Synthesis of new C-3 substituted kynurenic acid derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules25040937

The application of kynurenic acid (KYNA) as an electron-rich aromatic system in the modified Mannich reaction has been examined. The extension possibility of the reaction was tested by using amines occurring in a number of bioactive products, such as morpholine, piperidine, or N-methylpiperazine and aldehydes of markedly different reactivities, like formaldehyde and benzaldehyde. The influence of substituents attached to position 3 on the aminoalkylation was also investigated. Thus, reactions of 3-carbamoyl-substituted precursors with tertiary amine containing side-chains were also tested to afford new KYNA derivatives with two potential cationic centers. By means of NMR spectroscopic measurements, supported by DFT calculations, the dominant tautomer form of KYNA derivatives was also determined.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules25040937

molecules
Article
Synthesis of New C-3 Substituted Kynurenic
Acid Derivatives
Bálint Lo˝rinczi 1,2 , Antal Csámpai 3, Ferenc Fülöp 1,2 and István Szatmári 1,2,
*
1
Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Research Group for Stereochemistry, Hungarian Academy of
Sciences, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary;
lorinczi.balint@pharm.u-szeged.hu (B.L.); fulop@pharm.u-szeged.hu (F.F.)
Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, Eötvös u. 6,
2
H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Pázmány P. sétány 1/A,
3
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; csampai@caesar.elte.hu
*
Correspondence: szatmari.istvan@pharm.u-szeged.hu; Tel.: +36-62-341-966
ꢀꢁꢂꢀꢃꢄꢅꢆꢇ
ꢀꢁꢂꢃꢄꢅꢆ
Received: 16 January 2020; Accepted: 17 February 2020; Published: 19 February 2020
Abstract: The application of kynurenic acid (KYNA) as an electron-rich aromatic system in the
modified Mannich reaction has been examined. The extension possibility of the reaction was tested
by using amines occurring in a number of bioactive products, such as morpholine, piperidine,
or N-methylpiperazine and aldehydes of markedly different reactivities, like formaldehyde and
benzaldehyde. The influence of substituents attached to position 3 on the aminoalkylation was also
investigated. Thus, reactions of 3-carbamoyl-substituted precursors with tertiary amine containing
side-chains were also tested to afford new KYNA derivatives with two potential cationic centers.
By means of NMR spectroscopic measurements, supported by DFT calculations, the dominant
tautomer form of KYNA derivatives was also determined.
Keywords: kynurenic acid; Mannich reaction; neuroprotective activity; DFT calculations
1. Introduction
KYNA (kynurenic acid) is an endogenous product of the tryptophan (TRP) metabolism, a pathway
known to be responsible for the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and NAD
phosphate (NADP+) [
1,2]. In this pathway, TRP is converted into various compounds, including
L-kynurenine (L-KYN), which can be metabolised in two separate ways. One furnishes KYNA, whereas
the other gives 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OH-KYN) and quinolinic acid (QUIN), the precursors of
NAD [3,4].
Among the important features of KYNA, one is that it is one of the few known endogenous excitatory
amino acid receptor blockers with a broad spectrum of antagonistic properties in supraphysiological
concentrations. One of its confirmed sites of action is the α-7-nicotinic acetylcholine (α-7-nACh) receptor
and, interestingly, the other, identified recently, is a higher-affinity positive modulatory binding site at
the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor [5].
Since KYNA is a neuroprotective agent able to prevent neuronal loss following excitotoxic,
ischemia-induced, and infectious neuronal injuries [6,7], there has recently been increasing interest in
the synthesis and pharmacological studies of KYNA derivatives. The substitution of KYNA at positions
5–8 were achieved by starting from the corresponding aniline via the modified Conrad–Limpach
method [8–10]
.
The hydroxy group at position 4 was transformed to ether [10–12] or amine
functions [13–15], while the carboxylic function at position 2 was mostly modified into the corresponding
esters [10–12] or amides [16–21].
Molecules 2020, 25, 937; doi:10.3390/molecules25040937
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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Formally, KYNA can be considered to be a nitrogen-containing 1-naphthol derivative. In our
previous studies, 1-naphthol and its N-containing analogues were successfully applied in the modified
Mannich reaction (mMr) [22] leading to the corresponding aminonaphthols [23], aminoquinolinols
or aminoisoquinolinols [24,25]. A similar transformation starting from xanthurenic acid has been
described by Schmitt et al. [26]. They managed to perform regioselective aminoalkylation at position 3
on this substrate, by using benzyl-protection of 8-hydroxyl group. Our present aim was to examine
the possibility of aminoalkylation of KYNA derivatives at position 3 via a mMr approach. Since it is
postulated that the reactivity of KYNA derivatives is influenced by tautomerism, we also envisaged
identifying the tautomeric form dominant in solution. Finally, the reactivity of representative KYNA
amides, carrying N-dialkylaminoalkyl-type side-chain possibly protonated under the standard reaction
conditions, was also planned to be tested as these substrates with slightly decreased electron density at
C-3 might display a decreased reactivity compared to that produced by a KYNA ester.
2. Results
In our first experiments, ethyl 4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (1) was reacted with
2-morpholinoethylamine in the presence of aqueous formaldehyde (22% solution). The reaction was
conducted in different solvents (acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, EtOH, and 1,4-dioxane) at
different temperatures (60 ◦C, 80 ◦C, and 110 ◦C). The optimised reaction conditions were found to be
reflux temperature, using 1,4-dioxane as solvent, and 5 h reaction time. All reaction conditions led
to the formation of 3-(((2-morpholinoethyl)amino)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic
acid (2) as the single product. It is interesting to note that the media was basic enough to lead to the
hydrolysis of the ester function.
