash silica gel chromatography, eluting with
NMR: 1.27 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.6 Hz), 3.10—3.20 (m, 4H), 3.50—3.65 (m, 1H), 9 : 1 CHCl3 : CH3OH to afford 0.11 g (64.7%) of 1Aa: Rf 0.16 (petrol
3.95—4.05 (m, 4H), 6.60—8.10 (m, 8H), 8.46 (s, 1H), 11.11 (br s, 1H, exch.
with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H26N6O3: C, 63.58; H, 6.03; N, 19.34. Found: UV: 209 (4.29), sh 219 (4.24), 256 (4.10), 314 (4.48); 1H-NMR: 1.29 (d, 6H,
C, 63.52; H, 6.00; N, 19.33. Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.01 (s, 3H), 3.30—3.50 (m, 4H), 3.55—3.78 (m, 1H), 3.90—
ether : EtOAcϭ4 : 6); mp 221—223 °C; IR: 3340, 3130, 1620, 1390, 1200;
13: Yield 62.4%; Rf 0.20 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 150—153 °C; 4.10 (m, 4H), 4.15 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 6.40—7.90 (m, 9H), 8.73
IR: 3325, 3200, 1620, 1530, 1360; UV: 205 (4.34), 255 (4.31), sh 285 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 11.02 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for
1
(4.10); H-NMR: 1.26 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.10—3.20 (m, 4H), 3.50—3.65
C24H30N6O3S: C, 59.73; H, 6.27; N, 17.41; S, 6.64. Found: C, 59.68; H,
(m, 1H), 3.85—4.00 (m, 4H), 6.35—7.80 (m, 9H), 10.45 (br s, 1H, exch. 6.18; N, 17.42; S, 6.70.
with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C23H26N6O3: C, 63.58; H, 6.03; N, 19.34. Found:
C, 63.56; H, 6.08; N, 19.38.
The following compounds (1Ab, 1Ac, 1Ba, 1Bb, 1Bc) were prepared by a
manner similar to that used for 1Aa.

1410
1Ab: Yield 94.7%; Rf 0.42 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 214—216 °C
(triturated with hexane); IR: 3340, 3150, 1620, 1380, 1210; UV: 211 (4.28),
sh 220 (4.08), 253 (4.02), 310 (4.36); 1H-NMR: [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]
1.26 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 2.97 (s, 3H), 3.02—3.25 (m, 4H), 3.46—3.68 (m,
1H), 3.88—4.10 (m, 4H), 4.18 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 6.50—7.70 (m,
9H), 9.22 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O); 10.31 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal.
Calcd for C24H30N6O3S: C, 59.73; H, 6.27; N, 17.41; S, 6.64. Found: C,
59.70; H, 6.25; N, 17.36; S, 6.67.
Vol. 49, No. 11
of azide 21 (0.60 g, 2.19 mmol) in xylene (9.0 ml) was refluxed for 15 min.
After cooling the resulting precipitate was filtered to give 0.35 g (64.8%) of
25 as orange prisms: Rf 0.57 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp 245—248 °C;
IR: 3320, 1690, 1520, 1348; UV: 207 (4.00), 225 (3.84), 268 (3.91), 367
1
(4.25); H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 3.89 (s, 3H), 6.66—6.78 (m,
1H), 6.85—7.00 (m, 1H), 8.05 (ABq, 4H), 11.62 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O).
Anal. Calcd for C12H10N2O4: C, 58.54; H, 4.09; N, 11.38. Found: C, 58.49;
H, 4.08; N, 11.40.
The following compounds (26, 27) were prepared by a manner similar to
that used for 25.
1Ac: Yield 40.0%; Rf 0.35 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 197—200 °C
(triturated with acetone); IR: 3340, 3150, 1620, 1390, 1210; UV: 203 (4.11),
sh 226 (3.97), 257 (3.93), 304 (4.04); 1H-NMR: 1.26 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz),
2.80 (s, 3H), 3.02—3.20 (m, 4H), 3.50—3.70 (m, 1H), 3.80—4.10 (m, 4H),
4.15 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 6.30—8.61 (m, 10H, 1H exch. with D2O);
10.50 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C24H30N6O3S: C, 59.73; H,
6.27; N, 17.41; S, 6.64. Found: C, 59.67; H, 6.31; N, 17.45; S, 6.66.
1Ba: Yield 13.0%; Rf 0.42 (CHCl3 : CH3OHϭ9 : 1); mp 166—168 °C
(EtOH/H2O); IR: 3335, 3140, 1620, 1385, 1220; UV: 209 (4.47), 262 (4.25),
26: Yield 83.8%; Rf 0.54 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp 196—198 °C;
IR: 3310, 1680, 1525, 1350; UV: 211 (4.06), 235 (3.92), 296 (4.27); 1H-
NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 3.85 (s, 3H), 6.52—6.70 (m, 1H),
6.88—7.00 (m, 1H), 7.40—8.80 (m,4H), 11.83 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O).
Anal. Calcd for C12H10N2O4: C, 58.54; H, 4.09; N, 11.38. Found: C, 58.56;
H, 4.05; N, 11.35.
27: Yield 76.2%; Rf 0.51 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp 149—150 °C;
IR: 3315, 1690, 1528, 1345; UV: 205 (4.03), 233 (3.84), 276 (4.21), 350
(3.23); 1H-NMR: 3.81 (s, 3H), 6.45—6.55 (m, 1H), 6.90—7.02 (m, 1H),
7.40—7.90 (m, 4H), 9.91 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for
C12H10N2O4: C, 58.54; H, 4.09; N, 11.38. Found: C, 58.60; H, 4.11; N,
11.33.
1
293 (4.41); H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 2.98 (s, 3H), 3.00—3.20 (m,
4H), 3.40—3.65 (m, 1H), 3.78—4.00 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with
D2O), 6.45—7.75 (m, 10H, 1H exch. with D2O); 9.70 (br s, 1H, exch. with
D2O). Anal. Calcd for C24H30N6O3S: C, 59.73; H, 6.27; N, 17.41; S, 6.64.
Found: C, 59.68; H, 6.29; N, 17.44; S, 6.71.
Methyl 2-Azido-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-penta-2,4-dienoate (21) To a solu-
tion of CH3ONa, prepared starting from CH3OH (13.85 ml) and Na (0.38 g),
a solution of p-NO2-cynnamaldehyde (17) (1.5 g, 8.47 mmol) and methyl
azidoacetate (1.95 g, 17 mmol) in CH3OH (7.5 ml) was added dropwise at
Ϫ10 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred and allowed to warm to room tem-
perature for 1.5 h, and then poured into water. The aqueous mixture was ex-
tracted with Et2O. The resulting precipitate was filtered to give 0.70 g
(30.2%) of 21 as brown solid: Rf 0.78 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp
235—237 °C; IR: 2110, 1680, 1515, 1345; UV: 205 (4.00), 230 (3.86), 292
(3.91), 371 (4.32); H-NMR: 3.90 (s, 3H), 6.65—7.40 (m, 3H), 7.90 (ABq,
4H). Anal. Calcd for C12H10N4O4: C, 52.56; H, 3.68; N, 20.43. Found: C,
52.50; H, 3.73; N, 20.35.
The following compounds (22, 23) were prepared by a manner similar to
that used for 21.
22: Yield 23.7%; Rf 0.72 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 194—195 °C;
IR: 2110, 1680, 1520, 1345; UV: 210 (3.99), 240 (4.10), 325 (4.37), 345
(4.31); 1H-NMR: 3.90 (s, 3H), 6.65—7.40 (m, 3H), 7.50—8.35 (m, 4H).
Anal. Calcd for C12H10N4O4: C, 52.56; H, 3.68; N, 20.43. Found: C, 52.59;
H, 3.62; N, 20.39.
23: Yield 45.8%; Rf 0.33 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ8 : 2); mp 144—146 °C
(MeOH); IR: 2110, 1685, 1550, 1340; UV: 209 (4.23), 255 (4.12), 273
(4.19); 1H-NMR: 3.89 (s, 3H), 6.70—7.38 (m, 3H), 7.40—8.02 (m, 4H).
Anal. Calcd for C12H10N4O4: C, 52.56; H, 3.68; N, 20.43. Found: C, 52.48;
H, 3.71; N, 20.32.
1Bb: Yield 25.8%; Rf 0.43 (CHCl3 : CH3OHϭ9 : 1); mp 108—110 °C
(Et2O); IR: 3340, 3140, 1620, 1390, 1210; UV: 219 (4.47), 259 (4.19), 289
(4.22); 1H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 3.03 (s, 3H), 3.04—3.22 (m, 4H),
3.50—3.70 (m, 1H), 3.80—4.00 (m, 4H), 4.20 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O),
6.60—7.75 (m, 10H, 1H exch. with D2O); 9.72 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O).
Anal. Calcd for C24H30N6O3S: C, 59.73; H, 6.27; N, 17.41; S, 6.64. Found:
C, 59.80; H, 6.24; N, 17.38; S, 6.71.
1Bc: Yield 8.7%; Rf 0.72 (CHCl3 : CH3OHϭ9 : 1); mp 95—100 °C (tritu-
rated with acetone); IR: 3335, 3145, 1620, 1390, 1215; UV: 225 (4.52), 252
(4.50), 284 (4.22), 312 (4.10); 1H-NMR: 1.25 (d, 6H, Jϭ6.2 Hz), 2.95 (s,
3H), 3.00—3.20 (m, 4H), 3.40—3.65 (m, 1H), 3.70—3.95 (m, 4H), 4.20
(br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 6.45—7.75 (m, 9H), 8.90 (br s, 1H, exch. with
D2O); 11.02 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C24H30N6O3S: C,
59.73; H, 6.27; N, 17.41; S, 6.64. Found: C, 59.75; H, 6.31; N, 17.44; S,
6.60.
1
5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-1H-2-pyrrole Carboxylic Acid (2) A mixture of 25
(0.33 g, 1.32 mmol) in aqueous 12% KOH solution (18 ml) was refluxed for
1 h. The reaction mixture was poured into 1 N HCl under ice cooling. The
precipitated formed was filtered off, washed with water and air dried to give
0.30 g (quant.) of 2 as yellow solid: Rf 0.21 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp
243—245 °C (EtOH); IR: 3400, 1660, 1515, 1350; UV: 206 (3.99), 236
1
(3.86), 265 (3.94), 390 (4.21); H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 3.28
(br s, 1H, exch. with D2O); 6.60—6.70 (m, 1H), 6.85—7.08 (m, 1H), 8.1
(ABq, 4H), 11.64 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C11H8N2O4: C,
56.90; H, 3.47; N, 12.06. Found: C, 56.87; H, 3.42; N, 12.15.
The following compounds (3, 4, 7, 8) were prepared by a manner similar
to that used for 2.
Ethyl 2-Chloro-5-(3-nitrophenyl)-1H-3-pyrrole Carboxylate (41)
A
solution of 36 (0.50 g, 1.81 mmol) in THF (6 ml) was bubbled with an excess
of gaseous HCl (ca. 1 g) at 0—5 °C. After the HCl addition was completed
the cooling bath was removed and the stirring continued at room tem-
perature for 5 h. Solvent was then evaporated and the resulting residue was
subjected to flash silica gel chromatography, eluting with 7 : 3 petrol
ether : EtOAc to give 0.25 g (78.6%) of 41 as a yellow prisms: Rf 0.66 (petrol
ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp 211—213 °C (Et2O); IR: 3220, 1660, 1530, 1340;
UV: 209 (4.11), 273 (4.01), 290 (3.97); 1H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops
(CD3)2SO]: 1.38 (t, 3H, Jϭ7.2 Hz), 4.31 (q, 2H, Jϭ7.2 Hz), 7.00 (d, 1H,
Jϭ3 Hz), 6.75—8.30 (m, 4 H), 12.48 (br s, 1H exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd
for C13H11ClN2O4: C, 52.98; H, 3.76; N, 9.51; Cl, 12.03. Found: C, 52.96; H,
3.79; N, 9.57; Cl, 12.11.
42: This compound was prepared by a manner similar to that used for 41:
yield 76.3%; Rf 0.49 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ7 : 3); mp 139—142 °C (EtOH);
IR: 3190, 1660, 1525, 1342; UV: 211 (4.28), 260 (4.17), 298 (4.15); 1H-
NMR: 1.36 (t, 3H, Jϭ7.4 Hz), 4.31 (q, 2H, Jϭ7.4 Hz), 6.83 (d, 1H,
Jϭ3.0 Hz), 7.35—7.95 (m, 4H), 9.28 (br s, 1H exch. with D2O). Anal. Calcd
for C13H11ClN2O4: C, 52.98; H, 3.76; N, 9.51; Cl, 12.03. Found: C, 52.85; H,
3.71; N, 9.53; Cl, 12.09.
Ethyl 2-Cyano-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxobutanoate (32) and Ethyl 2-
Cyano-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-[4-(nitrophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-4-oxobutanoate
(37) A mixture of ethyl cyanoacetate (23.41 ml, 220 mmol) and finely
powdered K2CO3 (7.74 g, 56 mmol) was warmed at 40—45 °C and then
stirred for 45 min. To the resulting pink suspension a solution of 29 (6.8 g,
28 mmol) in acetone (61 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred
for an additional hour at the same temperature and cooled to room tempera-
ture followed by addition of ethyl acetate (50 ml) and water (50 ml). The or-
3: Yield (quant), Rf 0.50 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 228—229 °C
(EtOH); IR: 3410, 1660, 1510, 1340; UV: 207 (3.76), 233 (3.50), 286 (3.71),
1
308 (3.89); H-NMR: 3.51 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O); 6.60—6.75 (m, 1H),
6.78—7.01 (m, 1H), 7.50—8.85 (m, 4H), 12.35 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O).
Anal. Calcd for C11H8N2O4: C, 56.90; H, 3.47; N, 12.06. Found: C, 56.84; H,
3.51; N, 12.03.
4: Yield 98.6%, Rf 0.43 (CHCl3 : CH3OHϭ9 : 1); mp 218—222 °C
1
(EtOH); IR: 3420, 1665, 1525, 1348; UV: 205 (3.99), 279 (4.05); H-NMR
[CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 4.50 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O); 6.30—6.40
(m, 1H), 6.90—7.00 (m, 1H), 7.40—7.90 (m, 4H), 10.99 (br s, 1H, exch.
with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C11H8N2O4: C, 56.90; H, 3.47; N, 12.06. Found:
C, 56.81; H, 3.49; N, 12.10.
7: Yield 58.0%, Rf 0.51 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ3 : 7); mp 251—254 °C
(EtOH); IR: 3310, 1665, 1525, 1345; UV: 215 (4.25), 273 (4.26), 288 (4.22),
359 (3.08); 1H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 2.70 (br s, 1H, exch. with
D2O); 7.01 (d, 1H, Jϭ3.2 Hz), 7.40—8.70 (m, 4H), 12.30 (br s, 1H, exch.
with D2O). Anal. Calcd for C11H7ClN2O4: C, 49.55; H, 2.65; N, 10.51; Cl,
13.30. Found: C, 49.57; H, 2.69; N, 10.49; Cl, 13.22.
8: Yield 77.0%, Rf 0.13 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ6 : 4); mp 213—217 °C
(Et2O); IR: 3410, 1660, 1510, 1350; UV: 210 (4.03), 256 (2.93), 261 (3.78);
1H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 3.98 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O); 6.69
(d, 1H, Jϭ3.2 Hz), 7.38—7.98 (m, 4H), 11.89 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O).
Anal. Calcd for C11H7ClN2O4: C, 49.55; H, 2.65; N, 10.51; Cl, 13.30. Found:
C, 49.49; H, 2.71; N, 10.50; Cl, 13.21.
Methyl 5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-1H-2-pyrrole Carboxylate (25) A mixture

November 2001
1411
ganic layer was separated and washed successively with aqueous 10% K103R virus was derived from a IIIB strain passaged in C8166 cells in the
NaH2PO4 solution (35 ml) and brine (25 ml), dried over Na2SO4, and evapo-
rated in vacuo to afford a oily product. The crude oil was submitted to “bulb
presence of Efavirenz [2 mM] and the mutations (K103R, V179D, P225H)
were identified by R. Schinazi at the Emory University of Georgia. The dou-
to bulb” distillation at 70—80 °C/(0.5 mmHg) to remove the excess of ble mutant K103N–Y181C (NIH A17) was derived from a IIIB strain pas-
CNCH2COOEt and the residue subjected to flash silica gel chromatography, saged in H9 cells in the presence of Nevirapine as described by Nunberg
eluting with 7 : 3 petrol ether : EtOAc, to give 4.50 g (58.5%) of 32 from the J. H. et al.16) The HIV-1 wt and the mutant Y181C, K103R and
first fraction as a yellow oil which on standing solidified; mp 80—82 °C
K103N–Y181C stock solutions had titres of 1.0ϫ107 (wt) 50% cell culture
(Et2O) [81—83 °C (EtOH)].10) The second fraction yielded 1.02 g (8.4%) of infectious dose (CCID50)/ml, 1.3ϫ106 (Y181C) CCID50/ml, 3.0ϫ105
37 as a solid, mp 165—166 °C [164—167 °C (Et2O)].10)
The following compounds (33, 38, 34, 39) were prepared by a manner
similar to that used for 32 and 37.
(K103R) CCID50/ml and 2.5ϫ105 (Y181C-K103N) CCID50/ml, respectively.
HIV Titration Virus titration was performed in C8166 cells by the stan-
dard limiting dilution method (dilution 1 : 2, four replica wells/dilution) in
33: Yield 33.6%; Rf 0.47 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ6 : 4); mp 68—70 °C; IR: 96-well plates. The infectious virus titre was determined by light microscope
1
2250, 1740, 1710, 1530, 1350; UV: 208 (3.84), 255 (3.52); H-NMR: 1.37 scoring of cytopathicity after 4 d of incubation, and virus titres were ex-
(t, 3H, Jϭ7.0 Hz), 3.51 (dq, 2H, Jϭ5.4, 18.4 Hz), 4.21 (dd, 1H, Jϭ5.4,
18.4 Hz), 7.45—8.20 (m, 4H). Anal. Calcd for C13H12N2O5: C, 56.52; H,
4.38; N, 10.14. Found: C, 56.41; H, 4.32; N, 10.17.
pressed as CCID50/ml.
Anti-HIV Assays Activity of the compounds against HIV-1 wt, the
Y181C mutant and the double mutant K103N–Y181C were based on inhibi-
38: Yield 10.3%; Rf 0.25 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ6 : 4); mp 162—165 °C tion of virus-induced cytopathicity in MT-4 cells acutely infected at a multi-
(Et2O); IR: 2225, 1740, 1710, 1530, 1350; UV: 206 (4.22), 217 (4.25), 232 plicity of infection of 0.01. Activity of compounds against the K103R were
1
(4.09), 368 (4.17); H-NMR: 1.36 (t, 3H, Jϭ6.8 Hz), 3.84 (s, 4H), 4.38 (q,
based on inhibition of p24 antigen in C8166 cells acutely infected at a
2H, Jϭ6.8 Hz), 7.50—8.20 (m, 8H). Anal. Calcd for C21H17N3O8: C, 57.41; m.o.i.ϭ0.01.17) Briefly, 50 ml of culture medium containing 1ϫ104 cells
H, 3.90; N, 9.56. Found: C, 57.44; H, 3.87; N, 9.68.
34: Yield 88.6%; mp 52—55 °C [53—55 °C (EtOH)].10)
39: Yield 5.3%; mp 130—131 °C [130 °C (Et2O)].10)
were added to each well of flat-bottom microtitre trays containing 50 ml of
culture medium with or without test compounds. Then 20 ml of an HIV sus-
pension containing 100 (HIV-1) CCID50 was added. After a 4-d incubation,
Ethyl 2-(Aminocarbonyl)-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-4-oxobutanoate (35) To cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-1-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-
a stirred solution of 34 (0.70 g, 3.03 mmol) in 96% sulphuric acid (7 ml) tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Alternatively, anti-HIV-1 activity was
cooled at 0—3 °C, powdered KNO3 (0.50 g, 4.97 mmol) was added portion- evaluated by reduction of p24 antigen production by ELISA test (Abbott).
wise (30 min). The reaction mixture was poured onto ice to give a brown Cytotoxicity of test compounds was evaluated in parallel with their antiviral
solid wich was filtered and washed with water. The resulting precipitate was activity and was based on the viability of mock-infected cells, as monitored
triturated with MeOH to give 0.40 g (73.8%) of 35 as pale yellow prisms: Rf by the MTT method.
