Pd-N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed synthesis of piperidine alkene-alkaloids and their anti-cancer evaluation

A facile synthesis of piperidine alkene-alkaloids including natural (+)-Caulophyllumine B in high yields has been developed by Heck cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by simple in situ formed palladium-N-heterocyclic carbenes (Pd-NHCs). Formation of Pd(0) nanoparticles has been noticed during the reaction course. The synthesized piperidine alkene-alkaloids were evaluated for in vitro anti-cancer activity against a panel of human tumor cell lines of lung, breast and ovarian. Several of these piperidine alkene-alkaloids were found to possess highest growth inhibition activity than the standard drug cisplatin and support the concept to modulate drug receptor interaction.