Attachment of Chiral Functional Groups to Modify the Activity of New GPx Mimetics.

A series of new chiral benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones and their corresponding diselenides bearing an o-amido function substituted on the nitrogen atom with various aliphatic and aromatic moieties were synthesized. All derivatives representing pairs of enantiomers or diastereoisomers were obtained to thoroughly evaluate the three-dimensional structure-activity correlation. First, bensisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones were synthesized by reacting 2-(chloroseleno)benzoyl chloride with an appropriate enantiomerically pure amine. Then, the Se-N bond was cleaved by a reduction-oxidation procedure using sodium borohydride and then air oxidation to obtain the corresponding diselenides. All derivatives were tested as antioxidants and anticancer agents. In general, the diselenides were more reactive peroxide scavengers, with the highest activity observed for 2,2'-diselenobis[N-(1S,2S)-(-)-trans-2-hydroksy-1-indanylbezamide]. The most cytotoxic derivative towards human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines was N-[(1S,2R)-(-)-cis-2-hydroksy-1-indanyl]-1,2-benzizoselenazol-3(2H)-one. The structure-activity relationship of the obtained organoselenium derivatives was discussed.

1. Introduction

As the human body is a combination of permanent changes in concentration, tension and movement, the overall biochemical processes that occur are far from maintaining equilibrium. All the reactions and transformation taking place, in most cases carried out by asymmetrical molecules—irregular yet perfectly fitted to one another—create an excellently designed system in this seemingly chaotic phenomenon. The key element which is crucial for proper enzyme function, structure and cell metabolism is the homochirality of L-amino acids and D-sugars. These small molecules impose the chirality of more complex structures such as proteins and nucleic acids, which subsequently force the chirality of the whole cell [1,2,3]. As a result, potential drugs generally possess fixed stereocenters to efficiently interact with specific receptors that have a characteristic spatial structure at their binding side [4,5,6].

Additionally, the primary biochemical role of selenium is associated with its activity as the chiral amino acid L-selenocysteine that forms the active center of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This enables the elimination of excessive reactive oxygen species production and redox homeostasis preservation [7,8]. The chiral amino acid environment of GPx, which surrounds and interacts with L-Sec, is essential for stabilizing L-selenocysteine in its active-selenol form 1 [9]. As can thus be deduced, the spatial structure of the bioactive molecule is an important feature that influences the activity of the enzyme and the entire biochemical cycle. The same assumption can be superimposed on drugs, where one enantiomer can be a potential therapeutic with the other exhibiting significant toxicity, as in the well-known case of (R)- and (S)-thalidomide [10].

To date, a multitude of GPx mimetics possessing an organoselenium moiety that imitates the characteristic activity of L-Sec was presented and proved efficient in both in vitro and in vivo assays [11,12]. Among them, N-substituted benzisoselenazolones, represented by the versatile potential selenotherapeutic Ebselen, create the most explored group of derivatives with several chiral examples, including functionalized amino acids 4 and 5 [13,14], sugars 6 [15], alkaloids 7 [16], alcohols 8 [17] and terpenes 9 and 10 [18] (Scheme 1).

Scheme 1

GPx activity cycle and the structure of known chiral benzisoselenazolones 4–10.

However, the difference in the biological activity of GPx mimetics, possessing distinct 3-dimensional orientation of atoms that serve to compare their epimeric/enantiomeric forms, has hardly been evaluated but was originally presented by our research group. Using enantiomerically pure terpene amines from p-menthane, carane and pinane systems, a series of N-terpenylbenzisoselenazolo-3(2H)-ones including pairs of enantiomers and diastereoisomers, were synthetized [19]. In our previous studies, we observed that antiproliferative activity towards the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was increased by the presence of a 2-methylbuthyl carbon chain (structures 11 and 12) [18]. The most potent terpene derivatives 13 and 15 confirmed this assumption. However, a significantly different result was obtained for the enantiomer of compounds 13–14 which envisioned the chirality of C1 and C4 carbon centers as the key element influencing reactivity, and that the difference in activity between the two enantiomers may be significant (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Structural elements influencing the reactivity of compounds 11–15.

Herein, we planned to address this issue and identify the particular structural features that affect the biological activity of organoselenium GPx mimetics. The opposite enantiomers/diastereoisomers can exhibit stronger or weaker activity due to the change of interaction or affinity induction to other target domains. The biological activity evaluation will show whether the configuration of particular carbon centers can modulate the reactivity of the molecules. The chiral organoselenium compounds will also be obtained in two forms—the aforementioned N-substituted benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones, with a reactive Se–N bond (193 kJ/mol), and the corresponding diselenides, possessing a Se–Se functionality with lower bond energy (172 kJ/mol) (Figure 2) [20,21].

Figure 2

Structural features of the designed compounds—interaction with the target binding sites.

As presented in Scheme 1, the reactive selenol of GPx has to covalently bind with inter- or intracellular thiols to regenerate the primary reactive form. The ease of breaking the Se-bond determines the hydrogen peroxide reduction and enzyme regeneration rate. This way, the synthesis of the presented compounds will enable recognizing the influence of the chiral moiety and the reactivity of two different types of organoselenium groups on the bioactivity of the GPx mimetics.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. General

NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Avance III/400 or Bruker Avance III/700 (Karlsruhe, Germany) for 1H and 176.1 MHz or 100.6 MHz for 13 C (see Supplementary Materials). Chemical shifts were recorded relative to SiMe4 (δ0.00) or solvent resonance (CDCl3 δ7.26, CD3OD δ3.31). Multiplicities were given as: s (singlet); d (doublet); dd (double doublet); ddd (double doublet); t (triplet); dt (double triplet); and m (multiplet). The 77Se NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Avance III/400 or Bruker Avance III/700 with diphenyl diselenide as an external standard. NMR spectra were carried out using the ACD/NMR Processor Academic Edition. Melting points were measured with a Büchi Tottoli SPM-20 heating unit (Büchi Labortechnik AG, Flawil, Switzerland) and were uncorrected. Elemental analyses were performed on a Vario MACRO CHN analyzer (Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH, Langensenbold, Germany). Optical rotations were measured in 10 mm cells with a polAAr 3000 polarimeter (Optical Activity Limited, Ramsey, United Kingdom). Column chromatography was performed using Merck 40-63D 60 Å silica gel (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany).

2.2. Procedures and Analysis Data

Compounds were synthesized according to the previously presented procedure [18].

N-[(S)-(+)-sec-butyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 18a

Yield: 85%; mp 51–52 °C; = +40 (c = 1.12, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.84 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.26 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.58–1.69 (m, 2H), 4.39–4.44 (m, 1H), 7.41–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.58–7.62 (m, 1Har), 7.79–7.82 (m, 1Har), 8.03–8.06 (m, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.40 (CH3), 21.74 (CH3), 30.57 (CH2), 51.31 (CH), 126.24 (2xCHar), 127.78 (CHar), 129.26 (Car), 131.74 (CHar), 139.22 (Car), 166.67 (C=O) 77Se NMR 700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 804.33 ppm; IR = 2964, 2873, 1738, 1589, 1562, 1443, 1323, 1247, 1217, 1147, 1046, 1020, 788, 737, 697, 591, 509, 416 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C11H13NOSe (255.02): C, 51.98; H, 5.15; N, 5.51; Found C, 51.93; H, 5.15; N, 5.49.

N-[(R)-(−)-sec-butyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 19a

Yield: 67%; mp 50–52 °C; = −38 (c = 1.24, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.84 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.26 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 1.57–1.69 (m, 2H), 4.39–4.44 (m, 1H), 7.40–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.58–7.62 (m, 1Har), 7.79–7.82 (m, 1Har), 8.03–8.06 (m, 1Har) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.42 (CH3), 21.77 (CH3), 30.57 (CH2), 51.26 (CH), 126.22 (CHar), 126.27 (CHar), 127.76 (CHar), 129.28 (Car), 131.71 (CHar), 139.25 (Car), 166.64 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 802.56 ppm; IR = 2965, 2873, 1737, 1589, 1563, 1443, 1323, 1246, 1216, 1148, 1047, 1020, 788, 737, 697, 592, 508, 414 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C11H13NOSe (255.02): C, 51.98; H, 5.15; N, 5.51; Found C, 51.95; H, 5.16; N, 5.47.

N-[(S)-(+)-1-hydroxy-2-butanyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 20a

Yield: 45%; mp 108–109 °C; = +47 (c = 0.47, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.81 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 1.53–1.60 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.77 (m, 1H), 3.52–3.56 (m, 1H), 3.64–3.68 (m, 1H), 4.40–4.44 (m, 1H), 5.14 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.39–7.42 (m, 1Har), 7.53–7.61 (m, 1Har), 7.81 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.0 Hz, 1Har), 8.01–8.04 (m, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.09 (CH3), 24.98 (CH2), 56.94 (CH), 63.77 (CH2), 125.96 (2xCHar), 127.72 (CHar), 128.58 (Car), 131.63 (CHar), 140.55 (Car), 167.32 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 839.29 ppm; IR = 3224, 2959, 2871, 1590, 1562, 1444, 1338, 1310, 1252, 1082, 1020, 791, 739, 676, 601, 549, 483, 422 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C11H13NO2Se (271.01): C, 48.90; H, 4.85; N, 5.18; Found C, 48.92; H, 4.85; N, 5.11.

N-[(R)-(−)-1-hydroxy-2-butanyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 21a

Yield: 57%; mp 109–110 °C; = −41 (c = 0.83, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.81 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 1.53–1.60 (m, 1H), 1.71–1.77 (m, 1H), 3.51–3.57 (m, 1H), 3.64–3.68 (m, 1H), 4.38–4.44 (m, 1H), 5.12 (t, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.42 (m, 1Har), 7.57–7.61 (m, 1Har), 7.80–7.83 (m, 1Har), 8.02 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.10 (CH3), 24.96 (CH2), 56.87 (CH), 63.73 (CH2), 125.96 (CHar), 125.98 (CHar), 127.70 (CHar), 128.57 (Car), 131.63 (CHar), 140.56 (Car), 167.30 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 837.92 ppm; IR = 3233, 2959, 2871, 1591, 1562, 1444, 1338, 1310, 1252, 1081, 1020, 791, 741, 676, 600, 549, 484, 421 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C11H13NO2Se (271.01): C, 48.90; H, 4.85; N, 5.18; Found C, 48.93; H, 4.84; N, 5.18.

N-[(R)-(−)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 22a

Yield: 96%; mp 217–220 °C; = −50 (c = 0.58, CHCl3) (lit. mp 212–214 °C; = −0.53 (c = 0.075, CHCl3) [17])

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.81–1.87 (m, 1H), 1.95–2.05 (m, 2H), 2.09–2.15 (m, 1H), 2.76–2.81 (m, 1H), 2.87–2.92 (m, 1H), 5.60 (t, J = 7 Hz, 1H), 7.02–7.06 (m, 1Har), 7.13–7.25 (m, 3Har), 7.43–7.47 (m, 1Har), 7.59–7.62 (m, 1Har), 7.84–7.89 (m, 1Har), 7.96 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 20.57 (CH2), 29.16 (CH2), 30.77 (CH2), 51.93 (CH), 126.05 (CHar), 126.32 (CHar), 126.48 (CHar), 127.86 (CHar), 128.13 (CHar), 128.75 (CHar), 129.40 (CHar), 129.50 (CHar), 131.95 (Car), 136.21 (Car), 138.12 (Car), 139.77 (Car), 166.88 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 830.37 ppm; IR = 2919, 2857, 1588, 1561, 1491, 1441, 1308, 1268, 1245, 1154, 1082, 769, 733, 677, 572, 534, 511, 481, 418 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C17H15NOSe (329.03): C, 62.20; H, 4.61; N, 4.27; Found C, 62.25; H, 4.62; N, 4.29.

N-[(S)-(+)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 23a

Yield: 94%; mp 218–220 °C; = +54 (c = 0.42, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.77–1.84 (m, 1H), 1.92–2.02 (m, 2H), 2.06–2.12 (m, 1H), 2.72–2.79 (m, 1H), 2.83–2.89 (m, 1H), 5.57 (t, J = 7 Hz, 1H), 7.00–7.03 (m, 1Har), 7.10–7.22 (m, 3Har), 7.40–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.55–7.59 (m, 1Har), 7.84–7.86 (m, 1Har), 7.93 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 20.58 (CH2), 29.16 (CH2), 30.77 (CH2), 51.92 (CH), 126.06 (CHar), 126.31 (CHar), 126.47 (CHar), 127.85 (CHar), 128.11 (CHar), 128.76 (CHar), 129.40 (CHar), 129.50 (CHar), 131.93 (Car), 136.22 (Car), 138.12 (Car), 139.77 (Car), 166.86 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 830.01 ppm; IR = 2921, 2853, 1589, 1561, 1492, 1441, 1308, 1269, 1245, 1154, 1081, 769, 734, 676, 572, 534, 512, 481, 419 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C17H15NOSe (329.03): C, 62.20; H, 4.61; N, 4.27; Found C, 62.29; H, 4.62; N, 4.21.

N-[(R)-(+)-α-methylbenzyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 24a

Yield: 49%; mp 108–110 °C; = +128 (c = 1.04, CHCl3) (lit. mp 116–117.5 °C; = +120 (c = 1.00, C2H5OH) [13])

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.68 (d, J = 7 Hz, 3H), 5.67 (q, J = 7 Hz, 1H), 7.30–7.33 (m, 1Har) 7.36–7.42 (m, 4Har), 7.43–7.45 (m, 1Har), 7.58–7.61 (m, 1Har), 7.83 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.99 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 20.86 (CH3), 52.37 (CH), 126.18 (CHar), 126.32 (CHar), 127.40 (2xCHar), 127.83 (CHar), 128.11 (CHar), 128.99 (2xCHar), 129.03 (Car), 131.88 (CHar), 139.58 (Car), 142.61 (Car), 166.34 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 819.68 ppm; IR = 2921, 1590, 1560, 1492, 1441, 1308, 1249, 1154, 1115, 1059, 759, 738, 695, 610, 562, 538, 504, 480, 420 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C15H13NOSe (303.02): C, 59.61; H, 4.34; N, 4.63; Found C, 59.68; H, 4.35; N, 4.60.

N-[(S)-(−)-α-methylbenzyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 25a

Yield: 95%; mp 109–111 °C; = −123 (c = 1.02, CHCl3) (lit. mp 116–117.5 °C; = −120 (c = 1.00, C2H5OH) [13])

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.68 (d, J = 7 Hz, 3H), 5.67 (q, J = 7Hz, 1H), 7.30–7.33 (m, 1Har) 7.37–7.42 (m, 4Har), 7.42–7.45 (m, 1Har), 7.58–7.61 (m, 1Har), 7.83 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 8.00 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 20.86 (CH3), 52.41 (CH), 126.18 (CHar), 126.32 (CHar), 127.40 (2xCHar), 127.83 (CHar), 128.11 (CHar), 128.99 (2xCHar), 129.02 (Car), 131.89 (CHar), 139.59 (Car), 142.60 (Car), 166.36 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 820.47 ppm; IR = 2924, 1590, 1561, 1492, 1441, 1307, 1245, 1158 1059, 759, 738, 695, 610, 560, 538, 504, 448, 416 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C15H13NOSe (303.02): C, 59.61; H, 4.34; N, 4.63; Found C, 59.63; H, 4.34; N, 4.58.

N-[(S)-(−)-1-(1-napthyl)ethyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 26a

Yield: 76%; mp 136–138 °C; = −241 (c = 0.72, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.78 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 6.37 (q, J = 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.40–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.50–7.56 (m, 3Har), 7.60–7.63 (m, 1Har), 7.82 (d, J = 7 Hz, 1Har), 7.84–7.89 (m, 2Har), 7.94–8.02 (m, 3Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 19,72 (CH3), 48,32 (CH), 123.37 (CHar), 123.97 (CHar), 125.67 (CHar), 126.13 (CHar), 126.30 (CHar), 126.44 (CHar), 127.29 (CHar), 127.90 (CHar), 129.00 (Car), 129.21 (CHar), 129.48 (CHar), 131.63 (Car), 131.82 (CHar), 133.99 (Car), 137.91 (Car), 139.73 (Car), 165.81 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 816.43 ppm; IR = 2924, 2853, 1590, 1562, 1442, 1341, 1309, 1245, 1079, 1020, 798, 736, 674, 605, 523, 505, 453 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C19H15NOSe (353.03): C, 64.78; H, 4.29; N, 3.98; Found C, 64.82; H, 4.29; N, 3.90.

N-[(R)-(+)-1-(1-napthyl)ethyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 27a

Yield: 65%; mp 135–137 °C; = +245 (c = 0.62, CHCl3) (lit. mp 130–132 °C; = +2.62 (c = 0.28, CHCl3) [17])

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.78 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 6.37 (q, J = 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.40–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.50–7.56 (m, 3Har), 7.60–7.63 (m, 1Har), 7.82 (d, J = 7 Hz, 1Har), 7.84–7.89 (m, 2Har), 7.94–8.02 (m, 3Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 19.74 (CH3), 48.29 (CH), 123.38 (CHar), 123.96 (CHar), 125.68 (CHar), 126.14 (CHar), 126.30 (CHar), 126.44 (CHar), 127.28 (CHar), 127.88 (CHar), 129.02 (Car), 129.21 (CHar), 129.46 (CHar), 131.63 (Car), 131.80 (CHar), 133.99 (Car), 137.94 (Car), 139.73 (Car), 165.77 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 815.51 ppm; IR = 2923, 2853, 1590, 1561, 1456, 1440, 1343, 1309, 1268, 1079, 1020, 797, 739, 675, 606, 522, 504, 453 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C19H15NOSe (353.03): C, 64.78; H, 4.29; N, 3.98; Found C, 64.77; H, 4.30; N, 3.89.

N-[(1S,2R)-(−)-cis-2-hydroxy-1-indanyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 28a

Yield: 71%; mp 187–189 °C; = −97 (c = 0.61, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.86–2.89 (m, 1H), 3.14–3.18 (m, 1H), 4.57–4.61 (m, 1H), 5.56 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 5.95 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.14 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 1Har), 7.23 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.28–7.31 (m, 1Har), 7.38–7.41 (m, 1Har), 7.55–7.59 (m, 1Har), 7.87–7.90 (m, 1Har), 7.95 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 39.52 (CH2), 61.36 (CH), 73.06 (CH), 124.73 (CHar), 125.68 (CHar), 125.71 (CHar), 125.78 (CHar), 126.91 (CHar), 127.76 (CHar), 127.86 (CHar), 128.37 (CHar), 131.83 (CHar), 141.06 (Car), 141.46 (Car), 142.28 (Car), 168.25 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 877.05 ppm; IR = 3259, 2922, 2853, 1621, 1533, 1458, 1446, 1349, 1311, 1259, 1047, 1026, 733, 680, 517, 475, 415 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C16H13NO2Se (331.01): C, 58.19; H, 3.97; N, 4.24; Found C, 58.11; H, 3.96; N, 4.29.

N-[(1R,2S)-(+)-cis-2-hydroxy-1-indanyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 29a

Yield: 51%; mp 187–189 °C; = +100 (c = 0.59, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.89–2.92 (m, 1H), 3.17–3.21 (m, 1H), 4.60–4.64 (m, 1H), 5.59 (d, J = 4.2 Hz, 1H), 5.98 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.16 (t, J = 4.9 Hz, 1Har), 7.26 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.31–7.34 (m, 1Har), 7.41–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.58–7.62 (m, 1Har), 7.90–7.93 (m, 1Har), 7.98 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 39.56 (CH2), 61.37 (CH), 74.07 (CH), 124.74 (CHar), 125.68 (CHar), 125.71 (CHar), 125.78 (CHar), 126.90 (CHar), 127.76 (CHar), 127.86 (CHar), 128.37 (CHar), 131.82 (CHar), 141.06 (Car), 141.47 (Car), 142.26 (Car), 168.24 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 877.00 ppm; IR = 3234, 2950, 2853, 1602, 1566, 1457, 1445, 1337, 1312, 1271, 1061, 1019, 756, 738, 677, 517, 476, 417 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C16H13NO2Se (331.01): C, 58.19; H, 3.97; N, 4.24; Found C, 58.13; H, 3.98; N, 4.25.

N-[(1S,2S)-(+)-trans-2-hydroxy-1-indanyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 30a

Yield: 87%; mp 204–206 °C; = +212 (c = 0.55, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.80–2.84 (m, 1H), 3.24–3.28 (m, 1H), 4.43 (kw, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.57 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 5.70 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.20–7.24 (m, 1Har), 7.31 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 2Har), 7.44–7.48 (m, 1Har), 7.60–7.63 (m, 1Har), 7.87–7.90 (m, 1Har), 7.98 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ = 39.01 (CH2), 65.63 (CH), 78.88 (CH), 125.18 (CHar), 125.46 (CHar), 126.14 (CHar), 126.31 (CHar), 127.32 (CHar), 127.80 (CHar), 128.88 (CHar), 129.01 (Car), 131.95 (CHar), 139.56 (Car), 140.85 (Car), 140.95 (Car), 167.38 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 824.06 ppm; IR = 3091, 2923, 2850, 1590, 1562, 1460, 1445, 1329, 1312, 1268, 1072, 1021, 793, 743, 733, 676, 516, 458 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C16H13NO2Se (331.01): C, 58.09; H, 3.98; N, 4.26; Found C, 58.15; H, 3.97; N, 4.22.

N-[(1R,2R)-(−)-trans-2-hydroxy-1-indanyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 31a

Yield: 66%; mp 205–207 °C; = −214 (c = 0.57, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.80–2.85 (m, 1H), 3.24–3.28 (m, 1H), 4.43 (kw, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 5.56 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 5.69 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1Har), 7.20–7.24 (m, 1Har), 7.31 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2Har), 7.44–7.47 (m, 1Har), 7.60–7.63 (m, 1Har), 7.88–7.90 (m, 1Har), 7.98 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 39.33 (CH2), 65.71 (CH), 78.93 (CH), 125.24 (CHar), 125.51 (CHar), 126.20 (CHar), 126.35 (CHar), 127.36 (CHar), 127.85 (CHar), 128.95 (CHar), 129.04 (Car), 131.98 (CHar), 139.62 (Car), 140.94 (Car), 141.03 (Car), 167.42 (C=O) 77Se NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ = 823.38 ppm; IR = 3090, 2923, 2852, 1590, 1562, 1460, 1445, 1329, 1312, 1269, 1071, 1021, 793, 744, 733, 676, 516, 457 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C16H13NO2Se (331.01): C, 58.19; H, 3.97; N, 4.24; Found C, 58.15; H, 3.97; N, 4.22.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(S)-(+)-sec-butylbezamide] 18b

Yield: 66%; mp 233–235 °C; = +43 (c = 0.24, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.92 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 1.18 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.50–1.60 (m, 2H), 3.92–3.97 (m, 1H), 7.31–7.34 (m, 1Har), 7.36–7.39 (m, 1Har), 7.69 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.79 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 8.44 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.15 (CH3), 20.59 (CH3), 29.26 (CH2), 47.33 (CH), 126.55 (CHar), 128.30 (CHar), 130.41 (CHar), 131.79 (CHar), 132.31 (Car), 134.35 (Car), 167.36 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 443.25′ ppm; IR: 3312, 2968,, 2927, 2870, 1738, 1612, 1583, 1535, 1448, 1435, 1366, 1353, 1302, 1285, 1229, 1216, 1163, 1146, 1027, 871, 743, 677, 645, 541, 472, 446 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C22H28N2O2Se2 (512.08): C, 51.77; H, 5.53; N, 5.49; Found C, 51.72; H, 5.53; N, 5.52.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(R)-(−)-sec-butylbezamide] 19b

Yield: 74%; mp 234–235 °C; = −41 (c = 0.30, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.91 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 1.18 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.50–1.60 (m, 2H), 3.92–3.97 (m, 1H), 7.31–7.34 (m, 1Har), 7.36–7.39 (m, 1Har), 7.69 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 7.79 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 8.44 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.15 (CH3), 20.60 (CH3), 29.27 (CH2), 47.32 (CH), 126.54 (CHar), 128.30 (CHar), 130.41 (CHar), 131.78 (CHar), 132.32 (Car), 134.36 (Car), 167.35 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 443.17 ppm; IR: 3311, 2968, 2927, 2870, 1738, 1613, 1583, 1535, 1448, 1435, 1366, 1353, 1302, 1284, 1229, 1216, 1164, 1145, 1027, 872, 743, 678, 645, 528, 472, 446 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C22H28N2O2Se2 (512.08): C, 51.77; H, 5.53; N, 5.49; Found C, 51.70; H, 5.53; N, 5.45.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(S)-(+)-1-hydroxy-2-butanylbezamide] 20b

Yield: 52%; mp 200–202 °C; = +65 (c = 0.31, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.92 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 1.44–1.52 (m, 1H), 1.66–1.73 (m, 1H), 3.41–3.46 (m, 1H), 3.49–3.53 (m, 1H), 3.86–3.93 (m, 1H), 4.73 (t, J = 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.31–7.35 (m, 1Har), 7.36–7.40 (m, 1Har), 7.70 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 7.84 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 8.31 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.05 (CH3), 24.12 (CH2), 53.94 (CH), 63.51 (CH2), 126.50 (CHar), 128.43 (CHar), 130.40 (CHar), 131.82 (CHar), 132.38 (Car), 134.27 (Car), 167.91 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 444.00 ppm; IR: 3278, 3045, 2969, 2870, 1738, 1622, 1583, 1530, 1453, 1366, 1306, 1283, 1216, 1179, 1165, 1076, 1060, 1048, 1025, 873, 727, 692, 644, 557, 447 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C22H28N2O4Se2 (544.04): C, 48.72; H, 5.20; N, 5.16; Found C, 48.65; H, 5.21; N, 5.11.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(R)-(−)-1-hydroxy-2-butanylbezamide] 21b

Yield: 46%; mp 199–201 °C; = −67 (c = 0.41, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 0.89 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 1.41–1.49 (m, 1H), 1.63–1.70 (m, 1H), 3.38–3.43 (m, 1H), 3.46–3.50 (m, 1H), 3.83–3.89 (m, 1H), 4.69 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.27–7.31 (m, 1Har), 7.33–7.37 (m, 1Har), 7.67 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 7.81 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 8.27 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 11.05 (CH3), 24.12 (CH2), 53.95 (CH), 63.51 (CH2), 126.50 (CHar), 128.43 (CHar), 130.42 (CHar), 131.82 (CHar), 132.36 (Car), 134.27 (Car), 167.92 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ= 443.96 ppm; IR: 3276, 3047, 2969, 2870, 1738, 1622, 1584, 1530, 1453, 1365, 1306, 1283, 1216, 1179, 1165, 1076, 1060, 1047, 1025, 873, 727, 691, 644, 557, 448 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C22H28N2O4Se2 (544.04): C, 48.72; H, 5.20; N, 5.16; Found C, 48.69; H, 5.20; N, 5.09.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(R)-(−)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthylbezamide] 22b

Yield: 58%; mp 266–268 °C; = −167 (c = 0.21, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.69–1.81 (m, 1H), 1.81–1.88 (m, 1H), 1.94–2.05 (m, 2H), 2.72–2.82 (m, 2H), 5.25 (q, J = 7Hz, 1H), 7.09–7.19 (m, 3Har), 7.23–7.31 (m, 2Har), 7.34–7.39 (m, 1Har), 7.74 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.81 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 9.05 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 20.84 (CH2), 29.37 (CH2), 30.30 (CH2), 48.02 (CH), 126.35 (CHar), 126.60 (CHar), 127.24 (CHar), 128.35 (CHar), 128.56 (CHar), 129.27 (CHar), 130.52 (CHar), 131.99 (Car), 132.62 (CHar), 134.02 (Car), 137.73 (Car), 137.76 (Car), 167.61 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ= 445.03 ppm; IR: 3279, 2940, 2923, 1627, 1583, 1530, 1486, 1430, 1335, 1256, 1080, 1024, 878, 865, 758, 682, 593, 447 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C34H32N2O2Se2 (660.08): C, 62.01; H, 4.90; N, 4.25; Found C, 61.95; H, 4.91; N, 4.17.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(S)-(+)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-napthylbezamide] 23b

Yield: 86%; mp 266–268 °C; = +166 (c = 0.25, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.72–1.84 (m, 1H), 1.85–1.91 (m, 1H), 1.97–2.08 (m, 2H), 2.74–2.85 (m, 2H), 5.28 (q, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.12–7.21 (m, 3Har), 7.26–7.34 (m, 2Har), 7.38–7.42 (m, 1Har), 7.77 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.85 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 9.08 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 20.84 (CH2), 29.37 (CH2), 30.30 (CH2), 48.02 (CH), 126.36 (CHar), 126.60 (CHar), 127.24 (CHar), 128.35 (CHar), 128.56 (CHar), 129.28 (CHar), 130.52 (CHar), 131.99 (Car), 132.62 (CHar), 134.01 (Car), 137.72 (Car), 137.76 (Car), 167.62 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 445.22 ppm; IR: 3275, 2939, 2922, 1627, 1583, 1530, 1486, 1430, 1334, 1255, 1079, 1024, 878, 864, 758, 681, 593, 427 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C34H32N2O2Se2 (660.08): C, 62.01; H, 4.90; N, 4.25; Found C, 62.00; H, 4.89; N, 4.21.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylbezamide] 24b

Yield: 92%; mp 200–202 °C; = +101 (c = 0.47, CHCl3) (lit. mp 219–220°C; = +172 (c = 1.00, dioxane) [13])

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.52 (d, J = 7 Hz, 3H), 5.17–5.22 (m, 1H), 7.23–7.27 (m, 1Har), 7.33–7.39 (m, 4Har), 7.43–7.45 (m, 2Har), 7.67 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.92 (dd, J1 = 1.4 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 9.09 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 22.61 (CH3), 49.30 (CH), 126.57 (2xCHar), 126.58 (CHar), 127.19 (CHar), 128.60 (CHar), 128.75 (2xCHar), 130.46 (CHar), 132.03 (CHar), 132.53 (Car), 133.78 (Car), 144.95 (Car), 167.15 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 444.99 ppm; IR: 3312, 3061, 3033, 2976, 2930, 1625, 1583, 1524, 1451, 1431, 1376, 1325, 1207, 1133, 1091, 873, 709, 696, 674, 644, 472, 443 cm-1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C30H28N2O2Se2 (608.05): C, 59.41; H, 4.65; N, 4.62; Found C, 59.31; H, 4.64; N, 4.55.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylbezamide] 25b

Yield: 81%; mp 200–202 °C; = −104 (c = 0.63, CHCl3) (lit. mp 219–220 °C; = −172 (c = 1.00, dioxane) [13])