To explore the scope and limitation of the transformation,
1 was first reacted with
N,N-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine in the presence of benzaldehyde. The desired amino acid derivative
3
was isolated in a yield of 74%. Next, starting from dimethylamine or N-benzylmethylamine in the mMr,
the insertion of cationic centers in one-carbon distance at position 3 can be achieved. The structures of
the formed amino acids 4a and 4b are depicted in Scheme 1.
Scheme 1. Syntheses of kynurenic acid (KYNA) Mannich derivatives.
The extension possibility of the reaction was further tested by starting from cyclic secondary
amines such as morpholine, piperidine or N-methylpiperazine leading to 5a, 5b or 5c, respectively.
As last representative amines 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and its dimethoxy analogue were
chosen as aromatic fused cyclic secondary amines. In these cases, relatively long reaction times
(8 h and 10 h) led to the formation of 3-((3,4-dihydroisoquinolin- 2(1H)-yl)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-

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dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (6a) and 3-((6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)
methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (6b).
To test the effect of substituent at 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-positions morpholine as a representative secondary
cyclic amine was selected. First, the initial KYNA analogues (7–10) were synthesised with the
Conrad–Limpach method applying the following optimization: a) the intermediate was purified by
column chromatography using n-hexane:EtOAc as eluent and b) ring closure was carried out utilizing
1,2-dichlorobenzene instead of diphenyl ether used in the literature [8]. Reactions leading to the
formation of 11 14 were performed starting from the corresponding ethyl ester and morpholine in the
–
presence of formaldehyde (Scheme 2). It can be concluded that aryl/alkyl substituents at position 6 or
8, and the halogen at position 5 or 7 have no significant influence on the substitution at position 3.
Scheme 2. Syntheses of 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-substituted KYNA Mannich derivatives.
Since KYNA amides 16 and 17—containing cationic side-chain—proved to be the most effective
analogues [27,28], our attention focused on the substitution of these compounds at position 3 via the
mMr. In this reaction, different secondary amines such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, and morpholine were
tested. Substrates N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxamide (16) and
4-oxo-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxamide (17), synthesised according to
a literature method [21], were aminoalkylated with 15a
–c in the presence of formaldehyde, resulting in
aminoalkylated KYNA derivatives 18a–c and 19a–c, respectively (Scheme 3).
Scheme 3. Syntheses of C-3 aminoalkylated KYNA amides.
Summarizing these results and those of a previous study [29], the synthesis of this type of KYNA
derivatives containing an amide moiety at position 2 and an aminoalkyl group at position 3 can be
achieved by applying two different synthetic pathways: amidation followed by aminoalkylation (route
A) and a reverse reaction sequence (route B). Our results show that route A, that is amidation followed

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by aminoalkylation is more favorable, since it affords higher yields. For further investigation, the
synthesis of 21 as representative aminoalkylated amide has been selected.
A comparison of the overall yields to obtain 21 by using the two approaches shows that amidation
followed by aminoalkylation (route A) resulted in the formation of the desired compounds in slightly
higher yield (Scheme 4).
Scheme 4. Synthetic pathways to obtain aminoalkylated KYNA amide 21. route (A) (i) NH3/MeOH,
72%; (ii) morpholine, CH2O, 87%; route (B) (iii) CH2N2, 67%; (iv) NH3/MeOH, 88%.
In the frame of our previous work, KYNA derivatives containing cationic centers (5a, 16, 18c, 17,
19c) have been surveyed in blood-brain-barrier models. It was concluded that 5a, 18c, and 19c have
higher permeability towards the brain compared with amides 16 and 17. In the case of the permeability
measured from the brain to the outer compartment, compounds 5a and 18c showed the most promising
results [P1]. Further investigation of the transport mechanism is still in progress.
Finally, on two selected aminoalkylated KYNA amides 19a and 19b with closely related structures
we studied the possible oxo-enol tautomerisation associated with the intramolecular hydrogen-bond
framework that might exert significant influence on the intermolecular binding properties thus, on
the drug-like character of these highly fuctionalised heterocycles. On the basis of the cross-peak
correlations discernible in the 2D-COSY-, 2D-HSQC- and 2D-HMBC spectra, complete assignment of
1H- and 13C-NMR data was performed for the two investigated compounds assumed first to have oxo
structures (Figure 1). The highly similar 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of these compounds registered
in DMSO-d6 solution refer to their practically identical structural features also including oxo-enol
tautomerism. One of the two downfield broadened signals could be identified as 10-NH amide
resonance coupled with the quartet originated from the adjacent CH2 group as disclosed by a COSY
measurement carried out for 19b that gives somewhat sharper signals than does 19a. Regarding
tautomerisation, it is of pronounced importance that in the NOESY spectrum of 19b weak, but clearly
discernible cross peaks connecting H-8 doublet with the most downfielded broadened signal (separated
from the amide 10-NH signal by ca. 0.4 ppm) strongly suggest the presence of the oxo tautomer. Thus,
this signal must be originated from the skeletal 1-NH proton being in the proximity of H-8. In order
to get an additional support for the exclusive presence or dominance of the oxo tautomers over the
1
enol forms, theoretical H- and 13C-NMR chemical shifts were calculated for both 19a
,
b
and their
enol forms (Figure 1, Table 1) by GIAO method [30] using B3LYP fuctional [31
–33] and the extended
6-311++G(2d,p) basis set [34]. The calculations were carried out on the structures optimised by the
same functional with 6-31+G(d,p) basis set [35] and IEFPCM solvent model [36] employing dielectric
constant of DMSO (ε = 46.7) that represents the conditions of NMR measurements. The comparision of
the diagnostic chemical shifts of the skeletal and directly attached atoms calculated for the tautomer
pairs with the corresponding experimental 1H- and 13C-NMR chemical shifts (Table 1) supports at least
the dominance of the oxo tautomers over the enol forms. Finally, the relative thermodynamic stability
obtained for the tautomeric pairs by B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) method also confirm the dominance of the
oxo tautomers over the enol counterparts [
19b/oxo) = +0.59 kcal/mol].
