Quinolone as a Privileged Scaffold: A Brief Overview on Early Classical and Recent Advanced Synthetic Pathways, Innovative Neuroprotective Potential, and Structure‐Activity Relationships

Neurodegenerative disorders represent the second largest group of diseases worldwide. 2(1 H )‐quinolone and its structural congener, 4(1 H )‐quinolone have recently become significant topics in the field of drug design and development of modulators of neurotransmitter systems and neuroprotective agents to tackle neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, the structural properties and the early classical as well as the recent novel synthetic strategies for 2(1 H )‐/4(1 H )‐quinolone are discussed. The neuropharmacological activity and mechanisms of action of several 2(1 H )‐/4(1 H )‐quinolinone‐based compounds are demonstrated with special emphasis on the structure–activity relationships (SAR). Therefore, the perspectives elaborated in this review could guide medicinal chemists for rational design and development of novel 2(1 H )‐/4(1 H )‐quinolone therapeutic candidates targeting neurodegenerative diseases.