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.52 (d, J = 7 Hz, 3H), 5.17–5.23 (m, 1H), 7.23–7.27 (m, 1Har) 7.32–7.40 (m, 4Har), 7.43–7.46 (m, 2Har), 7.66–7.70 (m, 1Har), 7.92 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 9.09 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 22.62 (CH3), 49.30 (CH), 126.57 (2xCHar), 126.58 (CHar), 127.19 (CHar), 128.61 (CHar), 128.75 (2xCHar), 130.45 (CHar), 132.03 (CHar), 132.52 (Car), 133.76 (Car), 144.96 (Car), 167.15 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ= 445.01 ppm; IR: 3310, 3059, 3032, 2975, 1623, 1583, 1522, 1448, 1431, 1376, 1324, 1207, 1132, 1090, 872, 696, 671, 644, 471, 443 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C30H28N2O2Se2 (608.05): C, 59.41; H, 4.65; N, 4.62; Found C, 59.32; H, 4.65; N, 4.59.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(S)-(−)-1-(1-napthyl)ethylbezamide] 26b

Yield: 70%; mp 262–64 °C; = −96 (c = 0.35, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.66 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 5.95–6.01 (m, 1H), 7.31–7.36 (m, 2Har), 7.49–7.56 (m, 2Har), 7.58–7.62 (m, 1Har), 7.65–7.69 (m, 2Har), 7.86 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 7.90–7.94 (m, 1Har), 7.95–7.99 (m, 1Har), 8.26 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 9.26 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 21.87 (CH3), 45.64 (CH), 123.11 (CHar), 123.63 (CHar), 125.95 (CHar), 126.09 (CHar), 126.60 (CHar), 126.73 (CHar), 127.85 (CHar), 128.67 (CHar), 129.17 (CHar), 130.40 (CHar), 130.90 (CHar), 132.03 (Car), 132.45 (Car), 133.76 (Car), 133.90 (Car), 140.44 (Car), 167.10 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 442.72 ppm; IR: 3290, 2922, 1625, 1583, 1530, 1452, 1429, 1338, 1308, 1284, 1258, 1180, 1132, 1025, 871, 792, 773, 735, 693, 641, 448 cm−1.Elemental Anal. Calcd for C38H32N2O2Se2 (708.08): C, 64.59; H, 4.56; N, 3.96; Found C, 64.46; H, 4.55; N, 3.89.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(R)-(+)-1-(1-napthyl)ethylbezamide] 27b

Yield: 73%; mp 262–264 °C; = +98 (c = 0.32, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 1.66 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 3H), 5.55–6.01 (m, 1H), 7.31–7.36 (m, 2Har), 7.49–7.56 (m, 2Har), 7.58–7.61 (m, 1Har), 7.66–7.69 (m, 2Har), 7.86 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 7.90–7.93 (m, 1Har), 7.96–7.98 (m, 1Har), 8.26 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 9.26 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 21.87 (CH3), 45.64 (CH), 123.12 (CHar), 123.64 (CHar), 125.96 (CHar), 126.09 (CHar), 126.59 (CHar), 126.71 (CHar), 127.85 (CHar), 128.67 (CHar), 129.17 (CHar), 130.41 (CHar), 130.91 (CHar), 132.03 (Car), 132.64 (Car), 133.79 (Car), 133.91 (Car), 140.45 (Car), 167.10 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 443.08 ppm; IR: 3292, 3063, 2976, 2927, 1624, 1583, 1531, 1450, 1432, 1337, 1306, 1283, 1258, 1180, 1131, 1083, 1026, 997, 878, 793, 773, 736, 725, 692, 641, 447 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C38H32N2O2Se2 (708.08): C, 64.59; H, 4.56; N, 3.96; Found C, 64.52; H, 4.57; N, 3.90.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(1S,2R)-(−)-cis-2-hydroxy-1-indanylbezamide] 28b

Yield: 70%; mp 241–243 °C; = −149 (c = 0.39, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.90–2.95 (m, 1H), 3.14 (dd, J1 = 4.9 Hz, J2 = 9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.56–4.61 (m, 1H), 5.17–5.21 (m, 1H), 5.49 (dd, J1 = 5.6 Hz, J2 = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.21–7.27 (m, 2Har), 7.28–7.35 (m, 3Har), 7.40–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.78 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 8.01 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 8.59 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ= 39.92 (CH2), 58.10 (CH), 72.54 (CH), 124.94 (CHar), 125.35 (CHar), 126.63 (CHar), 126.86 (CHar), 128.00 (CHar), 129.00 (CHar), 130.42 (CHar), 132.16 (CHar), 132.66 (Car), 133.62 (Car), 141.44 (Car), 142.02 (Car), 168.21 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 445.85 ppm; IR: 3288, 3046, 2976, 2926, 1622, 1582, 1529, 1428, 1337, 1305, 1281, 1216, 1080, 1047, 997, 873, 792, 772, 735, 691, 558, 447 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C32H28N2O4Se2 (664.04): C, 58.01; H, 4.26; N, 4.23; Found C, 58.05; H, 4.27; N, 4.17.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(1R,2S)-(+)-cis-2-hydroxy-1-indanylbezamide] 29b

Yield: 73%; mp 241–243 °C; = +152 (c = 0.41, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.91–2,95 (m, 1H), 3.14 (dd, J1 = 4.9 Hz, J2 = 16.1 Hz, 1H), 4.46 (qd, J1 = 2.1 Hz, J2 = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 5.18 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 1H), 5.49 (dd, J1 = 5.6 Hz, J2 = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.21–7.27 (m, 2Har), 7.28–7.35 (m, 3Har), 7.40–7.44 (m, 1Har), 7.78 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har), 8.01 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 8.59 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1Har) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 39.70 (CH2), 58.10 (CH), 72.53 (CH), 124.94 (CHar), 125.34 (CHar), 126.63 (CHar), 126.86 (CHar), 128.00 (CHar), 129.00 (CHar), 130.42 (CHar), 132.15 (CHar), 132.65 (Car), 133.62 (Car), 141.43 (Car), 142.02 (Car), 168.21 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 445.85 ppm; IR: 3289, 3047, 2974, 2927, 1622, 1583, 1530, 1431, 1337, 1306, 1282, 1210, 1082, 1046, 997, 877, 793, 772, 735, 692, 558, 447 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C32H28N2O4Se2 (664.04): C, 58.01; H, 4.26; N, 4.23; Found C, 58.09; H, 4.27; N, 4.17.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(1S,2S)-(−)-trans-2-hydroxy-1-indanylbezamide] 30b

Yield: 93%; mp 234–236 °C; = +153 (c = 0.33, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.76 (dd, J1 = 7.7 Hz, J2 = 15.4 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J1 = 7.7 Hz, J2 = 15.4 Hz, 1H), 4.46 (kwintet, J = 7 Hz, 1H), 5.29 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 5.41 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.17–7.23 (m, 4Har), 7.30–7.34 (m, 1Har), 7.37–7.41 (m, 1Har), 7.76 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.88 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 9.03 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ= 39.34 (CH2), 62.39 (CH), 77.89 (CH), 124.41 (CHar), 125.16 (CHar), 126.59 (CHar), 127.19 (CHar), 128.17 (CHar), 128.64 (CHar), 130.54 (CHar), 132.09 (CHar), 132.67 (Car), 133.88 (Car), 140.46 (Car), 142.18 (Car), 168.32 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 445.85 ppm; IR: 3254, 2919, 1630, 1584, 1530, 1456, 1456, 1428, 1345, 1272, 1214, 1122, 1065, 919, 871, 685, 646, 579, 517, 447 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C32H28N2O4Se2 (664.04): C, 58.01; H, 4.26; N, 4.23; Found C, 58.05; H, 4.27; N, 4.19.

2,2′-diselenobis[N-(1R,2R)-(−)-trans-2-hydroxy-1-indanylbezamide] 31b

Yield: 86%; mp 233–235 °C; = −150 (c = 0.33, CHCl3);

1H NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 2.76 (dd, J1 = 7.7 Hz, J2 = 15.4 Hz, 1H), 3.18 (dd, J1 = 7.7 Hz, J2 = 15.4 Hz, 1H), 4.46 (kwintet, J = 7 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 5.40 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 7.15–7.24 (m, 4Har), 7.30–7.34 (m, 1Har), 7.36–7.42 (m, 1Har), 7.76 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 7.88 (dd, J1 = 0.7 Hz, J2 = 7.7 Hz, 1Har), 9.01 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H) 13C NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 39.31 (CH2), 62.36 (CH), 77.88 (CH), 124.41 (CHar), 125.16 (CHar), 126.59 (CHar), 127.20 (CHar), 128.17 (CHar), 128.64 (CHar), 130.52 (CHar), 132.09 (CHar), 132.67 (Car), 133.84 (Car), 140.44 (Car), 142.17 (Car), 168.32 (C=O) 77Se NMR (700 MHz, DMSO) δ = 445.76 ppm; IR: 3257, 2920, 1630, 1584, 1531, 1458, 1429, 1345, 1272, 1213, 1123, 1066, 920, 871, 658, 649, 580, 518, 448 cm−1. Elemental Anal. Calcd for C32H28N2O4Se2 (664.04): C, 58.01; H, 4.26; N, 4.23; Found C, 57.92; H, 4.27; N, 4.18.

2.3. Antioxidant Activity Assay

The antioxidant activity assay was prepared via the method presented by Iwaoka [22].

2.4. MTT Viability Assay

The MTT assay was based on the method of Mosmann [23].

2.5. Crystal Structure Determination

The crystal structures of 24a and 25a were determined. The X-ray diffraction data were collected at a temperature of 100(1) K with a Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy CCD diffractometer using CuKα radiation λ=1.54184 Å. Both structures were solved by direct methods and refined with the full-matrix least-squares method on F2 with the use of the SHELX2017 [24,25] program package. The absorption corrections were used with CrysAlisPro 1.171.41.120a (Rigaku OD, 2021), [26]. The hydrogen atoms were located from the electron density maps, and their positions were constrained in the refinement. Details of the diffraction experiments and crystal structures are presented in the Supplemental Materials. The crystallographic data were deposited with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, the CCDC numbers: 2014858 and 2014859 for 24a and 25a, respectively.

3. Results and Discussion

The first step of the research involved the synthesis of N-substituted benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones. The procedure was based on the reaction of 2-(chloroseleno)-benzoyl chloride 17, obtained according to our previously reported method [18], with commercially available chiral amines. Then, the obtained compounds 18a–31a were transformed into diselenides 18b–31b by a sodium borohydride reduction and air oxidation protocol. Both benzisoselenazolones (45–96%) and diselenides (46–93%) were synthesized in good yields (Scheme 2).

Scheme 2

Synthetized chiral benzisoselenazolones 18a–31a and diselenides 18b–31b.

Furthermore, the crystal structures of enantiomers 24a/24b were determined. The asymmetric part of the crystal structure of N-[(R)-(+)-α-methylbenzyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 24a consists of five molecules (Supplemental Materials). The single molecule with the atom numbering scheme is shown in Figure 3. In all of them, the (R) configuration of the chiral center was detected. The molecular conformation differs slightly between the molecules, with the dihedral angles between the phenyl ring and the benzisoselenazolone moiety being 84.8(8)°, 82.3(9)°, 85.1(9)°, 76.3(9)° and 83.2(9)° for molecules 1–5, respectively. Significant differences in the conformation of molecules 1–5 were detected, affecting the positions of the methyl groups relative to the benzisoselenazolone moieties. The representative Se1–N2–C11–C12 torsion angle of its equivalents in molecules 2–5 are 102.2(15)°, 82.7(19)°, 93.9(19)°, 85(2)° and 64(2)°. The network of short intermolecular Se…O contacts involving four molecules is found in the structure. The respective distances are Se1…O4[3/2 − x, 1 − y, 1/2 + z] 2.592(13), Se21…O44[x, y, 1 + z] 2.640(13), Se41…O24 2.627(18), Se61…O84[x, y, −1 + z] 2.761(14) and Se81…O64 2.677(16) Å.

Figure 3

Molecule 1 of 24a with atomic displacement parameters plotted at a 50% probability level. The atom-numbering scheme is analogous for all molecules in both enantiomers 24a and 25a.

In the crystal structure of N-[(S)-(+)-α-methylbenzyl]-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one 25a, the asymmetric part also consists of five benzisoselenazolone molecules. For all molecules, the S configuration of the benzyl C11 chiral centers was found. The dihedral angles between the phenyl and benzisoselenazolone moieties in molecules 1–5 are 84.6(3)°, 85.8(4)°, 82.5(4)°, 82.7(4)° and 76.4(4)°. Due to the opposite enantiomer, the Se1–N2–C11–C12 torsion angles have negative signs: −102.5(6)°, −94.5(8)°, −81.8(9)°, −65.6(9)° and −84.4(10)° for molecules 1–5, respectively. In 25a, the similar network of Se…O intermolecular interactions is found, with the respective distances Se1…O4[1 − x, −1/2 + y, 1/2−z] 2.592(5), Se21...O44[x, −1 + y, z] 2.633(6), Se41…O24 2.621(5), Se61…O84 2.685(6) and Se81…O64[x, 1 + y, z] 2.779(6) Å.

