Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Substituted Phenethylamines and the Discovery of CYB210010: A Potent, Orally Bioavailable and Long-Acting Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonist

Structure-activity studies of 4-substituted-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines led to the discovery of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-thiotrifluoromethylphenethylamines, including CYB210010, a potent and long-acting serotonin 5-HT2 receptor agonist. CYB210010 exhibited high agonist potency at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors, modest selectivity over 5-HT2B, 5-HT1A, 5-HT6, and adrenergic α2A receptors, and lacked activity at monoamine transporters and over 70 other proteins. CYB210010 (0.1-3 mg/kg) elicited a head-twitch response (HTR) and could be administered subchronically at threshold doses without behavioral tolerance. CYB210010 was orally bioavailable in three species, readily and preferentially crossed into the CNS, engaged frontal cortex 5-HT2A receptors, and increased the expression of genes involved in neuroplasticity in the frontal cortex. CYB210010 represents a new tool molecule for investigating the therapeutic potential of 5-HT2 receptor activation. In addition, several other compounds with high 5-HT2A receptor potency, yet with little or no HTR activity, were discovered, providing the groundwork for the development of nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A receptor ligands.

Sustainable Triazine-Based Dehydro-Condensation Agents for Amide Synthesis

Conventional methods employed today for the synthesis of amides often lack of economic and environmental sustainability. Triazine-derived quaternary ammonium salts, e.g., 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride (DMTMM(Cl)), emerged as promising dehydro-condensation agents for amide synthesis, although suffering of limited stability and high costs. In the present work, a simple protocol for the synthesis of amides mediated by 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (CDMT) and a tert-amine has been described and data are compared to DMTMM(Cl) and other CDMT-derived quaternary ammonium salts (DMT-Ams(X), X: Cl- or ClO4-). Different tert-amines (Ams) were tested for the synthesis of various DMT-Ams(Cl), but only DMTMM(Cl) could be isolated and employed for dehydro-condensation reactions, while all CDMT/tert-amine systems tested were efficient as dehydro-condensation agents. Interestingly, in best reaction conditions, CDMT and 1,4-dimethylpiperazine gave N-phenethyl benzamide in 93% yield in 15 min, with up to half the amount of tert-amine consumption. The efficiency of CDMT/tert-amine was further compared to more stable triazine quaternary ammonium salts having a perchlorate counter anion (DMT-Ams(ClO4)). Overall CDMT/tert-amine systems appear to be a viable and more economical alternative to most dehydro-condensation agents employed today.

New Advances in the Synthetic Application of Enantiomeric 1-Phenylethylamine (α-PEA): Privileged Chiral Inducer and Auxiliary

New developments in the synthesis, resolution, and synthetic applications of chiral 1-phenylethylamine (α-PEA) reported in the last decade have been reviewed. In particular, improvements in the synthesis of α-PEA and its derivatives and chiral resolution, as well as their applications in the resolution of other compounds, were discussed. α-PEA was used as a chiral auxiliary in the diastereoselective synthesis of medicinal substances and natural products. Chiral ligands with α-PEA moieties were applied in asymmetric reactions, and effective modular chiral organocatalysts were constructed with α-PEA fragments and used in important synthetic reactions.

Rubemamine and Rubescenamine, Two Naturally Occurring N-Cinnamoyl Phenethylamines with Umami-Taste-Modulating Properties

