Microwave-assisted synthesis of condensed 1,4-dihydropyridines as potential calcium channel modulators

This study reports the design, synthesis, and calcium channel modulatory activity evaluation of a series of 14 novel fused 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives. The molecular design of the compounds was based on modifications of nifedipine, which is a calcium channel blocker. The compounds were achieved by one-pot microwave-assisted reaction of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione, 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde/3,5-dichlorosalicylaldehyde, an appropriate alkyl acetoacetate, and ammonium acetate in ethanol according to a modified Hantzsch reaction.