The antioxidant activity of all the obtained compounds was evaluated using the broadly used test presented by Iwaoka [22]. The Se-catalyst reduces hydrogen peroxide and regenerates in the presence of dithiol (DTTred). The rate of the reaction is measured using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The appearance of signals representing the formed disulfide (DTTox) in specific time intervals is recorded (Table 1).

Table 1

Results of the antioxidant activity measurement.

		Remaining DTTred (%)
Catalyst (0.1 equiv.)	5 min	15 min	30 min	60 min
Benzisoselenazolones
18a/19a	90	88	86	80
20a/21a	86	83	77	60
22a/23a	91	88	85	77
24a/25a	77	59	38	16
26a/27a	90	89	88	84
28a/29a	84	80	74	62
30a/31a	87	86	83	78
Diselenides
18b/19b	80	65	47	29
20b/21b	73	50	30	19
22b/23b	89	83	80	75
24b/25b	76	54	37	26
26b/27b	87	84	82	76
28b/29b	44	13	2	0
30b/31b	14	2	0	0
Ebselen	75	64	58	52

The antioxidant activity of all enantiomeric pairs was the same. In general, better results were obtained for diselenides 18b–31b than for the corresponding benzisoselenazolones 18a–31a. The best H2O2-scavenging properties were observed for the indanyl derivatives possessing a cis (28b/29b) and trans (30b/31b) 2-hydroxy group, with the total dithiol conversion after 30 and 15 min, respectively.

The cytotoxic activity of Se-compounds was measured using a cell viability assay (MTT) on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 and breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines [23]. In the case of benzisoselenazolones, the highest antiproliferative potential was also observed for the hydroxyindanyl derivative 28a (Table 2).

Table 2

The antiproliferative activity of compounds 18a–31a.

Compound	IC50 (µM) ± SEM
	HL-60	MCF-7
18a	48.5 ± 6.3	36.5 ± 4.4
19a	71.2 ± 0.1	19.2 ± 1.3
20a	26.0 ± 1.7	38.3 ± 1.3
21a	33.3 ± 0.5	35.1 ± 0.5
22a	18.5 ± 0.5	62.3 ± 3.8
23a	26.5 ± 3.5	46.0 ± 0.8
24a	16.1 ± 0.0	32.8 ± 2.8
25a	16.8 ± 0.4	38.8 ± 0.8
26a	47.5 ± 6.2	27.2 ± 0.1
27a	52.6 ± 0.2	41.1 ± 1.3
28a	7.9 ± 0.3	14.9 ± 0.9
29a	28.2 ± 1.1	28.8 ± 2.1
30a	11.4 ± 1.0	22.1 ± 3.1
31a	16.2 ± 1.8	27.6 ± 2.1

The bio-activity of the N-(2-hydroksy-1-indanyl)-1,2-benzizoselenazol-3(2H)-ones 28a–31a depended on the stereochemistry of the C1 carbon of the N-substituent. The IC50 values were lower for the (S)-configuration of C1, directly connected to the nitrogen atom. The stereochemistry of C2, with the attached hydroxy group, seemed to not influence the reactivity (Figure 4).

Figure 4

Different activity of diastereomeric hydroxyindanyl derivatives 28a–31a.

The corresponding diselenides only expressed cytotoxicity towards the HL-60 cell line, except for derivative 20b (IC50 37.00 ± 4.25 µM). This suggests that the Se–N bond is needed to influence the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity was exclusively observed for diselenides bearing an additional hydroxy group. The hydroxybuthyl derivatives 20b and 21b gave the lowest IC50 values 8.67 ± 0.14 µM and 10.10 ± 0.49 µM, respectively. Most potent compounds were also evaluated using human endothelial cells HUVEC. The N-trans-2-hydroksy-1-indanyl diselenide 31b revealed a selective antiproliferative activity with no toxicity towards normal cells (Table 3).

Table 3

The antiproliferative activity of compounds 18b–31b.

Compound	IC50 (uM) ± SEM
	HL-60	MCF-7	HUVEC
18b	>100	>100
19b	>100	>100
20b	8.67 ± 0.14	37.00 ± 4.25	9.92 ± 0.07
21b	10.10 ± 0.49	>100
22b	>100	>100
23b	>100	>100
24b	>100	>100
25b	>100	>100
26b	>100	>100
27b	>100	>100
28b	20.00 ± 0.16	>100
29b	21.75 ± 2.08	>100
30b	12.40 ± 0.33	>100	18.95 ± 0.20
31b	13.00 ± 0.41	>100	>100

4. Conclusions

Herein, we reported the synthesis of chiral N-substituted benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones and the corresponding diselenides with o-amido function, creating a series of enantiomers and diastereoisomers. The 28 obtained derivatives possess various moieties on the nitrogen atom, including aliphatic acyclic and cyclic carbon chains with additional aromatic rings and hydroxy groups. All compounds were tested as antioxidants and anticancer agents. The obtained results revealed that: diselenides are generally better antioxidants with a significant activity enhancement by the presence of N-hydroxyindanyl moiety; the cytotoxic activity of benzisoselenazolones is similar towards both HL-60 and MCF-7 cell lines with the highest antiproliferative potential for N-(2-hydroksy-1-indanyl) derivatives having a (S)-configuration of the C1indanyl carbon directly connected to the nitrogen atom of the selenazolone ring; the anticancer activity of diselenides is only selectively expressed towards HL-60 cell lines, revealing that the potential to influence the proliferation of breast cancer cells MCF-7 is connected to the presence of the benzisoselenazolone core; the attachment of a hydroxy group seems to be essential to obtain a cytotoxic effect on human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines; the IC50 values obtained for selected diselenides using human endothelial cells HUVEC showed that these compounds can express a selective cytotoxic effect with a minimal disruption of the normal cells. It can be concluded that the hydroxyindanyl moiety attached to the nitrogen atom of the benzisoselenazolone or the o-amidodiselenide core enables the improvement of the bio-activity of the Se-compounds and can be considered a useful motif in further modification.