Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking analysis of novel benzopyrimidinone derivatives as potential anti-tyrosinase agents.

2-substitued-benzopyrimidinones 2 were synthesized in high to excellent yields in a single step via condensation of 2-aminobenzamide 1 with some aryl-aldehydes in the presence of iodine. Cyclocondensation reaction of hydrazides 3 which were obtained in two steps from benzopyrimidinones 2, with some electrophilic species such as 2,4-pentandione, 2,5-hexandione, 1-phenylbutan-1,3-dione and cyclic anyhdrides provided the new compounds 4a-c, 5a-c, 6a-c, 7a-c, 8a-c and 9a-c. The synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means. They were also evaluated for their anti-tyrosinase potential. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) was discussed on the basis of the molecular docking analysis.