A series of calothrixin B (2) analogues bearing substituents at the 'E' ring and their corresponding deoxygenated quinocarbazoles lacking quinone unit were synthesized. The cytotoxicities of calothrixins 1, 2, and 15b-p and quinocarbazole analogues were investigated against nine cancer cell lines. The quinocarbazoles 21a and 25a inhibited the catalytic activity of human topoisomerase II. The plasmid DNA cleavage abilities of calothrixins 1, 2, and 15b-p identified compound 15h causing DNA cleavage comparable to that of calothrixin A (1). Calothrixin A (1), 3-fluorocalothrixin 15h and 4-fluoroquinocarbazole 21b induced extensive DNA damage followed by apoptotic cell death. Spectral and plasmid unwinding studies demonstrated an intercalative mode of binding for quinocarbazoles. We identified two promising drug candidates, the 3-fluorocalothrixin B 15h with low toxicity in animal model and its deoxygenated derivative 4-fluoroquinocarbazole 21b as having potent cytotoxicity against NCI-H460 cell line with a GI of 1 nM.

A straightforward synthesis of aryl and heteroaryl-annulated cyclo[b]carbazoles has been developed via SnCl4-mediated one-pot arylation, cyclization and aromatization reaction sequence from 3-acetyl/aroyl-2-pivaloyloxymethylindoles. The starting material is easily accessible from commercially available 2-methylindole via Friedel-Crafts acylation, bromination and pivaloylation. Remarkably, electron withdrawing/donating aroyl units including heterocyclic systems are well tolerated in the present domino reaction protocol. Furthermore, this methodology could be extended to the synthesis of dibenzofurocarbazole via bis-annulation of 2,5-bis(2-pivaloyloxymethyl)pyrrole.

A facile synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted carbazoles through electrocyclization of 2,3-divinylindoles using FeCl3 in DMF at reflux is reported. The methodology was found to be applicable for smooth transformation of 3-aryl-2-vinylindole as well as 2-styrylbiphenyl into the respective benzo[c]carbazole and phenanthrene.