Synthesis, structure characterization, and anticancer activity of a novel oxygen-bridged tricyclic Biginelli adduct

Abstract

Herein, we report the one-pot cyclization of Biginelli Adduct, ethyl 4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (I) to the oxygen-bridged adduct, ethyl 2-methyl-4-thioxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-2,6-methanobenzo[g] [1,3,5]oxadiazocine-11-carboxylate (II) in a high yield and purity under mild reaction condition using zinc(II) perchlorate hexahydrate as a highly efficient catalyst. The cyclic product (II) was characterized both in the solid state and in solution using FT–IR, 1H NMR, and UV–visible spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory with B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level were used to further investigate the structure properties. DFT calculations (gas phase) revealed the stability of cyclic compound II (3.45 kcal/mol) than compound I. In addition, the anticancer activity of II was investigated using MCF-7 human breast cell line. The results revealed a moderate activity with 223.55 μg/ml IC50 value.