Synthesis and Evaluation of New Coumarin Derivatives as Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Agents.

New pyranocoumarin and coumarin-sulfonamide derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and/or anti-inflammatory activities. Coumarin-sulfonamide compounds 8a-d demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, while 7c,d, 8c,d, and 9c,d exhibited antimicrobial activity equal to or higher than the standard antimicrobials against at least one tested microorganism. Regarding the anti-inflammatory testing, pyranocoumarins 2b, 3a,b and 5c and coumarin-sulfonamide compound 9a showed more potent antiproteinase activity than aspirin in vitro; however, five compounds were as potent as aspirin. The anti-inflammatory activity of the promising compounds was further assessed pharmacologically on formaldehyde-induced rat paw oedema and showed significant inhibition of oedema. For in vitro COX-inhibitory activity of coumarin derivatives, pyranocoumarin derivative 5a was the most selective (SI = 152) and coumarin-sulfonamide derivative 8d was most active toward COX-2 isozyme. The most active derivatives met the in silico criteria for orally active drugs; thus, they may serve as promising candidates to develop more potent and highly efficient antioxidant, antimicrobial, and/or anti-inflammatory agents.

1. Introduction

Many diseases result from oxidative stress caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1], which play an essential role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases as well as in tumour growth, and age-related disorders. Inflammatory diseases can affect the quality of life of many patients; however, the current medicinal drugs are not always effective and may cause serious adverse effects [2]. Nonetheless, infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death globally [3], and antimicrobial resistance has been commonly reported worldwide [3,4]. These obstacles necessitate the search for new therapies with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.

Coumarin (2H-1-benzopyran-2-one) derivatives are a large class of highly important lactones containing a fused structure of a benzene ring and α-pyrone. Coumarin derivatives have increasingly appealed to medicinal chemists because of their potential role in preventing and treating diseases [5,6]. Numerous research reports have indicated hydroxycoumarin and its dihydropyran derivatives as potential candidates for the development of antioxidant (Figure 1 and Figure 2; I [7], II [8], III [9], and V [10]), anti-inflammatory (III, V, and VI [11]), and antimicrobial (I [12], I [13], I [14], and IV [15]) agents. Therefore, they are considered as a compelling starting point for a wide range of applications in the medicinal field.

Figure 1

Bioactive pyranocoumarin derivatives and design of pyranocoumarins. DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl.

Figure 2

Bioactive coumarin derivatives and design of coumarin-sulfonamides. * CPE: Carrageenan-induced paw oedema.

Despite massive efforts by various global academic and industrial research laboratories over the years, developing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents that are potent, safe, and selective remains quite challenging. On one hand, coumarin derivatives represent a broad spectrum of biological activities, which may be useful in developing new compounds with the aforementioned desired activities [16]. On the other hand, sulfonamides have become an intriguing scaffold due to their broad medicinal applicability. Several sulfonamides are clinically used as therapeutic agents, such as the anti-inflammatory agents celecoxib [17] and sulfasalazine [18] and the antimicrobial agents sulfamethoxazole [19] and sulfadiazine [20] (Figure 2). Thus, they have been considered as promising molecules for the design and development of new drugs.

Previous reports have suggested that beginning with modification of compounds known to have pharmacological effects (pyranocoumarins, Figure 1) or conjugating two structures with promising biological effects into an interesting motif (coumarin-3-sulfonamides, Figure 2) may be useful for developing new effective therapeutic agents. Therefore, this work aimed to design and synthesise new coumarin derivatives [21], including pyranocoumarins and coumarin-sulfonamides, in order to evaluate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities against medically important bacterial and fungal strains. In this study, 4-hydroxy-6-methylcoumarin and 6-chloro-4-hydroxycoumarin moieties were selected as pharmacophores with the aim of obtaining compounds with more powerful desired effects. In addition, in silico assessment of the drug-likeness of the target compounds was performed.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Chemistry

In this work, facile and green chemistry methods were used for synthesising new coumarin derivatives via the routes illustrated in Scheme 1 and Scheme 2. Synthetic Scheme 1 shows the procedure for pyranocoumarin preparation. All of these derivatives have a chiral centre at Position 4, which are confirmed by one and, in some cases, two dimensional NMR spectroscopy and supported by the X-ray analysis of 2a. These results suggest the presence of these compounds as racemic mixtures of (±)-enantiomers. High yields of the new pyranocoumarins 2a,b were prepared with one-pot reaction using water as a solvent by the reaction of different aryl aldehydes with malononitrile and 4-hydroxy-6-methylcoumarin, catalysed by potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) to generate the desired carbonitriles according to a previously reported method [22]. The X-ray crystal structure of compound 2a was studied at 123 K (Figure 3). In the crystal structure, NH protons were refined freely. Moreover, the nitrobenzene moiety in Position 4 is perpendicular to the pyranocoumarin moiety. This compound has chirality at C-3 and was crystallised in a space group P 21/n with a chiral monoclinic centrosymmetric arrangement confirming its presence as a racemic mixture (R/S). The tentative assignments are done on the basis of geometric and atom type data in the cif. The full crystallographic data are included in the Supplementary Materials (Table S1).

Scheme 1

Synthetic routes of pyranocoumarins 2–5. DMF-DMA, N,N-dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal; M.W., microwave; R.T., room temperature.

Scheme 2

Synthetic routes of coumarin-sulfonamide derivatives 6–9.

Figure 3

X-ray crystal structure of 2a.

The carboxamide derivatives 3a and 3b were obtained in good yields through acidic hydrolysis of 2a or 2b with sulphuric acid, at room temperature. The reaction of 2a,b with excess N,N-dimethylformamide-dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA) at 100 °C yielded the corresponding derivatives 4a,b within 15–40 min. Microwave irradiation was used to obtain the target derivatives 5a–f by treating 2a,b with different aromatic aldehydes in 1,4-dioxane. Several pilot experiments were carried out to optimise the irradiation time using the Biotage Initiator+ microwave (400 W). It was revealed that microwave irradiation for 90–110 min was optimal for this reaction. In this method, the products were obtained with a short reaction time without using hazardous catalysts; however, all compounds had low yields (6–37%).

Synthetic Scheme 2 shows the procedure for preparing coumarin-3-sulfonamide compounds. Coumarin sulfonyl chlorides 6a,b were produced with excellent yields (≥97%) by treating 4-hydroxy-6-substituted coumarin 1a or 1b with chlorosulfonic acid in dichloromethane at 0 °C. Despite the limited available information regarding coumarin-3-sulfonamides, they were generally obtained either by using a Knoevenagel condensation reaction [23] or through the condensation of coumarin-3-sulfonyl chlorides with aromatic amines [24]. In the present work, the coumarin-3-sulfonamides 7a–f were prepared by refluxing an equimolar quantity of 6a or 6b and different sulfa-drugs in absolute ethanol. However, the reaction of 6a or 6b with nucleophilic reagents (1:2), aniline or p-substituted aniline, in absolute ethanol under reflux involves the formation of the corresponding coumarin-3-sulfonamides 8a–f with yields of 48–92%. Coumarin-sulfonamide chalcone derivatives 9a–f were synthesised in low yields (15–35%) by Claisen–Schmidt condensation of p-acetyl derivatives of 4-hydroxy-6-(substituted)coumarin-3-sulfonamides 8e or 8f with the p-substituted aromatic aldehyde through adding sodium hydroxide solution in ethanol at room temperature.

2.2. Antioxidant Testing

The antioxidant effects of the synthesised compounds were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay [25,26]. Table 1 summarises the antioxidant effects of the test samples and ascorbic acid except for compound 5b because it was produced in poor yield. Fourteen compounds exhibited free radical scavenging activity; however, all compounds showing antioxidant activity were dose-dependent.

Table 1

Antioxidant activity of coumarin compounds and ascorbic acid using DPPH antioxidant assay (IC50, μg/mL).

Compd	IC50	Compd	IC50	Compd	IC50
2a	—	5f	—	8d	4.30 ± 0.531
2b	—	7a	93.12 ± 0.727	8e	32.85 ± 1.322
3a	—	7b	61.78 ± 2.719	8f	35.36 ± 3.265
3b	48.38 ± 4.616	7c	120.12 ± 4.629	9a	—
4a	—	7d	112.19 ± 4.391	9b	—
4b	—	7e	71.67 ± 3.231	9c	—
5a	—	7f	83.52 ± 1.849	9d	—
5c	—	8a	14.51 ± 1.827	9e	—
5d	82.92 ± 3.300	8b	19.25 ± 4.171	9f	—
5e	—	8c	3.87 ± 0.409	Ascorbic acid *	2.83 ± 0.166

Values represent mean ± SD (n = 3). (—): inactive (IC50 > 200 μg/mL). * Positive control. DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; IC50, half maximal inhibitory concentration; Compd, compound.

Among the an class="Chemical">pyranocoumarins, only compounds 3b and 5d showed modest antioxidant activity, with IC50 values of 48.38 ± 4.61 and 82.92 ± 3.30 μg/mL, respectively. Similarly, the activities of the coumarin-sulfonamide derivatives 7a–f were comparable to those of compounds 3b and 5d with IC50 values in the range of 61–120 μg/mL. However, antioxidant activity was significantly improved in compounds 8a–f (IC50 = ~4–35 μg/mL), of which 8c,d were the most potent. The coumarin-sulfonamide chalcones 9a–f demonstrated no antioxidant activity, with IC50 values >200 μg/mL.

Regarding the newly synthesised coumarin-3-sulfonamides, generally, the chloro-substituted compounds at Position 6 of the coumarin ring showed higher radical scavenging potential than the methyl-substituted derivatives. Interestingly, compounds 8c,d exhibited the highest antioxidant activity; this improved activity might be explained by the presence of the phenolic hydroxyl group. In addition, compounds 8a,b,e,f showed good radical scavenging activities when compared to ascorbic acid. The sulfathiazole-containing compounds 7e,f and sulphanilamide-containing compounds 7a,b showed higher antioxidant activity than that of sulfadiazine-substituted compounds 7c,d.

2.3. Antimicrobial Testing

The new molecules were individually tested for their antimicrobial activity in vitro against standard bacteria strains from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), namely, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Bacillus megaterium ATCC 9885 (Gram-positive), Escherichia coli ATCC 2592, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,953 (Gram-negative). The compounds were also microbiologically tested against locally isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and the standard Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection (NRRL) strain of the yeast-like pathogenic fungus Candida albicans NRRL Y-477. Primary screening was conducted using the agar well diffusion method [27] using nutrient agar (NA) medium and Sabourand dextrose agar (SDA) medium for the tested pathological bacteria and yeast, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the most active compounds (having inhibition zones (IZ) > 16 mm) against the same microorganisms used in the primary screening was evaluated using the two-fold serial dilution technique with the proper nutrient broth [28].

Table 2 represents the preliminary antimicrobial testing results using the agar well diffusion method. The compounds showed varying degrees of inhibition against these microorganisms. Generally, potent antimicrobial effects were observed with compounds 2a,b, 5a,c,f, 7a,c,d–f, 8a,c,d, and 9b–f with IZs larger than 25 mm against at least one tested microorganism. However, molecules 5e and 8b were moderately active with IZs between 20 and 24 mm, whereas 3a,b, 4a,b, 5d, 8e,f, and 9a showed marginal activity (IZs of 15–19 mm). Contrarily, only molecule 7b showed no inhibitory activity against the tested microorganisms (IZ <15 mm).

Table 2

Antimicrobial activity expressed as the diameter (mm) of inhibition zones of chemical compounds (except 5b), ciprofloxacin, and ketoconazole against the pathological strains S. aureus ATCC 29,213 (SA), B. subtilis ATCC 6633 (BS), B. megaterium ATCC 9885 (BM), E. coli ATCC 2592 (EC), P. aeruginosa ATCC 27,953 (PA), S. cerevisiae local isolate (SC), and C. albicans NRRL Y-477 (CA) based on well diffusion assay.

Compd	Consensus Log P a	Gram +ve Bacteria			Gram −ve Bacteria		Fungi
		SA	BS	BM	EC	PA	SC	CA
2a	2.5	24	22	25	18	20	25	22
2b	2.39	25	23	25	18	21	27	23
3a	1.76	-	18	16	16	15	-	-
3b	1.75	16	-	-	16	16	17	18
4a	3.03	16	-	-	-	-	-	-
4b	2.94	16	-	-	15	15	-	-
5a	4.29	25	27	22	26	24	26	25
5c	4.21	23	23	24	24	25	27	24
5d	4.21	18	-	-	-	-	19	19
5e	5.33	16	16	16	15	15	22	20
5f	5.28	25	23	20	20	21	24	22
7a	1.23	28	29	25	28	27	26	26
7b	1.05	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
7c	1.88	30	31	30	30	24	31	27
7d	1.71	30	31	30	28	25	32	30
7e	2.51	23	25	25	20	22	20	23
7f	2.36	24	27	27	23	24	26	24
8a	2.52	26	28	29	25	26	28	29
8b	2.41	20	19	24	18	17	19	20
8c	2.03	30	29	28	27	29	32	30
8d	1.90	30	29	29	31	31	32	30
8e	2.45	-	15	16	-	-	-	-
8f	2.32	16	15	15	-	-	-	-
9a	3.5	16	18	18	-	-	-	-
9b	3.15	22	24	25	26	26	25	23
9c	4.48	28	29	30	30	30	31	30
9d	4.32	28	29	29	38	29	32	30
9e	3.88	23	21	20	21	21	29	23
9f	3.73	25	25	26	26	28	26	24
Ciprofloxacin		28	30	30	30	30	-	-
Ketoconazole		-	-	-	-	-	30	28

(-): inactive (IZ < 15 mm); Compd, compound. a Calculated using SwissADME web tool. Consensus Log P is the average of five different prediction methods for the calculation of computerised partition coefficient, including ilog P, Xlog P3, Wlog P, Mlog P, and Log PSILICOS-IT.

The MICs of the active molecules (IZs >16 mm) are summarised in Table 3. Generally, compounds 7c,d, 8c,d, and 9c,d which showed the highest IZs, also exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against one or more tested microorganisms when compared to standards, with MICs of 125 μg/mL. Interestingly, compound 7d demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against all microorganisms with a 125 μg/mL MIC.

Table 3

Minimum inhibitory concentration (μg/mL) of the most active compounds (having inhibition zones > 16 mm), ciprofloxacin, and ketoconazole against the pathological strains S. aureus ATCC 29,213 (SA), B. subtilis ATCC6633 (BS), B. megaterium ATCC 9885 (BM), E. coli ATCC 2592 (EC), P. aeruginosa ATCC 27,953 (PA), S. cerevisiae local isolate (SC), and C. albicans NRRL Y-477 (CA) based on two-fold serial dilution technique.

Compd	Gram +ve Bacteria			Gram –ve Bacteria		Fungi
	SA	BS	BM	EC	PA	SC	CA
2a	500	500	500	1000	500	500	500
2b	500	500	500	1000	1000	500	500
3a	N.D.	1000	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.
3b	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	1000	1000
5a	250	250	500	250	500	500	500
5c	500	500	500	500	500	500	500
5d	1000	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	1000	1000
5e	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	500	500
5f	500	500	1000	1000	1000	500	500
7a	250	250	500	250	250	250	250
7c	125	125	125	125	250	125	125
7d	125	125	125	125	125	125	125
7e	500	500	500	500	1000	1000	500
7f	250	250	250	500	500	250	500
8a	500	250	250	500	500	250	250
8b	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000	1000
8c	125	125	250	250	250	125	125
8d	125	125	250	125	125	125	125
9a	N.D.	1000	1000	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.
9b	500	500	500	250	250	500	500
9c	250	250	250	250	250	125	125
9d	250	250	250	250	250	125	125
9e	500	500	500	500	500	250	500
9f	500	500	250	250	250	500	500
Ciprofloxacin	125	125	125	125	125	N.D.	N.D.
Ketoconazole	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	N.D.	125	125

N.D., not determined; Compd, compound.

Microbiological screening showed that the newly synthesised pyranocoumarins exhibited variable antimicrobial effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. These compounds were generally more sensitive toward Gram-positive bacteria. However, only compounds 5a and 5c, which contained unsubstituted benzylidene and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene, respectively, displayed strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (IZ: 24–26 mm) with strong-to-moderate inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria (22–27 mm). Similarly, compounds 2a,b and 5f showed strong-to-moderate antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria (20–25 mm), with MICs in the range of 500–1000 μg/mL. Amongst the entire series, only compound 5a, which contains an unsubstituted benzylidene, possessed strong antimicrobial activity against most tested microorganisms (22–27 mm) with MICs of 250–500 μg/mL, as compared to the control drugs. In addition, strong antimicrobial activity was observed against S. cerevisiae in compounds 2a (25 mm), 2b (27 mm), and 5c (27 mm), with a 500 μg/mL MIC.

Most of the newly synthesised coumarin-3-sulfonamides exhibited strong-to-moderate antimicrobial activity with respect to the reference drugs. Generally, most of these molecules demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In addition, compounds 7a,c,d, 8a,c,d, and 9c,d exhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism that was equal to or higher than those of the standard antimicrobials ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole.

Samples 7c,d, and 8c,d which contain sulfadiazine or 4-hydroxyphenyl moieties, exhibited slightly higher antibacterial activity (30 mm) than that of standard ciprofloxacin (28 mm) against S. aureus, with an MIC of 125 μg/mL. Meanwhile, compounds 7a, and 9c,d which contain sulfanilamide or 4-chlorophenyl moieties, displayed antibacterial activity equal to that of ciprofloxacin (28 mm) against S. aureus, with a 250 μg/mL MIC. The antibacterial activity against B. subtilis by compounds 7c,d which are substituted with sulfadiazine, was higher than that of the reference drug (30 mm) by one unit, whereas the same activity of compounds 7a, 8c,d, and 9c,d was lower by one unit. Compounds 7c,d, and 9c showed antibacterial activity against B. megaterium equal to that of ciprofloxacin (30 mm). On the other hand, only compounds 8d and 9d, containing a methyl moiety along with 4-hydroxyphenyl or 4-chlorophenyl, respectively, exhibited higher antibacterial activity than ciprofloxacin (30 mm) against E. coli by one and eight units, respectively. Meanwhile, compounds 7c and 9c, containing a chloro moiety along with sulfadiazine or 4-chlorophenyl, respectively, possessed antibacterial potential against E. coli similar to that of the control drug. Only compound 8d, containing a methyl moiety and 4-hydroxyphenyl, exerted antibacterial activity (31 mm) against P. aeruginosa higher than that of the standard drug, whereas 9c showed activity equal to the standard (30 mm).

The antimicrobial activity against S. cerevisiae of compounds 7c,d, 8c,d, and 9c,d showed IZ diameters of 31 or 32 mm, which was slightly higher than that of the control drug, ketoconazole (30 mm). In addition, compounds 7d, 8a,c,d, and 9c,d exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans that was two units higher than that of the reference drug (28 mm).

Lipophilicity is considered one of the most important properties in the optimisation process. Moreover, lipophilicity affects not only the pharmacodynamic profile of the drug, but also its pharmacokinetics [29]. However, increasing the lipophilicity of a compound facilitates microbial cell penetration, hence improving antimicrobial activity [30,31]. In fact, only compound 7b was inactive against all tested microorganisms and showed the lowest consensus Log P-value (1.05) amongst all tested compounds, which may be attributed to its low Log P-value. Meanwhile, the remaining compounds, which showed mild-to-strong activity against one or more microorganism, have consensus Log P-values in the range of 1.23–5.33. However, lipophilicity is not the only factor that influences biological activity; other factors such as electronic effects and steric properties may also contribute to the biological effects of these compounds.

2.4. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

The newly synthesised compounds were individually tested for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity against proteinase enzyme [32]. The most active compounds, 2b, 3a, 7f, and 8c, were tested further in vivo for their acute anti-inflammatory activity using the formaldehyde-induced paw oedema method in rats [33]. This test was performed at the Pharmacology Department, Medical Research Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. Furthermore, compounds 2–8 were evaluated for their COX1/COX2 inhibitory activities.

2.4.1. Proteinase-Inhibitory Activity

Proteinases play a significant role in inflammatory reactions; in particular, they can contribute to arthritic reactions. Proteinases mainly exist in the lysosomal granules of neutrophils [34]. However, proteinase inhibitors were reported to exhibit significant levels of protection against tissue damage and proteolytic activity of neutrophils during inflammatory reactions [34,35,36].

