Abstract

In search for highly bioactive barbituric and thiobarbituric acid derivatives, some new barbituric and thiobarbituric acids bearing 1,2,4-triazine moiety and their related systems (513) have been obtained from the addition of isocyanate and isothiocyanate to 3-amino-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (1) followed by ring closure reactions with diethyl malonate. Also, chemical reactivities of the related systems were obtained from the condensation of barbituric and thiobarbituric acid derivatives with aromatic aldehyde and/or fluoroacylation reactions. The structure of all the products was deduced from both elemental analysis and spectral data (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS). The herbicidal activity was also evaluated for the products.

1. Introduction

Barbituric acids play significant roles in biological activity. Also, thiobarbituric acid developed to quantitatively determine lipid peroxidation for aldehydic compounds in biological matrices also has vital roles in peroxidation of fatty acids, foods from plants and animal sources, cell membranes, and rat-liver microsomes [15]. Abdel-Rahman et al. [6] reported that asymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted thiobarbituric acids bearing 1,2,4-triazine moiety were used as anti-HIV and anticancer agents. Moreover, thiobarbituric acids bearing various heterocyclic moieties were used as potent anticonvulsant agents [7] in MES and PTZ models. Recently, Al-Harbi et al. [8, 9] synthesized fluorinated N1,N3-disubstituted thiobarbituric acids that can be used as anti-HIV1 agents and as inhibitors for cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) in cell tumor division [8, 9]. Based upon these facts, the present work tends to synthesize newer 1,3-disubstituted barbituric and thiobarbituric acid derivatives from 3-amino-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (1) [10] and study their chemical reactivity as well as evaluate them as herbicidal agents.

2. Chemistry

Because of the critical, biological, and medicinal properties of most barbituric [15] and thiobarbituric acids [11, 12] and/or amino-1,2,4-triazine derivatives [6, 10, 13, 14], the present work tends to synthesize these compounds in one system in view of their biological activities.

Therefore, the addition of cyclohexyl isocyanate, methyl isothiocyanate, and/or phenyl isothiocyanate to 3-amino-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (1) [10] in a polar solvent such as DMF produced the N1,N3-disubstituted thioureas 24 (Scheme 1).

Heterocyclization of compounds 24 via refluxing with diethyl malonate in dioxane afforded 1-cyclohexyl-3-(5′,6′-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)barbituric acid (5), 1-methyl-3-(5′,6′-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)thiobarbituric acid (6), and/or 1-phenyl-3-(5′,6′-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)thiobarbituric acid (7), respectively (Scheme 1).

The polyfunctional systems of compounds 810 were obtained via Knoevenagel condensation by the reaction of compounds 57 with 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in EtOH-piperidine to give the 5-arylidene barbituric/thiobarbituric acid derivatives 810 (Scheme 2).

The introduction of fluorine atoms to heterocyclic nitrogen systems, especially thiobarbituric acid derivatives, enhances their physical, chemical, and biological properties [8, 9]. Thus, fluoroacylation of compounds 57 by refluxing with 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic anhydride in DMF yielded 1-(5′,6′-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3′-yl)-3-cyclohexyl-5-di(trifluoroacetyl)barbituric acid (11) and/or 1-(5′,6′-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3′-yl)-3-methyl/phenyl-5-di(trifluoroacetyl)thiobarbituric acids (12 and 13), respectively (Scheme 3).

Formation of compounds 1113 is mainly due to the presence of active methylene at position 5 of barbituric and thiobarbituric acids, and it is easy to remove the acidic protons (Figure 1).

3. Results and Discussion

Recent studies reported that the barbituric and thiobarbituric acids have many tautomers, which led to a high degree of stability [8, 9]. Also, 1,2,4-triazine moiety exhibited a wide range of biological, pharmacological, and medicinal properties [10, 14]. Thus, the present work aims to combine the barbituric and thiobarbituric acids with a 1,2,4-triazine nucleus to view their enhancement for biocidal effects.

Structures of the new systems obtained were established from the correct elemental analysis and spectral data measurement.

FT-IR spectra of compounds 24 recorded at 3300, 3150, and 3090 cm−1 attributed to NH, NH of urea and thiourea, and aromatic C-H, respectively; besides, at 1610 and 1590 cm−1 is for C=N and aliphatic C-H. Also, at 1580 and 1180 cm−1 is for CONH and C=S functional groups presented.

The products 57 isolated after heterocyclization with malonate showed a new additional stretching at 2980 cm−1 with deformation at 1480 and 1440 cm−1 for CH2 and 1690 and 1660 cm−1 for C=O lacking NH groups. On the contrary, FT-IR spectra of compounds 810 exhibited lack of active methylene, with presence of at 700 cm−1 for C-Cl. Fluoroacetyl derivatives 1113 recorded at 1720, 1710, 1690, and 1250 cm−1 for the presence of new bands of CO and C-F.

1H NMR spectra of compounds 24 showed resonated signals at δ 5.80 and 5.61 ppm for NH, and NH protons with δ 7.90∼6.99 and 2.50 ppm for aromatic and aliphatic protons which confirmed those structures.

1H NMR spectra of barbituric/thiobarbituric acids 57 recorded δ 4.55 ppm for active methylene protons, while those of 810 exhibited a new signal at δ 8.80 ppm attributed to the exo-CH=C arylidene proton. Also, compounds 1113 showed a lack of CH2 protons for barbituric/thiobarbituric acids with δ at 7.77 and 7.44 ppm for aromatic protons of 1,2,4-triazinones.

Moreover, 13C NMR spectra of compounds 57 showed mainly δ at 180, 160, and 150 ppm for C=S, and C=O with active CH2 carbons at δ 40.11 ppm. It is interesting to note that 13C NMR spectra of compounds 810 recorded new exo carbons -CH=C at 119 ppm with other signals at 131-120 and 40, 32, and 19 ppm for the presence of aromatic and aliphatic carbons.

13C NMR spectra of trifluoroacetyl derivatives 1113 showed mainly δ at 145 and 158 ppm for C-F, and a new C=O for acetyl with δ at 131-126 and 39, 30, and 19 ppm attributed to aromatic and aliphatic carbons.

19F NMR spectra of compounds 1113 showed a characteristic at −115 ppm for CF3 bonds.

Mass fragmentation patterns of compound 13, for example, which give us a degree of stability, recorded a molecular ion peak at low m/z with a base peak at 178 attributes to the diphenylacetylene radical (Figure 2).

4. Materials and Methods

The melting points were recorded on a Stuart SMP30 melting point apparatus (Bibby Scientific, UK) and reported as uncorrected. A PerkinElmer (Lambda EZ-2101) double-beam spectrophotometer (190–1100 nm) was used for recording the electronic spectra. A PerkinElmer model RXI-FT-IR spectrophotometer (55,529 cm−1) was used for recording the FT-IR spectra. A Bruker Advance DPX 400 MHz NMR using TMS as an internal standard was used for recording the 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and 19F NMR spectra using deuterated DMSO (δ in ppm) as a solvent. An AGC-MS-QP 1000 Ex model was used for recording the mass spectra. Elemental microanalysis was performed on a PerkinElmer CHN-2400 analyzer. 5,6-Diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-amine (1) was prepared according to the reported method [10].

4.1. N1-(Cyclohexyl/methyl/phenyl)-N2-(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)urea/thiourea (24)

A mixture of compound 1 (0.01 mol) [10] and cyclohexyl isocyanate/methyl isothiocyanate/phenyl isothiocyanate (0.01 mol) in DMF (100 ml) was heated at reflux for 2 h. The mixture was cooled and then poured onto ice. The solid produced was filtered off and crystallized from dioxane to give 24 as yellow crystals.

2: yield 77% and m.p. 135-136°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3200 and 3150 (NH and NH), 3060 (ArH), 2980 (aliphatic CH), 1620 (CONH), 1580 (C=N), 1480 and 1440 (deform. CH2), and 820 and 810 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.80-7.66 and 7.51-6.99 (each m, 2 phenyl), 5.80 (s, 1H, NHCO), 5.61 (s, 1H, NHCH), 3.65 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, HN-CH-), 2.20 (t, 1H, CH-N), and 1.90 and 1.88 (each d, 2CH2). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 155 (C=O), 142 (C=N), 132-128 (aromatic carbons), and 40.1, 30.7, 19.7, and 13.5 (aliphatic carbons). Calculated, C22H23N5O (M+373), %: C, 70.76; H, 6.21; and N, 18.75. Found, %: C, 70.11; H, 6.01; and N, 18.59.

3: yield 78% and m.p. 168-169°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3180 and 3150 (NH and NH), 3050 (ArH), 2920 and 2880 (aliphatic CH), 1580 (C=N), 1470 and 1420 (deform. CH3), 1180 (C=S), and 880 and 820 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.95-7.76 and 7.55-7.35 (each m, 2 phenyl), 5.81 and 5.66 (each s, 2H, NHCS, NHMe), and 0.90 (s, 3H, J = 7.1 Hz, CH3). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 178 (C=S), 141 (C=N), 131-122 (aromatic carbons), and 40.1 (aliphatic carbons). Calculated, C17H15N5S (M+321), %: C, 63.53; H, 4.70; N, 21.79; and S, 9.98. Found, %: C, 63.41; H, 4.55; N, 21.70; and S, 9.69.

4: yield 70% and m.p. 128–130°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3200 and 3130 (NH and NH), 3060 (ArH), 2980 and 2880 (aliphatic CH), 1580 (C=N), 1350 (NCSN), 1186 (C=S), and 910, 880, and 840 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.99-7.76, 7.59-7.11, and 7.10-6.88 (each m, 3 phenyl). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 180 (C=S), 142 (C=N), 140 (C-N), and 132-120 (aromatic carbons). Calculated, C22H17N5S (M+383), %: C, 68.91; H, 4.47; N, 18.26; and S, 8.36. Found, %: C, 68.75; H, 4.36; N, 18.21; and S, 8.34.

4.2. N1-(Substituted)-N3-(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)barbituric and Thiobarbituric Acids (57)

Equimolar mixtures of 2, 3, and 4 and diethyl malonate in dry dioxane (50 ml) were refluxed for 4 h and cooled. The solid produced was filtered off and crystallized from dioxane to give 5–7 as faint yellow crystals.

5: yield 55% and m.p. 180-181°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3060 (ArH), 2970 and 2890 (aliphatic CH), 1690 and 1660 (2C=O), 1580 (C=N), 1480 and 1420 (deform. CH2), and 820 and 790 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.88-7.69 and 7.55-7.11 (each m, 10HArH), 4.55 (s, 2H, CH2CO), 3.66 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, -CH-N-), 2.52 (m, 2H, CH2), and 2.20 (m, 2H, CH2). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 162, 152, and 151 (3C=O), 142 (C=N), 140 (C-N), 133-122 (aromatic carbons), 40.1 (CH2 carbons), and 19.2 (CH2 carbons). Calculated, C25H23N5O3 (M+441), %: C, 68.01; H, 5.25; and N, 15.86. Found, %: C, 67.89; H, 5.09; and N, 15.77.

6: yield 59% and m.p. 177-178°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3070 (ArH), 2980 and 2880 (aliphatic CH), 1580 and 1540 (C=N), 1480 and 1420 (deform. CH2), 1340 (NCSN), 1188 (C=S), and 880 and 810 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.88-7.55 and 7.32-7.11 (each m, 10HArH), 4.55 (s, 2H, CH2), and 1.22 (s, J = 7.11 Hz, 3H, CH3). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 182 (C=S), 160 and 152 (2C=O), 141 (C=N), 139 (C-N), 133-122 (aromatic carbons), 39.19 (CH2 carbon), and 19.25 (CH3 carbon). Calculated, C20H15N5O2S (M+389), %: C, 61.68; H, 3.88; N, 17.98; and S, 8.23. Found, %: C, 61.59; H, 3.71; N, 17.95; and S, 8.12.

7: yield 72% and m.p. 199-200°C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.81-7.66 and 7.51-7.11 (each m, 10H, aromatic) and 4.44 (s, 2H, CH2). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 188 (C=S), 162 and 155 (C=O), 142 (C=N), 140 (C-N), 132-124 (aromatic carbons), and 39.89 (CH2). Calculated, C25H17N5O2S (M+451), %: C, 66.51; H, 3.80; N, 15.51; and S, 7.10. Found, %: C, 66.41; H, 3.70; N, 15.39; and S, 7.02.

4.3. N1-(Substituted)-N3-(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3′-yl)-5-(4′-chlorobenzylidene)barbituric/thiobarbituric Acids (810)

Equimolar mixtures of 5, 6, and 7 and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in EtOH (50 ml) with a few drops of piperidine were refluxed for 6–8 h, cooled, and then poured onto ice. The solid yielded was filtered off and crystallized from EtOH to give 810 as yellow crystals.

8: yield 70% and m.p. 190–192°C. FT-IR spectrum ῡ (cm−1): 3060 (ArH), 1710 and 1699 (2C=O), 1610 (C=C), 1580 (C=N), 1480 and 1410 (deform. CH2), and 860 and 820 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 8.81 (s, 1H, CH=Ar), 7.78-7.66 and 7.51-7.22 (each m, 10H, aromatic), 7.10-7.00 and 6.98-6.88 (d, d, 2H, aryl), 6.60-6.45 (m, 2H, aryl), 3.51 (q, J-7.11 Hz, -CH-N), and 2.55, 2.44, 2.41, and 2.40 (each s, CH2 of cyclohexane). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 162, 158, and 154 (3C=O), 141 (C=N), 139 (C-N), 131-120 (aromatic carbons), and 40.1, 32.5, 32.3, and 19.55 (CH2 carbons). Calculated, C32H26ClN5O3 (M+480), %: C, 68.14; H, 4.65; Cl, 6.28; and N, 12.42. Found, %: C, 68.02; H, 4.53; Cl, 6.49; and N, 12.37.

9: yield 72% and m.p. 180–182°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3060 (ArH), 1710 and 1690 (C=O), 1620 (C=C), 1590 and 1560 (C=N), 1350 (NCSN), 1180 (C=S), 890 and 810 (aromatic ring), and 660 (C-Cl). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 8.99 (s, 1H, CH=C-Ar), 7.81-7.76 and 7.55-7.41 (each m, 10HArH), 7.22–7.20 and 7.11–7.01 (d, d, 2H, aryl), and 6.89-6.68 (m, 2H, aromatic). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 188 (C=S), 168 and 162 (2C=O), 142 (C=N), 140 (C-N), 132-122 (aromatic carbons), and 20.1 (CH3 carbon). Calculated, C27H18ClN5O2S (M+512), %: C, 63.34; H, 3.54; Cl, 6.92; N, 13.68; and S, 6.26. Found, %: C, 63.34; H, 3.54; Cl, 6.92; N, 13.68; and S, 6.26.

10: yield 78% and m.p. 179-180°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3080 (ArH), 1700 and 1690 (C=O), 1610 (C=C), 1580 and 1550 (C=N), 1350 (NCSN), 1182 (C=S), and 910, 880, and 810 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 9.10 (s, 1H, CH=C-Ar), 7.91-7.77, and 7.55-7.41 (each m, 10H, aromatic), 7.40-7.22 (m, 5H, aromatic), and 7.11-710 and 6.99-6.95 (each d, d, 2H, aryl). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 189 (C=S), 162 and 155 (C=O), 142 (C=N), 140 (C-N), 132-122 (aromatic carbons), and 119 (C=C). Calculated, C32H20ClN5O2S (M+574), %: C, 66.95; H, 3.51; Cl, 6.18; N, 12.20; and S, 5.58. Found, %: C, 66.95; H, 3.51; Cl, 6.18; N, 12.20; and S, 5.58.

4.4. N1-(Substituted)-N3-(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3′-yl)-5,5-di(trifluoroacetyl)barbituric/thiobarbituric Acids (1113)

To compounds 57 (0.01 mol), trifluoroacetic anhydride (5 ml) in THF (70 ml) was added and heated under reflux for 8 h and cooled. The solids obtained were filtered off and crystallized from dioxane to give 1113 as yellowish crystals.

11: yield 70% and m.p. 169-170°C. FT-IR spectrum ῡ (cm−1): 3050 (ArH), 2990 and 2880 (aliphatic CH), 1750, 1710, and 1699 (2C=O), 1580 and 1560 (C=N), 1480 and 1440 (deform. CH2), 1250 (C-F), and 880 and 810 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.88-7.75 and 7.72-7.11 (each m, 10H, aromatic), 3.55 (q, J = 7.21 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.50 (t, 1H, N-CH), and 1.91 and 1.88 (each d, 2H, 2CH2). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 164, 162, and 152 (3C=O), 145 (C-F), 142 (C=N), 141 (C-N), 139 (O-C-O), 131-126 (aromatic carbons), and 39.01, 30.66, 19.80, and 14.01 (CH2 carbons). 19F NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): −115 (CF3). Calculated, C29H21F6N5O5 (M+633), %: C, 54.98; H, 3.34; F, 17.99; and N, 11.06. Found, %: C, 54.79; H, 3.21; F, 17.81; and N, 11.01.

12: yield 72% and m.p. 185-186°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3050 (ArH), 1720 and 1700 (C=O), 1580 and 1560 (C=N), 1480 and 1410 (deform. CH3), 1350 (NCSN), 1240 (C-F), 1191 (C=S), and 880 and 840 (aromatic ring). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.88-7.79 and 7.79-7.55 (each m, 10HArH) and 0.90 (s, 3H, CH3). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 180 (C=S), 168, 162, and 156 (3C=O), 145 (C-F), 142 (C=N), 139.11 (C-N), 131-126 (aromatic carbons), 118 (O-C-O), and 40.11 (CH3 carbon). 19F NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): −115 (CF3). Calculated, C24H13F6N5O4S (M+581), %: C, 49.58; H, 2.25; F, 19.60; N, 12.04; and S, 5.51. Found, %: C, 49.34; H, 2.15; F, 19.46; N, 11.89; and S, 5.32.

13: yield 75% and m.p. 228–230°C. FT-IR spectrum (cm−1): 3080 (ArH), 1720, 1700, and 1680 (C=O), 1610 and 1590 (C=N), 1330 (NCSN), 1240 (C-F), 1188 (C=S), 870 and 833 (aromatic ring), and 700 (C-F). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 7.88-7.66 and 7.64-7.55 (each m, 10H, aromatic) and 7.41-7.38 (m, 5H, aromatic). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): 182 (C=S), 164, 162, and 154 (C=O), 144 (C-F), 142 (C=N), 139 (C-N), 132-122 (aromatic carbons), and 116 (C-O-C). 19F NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ (ppm): −115 (CF3). M/S (int. %): (M+, 643), (M+2, 1.11), 178 (100), 138 (15.11), 135 (5.31), and 69 (10). Calculated, C29H15F6N5O4S (M+643), %: C, 54.13; H, 2.35; F, 17.71; N, 10.88; and S, 4.98. Found, %: C, 54.02; H, 2.15; F, 17.54; N, 10.76; and S, 4.84.

5. Herbicidal Activity

All the synthesized compounds 213 were evaluated for herbicidal activity against eighteen individual potted plants of economically important weeds and crops, according to the standard method [15].

The minimum sample was used for these tests, 250 mg. Only the fluorinated thiobarbituric acid derivative 13 showed high herbicidal activity, while other nonfluorinated thiobarbituric acid derivatives 6, 7, 9, and 10 showed lethal activity. On the contrary, the fluorinated compounds, barbituric acid 11, and nonfluorinated barbituric acids 5 and 8 showed no activity.

The high stability of compound 13 is perhaps due to a type of electrostatic formula which causes a higher bioconjugated system (Figure 3).

6. Conclusion

Novel fluorinated/nonfluorinated barbituric and thiobarbituric acids bearing 1,2,4-triazin-3-yl were obtained from a simple heterocyclization N1,N3-disubstituted urea/thiourea with malonate. Also, the chemical reactivity of the barbituric and thiobarbituric acids was evaluated. Only, the fluorinated thiobarbituric acids exhibited a moderate herbicidal activity, while the nonfluorinated thiobarbituric acids showed lethal activities.

Data Availability

IR and 1H NMR spectral data of compounds 213 can be found in supplementary materials.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks are due to Dr. I. Ismail, Department of Microbiology, College of Science, Ain Shams University, Egypt, for the herbicidal evaluation.

Supplementary Materials

IR and 1H NMR spectral data of compounds 213. (Supplementary Materials)