Sensory screening of a series of naturally occurring N-cinnamoyl derivatives of substituted phenethylamines revealed that rubemamine (9, from Chenopodium album) and rubescenamine (10, from Zanthoxylum rubsecens) elicit strong intrinsic umami taste in water at 50 and 10 ppm, respectively. Sensory tests in glutamate- and nucleotide-containing bases showed that the compounds influence the whole flavor profile of savory formulations. Both rubemamine (9) and rubescenamine (10) at 10-100 ppm dose-dependently positively modulated the umami taste of MSG (0.17-0.22%) up to threefold. Among the investigated amides, only rubemamine (9) and rubescenamine (10) are able to directly activate the TAS1R1-TAS1R3 umami taste receptor. Moreover, both compounds also synergistically modulated the activation of TAS1R1-TAS1R3 by MSG. Most remarkably, rubemamine (9) was able to further positively modulate the IMP-enhanced TAS1R1-TAS1R3 response to MSG ∼ 1.8-fold. Finally, armatamide (11), zanthosinamide (13), and dioxamine (14), which lack intrinsic umami taste in vivo and direct receptor response in vitro, also positively modulated receptor activation by MSG about twofold and the IMP-enhanced MSG-induced TAS1R1-TAS1R3 responses approximately by 50%. In sensory experiments, dioxamine (14) at 25 ppm in combination with 0.17% MSG exhibited a sensory equivalent to 0.37% MSG.

2D and 3D QSAR models for identifying diphenylpyridylethanamine based inhibitors against cholesteryl ester transfer protein

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors hold promise as new agents against coronary heart disease. Molecular modeling techniques such as 2D-QSAR and 3D-QSAR analysis were applied to establish models to distinguish potent and weak CETP inhibitors. 2D and 3D QSAR models-based a series of diphenylpyridylethanamine (DPPE) derivatives (newly identified as CETP inhibitors) were then performed to elucidate structural and physicochemical requirements for higher CETP inhibitory activity. The linear and spline 2D-QSAR models were developed through multiple linear regression (MLR) and support vector machine (SVM) methods. The best 2D-QSAR model obtained by SVM gave a high predictive ability (R(2)train=0.929, R(2)test=0.826, Q(2)LOO=0.780). Also, the 2D-QSAR models uncovered that SlogP_VSA0, E_sol and Vsurf_DW23 were important features in defining activity. In addition, the best 3D-QSAR model presented higher predictive ability (R(2)train=0.958, R(2)test=0.852, Q(2)LOO=0.734) based on comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). Meanwhile, the derived contour maps from 3D-QSAR model revealed the significant structural features (steric and electronic effects) required for improving CETP inhibitory activity. Consequently, twelve newly designed DPPE derivatives were proposed to be robust and potent CETP inhibitors. Overall, these derived models may help to design novel DPPE derivatives with better CETP inhibitory activity.

Synthesis, characterization, and DFT studies of a new chiral ionic liquid from (S)-1-phenylethylamine

A new chiral ionic liquid was synthesized from (S)-1-phenylethylamine and it was studied by IR, Raman, polarimetry, NMR and X-ray crystal diffraction. Its vibrational spectral bands are precisely ascribed to the studied structure with the aid of DFT theoretical calculations. The optimized geometries and calculated vibrational frequencies are evaluated via comparison with experimental values. The vibrational spectral data obtained from IR and Raman spectra are assigned based on the results of the theoretical calculations by the DFT-B3LYP method at 6-311G(d,p) level. The computed vibrational frequencies were scaled by scale factors to yield a good agreement with observed experimental vibrational frequencies.The vibrational modes assignments were performed by using the animation option of GaussView5.0 graphical interface for Gaussian program.

Synthesis, characterization and biological screening of sulfonamides derived form 2-phenylethylamine

In the present study, a series of N-substituted derivatives of 2-phenylethylamine has been synthesized. The reaction of 2-phenylethylamine (1) with benzene sulfonyl chloride (2) yielded N-(2-phenylethyl) benzenesulfonamide (3), which further on treatment with alkyl/acyl halides (4a-i) in the presence of sodium hydride furnished into N-substituted sulfonamides (5a-i). These derivatives were characterized by IR, (1)H-NMR and EI-MS and then screened against acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), butyryl cholinesterase (BChE) and lipoxygenase enzyme (LOX) and were found to be potent inhibitors of butyryl cholinesterase only.

