Recent advances in the synthesis and functionalization of 1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxides

Abstract Among the variety of nitrogen heterocycles, the furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) scaffold has attracted considerable attention owing to its ability to release NO under physiological conditions. Therefore, significant efforts of organic chemists have been directed toward the construction of new drug candidates containing the NO-donor furoxan subunit connected to a known pharmaceutical or a potential pharmacophore by C C/C N bonds or through an appropriate linker. This digest summarizes the recent information concerning both new synthetic approaches for the furoxan ring construction and various methods for the functionalized furoxan synthesis with particular focus on the last three years. Methods for the furoxan ring formation including cyclodimerization of nitrile oxides, nitrosation of unsaturated compounds, and acylation of dinitromethane sodium salt are reviewed. The functionalization of furoxan ring is represented by nucleophilic substitution of nitro and arylsulfonyl groups as well as by different condensations of cyano-, carbonyl- and carboxyfuroxan derivatives. Synthesis of hybrid structures combining NO-donor furoxan ring and some pharmacophoric moiety is also considered.