Access to New Cytotoxic Quinone-Amino Acid Conjugates Linked through A Vinylic Spacer from 2-Acylnaphthoquinones and Methyl 3-Aminocrotonate

Abstract

The reaction of 2-acetyl- and 2-benzoyl-1,4-naphthoquinone with (Z)-methyl 3-(hydroxymethyl)aminocrotonate proceeds through a formal [3+3] process to yield the corresponding 1,2-dihydrobenzisoquinolinequinones in 63% and 72% yield, respectively. The reactions of 2-acyl-1,4-naphthoquinone with enaminones, derived from diverse l- and d-amino acid methyl esters, produced the corresponding naphthoquinone amino acids conjugates bonded through a vinyl spacer in the yields range 40–71%. The presence of not-separable isomers of the naphthoquinone amino acids conjugates in the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra is explained by the existence of conformational isomers generated by hindered rotation of the substituent bonded to the quinone double bond. These new naphthoquinone amino acids conjugates were screened in vitro on normal and cancer cell lines and showed moderate cytotoxic activities.

1. Introduction

Acyl-1,4-naphthoquinones, easily achieved from 1,4-quinones and aldehydes, are valuable synthetic precursors of diverse biological active natural and synthetic compounds [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Acylnaphthoquinones exhibit outstanding chemical reactions with nucleophiles due to the existence of different electrophilic carbons into these molecules. These features explain the behavior of acylnaphthoquinones to react as monoelectrophiles against aniline derivatives [14,15,16], and as dielectrophiles with ambident nucleophiles such as azaenamines [17], enaminones [18,19], 2-aminobenzothiazoles [20], and trimethoxyaniline [21] to give a variety of carbo- and heterocyclic quinones, such as those outlined in Figure 1.

Older studies reported by Allen and Weiss on the behavior of 2-methoxycarbonyl- and 2-acetyl-1,4-benzoquinone in the Nenitzescu indol synthesis [18], demonstrated that the reaction of the former with ethyl 3-aminocrotonate yield a Michael-type adduct, namely ethyl 2-phenyl-3-aminocrotonate. However, 2-acetyl-1,4-benzoquinone reacts with ethyl 3-aminocrotonate to give the respective dihydroxiisoquinoline derivative through a formal [3+3] process. These facts reveal that ethyl 3-aminocrotonate behaves both as C-nucleophile and as C,N-ambident nucleophile depending upon the nature of the carbonyl substituent bonded at the quinone nucleus. Based on the behavior of 2-acetyl-1,4-benzoquinone with ethyl 3-aminocrotonate, which produces a dihydroxyisoquinoline derivative in a single step, we have reported a general synthetic procedure to prepare diverse cytotoxic isoquinolinequinone-containing compounds from 2-acyl-1,4-quinones and primary enaminones [10,19,22].

Within the framework of target chemotherapeutic agents, a number of studies on the synthesis of cytotoxic carbocyclic quinones linked to amino acid or dipeptide fragments have been reported [23,24,25,26,27]. In this context, we have recently undertaken the synthesis of highly cytotoxic isoquinolinequinone α-amino ester conjugates [28]. In the search for new potential cytotoxic quinones we were interested to evaluate the access to the 1,2-dihydrobenzisoquinolinequinone scaffold through a [3+3] process between acylnaphthoquinones and secondary enaminones derived from α-amino esters. As far as we know, there are no precedents in the literature regarding the assembling into an N-heterocyclic scaffold of two biologically relevant naphthoquinones and α-amino acid fragments, through this hypothetical strategy. Herein, we report the reaction of a number of acyl-1,4-naphthoquinones with secondary enaminones derived from aminoethanol and diverse methyl esters of l- and d-α-amino acids. As a result of this study we have developed a convenient access to novel 1,4-naphthoquinones linked to α-amino acid fragments via a vinyl spacer, endowed with in vitro cytotoxic activity on cancer cells.

2. Results and Discussion

The reactions of the required acylnaphthoquinones 2a–d with the enaminones derived from methyl aminocrotonate 3 (Figure 2) were carried out by means of a one pot procedure, where the electrophiles are in situ generated from their corresponding acylnaphthohydroquinones 1a–d with silver (I) oxide.

Quinones 2a,b were firstly selected to get preliminary insights into their reactivity patterns toward a secondary enaminone such as 4a (Scheme 1). Compound 4a was prepared in 81% yield by transamination reaction of methyl 3-aminocrotonate 3 with 2-aminoethanol in methanol, at room temperature. The reactions of acylquinones 2a and 2b with enaminone 4a were carried out at room temperature in dichloromethane (DCM) to produce the corresponding benzisoquinolinequinones 5a and 5b in 63 and 72% yield, respectively (Scheme 1). The results confirmed the behavior of the secondary enaminone 4a to react as a C,N-bidentate nucleophile with the electrophiles 2a and 2b to give the respective [3+3] products 5a and 5b.

Then, we examined the reaction of quinones 2a,b with enaminone 4b, prepared by reaction of 3 with l-alanine methyl ester (

Table 1. Structure and yields of enaminones 4b–g.

