Synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of substituted imidazo[4,5-d]pyrrolo[3,2-f][1,3] diazepine scaffolds

Substituted 4-(2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-1H-imidazoles were prepared from 5-amino-1-aryl-4-cyanoformimidoylimidazoles and cyanoacetamide, under mild experimental conditions. The pyrrolyl-imidazoles were cyclized to the corresponding 7,8-dihydroimidazo[4,5-b]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridines by reflux in ethanol, with catalysis by DBU. The same pyrrolyl-imidazoles were reacted with orthoesters, at room temperature and in the presence of sulfuric acid, to generate 3,7-dihydro-8H-imidazo[4,5-d]pyrrolo[3,2-f]diazepines in very good yield. Electrochemical studies of the imidazo[4,5-d]pyrrolo[3,2-f][1,3] diazepine derivatives were carried out. The reduction potential of 7-ethyl-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-3H-imidazo[4,5-d]pyrrolo[3,2-f][1,3] diazepine-9-carbonitrile was in the adequate range for presenting bioreduction properties.