The proteinase-inhibitory activities of the newly synthesised compounds are summarised in Table 4. The inhibition of proteinase activity at 250 µg/mL was found to be highest in compounds 3a and 2b, with 79.72 ± 4.51% and 74.68 ± 3.01% inhibition, respectively. Next, compounds 5c and 9a exhibited percent inhibition values of 68.5 ± 6.23% and 62.14 ± 4.87%, respectively. Compounds 3b, 5d,e, 7f, and 8a,c showed proteinase-inhibitory activity with 41–49% inhibition. Meanwhile, compounds 4a,b, 7d, and 9d showed modest proteinase-inhibitory activity, with percent inhibition values of 31–36%. The remaining compounds showed weak antiproteinase activity with percent inhibition values below 30%. Compound 9b, however, showed no antiproteinase activity at the tested concentration.

Table 4

Proteinase-inhibitory activity of the coumarin compounds and aspirin.

Compd	% Inhibition	Compd	% Inhibition	Compd	% Inhibition
2a	17.38 ± 1.63	5f	26.83 ± 5.33	8d	20.15 ± 7.31
2b	74.68 ± 3.01	7a	18.78 ± 2.05	8e	18.5 ± 3.47
3a	79.72 ± 4.51	7b	5.93 ± 2.11	8f	2.0 ± 1.4
3b	49.28 ± 10.93	7c	8.9 ± 2.04	9a	62.14 ± 4.87
4a	31.99 ± 2.45	7d	36.84 ± 4.87	9b	—
4b	33.17 ± 2.79	7e	19.8 ± 2.54	9c	17.6 ± 6.86
5a	N.D.	7f	43.88 ± 5.6	9d	31.88 ± 3.82
5c	68.5 ± 6.23	8a	44.7 ± 8.22	9e	22.83 ± 4.88
5d	43.4 ± 1.52	8b	14.3 ± 2.21	9f	21.7 ± 7.6
5e	45.78 ± 1.62	8c	41.69 ± 2.83	Aspirin *	45.83 ± 4.21

Values represent mean ± SD (n = 3). (—): inactive. N.D., not determined; Compd, compound. * Positive control.

The pyranocoumarins 2b, 3a,b, and 5c showed more potent antiproteinase activity than did standard aspirin (45.83 ± 4.21%), whereas compounds 5d,e were comparable to the standard drug. The remaining pyranocoumarins showed moderate-to-poor activity. Compound 2a, containing 4-nitrophenyl, showed weak antiproteinase activity, while the replacement of a cyano group with carboxamide (3a) significantly enhanced this activity. In addition, replacement of the protons of the amino group with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene or 2,4-dichlorobenzylidene (5c and 5e, respectively) significantly enhanced the proteinase-inhibitory activity, indicating that the presence of a separate 4-nitrophenyl in pyranocoumarin does not contribute to significant antiproteinase activity, but its presence along with carboxamide, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene, or 2,4-dichlorobenzylidene does aid such activity. In contrast, compound 2b, which contains furan-2-yl, showed significant antiproteinase activity; however, hydrolysis of the cyano group resulting in carboxamide (3b) or the replacement of amino group protons with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene or 2,4-dichlorobenzylidene (5d,f) reduced the activity by more than 25%. Compounds 4a,b exhibited modest antiproteinase activity. This is probably due to the presence of N,N-dimethyl formimidamide at Position 2 of the pyrano ring.

Regarding the newly synthesised coumarin-3-sulfonamides, only compound 9a exhibited higher antiproteinase activity than aspirin due to the presence of the chloro group at Position 6 of the coumarin ring along with 4-nitrophenyl in the chalcone moiety. Conversely, replacement of this chloro substituent with a methyl group diminished the antiproteinase activity. Meanwhile, compounds 7f and 8a,c possess activity comparable to that of standard aspirin. The remaining compounds of this series exhibited modest-to-poor antiproteinase activity. The presence of a methyl moiety at Position 6 along with pyrimidine or thiazole rings in compounds 7d,f was essential to their antiproteinase activity. In contrast, this activity was significantly reduced by replacing the methyl moiety with a chloro moiety or replacing the rings with hydrogen. Compounds 8e,f showed poor antiproteinase activity due to the presence of 4-acetylphenyl at Position 3 of the coumarin ring. Meanwhile, compounds 8a,c showed good activity that could be due to the presence of the chloro moiety and phenyl or 4-hydroxyphenyl at Positions 6 and 3, respectively, of the coumarin ring. In contrast, replacement of the chloro moiety with methyl reduced the activity significantly. Compounds 9e,f exhibited weak antiproteinase activity that might be due to the presence of 4-methoxyphenyl in the chalcone moiety. Compound 9d, which contains methyl and 4-chlorophenyl, showed modest antiproteinase activity, whereas compound 9c, containing chloro and 4-chlorophenyl, exhibited poor activity.

2.4.2. Pharmacological In Vivo Study

Prophylactic anti-inflammatory effect on formaldehyde-induced an class="Species">rat paw oedema:

Based on the results of the antiproteinase activity, the most effective compounds, 2b and 3a, and the moderately effective ones, 7f and 8c, were selected for their in vivo evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity.

In the present study, when rat paw volumes were consecutively measured 1, 2, and 3 h after subplantar injection of 0.2 mL (1%, w/v) formaldehyde in the positive control group, it was found that formaldehyde significantly increased paw volumes by 109.6, 108.7, and 94.89%, respectively, of their basal volumes (Figure 4).

Figure 4

Percent of oedema in rats pretreated with indomethacin (25 mg/kg) and compounds 2b, 3a, 7f, and 8c (2.5 mg/kg). Results are expressed as means ± SE, n = 6. Results are statistically significant at p < 0.0001 (* vs. formaldehyde, # vs. indomethacin).

When used orally as a reference drug for coumarins, indomethacin (25 mg/kg) significantly inhibited inflammation, as evidenced by paw volume reduced by 72.09, 74.79, and 71.5% compared to the positive control group after 1, 2, and 3 h, respectively, following subplantar injection of 0.2 mL (1% w/v) formaldehyde.

Regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of coumarins 2b, 3a, 7f, and 8c, all compounds produced significant protection against inflammation throughout the experiment duration (Figure 5). Compound 3a showed significantly better inhibition than others (29.2% inhibition) only 1 h after inducing inflammation, followed by compound 7f (17.18% inhibition), 8c (9.45%) and 2b (6.57%). However, 3a was less effective than indomethacin; which is likely due to administering these compounds at one-tenth of the indomethacin concentration. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effects of the compounds were significantly increased after 2 and 3 h when compared to the positive control group.

Figure 5

Percent inhibition of the standard drug indomethacin (25 mg/kg) and compounds 2b, 3a, 7f, and 8c (2.5 mg/kg) on rat paw oedema induced by formaldehyde (0.2 mL/kg). Results are expressed as means ± SE, n = 6. Results are statistically significant at p < 0.0001 (# vs. indomethacin).

2.4.3. COX Inhibition

Compounds 2–8 were further tested for their inhibitory activities against COX-1 and COX-2 using human assay kits. The COX-inhibitory effects of these compounds and the standards indomethacin and celecoxib are summarised in Table 5. All compounds were screened for their COX-inhibitory activity except compounds 9a–f because they were obtained in low yield. The selectivity index (ratio of COX-1/COX-2) of each compound was determined and compared with that of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

Table 5

In vitro COX-inhibitory activity of compounds 2–8.

Compd	IC50 (µM) a,b		SI c
	COX-1	COX-2
2a	116.66	2.74	42.58
2b	201.16	4.25	47.33
3a	183.27	9.81	18.68
3b	7.73	2.45	3.16
4a	12.49	7.99	1.56
4b	57.46	25.23	2.28
5a	1126.47	7.41	152.02
5b	215.39	19.63	10.97
5c	18.50	13.30	1.39
5d	27.19	16.04	1.7
5e	20.80	8.27	2.52
5f	90.20	3.10	29.1
7a	239.47	17.42	13.75
7b	47.60	8.24	5.78
7c	62.27	19.94	3.12
7d	214.28	3.35	63.96
7e	29.62	16.11	1.84
7f	40.89	10.07	4.06
8a	25.02	8.50	2.94
8b	25.99	13.37	1.94
8c	15.40	11.90	1.29
8d	19.44	1.86	10.45
8e	19.90	9.22	2.16
8f	7.92	25.66	0.31
Indomethacin	1.88	15.14	0.12
Celecoxib	187.82	0.77	243.92

a The mean of two determinations. b The deviation from the mean is <10% of the mean value. c Selectivity index (COX-1/COX-2).

Compared to indomethacin, all of these molecules were generally less active against COX-1 isozyme and more active toward COX-2. However, potent COX-2-inhibitory activity (IC50 ≤ 10μM) was observed in most pyranocoumarin derivatives (2a,b, 3a,b, 4a, and 5a,e,f) and six coumarin-sulfonamide derivatives (7b,d,f, and 8a,d,e). Interestingly, compound 5a showed significant selectivity toward COX-2 isozyme, which was highest amongst the tested compounds (SI = 152) compared to the standard celecoxib (SI = 243.9). Compounds 2a,b and 7d followed with SI values of 64, 47.3, and 42.6, respectively.

Regarding the pyranocoumarins, hydrolysis of the cyano group at Position 3 to an amide or replacement of the amino group at Position 2 with N,N-dimethyl formimidamide was found to reduce the selectivity toward COX-2 isozyme (2a,b vs. 3a,b and 4a,b). Substitution with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene or 2,4-dichlorobenzylidene in Position 2 was found to decrease the selectivity as well (5c–f). Notably, the presence of unsubstituted benzylidene along with the nitrophenyl at Position 4 improved the selectivity by about 3.6-fold (2a, SI = 42 vs. 5a, SI = 152), whereas a furyl ring at the same position significantly reduced the selectivity (5b, SI = 10.9).

For coumarin-sulfonamides, the presence of a methyl moiety at Position 6 of the coumarin ring and pyrimidin-2-yl in Position 3 was shown to improve COX-2 selectivity compared to the remaining derivatives of this series (7d, SI = 64 vs. 7a–c and 7e–f, SI = 1.8–13.7). However, compound 8f, which contains methyl and acetyl moieties, was the only derivative that showed relatively selective COX-1 activity (SI = 0.3), and replacing the methyl with a chloro moiety changed it into a selective COX-2 compound (8e, SI = 2.2). Amongst all tested compounds, 8d, containing methyl and hydroxyl moieties, demonstrated the most potent activity against COX-2 isozyme (IC50 = 1.86, SI = 10.5); this potency and selectivity were reduced nearly ten-fold by replacing the methyl with a chloro moiety (8c, IC50 = 11.9, SI = 1.3).

2.5. In Silico Studies

2.5.1. Docking Studies

The major difference in the COX-2 active site compared to that of COX-1 is the presence of Val 523 instead of Ile 523. As a much smaller amino acid, Val 523 causes a conformational change in Tyr 355, thus producing a side pocket in COX-2 [37,38]. In addition, it has been reported that His 90, Gln 192, and Tyr 355 control the access of ligands to this pocket in COX-2 [37,38].

Molecular docking was studied to predict the intermolecular interactions of compounds 5a and 8d with human COX-2 isozyme (PDB ID: 5KIR, Figure 6 and Figure 7). The docking simulation shows that the binding affinity of the coumarin-sulfonamide derivative 8d (−7.3 kcal/mol) was better than that of the pyranocoumarin derivative 5a (−4.4 kcal/mol). These results are consistent with the in vitro assay findings.

Figure 6

Binding interactions between 8d and human COX-2 enzyme.

Figure 7

Binding interactions between 5a and human COX-2 enzyme.

Compound 8d formed eight hydrogen bonds with the binding site. Oxygen atoms of the coumarin ring and sulfonamide serve as the acceptors of hydrogen bonds with Typ 355, Arg 513, Phe 518, Ile 517, and His 90. However, the amino group of the sulfonamide acted as a hydrogen bond donor with Leu 352 and Gln 192. The Val 523 residue formed a Pi-sigma interaction with the pyrone ring of coumarin; furthermore, other weaker bonds, such as carbon hydrogen, Pi-cation, Pi-sigma, alkyl, and Pi-alkyl bonds, also accounted for the binding affinity of this compound.

Meanwhile, compound 5a showed only two hydrogen bonds with Ile 517 and Phe 518, and the oxygen atom of the nitro group served as the hydrogen bond acceptor. Moreover, the Val 523 residue formed a Pi-sigma interaction with the nitrobenzyl ring of this derivative. Other interactions, including van der Waals, carbon hydrogen, Pi-sigma, and Pi-sulphur bonds, formed between 5a and other binding site residues. The lower number of hydrogen bonds could contribute to a lower binding affinity as compared with 8d.

2.5.2. Drug-Likeness Assessment

In order to study the drug-likeness of the newly synthesised compounds, in silico Lipinski’s Rule of Five (RO5) and topological polar surface area (TPSA) analyses were conducted using Molinspiration [39]. About 90% of orally active compounds that reach phase II clinical trials or higher satisfy RO5 [40]. This rule states that a molecule likely to be developed as an orally active drug candidate should not show more than one violation of the following four criteria: Molecular weight ≤ 500, octanol-water coefficient (LogP) ≤ 5, H-bond donors (n-OHNH) ≤ 5, and H-bond acceptors (n-ON) ≤ 10 [40]. Despite the importance of RO5 for labelling a molecule as “drug-like”, these criteria are restricted to the topic of oral bioavailability via passive transport alone. Moreover, TPSA is another major factor for predicting the oral availability of compounds, and its values for intestinal absorption should be less than 140 Å2 [41].

Table 6 shows that all compounds have no more than four hydrogen bond donors, and most compounds have 10 or fewer hydrogen bond acceptors, except for 5c and 7c,d. The molecular weights of compounds 5c,e, 7c,e, and 9a–c,e are each greater than 500 Da. The Log P-value is not more than five for most compounds, except 5a,e,f and 9c,d. These results indicated that all compounds seem to be oral drug candidates, except compounds 5c,e, 7c, and 9c,e which all violated RO5; however, some drugs in clinical use do not obey RO5. The TPSA was less than 140 Å2 in all compounds, except 3a, 7a–f, and 9a,b, which indicated easy permeability through the intestinal cell membrane. Based on these findings and the results of the biological tests, all tested compounds met the in silico criteria for orally active drugs and showed promising biological activity; thus, these compounds will be studied further in vivo for development as orally active agents.

Table 6

The Lipinski parameters and topological polar surface area (TPSA) of target compounds.

Compd	Mol. Wt	miLogP	n-ON	n-OHNH	RO5 Violations	TPSA (Å2)
Rule	≤500	≤5	≤10	≤5	≤1	≤140
2 a	375.34	3.10	8	2	0	135.08
2 b	320.30	2.40	6	2	0	102.40
3 a	393.36	2.05	9	4	0	154.39
3 b	338.32	1.35	7	4	0	121.70
4 a	430.42	3.58	9	0	0	124.66
4 b	375.38	2.88	7	0	0	91.98
5 a	463.45	5.16	8	0	1	121.42
5 b	408.41	4.45	6	0	0	88.74
5 c	553.53	4.79	11	0	2	149.13
5 d	498.49	4.08	9	0	0	116.44
5 e	532.34	6.44	8	0	2	121.42
5 f	477.30	5.74	6	0	1	88.74
7 a	430.85	1.76	9	4	0	156.77
7 b	410.43	1.53	9	4	0	156.77
7 c	508.92	2.01	11	2	2	168.56
7 d	488.50	1.78	11	3	1	168.56
7 e	513.96	2.89	10	3	1	155.67
7 f	493.54	2.66	10	3	0	155.67
8 a	351.77	3.07	6	2	0	96.61
8 b	331.35	2.84	6	2	0	96.61
8 c	367.77	2.59	7	3	0	116.84
8 d	347.35	2.36	7	3	0	116.84
8 e	393.80	2.97	7	2	0	113.68
8 f	373.39	2.74	7	2	0	113.68
9 a	526.91	4.90	10	2	1	159.50
9 b	506.49	4.67	10	2	1	159.50
9 c	516.36	5.62	7	2	2	113.68
9 d	495.94	5.39	7	2	1	113.68
9 e	511.94	5.00	8	2	2	122.91
9 f	491.52	4.77	8	2	0	122.91

(n-OHNH), H-bond donors; (n-ON), H-bond acceptors; Compd, compound; Mol. Wt, molecular weight; RO5, rule of five.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Chemistry

The starting material 4-hydroxy-6-methylcoumarin (1b) was synthesised according to the method reported by Shah and colleagues [42]. All other reagents and solvents were obtained from commercial suppliers and used without further purification. Melting points (MP; °C, uncorrected) were recorded using a melting point apparatus (Electrothermal, Staffordshire, UK). The infrared (IR) spectra (expressed in wave number υ [cm−1]) were recorded by the SHIMADZU FT/IR S1 Plus Spectrometer (Shimadzu Europa GmbH, Duisburg, Germany) using potassium bromide (KBr) discs. The Agilent Technologies 600 Ultra Shield NMR Spectrometer (Santa Clara, CA, USA) was utilised to obtain NMR spectra at 600 and 154 MHz for 1H and 13C, respectively. Chemical shifts are expressed in δ (ppm); coupling constants are reported in Hz. CDCl3 and DMSO-d6 were used as solvents. The splitting patterns were designated as: s (singlet), d (doublet), dd (doublet of doublets), t (triplet), q (quartet), m (multiplet), br (broad), and br s (broad singlet). The Bruker Ascend 700 NMR Spectrometer (Bruker, Fällanden, Switzerland) was utilised to obtain NMR spectra of compounds 2a, 4a, 5d, and 9c,d,f at 700.17 and 176.08 MHz for 1H and 13C, respectively. The 13C-NMR spectrum of compound 5c was obtained at 176.08 MHz. The 1H and 13C-NMR spectra for three compounds in each scheme were presented in the Supplementary Materials including one intermediate and two target compounds (2a, 4a, 5c; 6b, 8e, 9f; Figures S1–S16). These data include two dimensional NMR spectra of 4a and 8e. The Shimadzu GC-MS-QP 2010 instrument (Shimadzu Europa GmbH, Duisburg, Germany) was used to record the electron impact mass spectra (EI-MS) at 70 eV. Elemental analyses (C, H, and N) were carried out at the Microanalytical Center of the Faculty of Science of Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. They aligned with the proposed structures within ± 0.1–0.3% of the theoretical values. The microwave reaction was conducted using a microwave reactor (Biotage Initiator+, EXP EU, 400 W, 2450 MHz; Biotage, Uppsala, Sweden). The reactions were monitored by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using silica gel-precoated aluminium sheets (60 F254, Merck, Kenilworth, NJ, USA) and visualised with UV at 365 and 254 nm.

3.1.1. 4-Hydroxy-6-methylcoumarin (1b)

This compound was synthesised following the reported procedure [42]. Yield: 75.67%. MP: 259–261 °C. EI-MS, m/z (Rel. Int.%): 176 (M+, 40.7), 147.

3.1.2. 2-Amino-9-methyl-5-oxo-4-aryl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitriles (2a–b)

These compounds were synthesised according to the reported procedure [22]. A mixture of arylaldehyde namely, p-nitrobenzaldehyde or furfuraldehyde, (1mmol), 4-hydroxy-6-methylcoumarin (0.176 g 1mmol), malononitrile (0.066 g, 1mmol) and KHP (0.2 g) in distilled water (5 mL) was heated at 50 oC for 5–6 h. After the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and the solid was filtered off, washed with cold distilled water, dried, and recrystallised with CHCL3/ethanol to give compounds 2a,b.

(±)-2-Amino-9-methyl-4-(4-an class="Chemical">nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (2a): Yield: 98%; yellow solid. MP: 259–261 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3460, 3346 (NH2), 2204 (CN), 1716 (C=O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.44 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3), 4.6 (s, 1H, CH-4), 7.3 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.55–7.59 (m, 5H, Ar-H and NH2), 7.73 (s, 1H, Ar-H-10), 8.2 (d, J = 9, 2H, Ar-H-3′, 5′). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): δ 20.9 (CH3), 37.2 (C-4), 57.1 (C-3), 103.1 (C-4’a), 113.05, 116.9, 119.3, 122.6, 124.2, 129.6, 134.4, 134.6, 147.0, 150.9, 151.3, 154.3, 158.5, 160.1 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 377 (M + 2, 0.13), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C20H13N3O5 (375.33).

(±)-2-Amino-4-(an class="Chemical">furan-2-yl)-9-methyl-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (2b): Yield: 93.7%; grey solid. MP: 251–253 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3392, 3323 (NH2), 2198 (CN), 1701 (C=O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.38 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3), 4.57 (s, 1H, CH-4), 6.2 (d, J = 2.4, 1H, Ar-H), 6.3 (d, J = 3.2, 1H, Ar-H), 7.3 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.44 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.49 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.6 (s,1H, Ar-H, CH-10). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): δ 20.95 (CH3), 37.3 (C-4), 55.6 (C-3), 102.3 (C-4’a), 106.8, 110.6, 113.0, 116.8, 119.1, 122.3, 133.8, 134.4, 142.8, 150.8, 152.9, 153.9, 158.7, 160.3 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 321 (M + 1, 0.15), 256, consistent with the molecular formula C18H12N2O4 (320.3).

3.1.3. 2-Amino-9-methyl-5-oxo-4-aryl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carboxamides (3a,b)

A mixture of 2a or 2b (0.01 mol) and concentan class="Species">rated H2SO4 (15 mL) was kept at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C) with continuous stirring for 10–14 h and then poured on cold water. The solid was filtered, washed with distilled water, dried, and crystallised with the indicated solvent.

(±)-2-Amino-9-methyl-4-(4-an class="Chemical">nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carboxamide (3a): Crystallisation solvent: ethanol (EtOH)/CHCl3. Yield: 92.9%; yellow solid. MP: 142–144 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3446, 3408 (NH2), 1734 (C=O ester), 1676 (C=O amide). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6,, 600 MHz): δ 2.34 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.86 (s, 1H, CH-4), 7.0 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.1 (d, J = 9, 2H, Ar-H, CH-2′,6′), 7.3 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.5 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.6 (d, J = 7.2, 1H, Ar-H), 7.7 (s, 1H, Ar-H, CH-10), 8.1 (d, J = 7.8, 2H, Ar-H, CH-3′,5′). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.9 (CH3), 40.4 (C-4) 54.1 (C-3), 103.4 (C-4’a), 113.0, 116.2, 123.32, 124.6, 129.0, 129.7, 133.2, 146.2, 150.1, 150.7, 151.5, 160.6, 162.4, 169.9 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 393 (M+, 1.1), 204, consistent with the molecular formula C20H15N3O6 (393.36).

(±)-2-Amino-4-(an class="Chemical">furan-2-yl)-9-methyl-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carboxamide (3b): Crystallisation solvent: EtOH. Yield: 62.5%; brown solid. MP: 202–204 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3446, 3425 (NH2), 1724 (C=O ester), 1685 (C=O amide). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6,, 600 MHz): δ 2.22 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.83 (s, 1H, H-4), 6.49 (d, J = 2.4, 1H, Ar-H), 6.78 (d, J = 3.2, 1H, Ar-H), 7.04–7.51 (m, 7H, Ar-H and NH2), 7.79 (s, 1H, Ar-H-10). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.7 (CH3), 38.6 (C-4), 59.4 (C-3), 103. (C-4’a), 109.0, 115.6, 116.5, 121.5, 123.0, 123.4, 133.1, 134.1, 143.6, 151.7, 152.7, 162.7, 163.5, 166.5 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 339 (M + 1, 0.1), 338 (M+, 0.1), 296 (25.82), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C18H14N2O5 (338.31).

3.1.4. N′-(3-cyano-9-methyl-5-oxo-4-aryl-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen-2-yl)-N,N-dimethyl formimidamides (4a,b)

A mixture of 2a or 2b (2.7 mmol) and an class="Chemical">DMF-DMA (25 mL) was heated at 100 °C for 15–40 min. The solid was obtained by filtration, washed with EtOH, dried, and then crystallised with CHCl3/EtOH.

(±)-N′-(3-cyano-9-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxoan class="Chemical">-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylformimidamide (4a): Yield: 66.3%; yellow solid. MP: 279–281 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2204 (CN), 1722 (C=O), 1664 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.4 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3), 3.06 (s, 3H, N-CH3), 3.2 (s, 3H, N-CH3), 4.7 (s,1H, CH-4), 7.3 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.5 (dd, J = 1.4 and J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.6 (dd, J = 2.1 and J = 7, 2H, Ar-H), 7.9 (d, J = 1.4, 1H, Ar-H), 8.2 (dd, J = 2.1 and J = 7, 2H, Ar-H), 8.5 (s,1H, N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.8 (Ar-CH3), 34.9 (N-CH3), 38.7 (C-4), 41.2 (N-CH3), 73.0 (C-3), 102.6 (C-4’a), 113.3, 116.7, 119.2, 123.3, 124.2, 129.8, 134.5, 134.8, 147.1, 150.7, 150.9, 154.9, 155.3, 157.9, 160.3 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 431 (M + 1, 0.1), 430 (M+, 0.14), 415 (5.77), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C23H18N4O5 (430.41).

(±)-N′-(3-cyano-4-(furan-2-yl)-9-methyl-5-oxoan class="Chemical">-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromen-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylformimidamide (4b): Yield: 39%; white solid. MP: 273–275 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2198 (CN), 1724 (C=O), 1654 (C=N). 1H-NMR (CDCl3, 600 MHz): δ 2.4 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3), 3.1 (s, 3H, N-CH3), 3.2 (s, 3H, N-CH3), 4.8 (s, 1H, CH-4), 6.31–6.36 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.23–7.26 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.37 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.5 (s, 1H, Ar-H, CH-10), 8.2 (s, 1H, N=CH). 13C-NMR (CDCl3, 154 MHz): 21.0 (Ar-CH3), 32.6 (C-4), 35.0 (N-CH3), 41.2 (N-CH3), 72.9 (C-3), 101.4 (C-4’a), 107.6, 110.8, 113.4, 116.8, 118.7, 121.8, 133.6, 134.1, 142.2, 150.9, 152.7, 153.5, 154.8, 159.1, 160.5 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 376 (M + 1, 1.9), 99, consistent with the molecular formula C21H17N3O4 (375.38).

3.1.5. 2-(Arylideneamino)-9-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitriles (5a–f)

An aromatic aldehyde (benzaldehyde, 2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde, or 2,3,4-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, 1 mmol) was added to a mixture of 2a or 2b (1mmol) in 1,4-dioxane and then irradiated in a Biotage Initiator+ microwave for 90–110 min (TLC monitoring). After solvent evaporation, the residue was washed with toluene to obtain pure product and dried.

(±)-2-(benzylideneamino)-9-methyl-4-(4-an class="Chemical">nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (5a): Yield: 23.5%; buff solid. MP: 208–209 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2198 (CN), 1701 (C=O), 1670 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): 2.39 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.65 (s, 1H, CH-4), 7.2–7.7 (m, 9H, Ar-H), 8.1–8.3 (m, 4H, Ar-H and N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.9 (CH3), 37.2 (C-4), 57.1 (C-3), 103.1 (C-4’a), 112.9, 116.8, 119.3, 122.6, 124.2, 128.0, 128.6, 129.0, 129.3, 129.5, 134.2, 134.4, 134.6, 147.0, 150.9, 151.30, 158.4, 160.1 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 465 (M + 2, 3.7), 57, consistent with the molecular formula C27H17N3O5 (463.44).

(±)-2-(benzylideneaminoan class="Chemical">)-4-(furan-2-yl)-9-methyl-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (5b): Yield: 5.8%; brown solid. MP: 250–252 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2194 (CN), 1703 (C=O), 1670 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): 2.4 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.4 (s, 1H, CH-4), 7.2–7.5 (m, 11H, Ar-H), 7.7 (s, 1H, N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.9 (CH3), 37.3 (C-4), 58.4 (C-3), 104.3 (C-4’a), 107.7, 110.5, 113.0, 116.8, 119.7, 122.5, 127.6, 128.0, 128.6, 129.0, 129.3, 134.2, 134.5, 143.8, 150.7, 153.8, 158.4, 160.1 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 410 (M + 2, 4), 409 (M + 1, 3), 408 (M+, 18), 56, consistent with the molecular formula C25H16N2O4 (408.41).

(±)-9-methyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-2-((3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)amino)-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (5c): Yield: 30.5%; buff solid. MP: 221–223 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2200 (CN), 1702 (C=O), 1672 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): 2.3 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.6 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.9 (s, 6H, 2OCH3), 4.6 (s, 1H, CH-4), 6.4 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 6.5 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 7.2–7.7 (m, 5H, Ar-H), 8.0–8.1 (m, 3H, Ar-H and N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.8 (CH3), 37.2 (C-4), 56.2 (2OCH3, 3′, 5′-trimethoxyphenyl), 57.2 (C-3), 60.7 (OCH3), 102.9 (C-4’a), 107.1, 112.8, 116.8, 119.4, 122.7, 123.8, 124.2, 129.5, 131.1, 134.6, 136.8, 139.5, 147.0, 151.2, 153.2, 158.5, 160.4, 160.5 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 555 (M + 2, 0.1), 554 (M + 1, 0.23), 204, consistent with the molecular formula C30H23N3O8 (553.52).

(±)-4-(furan-2-yl)-9-methyl-5-oxo-2-((an class="Chemical">3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)amino)-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (5d): Yield: 17.5%; brown solid. MP: 248–250 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2196 (CN), 1701 (C=O), 1664 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.4 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.3 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.6–3.7 (m, 6H, 2OCH3), 4.4 (s, 1H, CH-4), 6.42–6.49 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.2–7.7 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 9.4 (s, 1H, N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.9 (CH3), 37.6 (C-4), 56.3 (2OCH3, 3′, 5′-trimethoxyphenyl), 58.3 (C-3), 60.3 (OCH3), 104.0 (C-4’a), 105.2, 113.1, 116.8, 119.7, 122.6, 134.1, 134.4, 137.0, 139.5, 150.7, 153.2, 153.9, 158.4, 160.2, 160.3 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 496 (M − 2, 1.18), 135, consistent with the molecular formula C28H22N2O7 (498.48).

(±)-2-((2,4-dichlorobenzylidene)amino)-9-methyl-4-(4-an class="Chemical">nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (5e): Yield: 37.2%; buff solid. MP: 236–238 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2198 (CN), 1718 (C=O), 1676 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.4 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.6 (s, 1H, CH-4), 7.03–8.4 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 10.2 (s, 1H, N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.96 (CH3), 37.2 (C-4), 57.1 (C-3), 103.1 (C-4’a), 113.0, 116.9, 119.3, 122.6, 123.7, 124.2, 128.6, 129.1, 129.6, 129.7, 130.7, 131.1, 131.9, 134.4, 134.6, 147.0, 150.9, 151.3, 158.5, 160.1(Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 533 (M + 1, 0.2), 532 (M+, 3.7), 531 (M − 1, 8.7), 530 (M − 2, 27.8), 291, consistent with the molecular formula C27H15Cl2N3O5 (532.33).

(±)-2-((2,4-dichlorobenzylidene)aminoan class="Chemical">)-4-(furan-2-yl)-9-methyl-5-oxo-4H,5H-pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile (5f): Yield: 17.8%; brown solid. MP: >300 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 2220 (CN), 1718 (C=O), 1647 (C=N). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3), 4.4 (s, 1H, CH-4), 7.2–8.1 (m, 9H, Ar-H), 10.1 (s, 1H, N=CH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.8 (CH3), 37.4 (C-4), 58.5 (C-3), 100.1 (C-4’a), 107.2, 113.5, 116.68, 117.1, 119.7, 122.2, 122.8, 125.6, 126.2, 128.6, 129.3, 130.9, 131.7, 133.7, 134.3, 148.2, 149.5, 152.2, 158.9, 160.3 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 478 (M + 1, 1.12), 476 (M − 1, 2.72), 475 (M − 2, 6), 474 (M − 3, 8), 91, 73, consistent with the molecular formula C25H14Cl2N2O4 (477.3).

3.1.6. 6-substituted-4-hydroxyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonyl chloride (6a,b)

Chlorosulfonic acid (13.5 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of 1a or 1b (11.3 mmol) in dichloromethane (22.7 mL) cooled to 0 °C. The reaction mixture was continuously stirred at ambient temperature overnight. The precipitates were filtered, washed with dichloromethane and petroleum ether, and then dried.

6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonyl chloride (an class="Chemical">6a): Yield: 97%; white solid. MP: 118–120 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1):3317 (br., OH), 1685 (C=O), 1375 (asymmetric, S-O), 1176 (symmetric, S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 7.3–7.6 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.7 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5), 14.0 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.54 (C-3), 116.7, 118.9, 123.8, 128.6, 133.7, 151.6, 156.9, 161.6 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 299 (M + 4, 0.2), 298 (M + 3, 0.4), 297 (M + 2, 2.1), 296 (M + 1, 3.5), 295 (M+, 13.21), 294 (M − 1, 0.5), 293 (M − 2, 0.1), 207, consistent with the molecular formula C9H4Cl2O5S (295.1).

4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonyl chloride (an class="Chemical">6b): Yield: 98%, white solid. MP: 116–117 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3381 (br., OH), 1695 (C=O), 1328 (asymmetric, S-O), 1131 (symmetric, S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.34 (s, 3H, CH3), 7.2 (d, J = 7.8, 1H, Ar-H-7), 7.4 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H-8), 7.6 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHZ): 20.7 (CH3), 107.9 (C-3), 114.9, 116.4, 124.2, 133.9, 134.8, 151.1, 157.5, 162.7(Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 278 (M + 4, 0.07), 277 (M + 3, 0.52), 276 (M + 2, 2.72), 275 (M + 1, 0.23), 274 (M+, 0.05), 44, consistent with the molecular formula C10H7ClO5S (274.68).

3.1.7. 4-Hydroxy-6-(substituted) coumarin-3-sulfonamides (7a–f)

A mixture of an class="Chemical">6a or 6b (0.002 mol), sulfa compounds (sulfanilamide, sulfadiazine, or sulfathiazole, 0.002 mol), and absolute EtoH (15 mL) was heated under reflux for 3–6 h (TLC monitoring). After cooling, the solid was filtered out, washed with absolute EtOH and petroleum ether, and then dried to obtain the pure products.

6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">7a): Yield: 27%, white solid. MP: 245–247 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1):3346–3257 (NH2, NH), 3101 (br, OH), 1726 (C=O), 1338 (asymmetric S-O), 1165 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 5.62 (br. s, 2H, NH2), 6.9–7.0 (m, 3H, Ar-H-2’, 6’ and NH), 7.4 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5), 7.6–7.8 (m, 4H, Ar-H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.5 (C-3), 116.8, 118.9, 119.0, 122.8, 123.8, 127.8, 128.6, 132.8, 133.7, 151.7, 157.0, 161.6 (Ar-C, CN and C=O) EI-MS, m/z (%): 433 (M + 3, 0.1), 432(M + 2, 0.22), 431 (M +1, 0.85), 430 (M+, 1.9), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C15H11ClN2O7S2 (430.84).

4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-N-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">7b): Yield: 56%; white solid. MP: 241–243 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3352, 3250 (NH2, NH), 3142 (br., OH), 1680 (C=O), 1355 (asymmetric S-O), 1157 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.36 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.49 (s, 1H, NH), 4.55 (br. s, 2H, NH2), 6.9 (d, J = 8.4, 2H, Ar-H-2’, 6’), 7.2 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H-7), 7.4 (d, J = 7.8, 1H, Ar-H-8), 7.6 (m, 3H, Ar-H- 3’, 5’ and 5), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.78 (CH3), 107.9 (C-3), 114.9, 116.5, 117.8, 124.2, 127.8, 133.9, 134.9, 151.1, 157.6, 162.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 411 (M + 1, 0.51), 410 (M+, 2.62), 408 (M − 2, 12.76), 133, consistent with the molecular formula C16H14N2O7S2 (410.42).

6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-N-(4-(N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)sulfamoyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">7c): Yield: 78.2%; yellow solid. MP: 230–232 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3373 (2NH), 3084 (br., OH), 1691 (C=O), 1346 (asymmetric S-O), 1151 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 4.7 (br. s, 1H, NH), 6.6 (d, J = 9.6, 2H, Ar-H-2’, 6’), 7.0 (m, 1H, diazine-H-4), 7.4–7.7 (m, 5H, Ar-H and NH), 7.8 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5), 8.4 (m, 2H, diazine-H-3, 5). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.6 (C-3), 113.7, 116.0, 116.8, 118.9, 123.8, 126.8, 128.6, 130.2, 133.6, 151.7, 156.9, 157.6, 158.7, 161.6 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 511 (M + 3, 0.6), 315, consistent with the molecular formula C19H13ClN4O7S2 (508.9).

4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-N-(4-(N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)sulfamoyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">7d): Yield: 86.3%.; yellow solid. MP: 207–209 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3620.39 (OH), 3423, 3356 (2NH), 1691 (C=O), 1334 (asymmetric S-O), 1166 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.39 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.6 (d, J = 9.6, 2H, Ar-H-2’, 6’), 7.0 (m, 1H, diazine-H-4), 7.2 (d, J = 10.8, 1H, Ar-H-8), 7.4 (d, J = 9.6, 1H, Ar-H-7), 7.64–7.67 (m, 3H, Ar-H-5, 3’, 5’), 8.4 (m, 2H, diazine-H-3,5). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.78 (CH3), 108.0 (C-3), 113.3, 114.9, 116.0, 116.5, 124.2, 126.2, 128.2, 128.4, 130.2, 133.9, 134.8, 151.1, 157.6, 158.7, 162.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O) EI-MS, m/z (%): 490 (M + 2, 2.54), 489 (M + 1, 5.08), 355, consistent with the molecular formula C20H16N4O7S2 (488.4).

6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-N-(4-(N-(thiazol-2-yl)sulfamoyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">7e): Yield: 74.13%; white solid. MP: 215–217 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3448 (2NH), 3140 (br., OH), 1676 (C=O), 1338 (asymmetric S-O), 1147 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 5.3 (br. s, 1H, NH), 5.4 (br. s, 1H, NH), 6.7 (d, J = 3.6, 1H, thiazole-H), 6.8 (d, J = 8.4, 2H, Ar-H-2’, 6’), 7.2 (d, J = 3.6, 1H, thiazole-H), 7.42 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H-8), 7.58 (d, J = 9.6, 2H, Ar-H-3’ and 5’), 7.72 (d, J = 7.8, 1H, Ar-H-7), 7.8 (s, 1H, Ar, CH-5). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.3 (C-3), 108.6, 116.6, 116.8, 118.9, 123.8, 124.8, 128.1, 128.6, 132.8, 133.7, 147.1, 151.7, 157.0, 161.6, 168.7, (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 514 (M + 1, 0.2), 513 (M+, 1.2), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C18H12ClN3O7S3 (513.95).

4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-N-(4-(N-(thiazol-2-yl)sulfamoyl)phenyl)-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (7f): Yield: 84.7%; white solid. MP: 167–169 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3421(OH) overlapped with 3338 (2NH), 1683 (C=O), 1350 (asymmetric S-O), 1153 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.37 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.7 (m, 3H, Ar, CH-2’, 6’ and thiazole-H), 7.1 (d, J = 3.6, 1H, thiazole-H), 7.2 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H-8), 7.4 (d, J = 7.8, 1H, Ar-H-7), 7.5 (d, J = 8.4, 2H, Ar-H-3’, 5’), 7.6 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.78 (CH3), 107.9 (C-3), 108.1, 114.9, 115.3, 116.5, 124.2, 124.8, 128.1, 131.2, 133.9, 134.9, 145.9, 151.1, 157.5, 168.6, 162.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 493 (M+, 0.1), 491(M − 2, 3.2), 490 (M − 3, 3.2), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C19H15N3O7S3 (493.53).

3.1.8. 4-Hydroxy-6-(substituted)coumarin-3-sulfonamides (8a–f)

A mixture of an class="Chemical">6a or 6b (0.002 mol), 4-substituted-aniline (aniline, 4-hydroxyaniline, or 4-acetylaniline, 0.004 mol) and absolute EtOH (15 mL) was refluxed for 6–8 h. While warm, the solid was collected by filtration and then washed with hot absolute EtOH and petroleum ether, respectively. After drying, the solid was recrystallised if necessary.

6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-N-phenyl-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">8a): Yield: 92.65%. MP: 337–339 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3367 (NH), 3169 (br., OH), 1683 (C=O), 1348 (asymmetric S-O), 1168 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 7.2–7.4 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 7.72 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.8 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.6 (C-3), 116.8, 117.6, 118.9, 122.7, 123.8, 127.5, 128.6, 130.2, 133.7, 151.7, 157.0, 161.6 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 350 (M − 1, 1.18), 57, consistent with the molecular formula C15H10ClNO5S (351.76).

4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-N-phenyl-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">8b): Yield: 84.5%; white solid. MP: 324–325 °C. IR (υmax/cm−1): 3356 (NH), 3111 (br., OH), 1685 (C=O), 1354 (asymmetric S-O), 1159 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.37 (s, 3H, CH3), 7.3–7.6 (m, 8H, Ar-H), 9.6 (br. s, 1H, NH), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.79 (CH3), 107.9 (C-3), 114.9, 116.5, 123.0, 124.2, 127.9, 130.2, 133.1, 133.9, 134.9, 151.1, 157.6, 162.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 434 (M + 3, 1.65), 333 (M+2, 3.92), 332 (M+1, 26.25), 207, consistent with the molecular formula C16H13NO5S (331.34).

6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">8c): Crystallisation solvent: CHCl3. Yield: 48.3%; white solid. MP: 250–251 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3278 (br., OH overlapped with NH), 1681 (C=O), 1346 (asymmetric S-O), 1168 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 6.8 (m, 2H, Ar-H-2’, 6’), 7.1 (m, 2H, Ar-H-3’, 5’), 7.4 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar,CH-8), 7.7 (d, J = 7.8, 1H, Ar,CH-7), 7.8 (s, 1H, Ar,CH-5), 9.7 (s, 1H, NH), 10.0 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.5 (C-3), 116.5, 116.8, 118.9, 123.8, 124.2, 128.6, 133.7, 151.7, 157.0, 160.1, 161.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 366 (M − 1, 0.1), 363 (M − 4, 28.19), 332 (5.86), 196, consistent with the molecular formula C15H10ClNO6S (367.76).

4-Hydroxy-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (8d): Crystallisation solvent: CHCl3. Yield: 63.13%; white solid. MP: 253–254 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3298 (br., OH overlapped with NH), 1662 (C=O), 1354 (asymmetric S-O), 1166 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.8 (m, 2H, Ar, CH-2’, 6’), 7.1–7.2 (m, 3H, Ar, CH-3’, 5’ and 8), 7.4–7.6 (m, 2H, Ar, CH-7 and 5), 9.7 (br. s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.79 (CH3), 107.9 (C-3), 114.9, 116.5, 123.4, 124.2, 124.3, 133.9, 134.9, 151.1, 157.2, 157.6, 162.7, 173.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). EI-MS, m/z (%): 345 (M − 2, 0.04), 344 (M − 3, 0.48), 343 (M − 4, 3.31), 342 (M − 5, 9.7), 341 (M − 6, 52.35), 209, consistent with the molecular formula C16H13NO6S (347.34).

N-(4-acetylphenyl)-6-chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (8e): Crystallisation solvent: CHCl3/isopropanol. Yield: 81.25%; white solid. MP: 238–240 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3344 (NH), 3088 (br., OH), 1718 (C=O ketone), 1678 (C=O ester), 1357 (asymmetric S-O), 1166 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3C=O), 6.6 (d, J = 8.4 2H, Ar, CH-2’, 6’), 7.3 (d, J = 7.8, 1H, Ar,CH-8), 7.6 (m, 3H, Ar,CH-3’, 5’ and 7), 7.7 (s, 1H, Ar,CH-5), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 26.4 (CH3), 108.5 (C-3), 115.0, 116.7, 118.8, 123.8, 127.4, 128.5, 130.8, 133.6, 150.6, 151.6, 156.9, 161.6 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). 195.8 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 397 (M + 4, 0.13), 391 (M − 2, 0.13), 390 (M − 3, 0.83), 54, consistent with the molecular formula C17H12ClNO6S (393.8).

N-(4-acetylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (8f): Crystallisation solvent: CHCl3/isopropanol. Yield: 74.5%; white solid. MP: 231–232 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3342 (NH), 3068 (br., OH), 1728 (C=O ketone), 1707 (C=O ester), 1359 (asymmetric S-O), 1163 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.37 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3C=O), 6.6 (d, J = 7.8, 2H, Ar,CH-2’, 6’), 7.2 (d, 1H, J = 9, Ar,CH-8), 7.4 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar,CH-7), 7.66–7.69 (m, 3H, Ar,CH-5, 3’, 5’), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.7 (CH3), 26.6 (CH3-C=O), 107.9 (C-3) 114.9, 116.4, 116.9, 124.2, 129.4, 130.7, 133.9, 134.9, 147.5, 151.1, 157.6, 162.77 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). 196.18 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 377 (M + 4, 0.1), 476 (M + 3, 0.5), 375 (M + 2, 2.4), 374 (M + 1, 4), 373 (M+, 15.3), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C18H15NO6S (373.38).

3.1.9. Coumarin-Sulfonamide Chalcones (9a–f)

Equimolar quantities of 8e or 8f (0.01 mol) and an aromatic aldehyde (4-nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde, or 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 0.01 mol) were dissolved in a minimal amount of EtOH. Sodium hydroxide solution (2 mL, 0.02 M) was added slowly and stirred at ambient temperature for 24 h. The mixture was poured slowly into 400 mL of ice water with constant stirring and then refrigerated for 24 h. The formed precipitates were filtered, washed with distilled water, dried, and recrystallised with CHCl3 if necessary.

(E)-6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-N-(4-(3-(4-nitrophenyl)acryloyl)phenyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">9a): Yield: 35.34%; orange solid. MP: 205–207 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3487 (OH), 3388 (NH), 1703 (C=O ester), 1637 (C=O ketone), 1342 (asymmetric S-O), 1180 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 6.3–6.6 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.7 (d, J = 9, 1H, Ar-H), 7.9–8.3 (m, 9H, CHα=CHβ, Ar-H and NH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 101.1 (C-3), 113.2, 115.9, 122.0, 124.4, 124.6, 125.4, 127.2, 130.0, 130.4, 130.5, 130.8, 131.9, 139.1, 142.34, 148.2, 151.20, 157.7, 161.9 (Ar-C, CN and C=O), 185.92 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 527 (M + 1, 8), 526 (M+, 11), 373, consistent with the molecular formula C24H15ClN2O8S (526.9).

(E)-4-Hydroxy-6-methyl-N-(4-(3-(4-nitrophenyl)acryloyl)phenyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">9b): Yield: 30%; orange solid. MP: 220–220 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3487 (OH), 3388 (NH), 1707 (C=O ester), 1637 (C=O ketone), 1340 (asymmetric S-O), 1182 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.38 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.67–6.7 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.25 (s, 1H, Ar, CH-5), 7.4–8.3 (m, 9 H, CHα=CHβ, Ar-H, and NH), 13.9 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.82 (CH3), 107.9 (C-3) 114.9, 116.4, 116.8, 121.67, 123.5, 124.3, 128.4, 129.3, 130.7, 133.9, 134.9, 138.2, 140.7, 141.94, 145.9, 151.1, 157.6, 162.32 (Ar-C, CN and C=O), 186.10 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 506 (M+, 0.24), 503 (M − 3, 1.61), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C25H18N2O8S (506.48).

(E)-6-Chloro-N-(4-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)acryloyl)phenyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">9c): Yield: 22.32%; yellow solid. MP: 157–159 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3460 (OH), 3340 (NH), 1703 (C=O ester), 1629 (C=O ketone), 1346 (asymmetric S-O), 1176 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): 5.6 (s, 1H, NH), 6.6 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.4 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.51 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.61 (d, J = 16.1, 1H, C=CHα), 7.7 (dd.,J = 2.5, J = 6.3, 2H, Ar-H), 7.8 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.89–7.92 (m, 3H, Ar-H and C=CHβ), 7.95 (d, J = 8.4, 2H, Ar-H), 14.1 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 108.6, 113.4, 116.8, 118.9, 122.8, 123.6, 123.8, 128.6, 129.3, 130.6, 131.6, 132.8, 133.7, 134.6, 134.8, 140.4, 151.7, 156.9, 161.6 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). 186.1 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 519 (M + 3, 0.3), 518 (M + 2, 0.6), 517 (M + 1, 1.6), 221, consistent with the molecular formula C24H15Cl2NO6S (516.35).

(E)-N-(4-(3-(4-chlorophenyl)acryloyl)phenyl)-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (9d): Yield: 22.41%; yellow solid. MP: 141–143 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3462 (OH), 3342 (NH), 1701 (C=O an class="Chemical">ester), 1647 (C=O ketone), 1346 (asymmetric S-O), 1178 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 2.39 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.7 (d, J = 8.4, 2H, Ar-H), 7.2 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.4–7.5 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.6 (d, J = 15.4, 1H, C=CHα), 7.67 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 7.8–7.9 (m, 3H, Ar-H and C=CHβ), 7.99 (d, J = 9.1, 2H, Ar-H), 14.0 (s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.80 (CH3), 108.03 (C-3), 114.5, 114.9, 116.5, 123.5, 124.3, 129.3, 129.8, 130.7, 131.5, 131.6, 133.9, 134.5, 134.8, 134.9, 140.7, 151.2, 157.5, 162.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). 186.44 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 497 (M + 2, 1.1), 496 (M + 1, 10.4), 495 (M+, 60.46), 55, consistent with the molecular formula C25H18ClNO6S (495.93).

(E)-6-Chloro-4-hydroxy-N-(4-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl)phenyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">9e): Yield: 30.23%; yellow solid. MP: >300 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1): 3468 (OH), 3329 (NH), 1695 (C=O ester), 1626 (C=O ketone), 1350 (asymmetric S-O), 1163 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): δ 3.8 (s, 3H, OCH3), 6.6 (d, J = 7.7, 2H, Ar-H), 6.9 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.09 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.35 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.57 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.7–7.9 (m, 3H, Ar-H, CH=C and C=CH), 8.2 (d, J = 8.4, 2H, Ar-H), 8.5 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 55.7 (OCH3), 108.3 (C-3), 113.1, 114.7, 119.9, 120.3, 121.6, 125.9, 128.2, 129.1, 130.4, 130.7, 131.2, 131.4, 135.2, 144.1, 141.8, 161.3, 157.1, 162.0 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). 186.3 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 513 (M + 2, 0.12), 73, consistent with the molecular formula C25H18ClNO7S (511.93).