Compound No.	Structure	Yield (%) *	Compound No.	Structure	Yield (%) *
4b		71	4e		83
4c		85	4f		76
4d		80	4g		84

* Isolated by column chromatography.

). The treatment of 2a with 4b in methanol, at room temperature provided a complex mixture of products, as was observed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Interestingly, in the case of quinone 2b, the treatment with 4b yield the napthoquinone amino ester conjugate 6 (Scheme 2). This compound was isolated by column chromatography as a 1:1 mixture of two isomers as was evidenced by their ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra. Structural characterization of 6 was complemented by infrared spectroscopy (IR), bidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) and high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS).

To the best of our knowledge, the sole precedent regarding the synthesis of quinone amino acid conjugates bonded through a vinyl spacer such as 6 was reported by Bittner et al., employing transamination reactions of diethylamino naphthoquinonic enaminone intermediates with amino acid derivatives [29]. To further evaluate the scope of this interesting one-step formation of an α-amino acid conjugated to a 1,4-napthoquinone core via a vinyl spacer such as 6, a variety of α-amino acid-derived enaminones 4c–g were prepared from aminocrotonate 3 and a representative number of l- and d-α-amino acid methyl esters (Table 1). The structures of enaminones 4a–g were established by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and HRMS. The Z configuration was assigned for the alkenyl portion of these compounds on the basis of 2D-NMR experiments performed on 4a,b,g.

Acylnaphthoquinones 2b–d were reacted with the N-substituted aminocrotonate methyl esters 4c–g to give the corresponding napthoquinone amino ester conjugates 7–14 in moderate to good yields (

Table 2. Yields of acylnaphthoquinone α-aminoesters conjugate 6–14.

Amino Acid	R1	R2	Products	Yield * (%)
l-Ala	Ph	CH3	6	58
d-Ala	Ph	CH3	7	52
l-Leu	Ph	(CH3)2CHCH2	8	42
l-Phe	Ph	PhCH2	9	65
d-Phe	Ph	PhCH2	10	58
l-Trp	Ph	3-IndolylCH2	11	71
d-Phe	C3H7	PhCH2	12	45
l-Leu	C5H11	(CH3)2CHCH2	13	40
l-Trp	C5H11	3-IndolylCH2	14	58

* Isolated by column chromatography.

). The structures of the new products 7–14 were determined by IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and HRMS. As was observed for compound 6, the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of compounds 7–14 revealed that these compounds coexist as two not separable isomers in nearly 1:1 ratio. The Z configuration for 7–14 was assigned for the alkenyl portion of these compounds on the basis of 2D-NMR experiments performed in compounds 6–8.

It is noteworthy that compounds 6–14 exhibit homogeneous properties in terms of their melting points and TLC. Based on these facts, it is probable that compounds 6–14 exist as a mixture of two conformational isomers arising from hindered internal molecular rotation. Inspection of one minimal energy conformation of compounds 6, represented in ball and stick mode, shows that rotation of the substituents linked to the quinone double bond is strongly hindered, in particular about the 3-2’ C-C bond (Figure 3).

To provide further proofs of the existence of conformational isomerism in the members of the series 6–14, compounds 7 and 9 were subject to ¹H-NMR coalescence experiments in DMSO-d₆ at temperatures over 25.6 °C. In the ¹H-NMR spectrum of 7 the signals of the amine protons appear downfield as two doublets at δ 10.09 and 10.20. As the temperature increased, the two signals broadened, and coalesced at ~348 K. In the case of compound 9, it was observed that the signals of the amine and methine protons at δ 9.38/9.43 and 4.65/4.76 coalesced at ~378 K. Therefore, these rather high coalescence temperatures are consistent with the doubling of signals observed in the ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra of compounds 6–14 at room temperature.

The results of the reactions of acylquinones 2b–d with 4b–g revealed that the secondary enaminones behave either as C-unidentate or as a C,N-bidentate nucleophile depending upon the structure of the nitrogen substituents bonded at the enaminone C,C double bond. It is reasonable to assume that the [3+3] process, observed in the reactions of quinones 2a,b with enaminone 4a, proceed through a Michael adduct intermediate that undergoes a 6-exo trig closure. Based on this scenario, the lack of cyclisation of the Michael adduct intermediates derived from the amino esters-enaminones 4b–g, may be attributed to steric factors.

The series of naphthoquinone amino ester conjugates 6–14 were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against normal human lung fibroblast (MRC-5) and three human cancer cells lines: human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS), human lung cancer (SK-MES-1) and human bladder carcinoma (J82), in 72 h drugs exposure assays (

Table 3. IC₅₀ values of acylnaphthoquinone α-aminoesters conjugates 6–14. IC₅₀ ± SEM (μM) ^a.

Product Number	MRC-5 b	AGS c	SK-MES-1 d	J82 e
6	58.0 ± 4.1	52.7 ± 3.7	47.8 ± 3.3	37.1 ± 2.2
7	17.4 ± 0.7	20.5 ± 1.1	53.4 ± 4.3	35.6 ± 1.4
8	26.6 ± 1.3	26.9 ± 1.5	34.5 ± 1.7	12.9 ± 0.9
9	33.3 ± 2.2	19.3 ± 1.5	39.3 ± 1.6	22.0 ± 1.1
10	46.7 ± 2.9	30.7 ± 1.5	34.2 ± 2.3	23.0 ± 0.7
11	13.0 ± 0.8	10.1 ± 0.1	18.9 ± 0.5	21.4 ± 0.8
12	21.8 ± 1.5	12.8 ± 0.7	15.9 ± 0.9	14.0 ± 0.6
13	24.9 ± 0.7	17.0 ± 1.1	21.6 ± 1.3	23.5 ± 1.6
14	22.1 ± 1.6	9.3 ± 0.6	5.5 ± 0.2	4.5 ± 0.2
Ref. f	2.2 ± 0.1	0.4 ± 0.0	2.9 ± 0.2	3.3 ± 0.2

^a Data represent average values of six independent determinations; ^b Normal human lung fibroblasts cells; ^c Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line; ^d Human lung cancer cell line; ^e Human bladder carcinoma cell line; ^f Ref.: etoposide

). The cytotoxic activity of the new compounds was measured using conventional microculture tetrazolium reduction assays [30]. Cytotoxic activities of the compounds are expressed in terms of IC₅₀. Etoposide, a clinically used anticancer agent, was taken as a positive control. The cytotoxic activity data are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3 shows moderate cytotoxic activities for 6–14, in the range IC₅₀ = 4.5–53.4 μM, lower than those displayed by the drug etoposide. Compound 14 appears as the most potent member of the series on human lung and bladder carcinoma cell lines (IC₅₀: 5.5 and 4.5 μM) and with cytotoxicity ten times lower than the drug etoposide on normal human lung fibroblasts cells.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General

All solvents and reagents were purchased from different companies such as Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA) and Merck (Darmstadt, Germany) and were used as supplied. Melting points were determined on a Stuart Scientific SMP3 (Bibby Sterilin Ltd., Staffordshire, UK) apparatus and are uncorrected. The IR spectra were recorded on a FT IR Bruker spectrophotometer; (model Vector 22 Bruker, Rheinstetten, Germany), using KBr disks, and the wave numbers are given in cm⁻¹. ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Avance-400 instrument (Bruker, Ettlingen, Germany) in CDCl₃ at 400 and 100 MHz, respectively. Chemical shifts are expressed in ppm downfield relative to tetramethylsilane and the coupling constants (J) are reported in Hertz. Data for ¹H-NMR spectra are reported as follows: s = singlet, br s = broad singlet, d = doublet, m = multiplet and the coupling constants (J) in Hz. Bidimensional NMR techniques (HMBC and NOESY) and distortionless enhancement by polarisation transfer (DEPT) were used for signal and E/Z configuration assignments. The ¹H-NMR coalescence experiments were recorded in DMSO-d₆ solutions on the Bruker spectrometer operating at 400 MHz equipped with the 5 mm PAQNP probe. HRMS-ESI were carried out by using a Thermo Scientific Exactive Plus Orbitrap spectrometer with a constant nebulizer temperature of 250 °C. The experiments were performed in positive ion mode, with a scan range of m/z 100–300. All fragment ions were assigned by accurate mass measurements at high resolution (resolving power: 140,000 FWHM). The samples were infused directly into the electrospray ionization source (ESI) using a syringe pump at flow rates of 5 μL min⁻¹. Optical rotations were obtained for CHCl₃ solutions in a Polarimeter instrument (Optical Activity Ltd., Cambridgeshire, UK) in a 1 dm cell and their concentrations are expressed in g per mL. Silica gel Merck 60 (70–230 mesh, from Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) was used for preparative column chromatography and TLC aluminum foil 60F254 for analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC).

Methyl (Z)-3-[(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-but-2-enoate (4a). A solution of methyl 3-aminocrotonate 3 (100 mg, 0.87 mmol), 2-aminoethanol (1.04 mmol) and methanol (10 mL) was stirred at r.t. for 3 h. After completion of the reaction as indicated by TLC, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by chromatography over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂) to yield pure enaminone 4a (112 mg, 0.70 mmol, 81%) as yellow oil; IR ν_max: 3340, 2947 and 1636 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.99 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.87 (br s, 1H, OH), 3.34 (m, 2H, CH₂OH), 3.58 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.71 (m, 2H, CH₂NH), 4.45 (s, 1H, CH), 8.61 (br s, 1H, NH), ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.7, 45.2, 50.1, 61.9, 82.3, 162.4, 171.2. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₇H₁₃NO₃:159.0895; found: 159.0964.

3.2. Preparation of Enaminone-Amino Acid Derivatives. General Procedure

Suspensions of methyl 3-aminocrotonate 3 (1 equiv.), l- or d-α-amino acid methyl esters hydrochloride (1.2 equiv.) and NaOAc (1.2 equiv.) in methanol (15 mL) were stirred at room temperature until completion of the reaction as indicated by TLC. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure and the residues purified by column chromatography over silica gel (CH₂Cl₂) to yield the corresponding enaminones 4b–g.

