Evaluation of the biological activity of novel monocationic fluoroaryl-2,2′-bichalcophenes and their analogues

A series of bichalcophene fluorobenzamidines 5a-e was synthesized from the corresponding mononitriles 4a-e via a direct reaction with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide LiN(TMS)2 followed by de-protection with ethanolic HCl (gas). Bichalcophene fluorobenzonitriles 4a-e were prepared adopting a Stille coupling reaction between the bromo compounds 3a-c and 2-(tri-n-butylstannyl)furan or analogues. As an approach to drug discovery, the structure-antimutagenicity relationship of novel fluoroarylbichalcophenes was examined using the Ames Salmonella/microsomal assay. At nontoxic concentrations (10 and 20 μM), all derivatives alone or in combination with sodium azide (NaN3; 2 μg/plate) or benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P; 20 μM) in the presence of S9 mix were not mutagenic. The fluoroaryl derivatives significantly reduced the NaN3-induced and B[a]P-induced mutagenicity under pre-exposure and co-exposure conditions. The recorded antimutagenic activity of fluoroaryl derivatives varied depending on the kind of mutagen and the exposure regimen. Monocationic fluoroarylbichalcophenes were superior to the corresponding mononitriles in reducing B[a]P-induced mutagenicity. Nevertheless, mononitriles were more active against NaN3, especially at low concentrations and under pre-exposure treatments. The antimutagenic activity was congruent with a high antioxidant activity that could promote the DNA repair system. The fluorine substitution changed the antimutagenic signature of bichalcophenes. Some of these compounds could be selected for further anticancer studies.