Enantiomeric derivatives of tokinolide B: absolute configuration and biological properties

The enantiomeric lactams (-)-8, (+)-8, (+)-9, and (-)-9 were formed by the reaction of the dimeric phthalide rac-tokinolide B (rac-3) with (R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylamine and (S)-(-)-α-methylbenzylamine. The absolute configurations of compounds 8 and 9 were assigned by experimental and theoretically calculated electronic circular dichroism methods for (+)-8 and (-)-9. Compounds 3, 5, (-)-8, (+)-8, (+)-9, and (-)-9 displayed cytotoxic activity toward several human tumor cell lines, with (-)-8 and (-)-9 being the most potent.

Determination of four thiophenethylamine designer drugs (2C-T-4, 2C-T-8, 2C-T-13, 2C-T-17) in human urine by capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination in human urine of four thiophenethylamine designer drugs (2C-T series) is reported. The quantitative analysis was performed by capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometric detection (CE/MS), using 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylthiophenethylamine-D(4) (2C-T-D(4)) as internal standard. In order to minimize interferences with matrix components and to preconcentrate target analytes, solid-phase extraction (SPE) was introduced in the method as a clean-up step. The method was validated according to international guidelines. The data for accuracy and precision were within required limits. Calibration curves were generated over the range from 10 to 500 ng mL(-1) and correlation coefficients always exceeded 0.997. The method was demonstrated to be specific, sensitive, and reliable for the analysis of these derivatives in urine samples.

'Hybrid' benzofuran-benzopyran congeners as rigid analogs of hallucinogenic phenethylamines

Phenylalkylamines that possess conformationally rigidified furanyl moieties in place of alkoxy arene ring substituents have been shown previously to possess the highest affinities and agonist functional potencies at the serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor among this chemical class. Further, affinity declines when both furanyl rings are expanded to the larger dipyranyl ring system. The present paper reports the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of 'hybrid' benzofuranyl-benzopyranyl phenylalkylamines to probe further the sizes of the binding pockets within the serotonin 5-HT(2A) agonist binding site. Thus, 4(a-b), 5(a-b), and 6 were prepared as homologs of the parent compound, 8-bromo-1-(2,3,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane 2, and their affinity, functional potency, and intrinsic activity were assessed using cells stably expressing the rat 5-HT(2A) receptor. The behavioral pharmacology of these new analogs was also evaluated in the two-lever drug discrimination paradigm. Although all of the hybrid isomers had similar, nanomolar range receptor affinities, those with the smaller furanyl ring at the arene 2-position (4a-b) displayed a 4- to 15-fold greater functional potency than those with the larger pyranyl ring at that position (5a-b). When the furan ring of the more potent agonist 4b was aromatized to give 6, a receptor affinity similar to the parent difuranyl compound 2 was attained, along with a functional potency equivalent to 2, 4a, and 4b. In drug discrimination experiments using rats trained to discriminate LSD from saline, 4b was more than two times more potent than 5b, with the latter having a potency similar to the classic hallucinogenic amphetamine 1 (DOB).

Fluorescently Labeled Analogues of Dofetilide as High-Affinity Fluorescence Polarization Ligands for the Human Ether-a-go-go-Related Gene (hERG) Channel

Novel fluorescent derivatives of dofetilide (1) have been synthesized. Analogues that feature a fluorescent probe attached through an aliphatic spacer to the central tertiary nitrogen of 1 have high affinity for the hERG channel, and affinity is dependent on both linker length and pendent dye. These variables have been optimized to generate Cy3B derivative 10e, which has hERG channel affinity equivalent to that of dofetilide. When bound to cell membranes expressing the hERG channel, 10e shows a robust increase in fluorescence polarization (FP) signal. In a FP binding assay using 10e as tracer ligand, Ki values for several known hERG channel blockers were measured and excellent agreement with the literature Ki values was observed over an affinity range of 2 nM to 3 muM. 10e blocks hERG channel current in electrophysiological patch clamp experiments, and computational docking experiments predict that the dofetilide core of 10e binds hERG channel in a conformation similar to that previously predicted for 1. These analogues enable high-throughput hERG channel binding assays that are rapid, economical, and predictive of test compounds' potential for prolonged QT liabilities.

Discovery and Structure−Activity Relationships of Piperidinone- and Piperidine-Constrained Phenethylamines as Novel, Potent, and Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitors are emerging as a new class of therapeutic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They exert their beneficial effects by increasing the levels of active glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, which are two important incretins for glucose homeostasis. Starting from a high-throughput screening hit, we were able to identify a series of piperidinone- and piperidine-constrained phenethylamines as novel DPP4 inhibitors. Optimized compounds are potent, selective, and have good pharmacokinetic profiles.

Pyrrolidine-constrained phenethylamines: The design of potent, selective, and pharmacologically efficacious dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitors from a lead-like screening hit

A novel series of pyrrolidine-constrained phenethylamines were developed as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The cyclohexene ring of lead-like screening hit 5 was replaced with a pyrrolidine to enable parallel chemistry, and protein co-crystal structural data guided the optimization of N-substituents. Employing this strategy, a >400x improvement in potency over the initial hit was realized in rapid fashion. Optimized compounds are potent and selective inhibitors with excellent pharmacokinetic profiles. Compound 30 was efficacious in vivo, lowering blood glucose in ZDF rats that were allowed to feed freely on a mixed meal.

Beta-aminoethyltrifluoroborates: efficient aminoethylations via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling

A set of phenethylamines has been successfully prepared via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of diverse potassium beta-aminoethyltrifluoroborates with aryl halides. The potassium beta-aminoethyltrifluoroborates were easily prepared via hydroboration of enamine and enamide precursors. [reaction: see text].

1-Aminomethylbenzocycloalkanes: conformationally restricted hallucinogenic phenethylamine analogues as functionally selective 5-HT2A receptor agonists

A series of conformationally restricted analogues of the hallucinogenic phenethylamine 1 (2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine, 2C-B) was synthesized to test several hypotheses concerning the bioactive conformation of phenethylamine ligands upon binding to the 5-HT(2A) receptor. These benzocycloalkane analogues were assayed for their receptor binding affinity and ability to activate downstream signaling pathways, and one exceptional compound was selected for testing in an in vivo drug discrimination model of hallucinogenesis. All compounds were examined in silico by virtual docking into a homology model of the 5-HT(2A) receptor. On the basis of these docking experiments, it was predicted that the R enantiomer of benzocyclobutene analogue 2 would be the most potent. Subsequent chemical resolution and X-ray crystallography confirmed this prediction, as (R)-2 proved to be equipotent to LSD in rats trained to discriminate LSD from saline. Thus, we propose that the conformation of 2 mimics the active binding conformation of the more flexible phenethylamine type hallucinogens. In addition, (R)-2 is one of the most potent and selective compounds yet discovered in the in vivo drug discrimination assay. Further, 2 was found to be a functionally selective agonist at the 5-HT(2A) receptor, having 65-fold greater potency in stimulating phosphoinositide turnover than in producing arachidonic acid release. If hallucinogenic effects are correlated with arachidonic acid production, such functionally selective 5-HT(2A) receptor agonists may lack the intoxicating properties of hallucinogens such as LSD.

Binding of Sulfonyl-Containing Arylalkylamines at Human 5-HT6 Serotonin Receptors

Various sulfonyl-containing compounds (e.g. sulfonamides, sulfones) bind at human 5-HT6 serotonin receptors, but it has been difficult relating the binding mode(s) of such agents to one another, even though many possess a common SO2 moiety, to identify a common pharmacophore model(s). On the basis of the hypothesis that an ergoline-type conformation might be important for the binding of some sulfonamide-containing arylalkylamines, we prepared for examination at h5-HT6 receptors a series of compounds, including phenylethylamines 6, pyrroloethylamine 7, and phenylpiperazines 9. The results (with Ki values ranging from about 1 nM to >1000 nM) suggest that many of these agents likely bind in a related fashion, and structure-affinity studies indicate that the benzenesulfonamide portion of the phenylethylamine and phenylpiperazine analogues can be "reversed", abbreviated to a sulfone, and moved to an adjacent position with relatively little impact on affinity. Although a benzenesulfonamide (or related arylsulfonamide) group might be common to various 5-HT6 ligands, there appears to be some latitude with regard to the specific constitution and location of the sulfonamide moiety even within the same arylalkylamine structural framework. A pharmacophore model is presented to account for some of the current findings.