Methyl (S,Z)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (4b). Prepared from 3 (100 mg, 0.87 mmol) and l-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride (2 h, 125 mg, 0.62 mmol, 71%): yellow oil, IR ν_max: 2988, 1741 and 1657 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH₃), 1.90 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.64 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.76 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.21 (m, 1H, CH), 4.53 (s, 1H, CH), 8.76 (br s, 1H, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.3, 19.4, 50.1, 51.3, 52.5, 84.0, 160.2, 170.7, 173.3. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₉H₁₅NO₄: 201.1001; found: 201.1072. ${\left[\mathsf{\alpha }\right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{22}$ = +16.47 (c = 3.46, CHCl₃).

Methyl (R,Z)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (4c). Prepared from 3 (100 mg, 0.87 mmol) and d-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride (1.2 h, 148 mg, 0.74 mmol, 85%): yellow oil, IR ν_max: 2988, 1741 and 1657 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.48 (d, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, CH₃), 1.90 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.64 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.76 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.21 (m, 1H, CH), 4.53 (s, 1H, CH), 8.76 (br s, 1H, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.3, 19.4, 50.1, 51.3, 52.5, 84.04, 160.2, 170.7, 173.3. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₉H₁₅NO₄: 201.1001; found: 201.1069. ${\left[\mathsf{\alpha }\right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{22}$ = −15.93 (c = 3.39, CHCl₃).

Methyl (Z)-(4-methoxy-4-oxobut-2-en-2-yl)-l-leucinate (4d). Prepared from 3 (300 mg, 2.60 mmol) and l-leucine methyl ester hydrochloride (2 h, 507 mg, 2.09 mmol, 80%): yellow oil, IR ν_max: 2986, 1739 and 1660 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 0.92 (d, 3H, J = 6.4 Hz, CH₃), 0.96 (d, 3H, J = 6.4 Hz, CH₃), 1.25 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.68 (m, 1H, CH₂), 1.76 (m, 1H, CH), 1.88 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.63 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.73 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.11 (m, 1H, CH), 4.53 (s, 1H, CH), 8.68 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.6, 21.9, 22.94, 24.7, 42.2, 50.2, 52.5, 54.6, 84.3, 160.6, 170.8, 173.4. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₁₂H₂₁NO₄: 243.1471; found: 243.1579. ${\left[\mathsf{\alpha }\right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{22}$ = +11.39 (c = 2.02, CHCl₃).

Methyl (S,Z)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (4e). Prepared from 3 (100 mg, 0.87 mmol) and l-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (3 h, 200 mg, 0.72 mmol, 83%): white solid, m.p.: 75–77 °C; IR ν_max: 2986, 1735 and 1685 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.62 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.98 (dd, 1H, J = 8.8, 13.6 Hz, CH₂), 3.15 (dd, 1H, J = 5.2, 13.6 Hz, CH₂), 3.63 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.71 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.11 (m, 1H, CH), 4.45 (s, 1H, CH), 7.20 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.26 (m, 3H, arom.), 8.90 (d, 1H, J = 9.2 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.2, 40.3, 50.1, 52.4, 57.9, 84.3, 127.1, 128.6 (2C), 129.3 (2C), 136.3, 159.9, 170.5, 171.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₁₅H₁₉NO₄: 277.1314; found: 277.1386. ${\left[\mathsf{\alpha }\right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{22}$ = +15.22 (c = 2.46, CHCl₃).

Methyl (R,Z)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (4f). Prepared from 3 (100 mg, 0.87 mmol) and D-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (3 h, 183 mg, 0.67 mmol, 76%): white solid, m.p.: 76–79 °C; IR ν_max: 2986, 1735 and 1685 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.62 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.98 (dd, 1H, J = 8.8, 13.6 Hz, CH₂), 3.15 (dd, 1H, J = 5.2, 13.6 Hz, CH₂), 3.63 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.71 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.11 (m, 1H, CH), 4.45 (s, 1H, CH), 7.20 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.26 (m, 3H, arom.), 8.90 (d, 1H, J = 9.2 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.2, 40.3, 50.1, 52.4, 57.9, 84.3, 127.1, 128.6 (2C), 129.3 (2C), 136.3, 159.9, 170.5, 171.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₁₅H₁₉NO₄: 277.1314; found: 277.1326. ${\left[\mathsf{\alpha }\right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{22}$ = −14.16 (c = 2.33, CHCl₃).

Methyl (S,Z)-3-[(3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (4g). Prepared from 3 (100 mg, 0.87 mmol) and l-tryptophan methyl ester hydrochloride (3.5 h, 231 mg, 0.73 mmol, 84%): white solid, m.p.: 96–98 °C; IR ν_max: 2989, 1737 and 1682 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.65 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.19 (dd, 1H, J = 7.6, 14.8 Hz, CH₂), 3.30 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 14.4 Hz, CH₂), 3.61 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.65 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.41 (m, 1H, CH), 4.44 (s, 1H, CH), 7.02 (s, 1H, indoyl), 7.10 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.26 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, arom.), 7.54 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 8.65 (br s, 1H, N-indoyl), 8.95 (d, 1H, J = 9.2 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.3, 29.8, 50.1, 52.4, 56.6, 84.0, 109.4, 111.5, 118.2, 119.3, 121.9, 123.8, 127.0, 136.2, 160.34, 170.7, 172.5. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₁₇H₂₀N₂O₄: 316.1423; found: 316.1536. ${\left[\mathsf{\alpha }\right]}_{\mathrm{D}}^{22}$ = +14.21 (c = 1.97, CHCl₃).

3.3. Preparation of Compounds 5a,b and 6–14. General Procedure

Suspensions of acylnaphthohydroquinones 1a–d (1 equiv.), enaminones 4a–g (1.2 equiv.), Ag₂O (2 equiv.) and MgSO₄ (0.5 g) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) were stirred at room temperature until completion of the reaction as indicated by TLC. The mixtures were filtered, the solids washed with CH₂Cl₂ and the solvent removed under reduced pressure; the residues were purified by chromatography over silica gel (90:10 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to yield the corresponding naphthoquinone derivatives.

Methyl 1-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5,10-dioxo-1,2,5,10-tetrahydrobenzo[g]isoquinoline-4-carboxylate (5a). Prepared from 1a (100 mg, 0.49 mmol) and 4a (2 h, 112 mg, 0.31 mmol, 64%): purple solid, m.p.: 215–217 °C; IR ν_max: 3424, 2948, 1721, 1671 and 1498 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.44 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.27 (s, 1H, OH), 2.76 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.74 (m, 1H, CH₂OH), 3.86 (m, 1H, CH₂OH), 3.95 (s, 4H, CO₂CH₃ and OH), 4.04 (m, 1H, CH₂NH), 4.27 (m, 1H, CH₂NH), 7.63 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2 and 8.0 Hz, arom.), 7.72 (dd, 1H, J = 6.8 and 8.4 Hz, arom.), 8.12 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, arom.), 8.27 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, arom.). ¹³C-NMR: δ 19.6, 22.6, 46.5, 52.7, 64.4, 92.5, 105.4, 119.7, 126.9, 127.0, 128.5, 131.1, 133.3, 134.4, 137.1, 155.0, 167.10, 179.3, 182.2. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₁₉H₁₉NO₆: 357.1212; found: 357.1225.

Methyl 1-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methyl-5,10-dioxo-1-phenyl-1,2,5,10-tetrahydrobenzo[g] isoquinoline-4-carboxylate (5b). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4a (1.5 h, 115 mg, 0.27 mmol, 72%): red solid, m.p.: 236.5–238.5 °C; IR ν_max: 3356, 2948, 1735, 1678 and 1435 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.60 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.32 (m, 1H, CH₂OH), 3.67 (m, 1H, CH₂OH), 3.79 (m, 2H, CH₂NH and OH), 3.99 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.12 (m, 2H, CH₂NH and OH), 7.27 (d, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, arom.), 7.39 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2 and 7.6 Hz, arom.), 7.54 (m, 3H, arom.), 7.66 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.13 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 8.17 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.). ¹³C-NMR: δ 23.6, 49.5, 52.7, 65.5, 92.5, 106.0, 120.4, 126.9, 127.0, 128.5, 128.8, 128.9, 129.0, 129.1, 130.5, 132.3, 133.6, 134.4, 134.5, 136.7, 155.0, 166.8, 178.6, 182.1. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₂₄H₂₁NO₆: 419.1369; found: 419.1345.

Methyl (S,Z)-2-(3-benzoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl) amino]-but-2-enoate (6). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4b (1.5 h, 102 mg, 0.22 mmol, 58%); purple solid; isomers proportion ~45:55; m.p.: 217–218 °C; IR ν_max: 2988, 1738, 1681, 1664 and 1650 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.40 (d, 3H, J = 9.2 Hz, CH₃), 1.46 (d, 3H, J = 9.2 Hz, CH₃), 1.64 (s, 6H, CH₃), 3.45 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 3.75 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.76 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.19 (m, 2H, CH), 7.40 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.56 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.79–7.87 (m, 8H, arom.), 8.13 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.19 (m, 2H, arom.), 9.57 (d, 1H, J = 10.4 Hz, NH), 9.68 (d, 1H, J = 11.2 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 17.5, 17.6, 19.3, 19.7, 50.7, 51.8, 52.7, 52.8, 87.6, 87.7, 126.5, 126.60, 127.1, 127.2, 128.5, 128.6, 129.1, 129.2, 132.0, 132.1, 132.4, 132.5, 134.1, 134.2, 134.1, 134.2, 134.3, 135.7, 146.0, 146.1, 160.6, 160.7, 167.7, 172.59, 172.7, 184.1, 184.6, 184.9, 193.0, 193.2. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₂₆H₂₃NO₇: 461.1474; found: 463.1547.

