unless specifically noted otherwise herein , the definitions of the terms used are standard definitions used in the art of organic synthesis and pharmaceutical sciences . exemplary embodiments , aspects and variations are illustratived in the figures and drawings , and it is intended that the embodiments , aspects and variations , and the figures and drawings disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative and not limiting . an “ alkyl ” group is a straight , branched , saturated or unsaturated , aliphatic group having a chain of carbon atoms , optionally with oxygen , nitrogen or sulfur atoms inserted between the carbon atoms in the chain or as indicated . a c 1 - 20 alkyl ( or c 1 - c 20 alkyl ), for example , includes alkyl groups that have a chain of between 1 and 20 carbon atoms , and include , for example , the groups methyl , ethyl , propyl , isopropyl , vinyl , allyl , 1 - propenyl , isopropenyl , ethynyl , 1 - propynyl , 2 - propynyl , 1 , 3 - butadienyl , penta - 1 , 3 - dienyl , penta - 1 , 4 - dienyl , hexa - 1 , 3 - dienyl , hexa - 1 , 3 , 5 - trienyl , and the like . an alkyl group may also be represented , for example , as a —( cr 1 r 2 ) m — group where r 1 and r 2 are independently hydrogen or are independently absent , and for example , m is 1 to 8 , and such representation is also intended to cover both saturated and unsaturated alkyl groups . an alkyl as noted with another group such as an aryl group , represented as “ arylalkyl ” for example , is intended to be a straight , branched , saturated or unsaturated aliphatic divalent group with the number of atoms indicated in the alkyl group ( as in c 1 - 20 alkyl , for example ) and / or aryl group ( as in c 5 - 10 aryl or c 6 - 10 aryl , for example ) or when no atoms are indicated means a bond between the aryl and the alkyl group . nonexclusive examples of such group include benzyl , phenethyl and the like . an “ alkylene ” group is a straight , branched , saturated or unsaturated aliphatic divalent group with the number of atoms indicated in the alkyl group ; for example , a — c 1 - 3 alkylene - or — c 1 - 3 alkylenyl -. a “ cyclyl ” such as a monocyclyl or polycyclyl group includes monocyclic , or linearly fused , angularly fused or bridged polycycloalkyl , or combinations thereof . such cyclyl group is intended to include the heterocyclyl analogs . a cyclyl group may be saturated , partically saturated or aromatic . a “ heterocyclyl ” or “ heterocycle ” is a cycloalkyl wherein one or more of the atoms forming the ring is a heteroatom that is a n , o or s . a heterocyclyl includes aromatic heterocyclyl and non - aromatic heterocyclyl groups . non - exclusive examples of heterocyclyl include oxazolyl , 4 - imidazolyl , 5 - imidazolyl , piperidyl , 4 - morpholyl , 4 - piperazinyl , pyrrolidinyl , 1 , 4 - diazaperhydroepinyl , 1 , 3 - dioxanyl , and the like . “ pharmaceutically acceptable salts ” means salt compositions that is generally considered to have the desired pharmacological activity , is considered to be safe , non - toxic and is acceptable for veterinary and human pharmaceutical applications . such salts include acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid , hydrobromic acid , sulfuric acid , phosphoric acid , and the like ; or with organic acids such as acetic acid , propionic acid , hexanoic acid , malonic acid , succinic acid , malic acid , citric acid , gluconic acid , salicylic acid and the like . such salts may include base addition salts formed with inorganic bases such as lithium hydroxide , sodium hydroxide , potassium hydroxide etc . . . . “ therapeutically effective amount ” means a drug amount that elicits any of the biological effects listed in the specification . “ substituted or unsubstituted ” or “ optionally substituted ” means that a group such as , for example , alkyl , aryl , heterocyclyl , ( c 1 - 8 ) cycloalkyl , hetrocyclyl ( c 1 - 8 ) alkyl , aryl ( c 1 - 8 ) alkyl , heteroaryl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - 8 ) alkyl , and the like , unless specifically noted otherwise , may be unsubstituted or may substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 substitutents selected from the group such as halo , trifluoromethyl , trifluoromethoxy , methoxy , carboxy , — nh 2 , — no 2 , — oh , — sh , — sme , — nhch 3 , — n ( ch 3 ) 2 , — cn and the like . the following procedures may be employed for the preparation of the compounds of the present invention . the starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds are either available from commercial suppliers such as the sigma aldrich chemical company , bachem or are prepared by methods well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art , following procedures described in such references as fieser and fieser &# 39 ; s reagents for organic synthesis , vols . 1 - 17 , john wiley and sons , new york , n . y ., 1991 ; rodd &# 39 ; s chemistry of carbon compounds , vols . 1 - 5 and supps ., elsevier science publishers , 1989 ; organic reactions , vols . 