# Synthesis and Characterization of a New Five and  Six Membered Selenoheterocyclic  Compounds Homologues of Ebselen

Authors: Mouslim Messali; Mostafa Abboudi; Mohamed R. Aouad; Nadjet Rezki; Léon E. Christiaens
Journal: Organic Chemistry International
 (2011)

---

## Abstract

The discovery of the antioxidant activity of selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) has attracted growing attention in the biochemistry of selenium. Among molecules which mimic the structure of the active site of the enzyme,N-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazolin-3-one 1, Ebselen, exhibited useful anti-inflammatory properties. It has been extensively investigated and has undergone clinical trials as an anti-inflammatory agent. Unfortunately, Ebselen exhibits relatively poor catalytic activity, prompting attempts to design more efficacious GPx mimetics that would retain his low toxicity while manifesting improved catalytic properties. In this context, novel 1,2-benzoselenazine and 1,2-benzoselenazols, which are five and six membered homologues of Ebselen were synthesized and characterized. One structure has been proven by single crystal X-ray crystallography.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

The discovery of selenium as selenocysteine in the active site of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) has attracted growing attention in the biochemistry of selenium [1, 2]. The selenoenzyme acts as an antioxidant and catalyzes the reduction of harmful peroxides by glutathione, thus protecting lipid membranes against oxidative damage [3–9]. The enzyme catalytic site includes a selenocysteine residue in which the selenium undergoes a redox cycle involving the selenol (Enz-SeH) as the active form that reduces hydroperoxides and organic peroxides and the catalytic cycle is shown in Scheme 1. Thus, the selenol (EnzSeH) is first oxidized by the peroxide to the corresponding selenic acid (EnzSeOH), which reacts with GSH to afford a selenenyl sulfide intermediate (EnzSeSG). The latter undergoes further reaction with GSH, thereby regenerating the original selenol and producing oxidized glutathione (GSSG) as a byproduct [10–13].Scheme 1
Catalytic cycle of glutathione peroxidase (GPx).Among molecules which mimic the structure of the active site of the enzyme,N-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazolin-3-one 1, Ebselen (PZ51), exhibited useful anti-inflammatory properties [14, 15]. On the other hand, Ebselen contains a selenic moiety stabilized by intramolecular cyclisation in a cyclic N-aroyl selenamide and does not release selenium, as demonstrated by a 75Se-labeling study, which result in its relatively nontoxic properties [16, 17]. The discovery of its anti-inflammatory and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx)-like activity has initiated numerous biochemical and pharmacological investigations as well as clinical trials as an antioxidant [18–21]. Similarly a study of the mechanism of the (GPx)-like activity of Ebselen has shown the formation in a catalytic cycle of various intermediates constituting different oxidation levels of the selenium atom [22, 23].Several structural modifications of Ebselen including substituent effect and isosteric replacement have been proposed [24, 25]. For instance, diselenides and non-benzo-condensed isoselenazolidinone   ring have been reported in the literature [26, 27].Although it has attractive anti-inflammatory activity and low toxicity, Ebselen exhibits relatively poor catalytic activity, prompting attempts to design more efficacious GPx mimetics that would retain his low toxicity while manifesting improved catalytic properties. Hence, the design, synthesis, and evaluation of small-molecule selenium compounds that mimic the biological activity of GPx have been investigated by several groups, and selected examples2[28], 3[29], 4[30], and 5[31] are presented in Scheme 2. Various diaryl diselenides [32–38] and certain types of tellurium compounds as well as dendrimeric and cyclodextrin-derived organochalcogen catalysts that emulate GPx have also been reported [39–46].Scheme 2In the same context, our group focused on synthesizing new selenoheterocyclic compounds. The new heterocycles should preserve the Se–Caromatic bond to avoid the release of Se atoms and maintain the low toxicity of Ebselen. Secondly, the Se–N bond responsible for the GPx-like activity is retained.


## 2. Results and Discussion

The multistep synthesis of the novel benzoselenazine10 is represented in Scheme 3. The starting molecule was o-chlorobenzonitrile 6, which was easily transformed into ketone 7 by reaction with Grignard reagent. The incorporation of selenium was carried out by treatment of ketone 7 with methaneselenol in the presence of potassium carbonate yielding 8 in good yield. The oximination of selenide 8 was carried out using (n-BuNO2, HCl) and 2-ethoxyethanol as solvent [47]. Oxime 9was cyclized into the novel heterocycle 4H-benzo-1,2-selenazin-4-one 10 via Se-demethylation using trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (PPSE) [48].Scheme 3
The multistep synthesis of the novel 4H-benzo-1,2-selenazin-4-one10.The synthesis of the new selenoheterocycle14 required the use of diketone 12, which was obtained by oxidation of ketone 11 using SeO2 as an oxidizing agent. The incorporation of selenium was carried out by treatment of diketone 12 with methaneselenol in the presence of potassium carbonate yielding 13. The addition of 2 equivalents of bromine to a saturated solution of diketone 13 produced a yellow-orange precipitate. This precipitate, which is a result of quaternization of selenium by bromine, was treated by ammonia and purified to produce compound 14, as determined by different spectroscopic techniques.In order to further prove the structure of compound14, we attempted to independently synthesize the same compound starting from compound 11 according to the reactions outlined in Scheme 4. Thus, compound 14 was obtained by oxidation of novel heterocycle 16, which in turn was prepared by bromination of ketone 15 followed by treatment with ammonia (Scheme 4).Scheme 4
The multistep synthesis of the novel benzisoselenazols14and 16.In the same context, we describe a new strategy for the synthesis of a new heterocycle20 analogue of Ebselen (Scheme 5).Scheme 5
The multistep synthesis of the novel 2-(2,4-dibromophenylamino)-7-nitrobenzisoselenazol-3-one20.2-Bromo-3-nitrobenzoic acid17 was transformed via two steps to the hydrazide 18 and the selenium was incorporated as cited previously to give the selenide 19. The treatment of 2-methylseleno-3-nitro-3′-N-phenylbenzohydrazide with excess of bromine produced a yellow-orange precipitate. It allowed unambiguous identification of the molecular formula of the compound 20(Figure 1). The crystal data structure refinement for compound 20has been reported previously [49].Figure 1
Crystal structure of compound20.


## 3. Conclusion

In order to evaluate their glutathione peroxidase-like activity, the synthesis of four novel heterocyclic compounds has been achieved. Namely, synthesis of 1,2-benzoselenazine-4-one derivative10 which is six membered homologue of Ebselen PZ51 and three 1,2-selenazols 14, 16and20. The new compounds were fully characterized and one structure of them has been proven by single crystal X-ray crystallography.


## 4. Experimental

### 4.1. Synthesis of 1-(2-(Methylselanyl)phenyl)-3-phenylpropan-1-one (8)

To a mixture of methaneselenol (1.2 mmol), K2CO3 (2 mmol) and DMF (40 mL), ketone 7 and (1 mmol) was added with stirring for a period of 30 minutes at 10°C. The mixture was refluxed under stirring for 6 h. After cooling, the mixture was washed with (2 × 10 mL) of water, extracted (3 × 20 mL) with toluene and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene-acetone 95 : 5) as eluent to provide compound 8 as yellow oil, yield 68%, IR (NaCl) νmax 1664 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 2.21 (s, 3H), 3.15 (t, 2H), 3.29 (t, 2H), 7.21–7.91 (m, 9H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 7.2 (CH3), 31.0 (CH2), 41.7 (CH2), 124.9–142.1 (C arom), 199.8 (C=O), GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 304 (M+), 289, 199.


### 4.2. Synthesis of 2-(Hydroxyimino)-1-(2-(methylselanyl)phenyl)-3-phenylpropan-1-one (9)

To a solution of ketone8(1 mmol) in ethoxyethanol (20 mL), concentrated HCl (3 mL) and n-BuNO2 (1.2 mmol) were added with stirring at 0°C. The mixture was stirred for overnight at room temperature and then washed with 30 mL of dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with a solution of NaOH (1 M) (2 × 10 mL) and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene-acetone 65 : 35) to provide compound 9 as yellow solid, yield 61%, Mp 132-133°C, IR (KBr) νmax 3336 cm−1 (OH), 1650 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 2.21 (s, 3H), 4.08 (s, 2H), 7.27–7.49 (m, 9H, ArH), 9.16 (s, 1H), 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 7.3 (CH3), 42.3 (CH2), 124.6–148.2 (C arom), 192.3 (C=O), LCMS: m/z 334 (M+).


### 4.3. Synthesis of 3-Benzyl-1,2-benzoselenazin-4-one (10)

A suspension of phosphorus oxide (7.05 mmol, 2 g) and hexamethyldisiloxane (14.9 mmol, 3.16 mL) in dichloromethane (15 mL) was refluxed for till complete dissolution (45 min). The mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure to provide trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (PPSE) as a viscous liquid which was then added to a solution of oxime9 (0.69 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 mL). The mixture was refluxed under stirring for 8 h, then cooled and washed with water (2 × 10 mL) and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene-acetone 75 : 25) to provide heterocycle 10 as yellow solid, yield 42%, Mp 139–142°C, IR (KBr) νmax 1668 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 4.04 (s, 2H), 7.30–8.02 (m, 9H, ArH); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 42.3 (CH2), 127.2–153.2 (C arom), 193.2 (C=O), GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 301 (M+), 224, 156, Anal. Calcd for C15H11NOSe: C, 60.01.; H, 3.69; N, 4.67, found C, 59.75; H, 3.73; N, 4.74.


### 4.4. Synthesis of 1-(2-(Methylselanyl)phenyl)-2-phenylethane-1,2-dione (13)

Compound13 has been prepared from the diketone 12 according to the procedure described for compound 8. Brown solid, yield 60%, Mp 115–119°C; IR (KBr) νmax 1671 cm−1 (C=O), 1650 cm−1 (C=O); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 2.30 (s, 3H), 7.17–7.96 (m, 9H, ArH); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 7.3 (CH3), 125.2–135.5 (C arom), 194.6 and 195.6 (2 C=O); GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 304 (M+), 199, 156.


### 4.5. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 14 and 16

To a solution of compound13or15(1 mmol) in tetrachlorocarbon (20 mL), was added with stirring for a period of 30 minutes at 0°C, a solution of bromine (1.1 mmol) in tetrachlorocarbon (20 mL). The precipitate was refluxed in dichloromethane (30 mL) under stirring for 1 h. After cooling, the mixture was saturated with a gaz ammonia flow. The insoluble substances were filtered and the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (toluene-acetone 95 : 5) to provide compounds 14and16.1,2-Benzoselenazol-3-yl(phenyl)methanone (14)
This compound was obtained as yellow solid, yield 49%, Mp 75–79°C, IR (KBr)νmax 1660 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 7.47–8.53 (m, 9H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 123.1–145.5 (C arom), 197.8 (C=O); GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 287 (M+), 259, 282; Anal. Calcd for C14H9NOSe: C, 58.76.; H, 3.17; N, 4.89, found C, 58.87; H, 3.64; N, 4.81.3-Benzyl-1,2-benzoselenazole (16)
This compound was obtained as green oil; yield 52%, IR (NaCl)νmax absence of (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 7.41–8.49 (m, H arom), 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 127.0–137.7 (C arom), GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 273 (M+), 193, 164; Anal. Calcd for C14H11NSe: C, 61.77.; H, 3.69; N, 5.15, found C, 61.86; H, 3.58; N, 4.08.


### 4.6. Synthesis of 2-(2,4-Dibromophenylamino)-7-nitrobenzisoselenazol-3-one (20)

To a solution of hydrazide19(1 mmol) in dichloroethane (20 mL), bromine (3 mmol) was added with stirring for a period of 2 h at 0°C. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene) to provide compound 20 as brown solid, yield 78%, Mp 146–149°C, IR (KBr) νmax 3269 cm−1 (NH), 1671 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 4.19 (s, 1H), 6.54–7.22 (m, 5H), 8.21–8.56 (m, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 110.1–143.7 (C arom), 167.3. (C=O); GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 251, 170; Anal. Calcd for C13H7Br2N3O3Se: C, 31.74.; H, 1.43; N, 8.54, found C, 31.93; H, 1.40; N, 8.47.


## 4.1. Synthesis of 1-(2-(Methylselanyl)phenyl)-3-phenylpropan-1-one (8)

To a mixture of methaneselenol (1.2 mmol), K2CO3 (2 mmol) and DMF (40 mL), ketone 7 and (1 mmol) was added with stirring for a period of 30 minutes at 10°C. The mixture was refluxed under stirring for 6 h. After cooling, the mixture was washed with (2 × 10 mL) of water, extracted (3 × 20 mL) with toluene and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene-acetone 95 : 5) as eluent to provide compound 8 as yellow oil, yield 68%, IR (NaCl) νmax 1664 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 2.21 (s, 3H), 3.15 (t, 2H), 3.29 (t, 2H), 7.21–7.91 (m, 9H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 7.2 (CH3), 31.0 (CH2), 41.7 (CH2), 124.9–142.1 (C arom), 199.8 (C=O), GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 304 (M+), 289, 199.