Methyl (R,Z)-2-(3-benzoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (7). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4c (1.5 h, 91.52 mg, 0.20 mmol, 52%); isomers proportion ~47:53; purple oil; IR ν_max: 2988, 1738, 1681, 1664 and 1650 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.40 (d, 3H, J = 9.2 Hz, CH₃), 1.45 (d, 3H, J = 9.6 Hz, CH₃), 1.64 (s, 6H, CH₃), 3.45 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 3.75 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.76 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.15 (m, 2H, CH), 7.40 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.56 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.79–7.87 (m, 8H, arom.), 8.13 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.18 (m, 2H, arom.), 9.57 (d, 1H, J = 10.8 Hz, NH), 9.68 (d, 1H, J = 11.2 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 17.5, 17.6, 19.3, 19.7, 50.7, 51.7, 52.7, 52.8, 87.6, 87.7, 126.5, 126.6, 127.1, 127.2, 128.5, 128.6, 129.1, 129.2, 132.0, 132.1, 132.4, 132.5, 134.1, 134.2, 134.1, 134.2, 134.3, 135.7, 145.9, 146.0, 160.6, 160.7, 167.7, 172.6, 172.7, 184.1, 184.6, 184.9, 192.9, 193.2. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₂₆H₂₃NO₇: 461.1474; found: 461.1540.

Methyl (Z)-[3-(3-benzoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-4-methoxy-4-oxobut-2-en-2-yl]-l-leucinate (8). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4d (2 h, 80.63 mg, 0.16 mmol, 42%); isomers proportion ~47:53; red solid; m.p.: 222.5–224.5 °C; IR ν_max: 2990, 1740, 1681, 1662, 1645 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 0.88 (m, 6H, CH₃), 0.91 (d, 3H, J = 6.4 Hz, CH₃), 0.94 (d, 3H, J = 6.4 Hz, CH₃), 1.46–1.78 (m, 6H, CH and CH₂), 1.83(s, 6H, CH₃), 3.45 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 3.74 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 4.11 (m, 2H, CH), 7.40 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.55 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.78–7.86 (m, 8H, arom.), 8.13 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.19 (m, 2H, arom.), 9.46 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, N-H), 9.55 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, N-H). ¹³C-NMR: δ 17.6, 17.7, 22.0, 22.1, 22.8, 22.9, 24.6, 24.7, 42.0, 42.3, 50.6, 50.7, 52.5, 52.6, 54.9, 87.8, 87.9, 126.5, 127.1, 127.2, 128.5, 129.1, 129.2, 132.1, 132.4, 132.5, 134.0, 134.1, 134.2, 134.3, 135.7, 135.8, 143.8, 143.91, 145.9, 146.0, 160.7, 161.1, 167.6, 167.7, 172.4, 172.5, 183.9, 184.1, 184.5, 184.8, 192.8, 192.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₂₉H₂₉NO₇: 503.1944; found: 503.2005.

Methyl (S,Z)-2-(3-benzoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (9). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4e (2.5 h, 133.2 mg, 0.25 mmol, 65%); isomers proportion ~50:50; purple solid; m.p.: 176.5–178 °C; IR ν_max: 2992, 1735, 1688, 1660 and 1655 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.59 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.76 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.00 (m, 3H, CH₂), 3.12 (dd, 1H, J = 5.2, 13.6 Hz, CH₂), 3.43 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.45 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.69 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.70 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.30 (m, 1H, CH), 4.36 (m, 1H, CH), 6.97 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz, arom.), 7.18–7.27 (m, 6H, arom.), 7.32 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.37–7.44 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.56 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.77–7.86 (m, 8H, arom.), 8.11 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.18 (m, 2H, arom.), 9.74 (t, 2H, J = 9.4 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 17.3, 7.5, 40.3, 50.6, 52.6, 57.8, 58.2, 88.0, 126.5, 127.1, 127.2, 127.3, 127.4, 128.5, 128.6, 128.7, 128.9, 129.1, 129.2, 129.3, 129.5, 132.1, 132.3, 132.4, 134.01, 134.02, 134.08, 134.13, 134.25, 135.5, 135.6, 135.7, 135.8, 143.8, 143.9, 145.9, 146.0, 160.0, 160.6, 167.5, 167.6, 171.1, 171.4, 184.0, 184.1, 184.5, 184.6, 192.8, 192.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₃₂H₂₇NO₇: 537.1788; found: 537.1852.

Methyl (R,Z)-2-(3-benzoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (10). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4f (3 h, 118.8 mg, 0.22 mmol, 58%); isomers proportion ~50:50; red solid; m.p.: 154.5–156.5 °C; IR ν_max: 2992, 1735, 1688, 1660 and 1655 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.60 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.76 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.00 (m, 3H, CH₂), 3.11 (dd, 1H, J = 5.2, 13.6 Hz, CH₂), 3.43 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.45 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.68 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.69 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.31 (m, 1H, CH), 4.37 (m, 1H, CH), 6.97 (d, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz, arom.), 7.17–7.24 (m, 6H, arom.), 7.31 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.37–7.43 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.55 (m, 2H, arom.), 7.76–785 (m, 8H, arom.), 8.11 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.17 (m, 2H, arom.), 9.74 (t, 2H, J = 9.2 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 17.3, 17.4, 40.2, 50.57, 52.5, 57.7, 58.1, 87.9, 88.0, 126.4, 127.0, 127.1, 127.22, 127.3, 128.45, 128.5, 128.6, 128.8, 129.0, 129.1, 129.2, 129.4, 132.0, 132.3, 132.3, 133.9, 134.0, 134.05, 134.1, 134.2, 135.4, 135.6, 135.7, 135.8, 143.7, 143.8, 145.8, 145.9, 159.95, 160.5, 167.4, 167.5, 171.0, 171.3, 183.9, 184.0, 184.4, 184.5, 192.8, 192.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₃₂H₂₇NO₇: 537.1788; found: 537.1861.

Methyl (S,Z)-3-[(3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino]-2-(3-benzoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-but-2-enoate (11). Prepared from 1b (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4g (2.5 h, 155.9 mg, 0.27 mmol, 71%); isomers proportion ~45:55; purple solid; m.p.: 230.5–232.5. °C; IR ν_max: 2990, 1735, 1697, 1670 and 1650 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 1.55 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.58 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.08–3.18 (m, 3H, CH₂), 3.27 (dd, 1H, J = 5.2, 14.4 Hz, CH₂), 3.39 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.45 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.64 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.66 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 4.39 (m, 2H, CH), 6.77 (s, 1H, CH), 7.0–7.15 (m, 5H, arom.), 7.24–7.41 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.46–7.57 (m, 6H, arom.), 7.76 (m, 4H, arom.), 7.82 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 7.87 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 8.09 (d, 2H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 8.15 (m, 2H, arom.), 8.48 (br s, 1H, NH), 8.52 (br s, 1H, NH), 9.76 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, NH), 9.93 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 17.3, 17.4, 29.9, 30.2, 50.5, 50.6, 52.5, 52.6, 56.9, 87.3, 87.5, 109.0, 109.1, 111.4, 111.5, 118.1, 118.2, 119.4, 119.5, 122.0, 122.1, 123.8, 126.4, 126.5, 126.9, 127.0, 127.01, 127.1, 128.4, 128.6, 129.0, 129.1, 131.9, 132.0, 132.2, 132.3, 134.0, 134.15, 134.20, 134.25, 135.6, 136.1, 136.0, 143.8, 144.1, 145.9, 160.6, 160.9, 167.5, 167.6, 171.2, 171.6, 184.0, 184.1, 184.5, 184.8, 192.8, 193.1. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₃₄H₂₈N₂O₇: 576.1897; found: 576.1956.

Methyl (R,Z)-2-(3-butyryl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-3-[(1-methoxy-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)amino]-but-2-enoate (12). Prepared from 1c (200 mg, 0.87 mmol) and 4f (3.0 h, 196.8 mg, 0.39 mmol, 45%); isomers proportion ~50:50; purple solid; m.p.: 176.5–178.5 °C; IR ν_max: 2950, 1740, 1710, 1655 and 1626 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 0.87 (t, 6H, J = 7.4 Hz CH₃), 1.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.67 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.36–2.58 (m, 4H, CH₂), 3.05 (m, 2H, CH₂), 3.17 (m, 2H, CH₂), 3.60 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.62 (s, 3H, CO₂CH₃), 3.74 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 4.36 (m, 2H, CH), 7.23–7.36 (m, 10H, arom.), 7.75 (m, 4H, arom.), 8.10 (m, 4H, arom.), 9.92 (br s, 2H, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 13.7, 13.8, 16.3, 16.5, 17.2, 17.4, 40.2, 40.3, 45.0, 51.1, 52.7, 52.8, 58.2, 58.3, 126.3, 127.0, 127.1, 127.4, 128.9, 129.0, 129.3, 129.5, 132.0, 132.2, 134.0, 134.2, 135.8, 135.9, 141.7, 147.1, 168.0, 168.1, 171.4, 171.5, 184.0, 184.8, 202.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₂₉H₂₉NO₇: 503.1944; found: 503.2008.

Methyl (Z)-[3-(3-hexanoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-4-methoxy-4-oxobut-2-en-2-yl]-l-leucinate (13). Prepared from 1d (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4d (2.5 h, 75.88 mg, 0.15 mmol, 40%); isomers proportion ~44:56; violet oil; IR ν_max: 2995, 1756, 1690, 1678 and 1645 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 0.84 (m, 6H, CH₃), 0.89–0.95 (m, 12H, CH₃), 1.24 (m, 8H, CH₂), 1.58 (m, 4H, CH₂), 1.61–1.72 (m, 6H, CH and CH₂), 1.74 (s, 6H, CH₃), 1.76 (s, 6H, CH₃), 2.51 (m, 4H, CH₂), 3.56 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 3.73 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 4.13 (m, 2H, CH), 7.73 (m, 4H, arom.), 8.04–8.07 (m, 4H, arom.), 9.65 (d, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz), 9.76 (d, 1H, J = 6.8 Hz). ¹³C-NMR: δ 13.91 17.43, 21.98, 22.01, 22.53 (2C), 22.69, 22.75, 24.71, 24.78, 31.22, 41.97, 42.32, 42.92, 50.95, 52.51, 52.58, 54.90, 54.94, 87.34, 126.21, 126.25, 126.91, 126.97, 131.94, 131.97, 132.12, 132.14, 133.92, 133.96, 134.11, 134.14, 141.61, 141.72, 147.22, 161.38, 168.11, 172.39, 172.54, 183.84, 184.69, 184.99, 2002.74, 202.91. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₂₈H₃₅NO₇: 497.2414; found: 497.2479.

