Design, synthesis, characterization, quantum-chemical calculations and anti-inflammatory activity of novel series of thiophene derivatives

•Novel series of thiophene heterocyclic compounds were synthesized and characterized.•Optimization of the geometric shape was carried out.•Molecular parameters were calculated.•The anti-inflammatory activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated.

Interaction of 1-(4-morpholinophenyl)ethanone 1 with either malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate 2 afforded Knoevenagel–Cope product 3. In subsequent treatment of 3 with sulfur, the 2-aminothiophene derivatives (4a, 4b) are formed under basic conditions. The solvent-free reaction of thiophene derivative 4a with ethyl cyanoacetate afforded thieno[2,3-d][1,3]oxazine derivative 6. The base catalyzed condensation of 2-aminothiophene derivative (4a) with ethyl cyanoacetate afforded N-(thieno-2-yl) cyanoacetamide derivative 7. The latter was used to synthesize different heterocyclic derivatives comprising, pyridine and coumarin rings. Also, several substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines have been prepared from reaction of 2-aminothiophene-3-carbonitrile 4b with some electrophilic reagents. The structure of the newly compounds were confirmed on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral data. The molecular modeling of the synthesized compounds has been drawn and their molecular parameters were calculated. Also, valuable information is obtained from calculation of the molecular parameters including electronegativity, net dipole moment of the compounds, total energy, electronic energy, binding energy, HOMO and LUMO energy. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of the tested compounds was performed in albino rats by producing carrageenan induced paw oedema and measuring the zone of inflammation at different time intervals i.e. 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after carrageenan injection. Results indicated that most of the tested compounds showed moderate to good activity comparable to indomethacin. Also, compound 16 with additional morpholine ring beside the thiophene ring inhibits carrageenan induced paw oedema more than the standard indomethacin drug at all the time scales studied. Thus, compound 16 is considered as a promising compound for further modification to obtain clinically useful anti-inflammatory agent.

Graphical abstractNovel series of thiophene heterocyclic compounds have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectral like IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS studies. The molecular modeling of the synthesized compounds has been drawn and their molecular parameters were calculated. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide