The invention relates to new amino dimeric naphthoquinone compounds with antileukemic activity. Compounds of the invention demonstrated increased aqueous solubility compared to previously available dimeric naphthoquinones and potent nanomolar inhibition of cell survival in AML cells. Preferred compounds contained an aziridine or a secondary amino alcohol pharmacophore.

The invention relates to new amino dimeric naphthoquinone compounds with antileukemic activity. Compounds of the invention demonstrated increased aqueous solubility compared to previously available dimeric naphthoquinones and potent nanomolar inhibition of cell survival in AML cells. Preferred compounds contained an aziridine or a secondary amino alcohol pharmacophore.

The invention relates to new amino dimeric naphthoquinone compounds with antileukemic activity. Compounds of the invention demonstrated increased aqueous solubility compared to previously available dimeric naphthoquinones and potent nanomolar inhibition of cell survival in AML cells. Preferred compounds contained an aziridine or a secondary amino alcohol pharmacophore.

The invention relates to new amino dimeric naphthoquinone compounds with antileukemic activity. Compounds of the invention demonstrated increased aqueous solubility compared to previously available dimeric naphthoquinones and potent nanomolar inhibition of cell survival in AML cells. Preferred compounds contained an aziridine or a secondary amino alcohol pharmacophore.

There is provided the use as reducing agents of alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds capable of forming cyclic dimers. There is also provided corresponding methods of reducing reducible compounds, particularly reduction-activated prodrugs. Examples of the alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds used are dihydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, erythrose, xylulose, erythrulose or 3-hydroxy-2-butanone.

There is provided the use as reducing agents of alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds capable of forming cyclic dimers. There is also provided corresponding methods of reducing reducible compounds, particularly reduction-activated prodrugs. Examples of the alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds used are dihydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, erythrose, xylulose, erythrulose or 3-hydroxy-2-butanone.

The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing aziridines including isotopically labelled aziridines, said methods comprising contacting an imine or one or more precursors thereof with a diazo compound in the presence of a phosphoramide or a phosphoramide-derived catalyst. The present invention also relates to aziridines, modified aziridines and aziridine-derived compounds preparable by the aforementioned methods, and to phosphoramide or phosphoramide-derived catalysts suitable for use in such methods.

The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing aziridines including isotopically labelled aziridines, said methods comprising contacting an imine or one or more precursors thereof with a diazo compound in the presence of a phosphoramide or a phosphoramide-derived catalyst. The present invention also relates to aziridines, modified aziridines and aziridine-derived compounds preparable by the aforementioned methods, and to phosphoramide or phosphoramide-derived catalysts suitable for use in such methods.

Provided herein is the design and synthesis of novel molecular rotor fluorophores of formula I useful for detection of amyloid or amyloid like proteins. The fluorophores are designed to exhibit enhanced fluorescence emission upon associating with amyloid or amyloid like proteins as compared to unbound compound. Also disclosed herein are the compounds for use in methods for diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with an amyloid or amyloid like proteins, such as e.g. Alzheimer's disease or traumatic brain injury (TBI), Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, schizophrenia or depression. Exemplary compounds are e.g. N-heterocyclyl substituted 2-cyano-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)acrylamide derivatives, such as e.g. (E)-2-cyano-N-(2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-3-(6-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)naphthalen-2-yl) acrylamide (example 1): Experimental data on in-vitro binding studies with amyloid beta is provided.

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Provided herein is the design and synthesis of novel molecular rotor fluorophores of formula I useful for detection of amyloid or amyloid like proteins. The fluorophores are designed to exhibit enhanced fluorescence emission upon associating with amyloid or amyloid like proteins as compared to unbound compound. Also disclosed herein are the compounds for use in methods for diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with an amyloid or amyloid like proteins, such as e.g. Alzheimer's disease or traumatic brain injury (TBI), Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, schizophrenia or depression. Exemplary compounds are e.g. N-heterocyclyl substituted 2-cyano-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)acrylamide derivatives, such as e.g. (E)-2-cyano-N-(2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-3-(6-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)naphthalen-2-yl) acrylamide (example 1): Experimental data on in-vitro binding studies with amyloid beta is provided.

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