Synthesis of 2-aryl quinoxaline derivatives and their in silico investigation for breast cancer medication

The main objective of the present work is to synthesize and identify the potential breast cancer medication of 2-aryl quinoxaline ­derivatives via in silico investigations. Synthesis of 2-aryl quinoxaline derivatives have been achieved via the reaction of 3-aroylmethylene-2H-indol-2-ones 1 with various 1,2-diamines. Good yields were obtained at 60 °C in methanol by using graphene oxide (GO) as catalyst, however, the regio selectivity in case of unsymmetrically substituted diamines were low to moderated. This is the first report of the oxidative cleavage of C = C bond during the course of the reaction. Molecular docking study of these synthesized compounds were employed to calculate the binding affinity with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). 6-Bromo-3-phenylpyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine 3k showed highest binding energy of −7.70 kcal/mol depicting the potential inhibitor of HER2 receptor protein. However, this study needs to be supported by in vitro and in vivo studies.