1 - 40 , john wiley and sons , new york , n . y ., 1991 ; march j . : advanced organic chemistry , 4th ed ., john wiley and sons , new york , n . y . ; and larock : comprehensive organic transformations , vch publishers , new york , 1989 . in some cases , protective groups may be introduced and finally removed . suitable protective groups for amino , hydroxy and carboxy groups are described in greene et al ., protective groups in organic synthesis , second edition , john wiley and sons , new york , 1991 . in one variation , the compounds of formula i , where a 1 and a 2 are — c ( o )—, can be synthesized by the steps outlined in scheme 1 . in one embodiment , the preparation of various 6 - azaphenalene derivatives may be performed starting from a cyclization of a 3 - amino - benzoic acid derivative a to form the 5 - carboxyl quinoline derivative b . the cyclization reaction may be performed with glycerol with iodine , under acidic condition , such as with h 2 so 4 . alternatively , the quinoline derivative c may be converted to the corresponding 5 - carboxyl quinoline derivative b . the carboxyl quinoline derivative may be converted to the corresponding carboxamide derivative d , which may undergo cyclization under basic condition to form the corresponding 6 - azaphenalene derivative e . in one aspect , cyclization may be performed using a carbonate base in an organic solvent , such as potassium carbonate in dmf , or an organometallic base , such as lda in an organic solvent , such as thf . in another variation , the compounds of formula i , where a 1 and a 2 are — ch 2 —, can be prepared by the steps outlined in scheme 2 . in another embodiment , these variants of 6 - azaphenalene may be prepared according to scheme 2 starting from 8 - methoxyquiloline 4 - carboxylic acid derivative f . the carboxylic acid derivative f may be converted to the acid chloride derivative g with a halogenating agent , such as an acid halide , such as thionyl chloride or the like . the quinoline derivative g may be converted to the ester h when treated with an alcohol , such as ethanol . other simple esters related to h are also suitable when g is treated with simple alcohols such as n - butanol . the quinoline derivative h may be converted to the corresponding alcohol i using standard methods of reduction of esters to alcohols . the action of acidic conditions such as concentrated hbr may convert alcohol i to bromide j while simultaneously demethylating the methyl ether ( converting x 1 = ome to x 1 ═ oh ). the bromide derivative j may be converted to the derivative k by reacting with an amine , such as benzylamine . the quinoline derivative k may undergo cyclization to the corresponding 6 - azaphenalene derivative l . in one aspect , cyclization may be performed in aqueous formaldehyde using an organic solvent such as thf . in another embodiment , the 6 - azaphenalene acetal derivative m can be converted to the corresponding cyano - acrylate ester derivative n by treating the 6 - azaphenalene acetal derivative with an alpha - cyano ester . various 9 - hydroxy - 6 - azaphenalene derivatives r may be prepared by contacting an aryl halogenated 6 - azaphenalene compound o with boronate agent and a metal catalyst to form the aldehyde p . the aldehyde 6 - azaphenalene derivative p may be converted to the corresponding 9 - hydroxy - 6 - azaphenalene aldehyde q , where x 1 is an alkoxy group such as a methoxy group . condensation of the 9 - hydroxy - 6 - azaphenalene aldehyde q with an alpha cyano ester affords the corresponding cyano - acrylate ester derivative r , wherein in the compound q , “ ar ” is a furan or a thiofuran . step 1 : preparation of 8 - methoxy - quinoline - 5 - carboxylic acid ac001 ( org . lett . 2005 , 17 , 3673 ) reflux a mixture of 25 g 3 - amino - 4 - methoxybenzoic acid , 0 . 72 g iodine , 20 . 8 g glycerol and 50 ml conc . h 2 so 4 for 2 . 5 hours ( internal temperature at ˜ 135 ° c .). after cooling to room temperature , 250 ml of water was added , followed by 90 ml of 28 % aq . nh 4 oh to ph ˜ 10 . the mixture was then treated with charcoal , filtered and the filtrate was adjusted to ph ˜ 4 with 70 ml glacial acetic acid where upon the solids product precipitated out . the solids product was filtered , washed with water , dried under vacuum at 50 ° c . over night to give 18 . 8 g ( 62 %) of 8 - methoxy - quinoline - 5 - carboxylic acid ac001 . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 12 . 97 ( bs , 1h ), 9 . 41 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 89 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 67 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 26 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 04 ( s , 3h ). to a slurry of 2 g 8 - methoxy - quinoline - 5 - carboxylic acid ac001 in 35 ml ch 2 cl 2 at ˜ 0 ° c . was added dropwise , via syringe , ˜ 0 . 83 ml oxalyl chloride . a catalytic amount of dmf (˜ 50 μl ) was added . the mixture was held at room temperature for 1 hour . the mixture was evaporated to remove ca . 80 % of the solvent . methyl t - butyl ether was added to the residual solids which was then filtered and dried under vacuum to give 2 . 3 g ( quantitative ) of 8 - methoxy - quinoline - 5 - carboxylic acid chloride ac002 . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ):, 9 . 86 ( dd , 1h ), 9 . 11 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 47 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 06 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 16 ( s , 3h ). dissolve 5 . 1 g n - benzyl - glycine ethyl ester in 100 ml ch 2 cl 2 and 13 . 7 ml et 3 n to a clear solution . the solids 8 - methoxyquinoline - 5 - carboxylic acid chloride ( 8 . 2 g ) was added portionwise to the amine mixture at room temperature . the mixture was held at 20 - 40 ° c . over night . water was added to quench the reaction . the organic phase was washed with 5 % aq . acoh , treated with charcoal , dried over na 2 so 4 , evaporatively remove the solvent to a solid residue . the solids residue was reslurried in mtbe / etoac , filter and dried under vacuum to give 3 . 3 g ( 2 . 94 : 1 isomer ratio ) ethyl 2 -( n - benzyl - 8 - methoxyquinoline - 5 - carboxamido ) acetate ac024 . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 8 . 91 and 8 . 88 ( m , 1h ), 8 . 44 and 8 . 14 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 65 and 7 . 61 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 13 to 7 . 52 ( m , 7h ), 4 . 81 and 4 . 37 ( bs , 2h ), 4 . 20 and 3 . 88 ( q , 2h ), 3 . 96 and 3 . 98 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 25 and 0 . 96 ( t , 3h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 169 . 94 , 169 . 80 , 169 . 11 , 168 . 96 , 155 . 95 , 155 . 87 , 149 . 