Chalcones and their use as precursors in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds

Abstract

The synthesis of new compounds with potential biological activity is a major challenge for research in organic and medicinal and is of great impact due to the potential development of new therapies for the treatment of various types of diseases. This document is a summary of the research conducted by Professor Braulio Insuasty Obando and his group in recent years in the topic of synthesis of 5, 6 and 7 members nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (pyrazolines, pyridines and diazepines) with potential biological activity starting from 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ones (chalcones) and its analogues. The preparation and characterization of the new compounds was conducted in the Grupo de Investigación de Compuestos Heterocíclicos of the Universidad del Valle. To carry out the synthesis reactions, besides conventional energy sources (refluxing) unconventional sources were used such as microwave irradiation and ultrasound. Some reactions were carried out using environmental friendly methods as solvent-free reactions and multicomponent reactions. Use of these synthetic methodologies allows making cleaner reactions, in less time and with better yields. The synthesized compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction in some cases.