∆
G(19a
/
enol − 19a
/
oxo) = +0.57 kcal/mol,
∆
G(19b
/
enol −

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Figure 1. Optimised structures of the oxo- and enol forms of representative KYNA amides 19a
,b with
the numbering of atoms used for the assignment of the experimental and calculated NMR data.
Table 1. Diagnostic 1H- and 13C chemical shifts measured for 19a
oxo- and enol forms by GIAO method a.
,
b
and calculated for the corresponding
19a
19b
oxo
enol
Experimental
1H- and 13
NMR Chemical
Shift
oxo
enol
Experimental 1H-
and 13C NMR
Chemical Shift
Calculated 1H-
and 13C NMR
Chemical Shift
Calculated 1H-
and 13C NMR
Chemical Shift
C
Calculated 1H-
and 13C NMR
Chemical Shift
Calculated 1H-
and 13C NMR
Chemical Shift
XH b
10-NH
H-5
11.70
11.31
8.05
9.60
12.78
8.61
15.05
8.88
8.73
11.70
11.32
8.03
9.64
12.72
8.62
16.51
8.22
8.65
H-6
7.26
7.72
7.98
7.28
7.72
7.96
H-7
7.58
8.07
8.16
7.60
8.07
8.09
H-8
7.81
7.83
8.37
7.84
7.82
8.30
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-4a
C-5
C-6
C-7
C-8
143.5
115.1
177.3
119.6
125.6
123.9
132.5
119.6
139.6
163.3
47.5
148.3
124.3
186.3
131.7
130.2
129.7
138.8
123.5
144.2
171.2
49.6
153.7
119.5
173.5
127.8
128.0
132.2
136.9
135.0
152.6
173.4
58.2
143.9
114.2
177.8
119.8
125.6
124.1
132.6
119.7
139.7
163.5
50.8
148.2
124.2
186.2
131.4
130.2
129.8
138.8
123.5
144.2
171.4
53.5
156.2
118.8
170.0
127.7
128.5
132.5
136.5
135.5
153.7
174.4
62.8
C-8a
C-10
C-18
a
b
Calculations were performed using B3LYP functional and 6-311++G(2d,p) basis set.
NH in the oxo tautomers,
OH in the enol tautomers.
3. Conclusions
A series of novel C-3 substituted kynurenic acid derivatives were synthesised by using the
modified Mannich reaction. Aminoalkylations were achieved starting from primary or secondary
amines, using formaldehyde as the representative aldehyde component. In addition, the applicability
of benzaldehyde was also proven. Among the amine components, cyclic secondary amines such
as morpholine, piperidine, or N-methylpiperazine were used. The limitations of the reaction were

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examined on the synthesis of different KYNA derivatives containing phenyl, chloro, or methyl
substituents in ring B. The modified Mannich reaction was further tested starting from KYNA
amides containing cationic center at the side-chain. In the case of 21 both sequences proceeding via
aminoalkylation followed by amidation or amidation followed by aminoalkylation, were investigated.
Amidation followed by aminoalkylation resulting in 21 was found to give a somewhat higher yield.
1
By means of H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy including NOESY measurement it was established
that two representative aminoalkylated products feature quinolin-4(1H)-one skeletal structure rather
than quinolin-4-ol tautomer form. The dominance of the oxo form over the enol counterpart, also
supported by DFT modelling studies, can certainly be stated for all the KYNA amides presented in
this contribution.
4. Materials and Methods
The 1H and 13C-NMR spectra were recorded in DMSO-d6, CDCl3 and D2O solutions in 5 mm
tubes at room temperature (RT), on a Bruker DRX-500 spectrometer (Bruker Biospin, Karlsruhe, Baden
Württemberg, Germany) at 500 (1H) and 125 (13C) MHz, with the deuterium signal of the solvent as
the lock and TMS as internal standard (1H, 13C). The 2D-COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC spectra of
19a and 19b were obtained by using the standard Bruker pulse programs (cosygpppqf (2D COSY with
gradient pulses for selection and purge pulses before relaxation delay d1) for COSY, noesygpphpp
(2D phase sensitive NOESY with gradient pulses in mixing time and purge pulses before relaxation
delay d1 for NOESY), hsqcetgp (2D phase sensitive HSQC using Echo/Antiecho-TPPI gradient selection
with decoupling during acquisition and using trim pulses in inept transfer) for HSQC and hmbcgpndqf
(2D H-1/X HMBC optimised on long range couplings, no decoupling during acquisition using
gradient pulses for selection) for HMBC, Bruker Biospin, Karlsruhe, Baden Württemberg, Germany).
All calculations were carried out by using Gaussian 09 software package [37]. The optimised structures
are available from the authors.
Melting points were determined on a Hinotek X-4 melting point apparatus. Elemental analyses
were performed with a Perkin-Elmer 2400 CHNS elemental analyser. Merck Kieselgel 60F254 plates
were used for TLC.
The synthesis of compounds
1H- and 13C-NMR chemical shifts were calculated for both 19a
Table 1) by GIAO method [30] using B3LYP functional [31 33] and the extended 6-311++G(2d,p) basis
1
[38] and 5a
[29] was based on the method known from the literature.