52 , 149 . 41 , 139 . 46 , 139 . 20 , 137 . 04 , 136 . 35 , 133 . 26 , 132 . 98 , 128 . 62 , 128 . 59 , 128 . 17 , 127 . 49 , 127 . 45 , 127 . 08 , 125 . 93 , 125 . 87 , 125 . 22 , 125 . 13 , 124 . 91 , 124 . 88 , 122 . 66 , 122 . 49 , 107 . 45 , 107 . 19 , 60 . 91 , 60 . 87 , 55 . 85 , 55 . 82 , 52 . 99 , 50 . 43 , 49 . 15 , 46 . 83 , 14 . 11 , 13 . 78 . a slurry of 6 g solids ac024 and 11 g solids k 2 co 3 ( 5 equiv .) in 120 ml dmf was heated to 100 ° c . for 70 hours . the solvent was then evaporatively removed , the residue was partitioned between water and dichloromethane . the organic phase was collected and dried over sodium sulfate , treated with activated charcoal , evaporated to a solids residue which was reslurried in mtbe / etoac / ch 2 cl 2 , filtered , dried under vacuum at 60 ° c . to give 3 . 1 g of 5 - benzyl - 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione , ac036 . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 9 . 21 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 52 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 32 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 16 - 7 . 43 ( m , 5h ), 5 . 23 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 14 ( s , 3h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 163 . 13 , 162 . 31 , 160 . 48 , 150 . 56 , 138 . 23 , 137 . 16 , 133 . 23 , 129 . 11 , 128 . 39 , 127 . 58 , 127 . 13 , 123 . 48 , 122 . 78 , 113 . 83 , 109 . 73 , 56 . 69 , 42 . 94 . step 5 ( phsh / k 2 co 3 ): preparation of 5 - benzyl - 9 - hydroxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ; ac047 : de - methylation of ac036 with phsh / k 2 co 3 to a slurry of 0 . 1 g ac036 and 5 mg k 2 co 3 ( 0 . 05 equiv .) in 2 ml 1 - methyl - 2 - pyrrolidinone was added 0 . 17 ml phsh ( 1 . 05 equiv .). the mixture was heated to reflux and held for 30 minutes . after cooling to room temperature the reaction was quenched by adding 5 % aq . naoh to ph & gt ; 12 . the basic aqueous reaction mixture was washed with methylene chloride to remove organic materials , then acidified to ph 3 - 4 with 4n aq . hcl . methylene chloride was added to the acidic aqueous phase whereupon solids product precipitated out . the solids were filtered from the biphasic slurry , washed with water , reslurried from mtbe / etoac , dried under vacuum at 50 ° c . to give 44 mg 5 - benzyl - 9 - hydroxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione . ac047 ( 46 % isolated yield ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ):, 11 . 84 ( br , oh ), 9 . 20 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 41 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 31 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 38 - 7 . 20 ( m , 6h ), 5 . 22 ( s , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 163 . 14 , 162 . 30 , 160 . 40 , 149 . 70 , 137 . 43 , 137 . 25 , 133 . 68 , 129 . 24 , 128 . 38 , 127 . 55 , 127 . 10 , 123 . 87 , 122 . 96 , 113 . 65 , 112 . 19 , 42 . 87 , 39 . 51 . step 5 : alternative procedure for the preparation of ac047 : de - methylation of ac036 with alcl 3 / pyridine step 5 ( alcl 3 / pyridine ): preparation of 5 - benzyl - 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ac047 : de - methylatylation of ac036 with alcl 3 / pyridine to a slurry of 0 . 1 g ac036 in 2 . 5 ml dmf at ˜ 0 ° c . was charged ˜ 60 mg solids alcl 3 ( 1 . 24 equiv . ), followed by ˜ 0 . 08 ml pyridine ( 3 equiv .). the reaction mixture was heated at 100 ° c . for 20 hours . after cooling to ˜ 20 ° c ., 0 . 18 ml conc . hcl was added to the reaction mixture , followed by ˜ 2 . 02 ml water . the mixture was held at ˜ 20 ° c . for 2 hours where it became a slurry . the slurry was filtered , washed with water , dried under vacuum at 60 ° c . over night to give 73 mg ( 77 % yield ) of 5 - benzyl - 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ac047 . 5 -( 4 - aminobenzyl )- 9 - hydroxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 20 . 6 mg ) was suspended in anhydrous acetonitrile ( 0 . 16 ml ) under n 2 . this was cooled to 0 ° c . and nitrosyl tetrafluoroborate ( 9 . 8 mg ) was added in one portion . the reaction was stirred at 0 ° c . for 1 hour . the solvent was removed in vacuo , and to the residue was added anhydrous 1 , 2 - dichlorobenzene ( 0 . 86 ml ). the mixture was heated to 160 ° c . for 1 hour , then cooled to room temperature and concentrated . the residue was purified via column chromatography on silica gel ( 0 to 5 % methanol in dichloromethane ) to afford 5 -( 4 - fluorobenzyl )- 9 - hydroxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 6 . 8 mg ). a flame - dried and nitrogen purged flask fitted with a reflux condenser was charged with 5 -( 4 - bromobenzyl )- 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 0 . 10 g ), hexabutylditin ( 0 . 26 ml ) and tetrakis ( triphenylphosphine ) palladium ( 0 . 015 g ). the reaction set - up was purged with nitrogen for an additional 10 minutes . anhydrous , nitrogen sparged toluene ( 2 . 54 ml ) was added and the reaction heated at reflux for 17 hours . the reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and diluted with dichloromethane ( 10 ml ). the organic layer was washed with water ( 10 ml ) and the aqueous wash extracted with dichloromethane ( 3 × 10 ml ). the combined organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate , filtered and concentrated . the residue was purified via column chromatography on silica gel ( 30 to 80 ethyl acetate in hexanes containing 1 % triethylamine ) to afford 9 - methoxy - 5 -( 4 -( tributylstannyl ) benzyl )- 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 0 . 082 g ). 1 h - nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 9 . 