(E)-4-Hydroxy-N-(4-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acryloyl)phenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-sulfonamide (an class="Chemical">9f): Yield: 15.2%; yellow solid. MP: >300 °C. IR (υmax, cm−1):3468 (OH), 3331 (NH), 1701 (C=O ester), 1626 (C=O ketone), 1342 (asymmetric S-O), 1163 (symmetric S-O). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, 600 MHz): 2.39 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH3), 6.8 (d, J = 7.7, 2H, Ar-H), 7.01 (d, J = 7.7, 2H, Ar-H), 7.2 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.5 (d, J = 8.4, 1H, Ar-H), 7.6 (d, J = 15.4, 1H, C=CHα), 7.67 (s, 1H, Ar-H-5), 7.7 (d, J = 15.4, 1H, C=CHβ), 7.8 (d, J = 7.7, 2H, Ar-H), 8.0 (d, J = 8.2, 2H, Ar-H), 14.04 (br. s, 1H, OH). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6, 154 MHz): 20.79 (CH3), 55.8 (OCH3), 108.0 (C-3), 114.8, 114.9, 115.5, 116.5, 120.1, 124.3, 128.5, 130.8, 130.9, 131.2, 132.3, 133.9, 134.9, 142.5, 151.2, 157.6, 161.4, 162.7 (Ar-C, CN and C=O). 186.8 (C=O ketone). EI-MS, m/z (%): 491 (M+, 0.8), 490 (M − 1, 5.29), 78, consistent with the molecular formula C26H21NO7S (491.51).

3.1.10. X-Ray Crystallographic Study of Compound 2a

The Bruker-Nonius Apex X8 CCD Diffractometer was used to analyse the X-ray single-crystal structure. Yellow needles of compound 2a were obtained by crystallisation from EtOH by allowing the solvent to slowly evaporate. Crystallographic data for the structure of compound 2a have been deposited at the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center (deposit CCDC 1985063).

3.2. Antioxidant Testing

The radical scavenging activity of the synthesised compounds was measured using the DPPH microplate-based method [25,26]. The absorbance was measured using a microplate/cuvette reader (Spectramax M5, Molecular Devices, San Jose, CA, USA). Reference standard ascorbic acid was utilised as the positive control for this assay. Test samples were prepared at a starting concentration of 200 μg/mL after mixing with 100 μL of 0.2 mM DPPH methanolic solution. A series of concentrations (1.563 to 200 μg/mL) were used to determine the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of samples. Samples were incubated with DPPH in the dark for 30 min at room temperature (25 °C). The methanolic DPPH solution was prepared daily and stored in a flask covered with aluminium foil. DPPH radicals have an absorption maximum (λmax) at 515 nm, at which the absorbance values were measured and converted into a percentage of antioxidant activity [43].

The methanolic DPPH solution without antioxidants was used as a control, and samples in methanol alone served as a background control. IC50 was determined using GraphPad Prism 7 (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). The percent inhibition was calculated using the following Equation (1):

The assay was carried out in triplicate and performed as much as possible in an area protected against light. The data points are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD, n = 3).

3.3. Antimicrobial Activity

3.3.1. Agar Well Diffusion Method

Antimicrobial tests were conducted via the agar well diffusion method [27] using 100 μL of suspension containing 1 × 108 CFU/mL pathological tested bacteria and 1 × 106 CFU/mL yeast spread on NA and SDA, respectively. After the media cooled and solidified, wells (10 mm in diameter) were made in the solidified agar and loaded with 100 μL of the tested compound solution prepared by dissolving 10 mg of the chemical compound in 1 mL dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The inoculated plates were then incubated for 24 h at 37 °C for bacteria and yeast growth. DMSO served as negative control. Ciprofloxacin (10 mg/mL) and ketoconazole (10 mg/mL) were used as standards for antibacterial and antifungal activity, respectively. After incubation, antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition against the test organisms and compared with that of the standard. Antimicrobial activities were expressed as the diameter of the inhibition zone (IZ) in mm. The experiment was carried out in triplicate and the average zone of inhibition was calculated.

3.3.2. MIC Measurement

The bacteriostatic activity of the active compounds (having IZ > 16 mm) was then evaluated using the two-fold serial dilution technique [28]. Two-fold serial dilutions of the tested compounds solutions were prepared using the proper nutrient broth to reach final concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, and 125 μg/mL. The tubes were then inoculated with the test microorganisms grown in their suitable broth at 37 °C for 24 h (1 × 108 CFU/mL for bacteria and 1 × 106 CFU/mL of yeast), 0.1 mL of the above inoculum was administered per 5 mL, and the tubes were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The lowest concentration showing no growth was taken as the MIC.

3.4. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

3.4.1. Proteinase-Inhibitory Activity

The test was performed according to El-Serwy et al. [32] with minor modifications. The reaction mixture (2 mL) contained 0.06 mg trypsin, 20 mM Tris HCl buffer (pH 7.4), and 1 mL test sample (250 µg/mL for each compound). After incubating for 5 min, 1 mL of 0.8% (w/v) casein was added. The mixture was incubated for an additional 20 min. The reaction was arrested by adding 1 mL of 10% perchloric acid. The cloudy suspension was centrifuged, and the absorbance of the supernatant was read at 280 nm. Reference standard aspirin was used as the positive control. The experiment was performed in triplicate. The percent inhibition of protein denaturation was calculated using the following Equation (2): where Acontrol and Atest represent the absorbance of the control reaction without and with the sample, respectively.

3.4.2. Pharmacological In Vivo Study

Prophylactic anti-inflammatory effect on formaldehyde-induced an class="Species">rat paw oedema:

Animals: Female Wister albino rats (150–175 g) were obtained from the animal house colony of the National Research Centre, Egypt. The animals were kept in standard plastic cages in an air-conditioned room at 22 ± 3 °C and 55 ± 5% humidity and supplied with a standard laboratory diet and water ad libitum. All animal experimental procedures were carried out according to the Ethics Committee of the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt and followed the guidelines of the National Institutes of Health Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Tested derivatives and the reference drug were orally administered to rats one hour before induction of paw oedema and all hind footpad thickness were measured at zero time (basal reading) immediately before, then every hour for three consecutive hours, after induction of left hind paw oedema. The paw thickness was measured by using Vernier calliper [33].

The difference between initial and subsequent readings gave the change in oedema thickness for the corresponding time. Oedema volume of the paw of the positive control group (Vc) and volume of treated group (Vt) were used to calculate percentage (%) inhibition and (%) oedema volume using the following Equations (3) and (4):% Oedema volume = (Oedema volume after drug treatment/base time volume) × 100 − 100 % Inhibition = (Vt/Vc) × 100 − 100

Thirty-six female rats were classified into the following groups (6 an class="Species">rats each):

Positive control group: Paw oedema was induced by 0.2 mL (1%, w/v) an class="Chemical">formaldehyde injected in the subplantar area of the left hind paw of the rat [33].

Prophylactic groups:

All drug regimens were given orally one hour before induction of an class="Disease">paw oedema, as follows:

Indomethacin (Reference) group: an class="Species">Rats were given indomethacin orally at 25 mg/kg [44].

Test groups: rats were given an class="Chemical">coumarin derivative 2b, 3a, 7f, and 8c orally in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg each.

Statistical analysis: values were expressed as means ± standard error (SE). Comparisons between means were carried out using two-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey Kramer multiple comparisons test for all acute toxicity tests. p < 0.0001 was considered significant. All statistical tests were performed in GraphPad Prism (version 6).

3.4.3. COX Inhibition

COX assay kits were purchased from Cayman Chemical (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) and used following the manufacturer’s instructions (COX-1 Catalogue no. 701070, COX-2 Catalogue no. 701080). The activity was expressed in IC50, which is the mean of two determinations, and the deviation from the mean is <10% of the mean value.

3.5. In Silico Studies

3.5.1. Molecular Docking Study

The protein crystal structure was obtained from the RCSB Protein Databank. The 3D-crystal structure used for docking was 5KIR, cyclooxygenase-2 (prostaglandin synthase-2) complexed with the selective inhibitor rofecoxib, with a resolution of 2.697 Å. Discovery Studio, AutoDock Tools, Vina, and PyRx (The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA) software programs were used for molecular docking. Using Discovery Studio, the protein crystal structure was processed by removing water, ligands, and sulphate molecules. The protein was then saved as a PDB file format. Second, polar hydrogens were added using AutoDock Tools, and the file was saved in PDBQT format. Third, the original ligand was isolated and saved as a PDB using Discovery Studio. Compounds 5a and 8d were also saved in PDB file format. Finally, docking was performed by PyRx, and the docking scores were obtained.

3.5.2. Drug-Likeness Assessment

In silico Lipinski Rule of Five (RO5) and topological polar surface area (TPSA) analyses were conducted using Molinspiration (accessed 24 February 2018) [39], an online cheminformatics software that provides web-based interactive calculation of molecular properties, including molecular weight, hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, and calculated partition coefficients of the molecules.

4. Conclusions

In the present investigation, the newly synthesised compounds were screened for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds 8a–d demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, while compounds 7c,d, 8c,d, and 9c,d exhibited antimicrobial activity equal to or higher than the standard antimicrobials of ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole against one or more tested microorganisms. Notably, compound 7d exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, compounds 2b, 3a,b, 5c, and 9a showed more potent in vitro antiproteinase activity than aspirin; however, 5d,e, 7f, and 8a,c were as potent as aspirin. Moreover, compound 3a showed significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 5a and 8d were the most selective and potent coumarin derivatives, respectively, toward COX-2 isozyme. These potent compounds, except 5c, 7c, and 9c, met the in silico criteria for orally active drugs. Potent compounds such as 3a, 8c,d, and 7d are promising starting points for the development of more potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and/or anti-inflammatory agents as orally active compounds. However, further studies are needed to determine the toxicity and pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds.