(-)DRF 2725 (6) is a phenoxazine analogue of phenyl propanoic acid. Compound 6 showed interesting dual activation of PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma. In insulin resistant db/db mice, 6 showed better reduction of plasma glucose and triglyceride levels as compared to rosiglitazone. Compound 6 has also shown good oral bioavailability and impressive pharmacokinetic characteristics. Our study indicates that 6 has great potential as a drug for diabetes and dyslipidemia.

A general method has been developed for the synthesis of N-substituted oxindoles. The two-step process involves initial microwave-assisted amide bond formation between 2-halo-arylacetic acids and various alkylamines and anilines, followed by a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular amidation under aqueous conditions. In the case of alkylamines, the procedure can be carried out as a one-pot process without isolation of the intermediate amide. [structure: see text]

A general method for the synthesis of beta-aryl/alkylarylidene malonates is reported. The key step involves the coupling of an arylboronic acid to a beta-chloroalkyl/arylidene malonate, in the presence of K2CO3 and 1 mol % of the air-stable palladium catalyst (POPd) under microwave irradiation, to afford beta-aryl/alkylarylidene malonates in good yields. The combination of mild reaction conditions, air stable catalyst, microwave-enhanced chemistry, and high levels of functional group compatibility make this an attractive synthetic approach to this class of compounds.

A new one-pot synthesis of 2-(hetero)aryl indoles via sequential C-C coupling followed by C-Si bond cleavage and a subsequent tandem C-C/C-N bond forming reaction is described. A variety of functionalized indole derivatives were prepared by conducting this four step reaction under Pd/C-Cu catalysis. The methodology involved coupling of (trimethylsilyl)acetylene with iodoarenes in the presence of 10% Pd/C-CuI-PPh(3) and triethylamine in MeOH, followed by treating the reaction mixture with K(2)CO(3) in aqueous MeOH, and finally coupling with o-iodoanilides. The single crystal X-ray data of a synthesized indole derivative is presented. Application of the methodology, in vitro pharmacological properties of the synthesized compound, along with a docking study is described.