19 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 58 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 33 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 46 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 38 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 26 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 31 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 52 - 1 . 42 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 32 - 1 . 21 ( m , 6h ), 1 . 01 - 0 . 94 ( m , 6h ), 0 . 81 ( t , 9h ). lrms : 609 . 21 ( m + h ) + to a n 2 - filled flask containing the 9 - methoxy - 5 -( 4 -( tributylstannyl ) benzyl )- 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 19 . 9 mg ) was added selectfluor ( 11 . 6 mg ) and agotf ( 16 . 8 mg ). to this was added anhydrous , nitrogen - sparged acetone ( 0 . 66 ml ). after 20 min at room temperature the reaction was concentrated in vacuo . the residue was purified via column chromatography on silica gel ( 0 to 4 % methanol in dichloromethane ) to afford 5 -( 4 - fluorobenzyl )- 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 7 . 7 mg ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ ( ppm ): 11 . 76 ( br , oh ), 9 . 19 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 34 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 37 ( s , 3h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 163 . 25 , 162 . 50 , 160 . 08 , 149 . 64 , 137 . 35 , 133 . 25 , 129 . 33 , 123 . 62 , 122 . 61 , 113 . 49 , 112 . 46 , 26 . 64 . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ ( ppm ): 8 . 48 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 95 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 18 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 87 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 50 ( m , 1h ), 7 . 27 ( dd , 1h ), 6 . 68 ( m , 1h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ ( ppm ): 161 . 50 , 157 . 76 , 148 . 48 , 136 . 98 , 133 . 71 , 129 . 81 , 128 . 71 , 121 . 98 , 120 . 53 , 115 . 64 , 114 . 52 , 113 . 49 , 113 . 14 , 99 . 49 . ac062 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 19 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 37 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 28 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 36 - 7 . 51 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 34 ( m , 3h ). ms ( m / z ): 291 ( m + 1 ). ac075 : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 24 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 61 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 37 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 53 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 29 ( m , 3h ), 4 . 23 ( s , 3h ). ms ( m / z ): 305 ( m + 1 ). ac076 : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 23 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 60 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 36 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 33 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 2h ), 7 . 29 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 7 . 15 ( d , j = 6 . 4 hz , 2h ), 4 . 23 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 42 ( s , 3h ). ms ( m / z ): 319 ( m + 1 ). ac077 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 19 ( d , j = 3 . 9 hz , 1h ), 8 . 37 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 28 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 2h ), 7 . 22 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 2h ), 2 . 38 ( s , 3h ). ms ( m / z ): 305 ( m + 1 ). ac085 : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 20 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 57 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 33 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 51 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 26 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 6 . 97 ( m , 2h ), 5 . 29 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 3h ). ms ( m / z ): 337 ( m + 1 ). ac086 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 11 . 83 ( br s , 1h ), 9 . 18 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 29 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 40 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 33 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 7 . 11 ( m , 2h ), 5 . 18 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ): 323 ( m + 1 ). ac087 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 11 . 94 ( br s , 1h ), 9 . 18 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 29 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 35 ( m , 5h ), 5 . 18 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ): 339 ( m + 1 ). ac088 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 16 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 38 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 28 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 42 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 31 ( m , 4h ), 5 . 19 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ): 339 ( m + 1 ). ac089 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 18 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 29 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 48 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 32 ( m , 3h ), 5 . 17 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ): 384 ( m + 1 ). ac092 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 18 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 29 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 65 ( d , j = 2 . 0 hz , 1h ), 7 . 55 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 7 . 34 ( m , 2h ), 5 . 18 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ): 371 ( m − 1 ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 9 . 19 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 40 ( dd , 1h ), 8 . 30 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 33 ( m , 3h ), 6 . 85 ( m , 2h ), 5 . 14 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 69 ( s , 3h ). compound bc098 and bc108 were prepared according to steps 1 - 4 of scheme 5 , followed by steps 5a and 6 shown in scheme 6 . step 5a : crude acetal ( 1 equiv . ), ammonium acetate ( 3 equiv .) and cyanoacetic acid ( 2 . 4 equiv .) was heated to 130 ° c . in 4 ml glacial acetic acid for 4 hours . water was then added to the coll reaction mixture . the solids precipitate was filtered and washed with water , dried under vacuum at 50 - 60 ° c . over night to give the desired condensed nitrile acrylic acid derivative intermediate . step 6 : the condensed nitrile acrylic acid derivative intermediate ( 1 equiv .) and alcl 3 ( 2 . 5 equiv . ), pyridine ( 6 equiv .) was heated to 95 ° c . in dmf for 13 hours . aqueous hcl was added to the cool mixture . the solids precipitated was filtered , washed with water , dried under vacuum at 50 - 60 ° c . over night to give the desired product . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 9 . 96 ( b , oh ), 9 . 21 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 42 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 31 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 97 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 54 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 37 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 29 ( s , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 163 . 80 , 163 . 76 , 162 . 86 , 160 . 96 , 150 . 19 , 143 . 34 , 130 . 81 , 128 . 47 , 123 . 45 , 112 . 74 , 103 . 84 , 43 . 41 . 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 11 . 85 ( b , oh ), 9 . 21 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 42 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 32 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 14 ( s , 1h ), 7 . 91 ( b , nh ), 7 . 87 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 75 ( b , nh ), 7 . 53 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 37 ( d , 1h ); 5 . 29 and 5 . 21 ( 2s , 2h ); 13 c nmr ( 125 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ ( ppm ): 163 . 23 , 162 . 73 , 162 . 33 , 160 . 44 , 150 . 23 , 149 . 68 , 141 . 91 , 137 . 44 , 133 . 69 , 130 . 71 , 130 . 15 , 129 . 32 , 127 . 97 , 123 . 99 , 122 . 95 , 116 . 48 , 113 . 62 , 112 . 22 , 106 . 31 , 42 . 85 . ac107 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 17 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( d , j = 7 . 8 hz , 1h ), 8 . 28 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 33 ( d , j = 8 . 2 hz , 1h ), 7 . 23 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 6 . 67 ( d , j = 7 . 4 hz , 2h ), 5 . 09 ( s , 2h ), 2 . 83 ( s , 6h ). ms ( m / z ): 348 ( m + 1 ). ac113 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 15 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 34 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 26 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 71 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 33 ( m , 2h ), 7 . 26 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ). ms ( m / z ): 370 ( m + 1 ). 8 - methoxyquinoline 4 - carboxylic acid ( 2 . 26 g ) was dissolved in 98 % sulfuric acid ( 40 . 5 ml ) and n - bromosuccinimide ( 1 . 98 g ) added in one portion and the solution stirred at room temperature for 18 hours . the reaction was poured into to water ( 100 ml ) and cooled to 0 ° c . in an ice bath . water ( 100 ml ) was added and the solution neutralized with saturated ammonium hydroxide solution ( approx . 120 ml ) until ph 8 - 9 . acetic acid was added until ph 4 and the precipitate collected via filtration . the brown precipitate was dried under vacuum overnight at 70 ° c . to yield 5 - bromo - 8 - methoxyquinoline - 4 - carboxylic acid ( 2 . 69 g ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 8 . 70 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 73 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 24 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 05 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 93 ( s , 3h ). to a suspension of 5 - bromo - 8 - methoxyquinoline 4 - carboxylic acid ( 0 . 68 g ) in anhydrous dichloromethane ( 9 . 64 ml ) was added oxalyl chloride ( 1 . 02 ml ). anhydrous n , n - dimethylformamide ( 0 . 01 ml ) was added and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 3 hours , then the solvent removed in vacuo . anhydrous dichloromethane ( 10 ml ) was added to the residue and the solvent removed in vacuo . anhydrous dichloromethane ( 6 . 6 ml ) was added to the residue and n , n - diisopropylethylamine ( 1 . 68 ml ) added dropwise . the resulting solution was cooled to 0 ° c . and a solution of 4 -( dimethylamino ) benzylamine ( 0 . 36 g ) in dichloromethane ( 3 . 0 ml ) added dropwise . the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature overnight . the reaction was quenched with water ( 10 ml ) and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution ( 20 ml ). the organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer extracted with dichloromethane ( 3 × 30 ml ). the combined organic was washed with brine , dried over magnesium sulfate , filtered and concentrated . the residue was purified via chromatography on silica gel ( 0 to 4 % methanol in dichloromethane ) to afford 5 - bromo n -( 4 -( dimethylamino ) benzyl )- 8 - methoxyquinoline - 4 - carboxamide ( 0 . 77 g ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 8 . 90 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 79 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 48 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 26 ( d , 2h ), 6 . 94 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 69 ( d , 2h ), 5 . 91 ( broad t , 1h ), 4 . 80 - 4 . 35 ( broad d , 2h ), 4 . 06 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 92 ( s , 6h ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 8 . 87 ( d , 1h7 . 76 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 44 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 36 - 7 . 27 ( m , 4h ), 6 . 92 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 49 ( s , 1h ), 6 . 13 ( broad t , 1h ), 4 . 80 - 4 . 40 ( broad d , 2h ), 4 . 05 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 49 ( s , 9h ). a 20 ml microwave vial was charged with 5 - bromo - n -( 4 -( dimethylamino ) benzyl )- 8 - methoxyquinoline - 4 - carboxamide ( 0 . 38 g ), powdered potassium carbonate ( 0 . 25 g ) and tetrakis ( triphenylphosphine ) palladium ( 0 . 05 g ). the vial was purged with nitrogen for 15 minutes then anhydrous n , n - dimethylformamide ( 9 . 2 ml ) was added . carbon monoxide was bubbled through the solution for 15 minutes , the vial sealed , and carbon monoxide bubbled through the solution for an additional 15 minutes . the reaction was heated to 120 ° c . for 12 hours before being cooled t to room temperature . the solvent was removed in vacuo , the residue dissolved in dichloromethane ( 75 ml ) and the organic phase washed with water ( 2 × 25 ml ). the organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate , filtered and concentrated . the residue was purified via chromatography on silica gel ( 0 to 5 % methanol in dichloromethane ) to afford 5 -( 4 -( dimethylamino ) benzyl )- 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 0 . 22 g ). 1 h - nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 9 . 18 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 57 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 32 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 46 ( broad d , 2h ), 7 . 25 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 65 ( broad d , 2h ), 5 . 25 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 89 ( s , 6h ). 1 h - nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 9 . 19 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 57 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 32 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 46 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 29 - 7 . 23 ( m , 3h ), 6 . 40 ( broad s , 1h ), 5 . 27 ( s , 2h ), 4 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 1 . 46 ( s , 9h ). 5 -( 4 -( dimethylamino ) benzyl )- 9 - methoxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 0 . 23 g ) was dissolved in 1 - methyl - 2 - pyrrolidinone ( 6 . 25 ml ) and potassium carbonate ( 0 . 086 g ) and thiophenol ( 0 . 13 ml ) added . the reaction was heated to 170 ° c . for 1 . 5 hours before being cooled to room temperature . the reaction was poured into 3n hydrochloric acid ( 20 ml ) and this washed with dichloromethane ( 3 × 20 ml ). the combined organic washes were extracted with 3n hydrochloric acid ( 2 × 10 ml ). the combined aqueous was neutralized to ph = 5 with 2n aqueous sodium hydroxide and extracted with dichloromethane ( 3 × 40 ml ). the combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate , filtered , and concentrated . the residue was purified via chromatography on silica gel ( 0 to 4 % methanol in dichloromethane ) to afford 5 -( 4 -( dimethylamino ) benzyl )- 9 - hydroxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 0 . 12 g ). 1 h - nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 11 . 8 ( s , 1h ), 9 . 18 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 14 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 29 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 34 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 21 ( d , 2h ), 6 . 62 ( d , 2h ), 5 . 08 ( d , 2h ), 2 . 81 ( s , 6h ). lrms : 348 . 11 ( m + h ) + . tert - butyl ( 4 -(( 9 - methoxy - 4 , 6 - dioxo - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridin - 5 ( 6h )- yl ) methyl ) phenyl ) carbamate ( 0 . 18 g ) was dissolved in 1 - methyl - 2 - pyrrolidinone ( 4 . 17 ml ) and potassium carbonate ( 0 . 14 g ) and thiophenol ( 0 . 21 ml ) added . the reaction was heated to 170 ° c . for 1 . 5 hours before being cooled to room temperature and the solvent removed in vacuo . the residue was dissolved in dichloromethane ( 2 . 1 ml ) and trifluoroacetic acid ( 2 . 1 ml ) and this stirred at room temperature for 40 minutes . the reaction was poured into 1m hydrochloric acid ( 40 ml ) and washed with ethyl acetate ( 3 × 20 ml ). the combined organic was extracted with 1m hydrochloric acid ( 20 ml ). to the combined aqueous was added saturated aqueous ammonium hydroxide until ph 8 . the aqueous was acidified to ph 5 with acetic acid and extracted with dichloromethane ( 4 × 30 ml ) and the combined organic dried over sodium sulfate , filtered and concentrated . the residue was purified via chromatography on silica gel ( 0 to 5 % methanol in dichloromethane ) to afford 5 -( 4 - aminobenzyl )- 9 - hydroxy - 4h - benzo [ de ][ 2 , 6 ] naphthyridine - 4 , 6 ( 5h )- dione ( 0 . 093 g ). 1 h - nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 9 . 17 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 39 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 29 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 32 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 06 ( d , 2h ), 6 . 45 ( d , 2h ), 5 . 02 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 320 . 08 ( m + h ) + ac114 : 1 h nmr ( dmso - d6 , 400 mhz ): δ 9 . 17 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 8 . 38 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 1h ), 8 . 28 ( d , j = 4 . 4 hz , 1h ), 7 . 63 ( d , j = 8 . 8 hz , 2h ), 7 . 33 ( d , j = 7 . 8 hz , 1h ), 7 . 15 ( d , j = 8 . 3 hz , 2h ), 5 . 14 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ): 431 ( m + 1 ). methyl 8 - methoxyquinoline - 4 - carboxylate : 1 . 7 grams of 8 - methoxyquinoline - 4 - carboxylic acid was suspended in 200 ml of methylene chloride and cooled to 5 to 10 ° c . 10 . 