## 4.2. Synthesis of 2-(Hydroxyimino)-1-(2-(methylselanyl)phenyl)-3-phenylpropan-1-one (9)

To a solution of ketone8(1 mmol) in ethoxyethanol (20 mL), concentrated HCl (3 mL) and n-BuNO2 (1.2 mmol) were added with stirring at 0°C. The mixture was stirred for overnight at room temperature and then washed with 30 mL of dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with a solution of NaOH (1 M) (2 × 10 mL) and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene-acetone 65 : 35) to provide compound 9 as yellow solid, yield 61%, Mp 132-133°C, IR (KBr) νmax 3336 cm−1 (OH), 1650 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 2.21 (s, 3H), 4.08 (s, 2H), 7.27–7.49 (m, 9H, ArH), 9.16 (s, 1H), 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 7.3 (CH3), 42.3 (CH2), 124.6–148.2 (C arom), 192.3 (C=O), LCMS: m/z 334 (M+).


## 4.3. Synthesis of 3-Benzyl-1,2-benzoselenazin-4-one (10)

A suspension of phosphorus oxide (7.05 mmol, 2 g) and hexamethyldisiloxane (14.9 mmol, 3.16 mL) in dichloromethane (15 mL) was refluxed for till complete dissolution (45 min). The mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure to provide trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (PPSE) as a viscous liquid which was then added to a solution of oxime9 (0.69 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 mL). The mixture was refluxed under stirring for 8 h, then cooled and washed with water (2 × 10 mL) and dried over MgSO4. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene-acetone 75 : 25) to provide heterocycle 10 as yellow solid, yield 42%, Mp 139–142°C, IR (KBr) νmax 1668 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 4.04 (s, 2H), 7.30–8.02 (m, 9H, ArH); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 42.3 (CH2), 127.2–153.2 (C arom), 193.2 (C=O), GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 301 (M+), 224, 156, Anal. Calcd for C15H11NOSe: C, 60.01.; H, 3.69; N, 4.67, found C, 59.75; H, 3.73; N, 4.74.


## 4.4. Synthesis of 1-(2-(Methylselanyl)phenyl)-2-phenylethane-1,2-dione (13)

Compound13 has been prepared from the diketone 12 according to the procedure described for compound 8. Brown solid, yield 60%, Mp 115–119°C; IR (KBr) νmax 1671 cm−1 (C=O), 1650 cm−1 (C=O); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 2.30 (s, 3H), 7.17–7.96 (m, 9H, ArH); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 7.3 (CH3), 125.2–135.5 (C arom), 194.6 and 195.6 (2 C=O); GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 304 (M+), 199, 156.


## 4.5. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Compounds 14 and 16

To a solution of compound13or15(1 mmol) in tetrachlorocarbon (20 mL), was added with stirring for a period of 30 minutes at 0°C, a solution of bromine (1.1 mmol) in tetrachlorocarbon (20 mL). The precipitate was refluxed in dichloromethane (30 mL) under stirring for 1 h. After cooling, the mixture was saturated with a gaz ammonia flow. The insoluble substances were filtered and the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (toluene-acetone 95 : 5) to provide compounds 14and16.1,2-Benzoselenazol-3-yl(phenyl)methanone (14)
This compound was obtained as yellow solid, yield 49%, Mp 75–79°C, IR (KBr)νmax 1660 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 7.47–8.53 (m, 9H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 123.1–145.5 (C arom), 197.8 (C=O); GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 287 (M+), 259, 282; Anal. Calcd for C14H9NOSe: C, 58.76.; H, 3.17; N, 4.89, found C, 58.87; H, 3.64; N, 4.81.3-Benzyl-1,2-benzoselenazole (16)
This compound was obtained as green oil; yield 52%, IR (NaCl)νmax absence of (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 7.41–8.49 (m, H arom), 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 127.0–137.7 (C arom), GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 273 (M+), 193, 164; Anal. Calcd for C14H11NSe: C, 61.77.; H, 3.69; N, 5.15, found C, 61.86; H, 3.58; N, 4.08.


## 4.6. Synthesis of 2-(2,4-Dibromophenylamino)-7-nitrobenzisoselenazol-3-one (20)

To a solution of hydrazide19(1 mmol) in dichloroethane (20 mL), bromine (3 mmol) was added with stirring for a period of 2 h at 0°C. After evaporation of the solvent, the obtained residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using (toluene) to provide compound 20 as brown solid, yield 78%, Mp 146–149°C, IR (KBr) νmax 3269 cm−1 (NH), 1671 cm−1 (C=O), 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δH 4.19 (s, 1H), 6.54–7.22 (m, 5H), 8.21–8.56 (m, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3): δC 110.1–143.7 (C arom), 167.3. (C=O); GCMS: m/z of  >10% intensity 251, 170; Anal. Calcd for C13H7Br2N3O3Se: C, 31.74.; H, 1.43; N, 8.54, found C, 31.93; H, 1.40; N, 8.47.



---

*Source: 389615-2012-01-26.xml*