Synthesis and Study of Building Blocks with Dibenzo[<i>b,f</i>]oxepine: Potential Microtubule Inhibitors

Abstract

The synthesis of biphenylmethoxydibenzo[b,f]oxepine or photoswitchable fluorinated dibenzo[b,f]oxepine derivatives with one or three azo bonds, potential microtubule inhibitors, is described. Our studies provide a concise method for constructing derivatives containing the dibenzo[b,f]oxepine skeleton. An analysis of products was run using experimental and theoretical methods. Next, we evaluated the E/Z isomerization of azo-dibenzo[b,f]oxepine derivatives, which could be photochemically controlled using visible-wavelength light.

Keywords

• azo-dibenzo[<i>b,f</i>]oxepine derivative
• biological activity
• photoisomerization
• tubulin inhibitor