0 ml of oxalyl chloride was added drop wise over 20 min . after the addition was complete the mixture was allowed to come to room temperature and stir for 2 hrs . the mixture was evaporated to remove the excess oxalyl chloride . the solid was dissolved in methylene chloride and added slowly to 150 ml of methanol that was cooled to 10 ° c . after the addition was completed , the mixture was allowed to come to room temperature and stir for 1 hr . the mixture was evaporated to a tacky solid . the solid residue was dissolved in 200 ml of methylene chloride and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate . the methylene chloride solution was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to a dark oil . the oil crystallized on standing to give 11 . 8 grams ( 94 %) of tan solid . 8 - methoxyquinolin - 4 - yl methanol : 4 . 0 grams of methyl 8 - methoxyquinoline - 4 - carboxylate was dissolved in 200 ml of thf in a 1 liter round bottom flask . 4 . 16 grams of granulated sodium borohydride was added and the mixture was heated to about 65 to 70 ° c . after 15 min . methanol was cautiously added drop wise ( 20 ml over 30 min ). the reaction was heated an additional 15 min . the reaction was cooled to 10 ° c . and quenched with a saturated solution of ammonium chloride . the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 3 . 02 grams of a tan solid . 4 -( bromomethyl ) quinolin - 8 - ol : 2 . 96 grams of ( 8 - methoxyquinolin - 4 - yl ) methanol was dissolved in 30 ml of 48 % hbr under nitrogen . the mixture was heated to 125 ° c . for 32 hrs . the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and carefully added to a solution of 40 grams of sodium bicarbonate . the resulting solid was collected and air dried to give 3 . 17 grams ( 85 %) of a grey solid . n - benzyl - 1 -( 8 - methoxyquinolin - 4 - yl ) methanamine : 1 . 97 grams of 4 -( bromomethyl ) quinolin - 8 - ol was dissolved in 40 ml of dry dmf . 1 . 35 ml of benzylamine was added along with 4 . 3 ml of n - ethyl - n - isopropylpropan - 2 - amine . the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hrs . the mixture was poured into a brine solution and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate . the ethyl acetate solution was washed 2 times with additional brine . the ethyl acetate was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated . the material was chromatographed on silica using methylene chloride and methanol as an eluent . yield 1 . 63 grams ( 83 %) of white solid . 1 . 63 grams of 4 -(( benzylamino ) methyl ) quinolin - 8 - ol was dissolved in 40 ml of trifluoroacetic acid along with 0 . 22 grams of paraformaldehyde the solution was stirred at room temperature for 15 to 20 min to dissolve all of the solid . the solution was heated to 75 ° c . under nitrogen . the reaction was followed by hplc . the reaction was cooled to room temperature after 20 hrs and the trifluoroacetic acid was evaporated off under vacuum . the residue was dissolved in methylene chloride and washed with a sodium bicarbonate solution . the methylene chloride was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give a pale red solid . the solid was crystallized from hot cyclohexane to give 1 . 09 grams ( 64 %). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz dmso - d6 ) δ 8 . 66 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 33 ( m , 5h ), 7 . 10 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 93 ( s , 4h ), 3 . 79 ( s , 2h ) m / e 277 . 1 ( m + 1 ). 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 8 . 67 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( s , 4h ), 7 . 14 - 7 . 06 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 89 ( s , 4h ), 3 . 74 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 311 . 07 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , cdcl 3 ) δ 8 . 67 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 47 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 39 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 19 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 14 - 7 . 06 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 90 ( s , 4h ), 3 . 71 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 345 . 03 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 9 . 66 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 71 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 53 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 31 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 28 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 14 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 97 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 87 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 81 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 73 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 355 . 02 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 9 . 66 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 71 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 41 - 7 . 27 ( m , 5h ), 7 . 15 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 96 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 88 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 82 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 76 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 311 . 07 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ 9 . 67 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 72 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 52 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 40 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 16 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 97 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 90 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 83 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 77 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 345 . 03 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d 6 ) δ 9 . 67 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 72 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 58 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 49 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 36 ( t , 1h ), 7 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 16 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 97 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 96 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 90 ( s , 2h ), 3 . 88 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 345 . 04 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz cdcl 3 ) δ 8 . 68 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 33 ( dd , 2h ), 7 . 15 - 7 . 07 ( m , 3h ), 7 . 06 - 6 . 99 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 93 ( s , 4h ), 3 . 76 ( s , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 295 . 1 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 9 . 66 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 72 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 70 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 58 ( d , 2h ), 7 . 29 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 15 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 97 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 90 ( d , 2h ), 3 . 85 ( d , 2h ), 3 . 84 ( d , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 345 . 1 ( m + h ) + 1 h nmr ( 400 mhz , dmso - d6 ) δ 9 . 68 ( s , 1h ), 8 . 72 ( d , 1h ), 8 . 03 ( d , 3h ), 7 . 30 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 16 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 98 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 95 ( d , 2h ), 3 . 94 ( d , 2h ), 3 . 88 ( d , 2h ). ms ( m / z ) 413 . 08 ( m + h ) + . the compounds described above were evaluated for the inhibition and reversal of protein aggregation as carried out using such assays as bis - ans fluorescence as described in , for example , j . biol . chem , 2011 , 286 ( 11 ), 9646 . all compounds prepared above were measured to show ec 50 between 0 . 000001 to 0 . 10 mm in both assays in the presence of zinc ( ii ). effect of bis - ans on aβ1 - 42 solubility and precipitation by zn 2 + aβ1 - 42 ( 25 μm ) in tris - hcl buffer ( 50 mm , ph7 . 4 ) was incubated at rt for 10 min in the presence or absence of zncl 2 ( 25 μm ) and bis - ans ( 50 μm ). immediately following the addition of reagents , a ‘ time 0 ’ aliquot was removed , diluted 25 fold in tris - hcl buffer , and snap frozen in liquid n 2 , then stored at − 80 ° c . after the 10 min incubation , the mixtures were centrifuged at 154 , 000 g ( tla - 55 rotor ) for 120 min at 4 ° c . in an optimat max - xp benchtop ultracentrifuge . a sample of the supernatant was then collected and compared by dot blot for peptide content to the sample of starting material to quantify how much original peptide had been lost due to precipitation . ionophore studies : in general , the ionophore assay provides a measure of a molecule &# 39 ; s ability to move metals into cells . m17 human neuroblastoma cells were plated overnight to 70 % confluency ( 1 million cells ) at the time of the experiment . all experiments were conducted in duplicate . cells were incubated i 1 ml of opti - mem ( invitrogen ) with added 10 % fbs , sodium pyrvate , neaa and penstrep ( with or without varying concentrations of compound and 10 μm of cu 2 + , zn 2 + or fe 3 + as chloride ) for 5 hr at 37 ° c . at the end of the incubation , the media was removed and replaced with 1 ml pbs to dislodge the cells , which were then put into eppendorf tubes and pelleted . the cell pellets were then used for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ( icpms ) analysis of metal content as previously described in maynard , c . j ., cappai , r ., volitakis , i ., cherny , r . a ., masters , c . l ., li , q . x . and bush , a . i . ( 2006 ). gender and genetic background effects on brain metal levels in app transgenic and normal mice : implications for alzheimer betaamyloid pathology . j . inorg . biochem . 100 , 952 - 962 . dissolution of zn - induced aβ precipitates ( tht assay ): in one aspect , tht provides a measure of large protein aggregates , such as amyloids . aβ1 - 42 ( 10 μm ) was incubated with zncl 2 ( 20 μm ) and thioflavin ( tht ) in a molar ratio of ( 1 : 2 : 2 ) for 24 hr at 37 ° c . on a rotating wheel in pbs ( ph 6 . 6 ). following incubation , the mixture ( containing peptide aggregates ) was incubated with a test compound for a further 2 hr at 37 ° c . with rotation . cq and pbt2 were dissolved in dmso to a stock concentration of 5 mm . dilutions were made in dmso as appropriate to 100 times the desired final concentration , then added to the reaction buffer to a final dmso concentration of 1 % v / v pbs . untreated aggregates and dmso controls were included with each experiment . after 2 hr incubation , samples were measure for tht fluorescence using an ls55 ( perkin elmer ) fluorimeter . data were generated using fl winslab software ( perkin elmer ). each measurement was performed in triplicate . the foregoing examples of the related art and limitations are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive . while a number of exemplary embodiments , aspects and variations have been provided herein , those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications , permutations , additions and combinations and certain sub - combinations of the embodiments , aspects and variations . it is intended that the following claims are interpreted to include all such modifications , permutations , additions and combinations and certain sub - combinations of the embodiments , aspects and variations are within their scope . the entire disclosures of all documents cited throughout this application are incorporated herein by reference .