,b
and their enol forms (Figure 1,
–
set [34]. The calculations were carried out on the structures optimised by the same functional with
6-31+G(d,p) basis set [35] and IEFPCM solvent model [36] employing dielectric constant of DMSO
(ε = 46.7) that represents the conditions of NMR measurements.
4.1. General Procedure for the Synthesis of C-3 Substituted Kynurenic Acid Derivatives
(2, 3, 4a,b, 5b, 5c, 6a,b)
4-Oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1, 326 mg, 1.5 mmol), primary or
secondary amine (2.0 mmol), and aldehyde (3.0 mmol) were placed in a 50 mL round-bottom flask.
The mixture was treated at reflux temperature in 1,4-dioxane (30 mL) for 0.5–4 h. After the evaporation
of the solvent the residue was dissolved in H2O (40 mL) and extracted with DCM (3
The collected organic phases were dried (Na2SO4), the solvent was evaporated, and the residue was
crystallised from a n-hexane:EtOAc (95:5) mixture (10 mL).
×
30 mL).
4.1.1. 3-(((2-Morpholinoethyl)amino)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (2)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 2-morpholinoethylamine (260 mg, 2.0 mmol)
and aqueous formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 1 h. Yield: 473 mg (78%); M.p.
300–303 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 3.07–3.2 (2H, m); 3.47–3,56 (2H, m); 3.79 (2H, t, J = 12.2 Hz); 3.92–4.04
(4H, m); 4.47 (2H, s); 7.4 (1H, t, J = 7.5 Hz); 7.73 (1H, t, J = 8.1 Hz); 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz); 8.20 (1H, d,

Molecules 2020, 25, 937
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J = 8.0 Hz); 10.86 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 37.5; 47.8; 51.9; 54.2; 63.8; 120.3; 121.6; 124.5; 125.8;
127.1; 133.2; 141.2; 141.3; 165.4; 174.0; (Figures S1 and S2 in Supplementary Materials).
4.1.2. 3-(((2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl)amino)(phenyl)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic
acid (3)
Preparation according to general procedure, using N,N-dimethylethylene diamine (176 mg,
2.0 mmol) and benzaldehyde (318 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 0.5 h. Yield: 487 mg (74%); M.p.
193–195 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.81 (6H, s); 2.85–2.94 (1H, m); 3.12-3.22 (1H, m); 3.44–3.54 (1H, m);
4.12–4.23 (1H, m); 5.84 (1H, s); 7.30–7.41 (6H, m); 7.73 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz); 7.86 (1H, d, J = 8.5 Hz); 8.07 (1H,
d, J = 8.1 Hz); 10.01 (1H, br ~s); 12.85 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 35.7; 42.1; 44.2; 54.7; 61.2; 120.3;
124.6; 125.0; 125.8; 127.8; 128.9; 129.4; 129.7; 133.2; 136.0; 141.1; 141.2; 165.2; 173.3; (Figures S3 and S4).
4.1.3. 3-((Dimethylamino)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (4a)
Preparation according to general procedure, using dimethylamine (90 mg, 2.0 mmol) and aqueous
formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 1 h; Yield: 303 mg (82%); M.p. 246–249 ◦C. 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.75 (6H, s); 4.36 (2H, s); 7.36 (1H, t, J = 7.7 Hz); 7.68 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz); 8.01 (1H, d,
J = 7.2 Hz); 8.12 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz); 11.05 (1H, br ~s); 11.75 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 42.0; 52.6;
109.3; 120.3; 124.6; 125.0; 126.0; 133.0; 139.7; 149.1; 164.7; 178.0; (Figures S5 and S6).
4.1.4. 3-((Benzyl(methyl)amino)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (4b)
Preparation according to general procedure, using N-benzylmethylamine (242 mg, 2.0 mmol)
and aqueous formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 2 h. Yield: 411 mg (85%); M.p.
235–237 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.43–2.49 (4H, m); 4.16–4.58 (5H, m); 7.35 (1H, t, J = 7.3 Hz); 7.41–7.55
(5H, m); 7.67 (1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz); 7.99 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz); 8.10 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz); 11.82 (1H, br ~s); 12.75
(1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 37.0; 50.5; 57.7; 108.7; 119.9; 124.3; 124.5; 125.6; 129.4; 129.7; 131.0;
131.7; 132.6; 139.4; 148.6; 164.9; 177.5; (Figures S7 and S8).
4.1.5. 4-Oxo-3-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (5b)
Preparation according to general procedure, using piperidine (170 mg, 2.0 mmol) and aqueous
formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 1 h. Yield: 353 mg (73%); M.p. 215–217 ◦C. 1H
NMR (DMSO-d6); 1.38–1.52 (1H, m); 1.59–1.77 (3H, m); 1.78–1.86 (2H, m); 3.07 (2H, t, J = 12.63 Hz); 3.34
(2H, d, J = 11.93 Hz); 4.50 (2H, s); 7.44 (1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz); 7.76 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz); 8.05 (1H, d, J = 8.5 Hz);
8.14 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz); 9.35 (1H, br ~s); 12.20 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 22.0; 23.1; 51.6; 53.3;
111.4; 120.5; 125.2; 125.6; 125.9; 133.8; 139.9; 142.6; 164.6; 178.2; (Figures S9 and S10).
4.1.6. 3-((4-Methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (5c)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 1-methylpiperazine (200 mg, 2.0 mmol) and
aqueous formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 0.5 h. Yield: 352 mg (78%); M.p.
229–231 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.22 (3H, s); 2.74–3.11 (4H, m); 3.35–3.41 (4H, m); 4.35 (2H, s); 7.34
(1H, t, J = 7.4 Hz); 7.66 (1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz); 7.97 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz); 8.09 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz); 11.75 (1H,
br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 45.8; 50.1; 50.3; 52.7; 108.7; 120.3; 124.6; 124.9; 126.0; 133.0; 139.8; 148.9;
165.2; 177.9; (Figures S11 and S12).
4.1.7. 3-((3,4-Dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (6a
)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (266 mg, 2.0 mmol)
and aqueous formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 3 h. Yield: 406 mg (81%); M.p.
275–278 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 3.01–3.16 (2H, m); 3.36–3.57 (2H, m); 4.32–4.46 (2H, m); 4.51 (2H, s);
7.17–7.32 (4H, m); 7.36 (1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz); 7.68 (1H, t, J = 7.4 Hz); 8.00 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz); 8.12 (1H, d,
J = 8.0 Hz); 11.77 (1H, br ~s); 13.06 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 25.9; 47.5; 49.8; 51.7; 108.9; 120.4;

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124.7; 124.9; 126.0; 127.5; 127.8; 128.5; 129.5; 129.7; 132.4; 133.0; 139.8; 148.8; 165.2; 178.0; (Figures S13
and S14).
4.1.8. 3-((6,7-Dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)methyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxylic acid (6b)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline
(382 mg, 2.0 mmol) and aqueous formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol); reflux time: 4 h. The crystals
were purified in EtOH (10 mL). Yield: 355 mg (60%); M.p. 248–250 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.90
−
3.08
(2H, m); 3.50
−
3.60 (2H, m); 3.69 (3H, s); 3.74 (3H, s); 4.16–4.37 (2H, m); 4.49 (2H, s); 6.78 (1H, s); 6.81 (1H,
s); 7.37 (1H, t, J = 7.7 Hz); 7.67 (1H, t, J = 7.4 Hz); 8.00 (1H, d, J = 8.8 Hz); 8.13 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz); 11.75
(1H, br ~s); 13.03 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 25.3; 47.4; 49.4; 50.8; 56.0; 63.1; 108.5; 110.4; 112.0;
119.9; 120.8; 123.7; 124.3; 124.5; 125.6; 132.7; 139.4; 148.1; 148.4; 148.8; 164.8; 177.6; (Figures S15 and S16).
4.2. General Procedure for the Synthesis of 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-Substituted Kynurenic Acid Derivatives (7–10)
Diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (510 mg, 3.0 mmol) and 2.0 mmol of the corresponding aniline
derivatives (4-aminobiphenyl, 338 mg; 3-chloroaniline, 255 mg; 2-methylaniline 214 mg) were dissolved
in EtOH (60 mL). The mixture was treated at reflux temperature for 1–8 h. After the evaporation
of the solvent, the intermediate enamine was purified using column-chromatography (eluent:
n-hexane:EtOAc 1:1). After the purification the intermediate was mixed with 1,2-dichlorobenzene
(40 mL) and then was treated at reflux temperature for 10–24 h. After the solvent was removed by
evaporation, the residue was crystallised from Et2O:EtOAc 95:5 mixture (10 mL).
4.2.1. Ethyl 5-chloro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (7)
Reflux time: 8 h (for enamine formation), 24 h (for ring closure). The crystals were recrystallised
from EtOAc (5 mL). Yield: 131 mg (26%); M.p. 200–205, (lit [39]: 197–198 ◦C). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 1.37
(3H, t, J = 7. Hz); 4.42 (2H, q, J = 7.2 Hz); 6.58 (1H, s); 7.32 (1H, d, J = 7.3 Hz); 7.59 (1H, t, J = 8.1 Hz);
7.91 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz); 11.93 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 14.4; 63.1; 112.8; 119.4; 122.4; 126.9;
132.3; 132.7; 137.4; 143.2; 162.4; 194.2; (Figures S17 and S18).
4.2.2. Ethyl 4-oxo-6-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (8)
Reflux time: 1 h (for enamine formation) and 10 h (for ring closure). The crystals were recrystallised
from EtOAc (8 mL) Yield: 422 mg (72%); M.p. 263–265 ◦C, (lit [40]: 261–261.5 ◦C). 1H NMR (CDCl3);
1.39 (3H, t, J = 7.2 Hz); 4.45 (2H, q, J = 7.0 Hz); 6.68 (1H, s); 7.40 (1H, t, J = 7.1 Hz); 7.50 (2H, t, J = 7.5 Hz);
7.74 (2H, d, J = 7.5 Hz); 8.02–8.10 (2H, m); 12.10 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (CDCl3); 14.1; 63.4; 111.3; 118.8;
123.9; 126.4; 127.1; 127.8; 129.0; 132.4; 136.6; 137.8; 138.3; 139.5; 162.8; 179.3; (Figures S19 and S20).
4.2.3. Ethyl 7-chloro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (9)
Reflux time: 8 h (for enamine formation), 20 h (for ring closure). Yield: 211 mg (42%); M.p. 258–259
◦C, (lit [39]: 250–251 ◦C). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 1.37 (3H, t, J = 7.0 Hz); 4.43 (2H, q, J = 7.2 Hz); 6.65 (1H,
s); 7.39 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz); 8.01 (1H, s); 8.07 (1H, d, J = 8.8 Hz); 12.09 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6);
14.4; 63.3; 111.2; 119.1; 124.9; 124.9; 127.6; 137.7; 138.8; 141.2; 162.4; 177.5; (Figures S21 and S22).
4.2.4. Ethyl 4-oxo-8-methyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (10)
Reflux time: 3 h (for enamine formation), 14 h (for ring closure). Yield: 337 mg (73%); M.p.
138–143 ◦C, (lit [41]: 139–139.5 ◦C). 1H NMR (CDCl3); 1.46 (3H, t, J = 7,1 Hz) 2.58 (3H, s); 4.51 (2H, q,
J = 7.0 Hz); 7.11 (1H, s); 7.31 (1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz); 7.53 (1H, d, J = 7.0 Hz); 8.23 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz); 9.03
(1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (CDCl3); 14.0; 16.5; 63.4; 111.4; 124.3; 124.4; 125.2; 126.3; 133.8; 136.1; 137.8; 163.1;
179.8; (Figures S23 and S24).

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4.3. General Procedure for the Synthesis of B Ring Substituted C-3 Morpholinomethyl Kynurenic Acid
Derivatives (11–14)
The correspondingly substituted kynurenic acid ethyl esters (7–10 1.5 mmol), morpholine (175 mg,
2.0 mmol), and aqueous formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol) were mixed in 1,4-dioxane (30 mL)
and then hetead at reflux temperature for 6–12 h. After the evaporation of the solvent the residue was
dissolved in H2O (40 mL), and extracted with DCM (3
dried (Na2SO4), the solvent was removed by evaporation, and the residue was crystallised from n-
hexane:EtOAc 95:5 mixture (10 mL).
×
30 mL). The collected organic phases were
4.3.1. 5-Chloro-3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (11)
Preparation according to general procedure, using ethyl 5-chloro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxylate (
7
, 377 mg, 1.5 mmol; reflux time: 6 h. The crystals were purified in EtOH (10 mL). Yield:
368 mg (70%); M.p. 265–270 ◦C (decomposition). H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.97–3.32 (4H, m); 3.48–3.77
(2H, m); 3.78–4.10 (2H, m); 4.35 (2H, s); 7.30 (1H, d, J = 7.9 Hz); 7.55 (1H, t, J = 8.12 Hz); 7.96 (1H, d,
J = 8.5 Hz); 11,69 (1H, br ~s); 12.60 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 50.1; 50.6; 64.3; 109.9; 119.4; 120.6;
126.8; 132.4; 132.4; 137.7; 142.0; 147.5; 164.4; 177.0; (Figures S25 and S26).
1
4.3.2. 3-(Morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-6-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (12)
Preparation according to general procedure, using ethyl 4-oxo-6-phenyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxylate (9
, 440 mg, 1.5 mmol); reflux time: 12 h. Yield: 420 mg (77%); M.p. 225–227 ◦C. 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6); 3.02–3.20 (2H, m); 3.20–3.37 (2H, m); 3.52–3.71 (2H, m); 3.89–4.08 (2H, m); 4.44 (2H, s); 7.40
(1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz); 7.51 (2H, t, J = 7.9 Hz); 7.74 (2H, d, J = 7.7 Hz); 8.03 (1H, d, J = 8.6 Hz); 8.10 (1H, d,
J = 8.8 Hz); 8.34 (1H, s); 11.94 (1H, br ~s); 12.72 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 50.0; 50.6; 64.3; 108.3;
120.8; 122.8; 124.7; 127.1; 128.1; 129.6; 131.4; 136.1; 138.8; 139.8; 148.4; 164.8; 177.6; (Figures S27 and S28).
4.3.3. 7-Chloro-3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (13)
Preparation according to general procedure, using ethyl 7-chloro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxylate (11, 377 mg, 1.5 mmol); reflux time: 6 h. Yield: 402 mg (83%); M.p. 278–281 ◦C. 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6); 2.97–3.35 (4H, m); 3.51–3.71 (2H, m); 3.81–4.03 (2H, m); 4.39 (2H, s); 7.36 (1H, d, J = 8.7 Hz);
8.06-8.11 (2H, m); 11.85 (1H, br ~s); 12.57 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 29.5; 50.2; 50.5; 64.4; 66.0;
119.0; 123.1; 124.6; 127.9; 137.2; 140.1; 148.9; 164.4; 177.2; (Figures S29 and S30).
4.3.4. 8-Methyl-3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid (14)
Preparation according to general procedure, using ethyl 4-oxo-8-methyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxylate (13, 347 mg, 1.5 mmol); reflux time: 8 h. Yield: 390 mg (86%); M.p. 255–258 ◦C. 1H NMR
(DMSO-d6); 2.54 (3H, s); 3.12–3.28 (4H, m); 3.63–3.95 (4H, m); 4.51 (2H, s); 7.29 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz); 7.58
(1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz); 7.99 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz); 10.22 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 16.9; 50,8; 50,9; 64.5;
109.2; 124.3; 124.6; 124.8; 127.1; 134.0; 137.4; 146.4; 164.4; 178.6; (Figures S31 and S32).
4.4. General Procedure for the Synthesis of C-3 Morpholinomethyl Kynurenic Acid Amides (18a–c, 19a–c)
The corresponding kynurenic acid amides (16, 17, 1.5 mmol), and secondary amines (15a–c,
2.0 mmol), were mixed with formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol) in a 50 mL round-bottom flask.
The mixture was heated at reflux temperature in 1,4-dioxane (30 mL) for 1–8 h. After the evaporation
of the solvent the residue was crystallised from Et2O (10 mL).
4.4.1. N-(2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl)-4-oxo-3-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxamide (18a)
Preparation according to general procedure, using N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxamide (16, 389 mg, 1,5 mmol), pyrrolidine (15a 142 mg, 2.0 mmol); reflux time: 1 h.

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Yield: 385 mg (75%); M.p. > 350 ◦C. 1H NMR (D2O); 2.12 (4H, m); 2.38 (6H, s); 2.76 (2H, t, J = 5.5 Hz);
3.41 (4H, m); 3.63 (2H, t, J = 6.3 Hz); 4.48 (2H, s) 7.52 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz); 7.75 (1H, t, J = 6.8 Hz); 7.82 (1H,
d, J = 8.1 Hz); 8.23 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz); 13C NMR (D2O); 22.8; 36.9; 43.9; 51.6; 53.3; 56.8; 107.5; 123.9;
125.1; 126.0; 127.2; 131.0; 147.9; 152.6; 169.9; 174.5; (Figures S33 and S34).
4.4.2. N-(2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl)-4-oxo-3-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxamide (18b)
Preparation according to general procedure, using N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxamide (16, 389 mg, 1,5 mmol) and piperidine (15b 170 mg, 2.0 mmol); reflux time:
1 h. Yield: 412 mg (77%); M.p. > 350 ◦C. 1H NMR (D2O); 1.62–1.76 (2H, m); 1.76–1.91 (4H, m); 2.38 (6H,
s); 2.75 (2H, t, J = 6.0 Hz); 3.24 (4H, m); 3.62 (2H, t, J = 6.0 Hz); 4.40 (2H, s); 7.53 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz); 7.75
(1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz); 7.82 (1H, d, J = 8.5 Hz); 8.22 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz); 13C NMR (D2O); 21.5; 23.2; 36.9; 43.9;
52.3; 53.4; 56.8; 106.2; 123.8; 125.2; 125.8; 127.2; 131.1; 147.8, 152.9; 170.1; 174.6; (Figures S35 and S36).
4.4.3. N-(2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl)-3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxamide (18c)
Preparation according to general procedure, using N-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxamide (16, 389 mg, 1,5 mmol) and morpholine (15c 174 mg, 2.0 mmol); reflux time:
8 h. Yield: 425 mg (79%); M.p. > 350 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.19 (6H, s); 2.41–2.48 (6H, m); 3.45–3.52
(2H, m); 3.53–3.59 (4H, m); 3.61 (2H, s) 7.32 (1H, t, J = 7.3 Hz); 7.64 (1H, t, J = 7.7 Hz); 7.86 (1H, d, J = 8.3
Hz); 8.08 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz); 10.63 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 38.4; 46.0; 51.1; 52.6; 59.1; 67.0;
113.7; 120.4; 124.4; 124.8; 126.0; 131.0; 132.8; 140.5; 163.9; 177.8; (Figures S37 and S38).
4.4.4. 4-Oxo-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-3-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxamide (19a)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 4-oxo-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxamide (17, 428 mg, 1,5 mmol) and pyrrolidine (15a, 142 mg, 2.0 mmol); reflux time:
1 h. Yield: 392 mg (71%); M.p. > 350 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 1.64 (4H, br ~s, H-15,16); 1.67 (4H, br ~s,
H-21,22); 2.42 (4H, br ~s, H-14,17); 2.54 (4H, br ~s, H-20,23); 2.55 (2H, t, J = 5.8 Hz, H-12); 3.44 (2H, qa,
J = 5.8 Hz, H-11); 3.68 (2H, br ~s, H-18); 7.26 (1H, d, J = 7.8 Hz, H-6); 7.58 (1H, br ~t, J = 8 Hz, H-7);
7.81 (1H, br ~d, J = 8 Hz, H-8); 8.05 (1H, br d, J = 7.8 Hz, H-5); 11.30 (1H, br ~s, 10-NH); 11.64 (1H, br
~s, 1-NH); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 23.6 (two coalesced lines, C-15,16,21,22); 39.4 (merged in the septet
signal of the solvent, C-11); 52.2 (C-20,23); 47.5 (C-18); 52.2 (C-20,23); 54.1 (C-14,17); 55.2 (C-12); 115.1
(C-3); 119.6 (two coalesced lines, C-4a,8); 123.9 (C-6); 125.6 (C-5); 132.5 (C-7); 139.6 (C-8a); 143.5 (C-2);
163.3 (C-9); 177.3 (C-4); (Figures S39–S41).
4.4.5. 4-Oxo-3-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxamide (19b)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 4-oxo-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxamide (17, 428 mg, 1,5 mmol) and piperidine (15b, 170 mg, 2.0 mmol); reflux time:
1 h. Yield: 470 mg (82%); M.p. > 350 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 1,38 (2H, br ~s, H-22); 1.44 (4H, br
~s, H-21,23); 1.63 (4H, br ~s, H-15,16); 2.40 (4H, br ~s, H-20,24); 2.43 (4H, br ~s, H-14,17); 2.57 (2H, t,
J = 5.8 Hz, H-12); 3.44 (2H, qa, J = 5.8 Hz, H-11); 3.52 (2H, br ~s, H-18); 7.28 (1H, t, J = 7.8 Hz, H-6); 7.60
(1H, br ~t, J = 8 Hz, H-7); 7.84 (1H, br ~d, J = 8 Hz, H-8); 8.03 (1H, br d, J = 7.8 Hz, H-5); 11.30 (1H, br
~s, 10-NH); 11.69 (1H, br ~s, 1-NH); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 23.6 (C-15,16); 24.3 (C-22); 25.9 (C-21, 23);
39.4 (C-11); 50.8 (C-18); 52.5 (C-20,24); 54.2 (C-14,17); 55.4 (C-12); 114.2 (C-3); 119.6 (C-4a); 119.6 (C-8);
124.1 (C-6); 125.6 (C-5); 132.6 (C-7); 139.7 (C-8a); 143.9 (C-2); 163.5 (C-9); 177.8 (C-4); (Figures S42–S45).

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4.4.6. 4-Oxo-3-(morpholinomethyl)-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-
carboxamide (19c)
Preparation according to general procedure, using 4-oxo-N-(2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxamide (17, 428 mg, 1,5 mmol) and morpholine (15c, 174 mg, 2.0 mmol); reflux time:
8 h. Yield: 438 mg (76%); M.p. > 350 ◦C. 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 1.63–1.73 (4H, m); 2.46–2.52 (6H, m);
2.63 (2H, t, J = 6.2 Hz); 3.48–3.63 (10H, m); 7.34 (1H, t, J = 7.1 Hz); 7.66 (1H, t, J = 7.2 Hz); 7.88 (1H, d,
J = 8.0 Hz); 8.09 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz); 10.82 (1H, br ~s); 11.78 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 23.6; 50.6;
52.1; 54.1; 55.4; 66.6; 113.4; 119.6; 124.2; 124.3; 125.7; 132.6; 139.7; 144.3; 163.2; 177.7; (Figures S46 and S47).
4.5. 4-Oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxamide (20)
Ethyl 4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (1, 652 mg, 3.0 mmol) and NH3/MeOH (20%,
5 mL) were placed in a pressure-resistant vessel of 10 mL. The mixture was kept at 100 ◦C for 30 min
with a CEM Discover SP microwave reactor. Following the removal of the solvent the residue was
crystallised from Et2O (10 mL) and recrystallised from EtOH (8 mL).
Yield: 355 mg (63%); M.p. 300–303 ◦C (lit [42]: 295–297 ◦C). 1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 6.75 (1H, s); 7.33
(1H, t, J = 7.6 Hz); 7.67 (1H, t, J = 7.7 Hz); 7.96 (1H, d, J = 8.4 Hz); 8.03 (1H, s); 8.07 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz);
8.44 (1H, s) 11.69 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 107.8; 120.0; 124.1; 125.1; 125.9; 132.7; 140.3; 141.6;
164.1; 178.4; (Figures S48 and S49).
4.6. Methyl 3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (22)
In a 50 mL round-bottom flask 576 mg (2.0 mmol) 3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro
quinoline-2-carboxylic acid (5a) was dissolved in 20 mL MeOH. The mixture was reacted with 1 mL
Et2O solution of CH2N2 at room temperature for 5 h. Following the removal of the solvent the residue
was crystallised from n-hexane:EtOAc (95:◦5; 10 mL).
1
Yield: 405 mg (67%); M.p. 122–123 C. H NMR (DMSO-d6); 1.23 (3H, s); 2.99–3.19 (2H, m);
2.19–3.35 (2H, m); 3.50–3.69 (2H, m); 3.87–4.04 (2H, m); 4,40 (2H, s); 7.35 (1H, t, J = 7.5 Hz); 7.67 (1H, t,
J = 7.8 Hz); 7.99 (1H, d, J = 8.3 Hz); 8.09 (1H, d, J = 8.1 Hz); 11.81 (1H, br ~s); 12.71 (1H, br ~s); 13
C
NMR (DMSO-d6); 29.5; 49.9; 50.6; 64.3; 108.1; 119.9; 124.3; 124.5; 125.5; 132.6; 139.4; 148.5; 164.8; 177.6;
(Figures S52 and S53).
4.7. 3-(Morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxamide (21)
Scheme 4: (ii): Carboxamide 20 (188 mg, 1.0 mmol), morpholine (174 mg, 2.0 mmol) and aqueous
formaldehyde (22%, 410 mg, 3.0 mmol) were heated at reflux temperature in 1,4-dioxane for 3 h. After
evaporation of the solvent the residue was crystallised with Et2O (10 mL). Yield A: 202 mg (87%); M.p.
144–145 ◦C.
Scheme 4: (iv): Methyl 3-(morpholinomethyl)-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylate (22, 151 mg,
0.5 mmol) and NH3/MeOH (20%, 5 mL) were placed and stirred in a pressurised reaction vial. After a
reaction of 4 h, the solvent was evaporated, and the residue was crystallised with Et2O (10 mL). Yield B:
126 mg (88%) M.p. 143–146 ◦C.
1H NMR (DMSO-d6); 2.38–2.49 (4H, m); 3.48–3.58 (4H, m); 3.61 (2H, s); 7.34 (1H, t, J = 6.8 Hz); 7.66
(1H, t, J = 7.3 Hz); 7.87 (1H, d, J = 8.2 Hz); 8.09 (1H, d, J = 7.2 Hz); 8.15 (1H, br ~s); 10.02 (1H, br ~s);
11.73 (1H, br ~s); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6); 51.3; 52.7; 67.0; 114.0; 119.9; 124.5; 124.8; 126.1; 133.0; 140.0;
144.9; 165.4; 178.1; (Figures S50 and S51).
5. Patents
[P1] “Novel types of C-3 substituted kinurenic acid derivatives with improved neuroprotective
activity”. Patent application PCT/HU2017/000014, September 2017.
Supplementary Materials: The following are available online, Figures S1–S53: NMR spectra of synthesized
compounds.

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Author Contributions: Conceptualization: F.F. and I.S.; investigation: B.L. and I.S.; formal analysis: A.C.; writing—
original draft preparation: B.L., A.C. and I.S.; writing—review and editing: F.F., A.C. and I.S. All authors have
read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: The authors’ thanks are due to the Hungarian Research Foundation (OTKA No. K-129037); Ministry
of National Economy, National Research Development and Innovation Office [GINOP-2.3.2-15-2016-00034];
the EU-funded Hungarian Grant [EFOP-3.6.1-16-2016-00008]; Ministry of Human Capacities, Hungary grant,
TUDFO/47138-1/2019.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the
study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to
publish the results.
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