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A facile Pd-catalyzed C(sp2)–N coupling to provide a range of 2- or 4-[(subst.)phenyl]amino-13α-estrone derivatives has been achieved under microwave irradiation. The reactions were mediated with the use of Pd(OAc)2 as a catalyst and KOt-Bu as a base in the presence of X-Phos as a ligand. The desired products have been obtained in good to excellent yields. The nature and the position of the aniline substituent at the aromatic ring influenced the outcome of the couplings. 2-Amino-13α-estrone was also synthesized in a two-step protocol including an amination of 2-bromo-13α-estrone 3-benzyl ether with benzophenone imine and subsequent hydrogenolysis.

Ring A halogenated 13α-, 13β-, and 17-deoxy-13α-estrone derivatives were synthesised with N-halosuccinimides as electrophile triggers. Substitutions occurred at positions C-2 and/or C-4. The potential inhibitory action of the halogenated estrones on human aromatase, steroid sulfatase, or 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 activity was investigated via in vitro radiosubstrate incubation. Potent submicromolar or low micromolar inhibitors were identified with occasional dual or multiple inhibitory properties. Valuable structure–activity relationships were established from the comparison of the inhibitory data obtained. Kinetic experiments performed with selected compounds revealed competitive reversible inhibition mechanisms against 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and competitive irreversible manner in the inhibition of the steroid sulfatase enzyme.

Novel 13α-estrone derivatives were synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. Transformations of 2- or 4-iodo regioisomers of 13α-estrone and its 3-methyl ether were carried out under different conditions in a microwave reactor. The 2-iodo isomers were reacted withpara-substituted phenylacetylenes using Pd(PPh3)4as catalyst and CuI as a cocatalyst. Coupling reactions of 4-iodo derivatives could be achieved by changing the catalyst to Pd(PPh3)2Cl2. The product phenethynyl derivatives were partially or fully saturated. Compounds bearing a phenolic OH group furnished benzofurans under the conditions used for the partial saturation. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on human placental 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 isozyme (17β-HSD1) were investigated by an in vitro radiosubstrate incubation method. Certain 3-hydroxy-2-phenethynyl or -phenethyl derivatives proved to be potent 17β-HSD1 inhibitors, displaying submicromolar IC50values.

The inhibitory effects of 13-epimeric estrones, D-secooxime and D-secoalcohol estrone compounds on human placental 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 isozyme (17β-HSD1) were investigated. The transformation of estrone to 17β-estradiol was studied by an in vitro radiosubstrate incubation method. 13α-Estrone inhibited the enzyme activity effectively with an IC50 value of 1.2 μM, which indicates that enzyme affinity is similar to that of the natural estrone substrate. The 13β derivatives and the compounds bearing a 3-hydroxy group generally exerted stronger inhibition than the 13α and 3-ether counterparts. The 3-hydroxy-13β-D-secoalcohol and the 3-hydroxy-13α-D-secooxime displayed an outstanding cofactor dependence, i.e. more efficient inhibition in the presence of NADH than NADPH. The 3-hydroxy-13β-D-secooxime has an IC50 value of 0.070 μM and is one of the most effective 17β-HSD1 inhibitors reported to date in the literature.

Novel BODIPY–estrone conjugates were synthesized via Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Estrone-alkynes or an estrone-azide as starting compounds were synthesized via Michael addition or Sonogashira reaction as key steps. Fluorescent dyes based on BODIPY-core were provided by azide or alkyne functional groups. Fluorescent labeling of estrone was efficiently achieved at the C-2 or C-15 position. The newly-elaborated coupling procedures might have a broad applicability in the synthesis of fluorescent-labeled estrone conjugates suitable for biological assays.

13α-Estrone and its 3-methyl or benzyl ether were halogenated in ring A with N-bromo- or N-iodosuccinimide or 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin as electrophile triggers. The chemo- and regioselectivities of the reactions depended greatly on the nature of the substituent on C-3. Bromination of the ethers led to 2- and 4-regioisomers. Bis-halogenation occurred only in the case of the phenolic derivative. Iodination and bromination resulted in similar products, except that the 3-benzyl ether could not be iodinated under the applied conditions. The potential inhibitory action of the new halogenated 13α-estrones on human 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 activity was investigated via in vitro radiosubstrate incubation. Some compounds proved to be effective inhibitors, with IC50 values in the submicromolar range.

An efficient synthesis of several N-[(1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]carboxamides in the 13β- and 13α-d-secoestrone series is reported. Novel triazoles were synthesized via the Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition of steroidal alkynyl carboxamides and p-substituted benzyl azides. Each of the products was evaluated in vitro by means of MTT assays for antiproliferative activity against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A431 and A2780). Some of them exhibited activities similar to those of the reference agent cisplatin. On change of the substitution pattern of the benzyl group of the azide, great differences in the cell growth-inhibitory properties were observed. The p-alkylbenzyl-substituted triazoles selectively exerted high cytostatic action against A2780 cells, with IC50 values of 1 µM. We investigated the potential inhibitory action exerted on the human 17β-HSD1 activity of the new secosteroids. Three triazoles effectively suppressed the estrone to 17β-estradiol conversion with IC50 values in low micromolar range.