Methyl (S,Z)-3-[(3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-methoxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl)amino]-2-(3-hexanoyl-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)but-2-enoate (14). Prepared from 1d (100 mg, 0.38 mmol) and 4g (2.5 h, 126.1 mg, 0.22 mmol, 58%); isomers proportion ~45:55; red solid; m.p.: 264.5–266.5 °C; IR ν_max: 2990, 1735, 1697, 1670 and 1650 cm⁻¹; ¹H-NMR: δ 0.88 (t, 3H, J = 7.8 Hz, CH₃), 0.90 (t, 3H, J = 7.8 Hz, CH₃), 1.20–1.35 (m, 8H, CH₂), 1.41 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.47–2.65 (m, 4H, CH₂), 3.13–3.25 (m, 2H, CH₂), 3.36 (m, 1H, CH₂), 3.40 (m, 1H, CH₂), 3.60 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 3.72 (s, 6H, CO₂CH₃), 4.41 (ddd, 2H, J = 5.0, 8.1 and 16.7 Hz, CH), 7.0 (s, 1H, CH), 7.09–7.19 (m, 5H, arom.), 7.32 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 7.37 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, arom.), 7.57 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, arom.), 7.76 (m, 4H, arom.), 8.06–8.14 (m, 4H, arom.), 8.33 (br s, 1H, NH), 8.44 (br s, 1H, NH), 9.95 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, NH), 10.12 (br s, 1H, NH). ¹³C-NMR: δ 14.0, 14.1, 17.1, 17.2, 22.5, 22.55, 22.57, 22.76, 30.1, 30.5, 31.3, 31.3, 43.0, 43.1, 50.9, 51.0, 52.7, 52.8, 57.0, 57.2, 109.2, 109.6, 111.5, 111.6, 118.2, 118.3, 119.7, 122.2, 122.3, 123.9, 124.5, 126.2, 126.3, 126.9, 127.1, 127.1, 131.9, 132.0, 132.1, 132.3, 133.9, 134.0, 134.15, 134.20, 136.2, 136.3, 141.8, 142.0, 147.21, 161.2, 168.0, 169.0, 171.7, 171.8, 183.9, 184.1, 184.8, 185.1, 202.9. HRMS (M⁺): m/z calcd. for C₃₃H₃₄N₂O₇: 570.2366; found: 570.2434.

3.4. Cytotoxicity Assay

Cell Lines and Culture Conditions: MRC-5 normal human lung fibroblasts (CCL-171), AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (CRL-1739), SK-MES-1 human lung cancer cells (HTB-58), and J82 human bladder carcinoma cells (HTB-1) were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA). MRC-5, SK-MES-1, and J82 cells were grown in Eagle’s minimal essential medium (EMEM) containing 2 mM l-glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate and 1.5 g/L sodium hydrogen carbonate. AGS cells were grown in Ham F-12 supplemented with 2 mM l-glutamine and 1.5 g/L sodium hydrogen carbonate. Finally, HL-60 cells were grown in RPMI medium. Media were supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 IU/mL penicillin and 100 μg/mL streptomycin and cell cultures were kept in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 in air at 37 °C. For the cytotoxicity experiments, cells were seeded into 96-well plates at a density of 50,000 cells/mL. After reaching confluence, cells were incubated for three days with compounds at varied concentrations ranging from 0 up to 100 μM while untreated cells (medium containing 1% DMSO) were used as controls. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reduction assay. MTT was used at 1 mg/mL and the blue formazan crystals, formed during MTT reduction, were dissolved adding 100 μL of ethanol (acidified with HCl). The absorbance was measured at 550 nm using a Universal Microplate Reader (ELX 800, Bio-Tek Instruments Inc., Winooski, VT, USA). Values were the means of six replicates for each concentration and transformed to percentage of controls. The IC₅₀ value was graphically obtained from the dose–response curves by adjusting them to a sigmoidal model (a + (b − a)/1 + 10(x − c)), where c = log IC₅₀.

4. Conclusions

In summary, we have studied the reactivity of a number of 2-acylnaphthoquinones with secondary enaminones derived from 2-aminoethanol and α-amino acid methyl esters. The reactions provided access to 1,2-dihydrobenzisoquinolinequinones 5a and 5b and a variety of napthoquinone-amino ester conjugates 6–14. The main novelty of the study concerns the facile access, and with high atom economy, to a new scaffold containing the biological relevant naphthoquinone and amino acid fragments, bonded through a vinyl spacer. The preliminary results on the biological evaluation of conjugates 6–14 showed interesting in vitro cytotoxic activity on cancer cells.