Microwave-assisted multicomponent synthesis of antiproliferative 2,4-dimethoxy-tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-b]quinolin-6(7H)-ones

In this study, we demonstrate a simple, highly efficient, rapid and convenient series of 2,4-dimethoxy-tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-b]quinolin-6(7H)-ones 4a-v. Microwave irradiation facilitates the one-pot multicomponent reaction of different aromatic aldehydes, 6-amino-2,4-dimethoxypyrimidine and dimedone using glacial acetic acid. Metal-free multicomponent synthesis, shorter reaction time, higher product yield, easy product purification without column chromatography and outstanding green credential parameters are the key features of this protocol. We analysed 4a-v against six human tumour cell lines for antiproliferative activity. 4h, 4o, 4q and 4v show good antiproliferative activity with a good in silico ADMET profile. Furthermore, 4h, 4o, 4q and 4v also show drug-likeness properties by obeying drug-like filters.