0.41 (petrol ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 162—165 °C (MeOH); IR: 3380,
3180, 1710, 1690, 1650, 1520, 1350; UV: 205 (3.88), 226 (3.99), 260 (3.69);
Acknowledgements Authors thank the Italian Ministero della Sanità—
1H-NMR [CDCl3ϩ2 drops (CD3)2SO]: 1.28 (t, 3H, Jϭ7.2 Hz), 3.68 (dq, 2H, Istituto Superiore di Sanità—Progetto AIDS 2000 (grant n° 40C.47) and
Jϭ5.4, 7.2 Hz), 4.05 (dd, 1H, Jϭ5.4, 7.2 Hz), 4.23 (q, 2H, Jϭ7.2 Hz), 6.43 Italian MURST (40% 2000) for financial support. The authors thank Dr.
(br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 7.21 (br s, 1H, exch. with D2O), 7.70—8.90 (m, 4
H); 13C-NMR: 12.24, 36.15, 45.69, 59.10, 120.60, 125.65, 128.71, 132.24,
135.71, 146.42, 167.62, 194.05. Anal. Calcd for C13H14N2O6: C, 53.06; H,
4.80; N, 9.52. Found: C, 53.16; H, 4.83; N, 9.46.
Daniela Ghiani for the editing of this manuscript.
References
1) Kaplan J. E., Masur H., Jaffe H. W., Holmes K. K., J. Am. Med. Assoc.,
278, 337—338 (1997).
Ethyl 2-Cyano-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-4-oxobutanoate (36) To a solution
of 35 (0.50 g, 1.7 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (10 ml), POCl3 (5 ml) was added drop-
wise at 0 °C. Then the reaction mixture was refluxed for 5 h. After cooling,
the mixture was poured onto ice, alkalinized with Na2CO3 and extracted
with CH2Cl2. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4,
filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting residue was subjected to flash
silica gel chromatography, eluting with 6 : 4 petrol ether : EtOAc to af-
ford 0.20 g (50.7%) of 36 as a light yellow solid: Rf 0.70 (petrol
ether : EtOAcϭ1 : 1); mp 78—81 °C (MeOH); IR: 2250, 1730, 1690, 1520,
1370; UV: 206 (3.88), 229 (4.31), 255 (3.85); 1H-NMR: 1.37 (t, 3H,
Jϭ7.0 Hz), 3.72 (dq, 2H, Jϭ5.4, 6.8 Hz), 4.19 (dd, 1H, Jϭ5.4, 6.8 Hz), 4.32
(q, 2H, Jϭ7.0 Hz), 7.70—8.85 (m, 4 H). Anal. Calcd for C13H12N2O5: C,
56.62; H, 4.38; N, 10.14. Found: C, 56.57; H, 4.40; N, 10.09.
1-(3-Nitro-2-pyridyl)-piperazine (47) and 1,4-Bis-(3-nitro-2-pyridyl)-
piperazine (48) To a solution of 2-chloro-3-nitropyridine (0.50 g, 3.15
mmol), diisopropylethylamine (0.64 ml, 3.67 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (35 ml)
was added piperazine (2.71 g, 31.5 mmol) under ice cooling. The mixture
was stirred for 1 h at 0 °C and then allowed to warm to room temperature.
After stirring for 16 h, the reaction mixture was poured into aqueous satu-
rated NaHCO3 solution and the whole extracted with CH2Cl2. The organic
layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated in vacuo.
The resulting residue was subjected to neutral Al2O3 column chromatogra-
phy eluting with CHCl3 to give from the first fraction 0.46 g (70.9%) of 47
as a light yellow solid: mp 83—86 °C (CHCl3/hexane) [82—87 °C].13) The
second fraction yielded 0.08 g (8.0%) of 48 as a yellow solid: mp 201—
202 °C (EtOH) [201 °C, pyridine–water].14)
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of persistently infected H9/IIIB cells. The Y181C mutant (NIH N119) was
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