Chiral cyclopalladated complexes derived from N,N-dimethyl-1-phenethylamine with bridging bis(diphenylphosphine)ferrocene ligand as inhibitors of the cathepsin B activity and as antitumoral agents

Chiral cyclopalladated complexes derived from N,N-dimethyl-1-phenethylamine and the coordinating ligand 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphine)ferrocene were synthesized and studied as Cathepsin B inhibitors and antitumoral agents against solid tumors. Our results revealed that the palladium compound [Pd2(C2,N-S(-)dmpa)2(mu-dppf)Cl2] (2) was able to inhibit Cathepsin B activity in a reversible fashion. This palladacycle compound binds to free cathepsin B (E) as well as to the enzyme-substrate complex (ES) with dissociation constants of KH=12+/-1 microM and alphaKH=2.4+/-0.3 microM, respectively. The application of this complex, in Walker tumor-bearing rats, resulted in 90% inhibition of the tumor growth. Subcutaneous inoculations of 10(6) tumoral cells produced solid tumors with a mass of 4.0+/-1.0 g in 12 days Walker tumor-bearing rats. However, when these animals were treated with one dose of the palladacycle compound (2.0 mg/kg), the tumoral mass was reduced to 0.3+/-0.1 g. On the other hand, the same complex (2) did not afford any protection to mice bearing the non-metastatic Ehrlich Ascites tumor treated with doses of 0.5, 5.0, and 30 mg/kg for a period of four, three and one day, respectively, beginning 72 h after tumor inoculation. Toxicological studies using mice treated with one high dose of the complex (2) (100 mg/kg) did not show any alterations in red and white blood cell morphology 14 days after the drug administration. Similar results were obtained with hepatic, kidney, and spleen tissues. The results presented in this work introduce the title cyclopalladated complexes as promising antitumoral drugs with reduced toxicity in experimental studies.

N-Alkylation of phenethylamine and tryptamine

A clean and efficient method for the N-alkylation of tryptamine and phenethylamine, employing alcohols as the alkylating agents, has been developed. The reaction proceeds via catalytic electronic activation, involving an iridium catalyst which activates the alcohol by borrowing hydrogen from the substrate, returning it later in the catalytic cycle. Some examples of N-heterocyclisation have been performed employing a diol as the substrate.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Phenylacetamides in the Presence of High Organic Cosolvent Concentrations Catalyzed by Stabilized Penicillin G Acylase. Effect of the Acyl Donor

Immobilization of penicillin G acylase on glyoxyl agarose and its further hydrophilization by physicochemical modification with ionic polymers has made it possible to perform the direct condensation between (+/-)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamine [(+/-)-1] and different acyl donors in the presence of high concentrations of organic cosolvent (up to 90%) in the reaction medium. Using 50 mM phenyl acetic acid and these drastic reaction conditions, too harsh for any other PGA preparation, we have achieved an almost quantitative transformation (more than 99%) of 10 mM (+/-)-1 into the corresponding amide. Remarkably, the enantioselectivity of the enzyme immobilized on the amine was strongly dependent on the acyl donor employed. Thus, using phenylacetic acid (2), the enantioselectivity was almost negligible (1.3 favoring the S isomer), whereas using S-mandelic acid [(S)-4], the E factor reached a value of 21 (also favoring the S isomer). By using R-mandelic acid [(R)-4], we observed a different enantioselectivity (E was 3.6 favoring the R). At 4 degrees C, the E value reached a value higher than 100 when (S)-4 was used as the acyl donor. The reaction performed under these conditions allowed us to produce (2S,2'S)-N-2'-hydroxy-2'-phenyl)-2-hydroxyphenylacetamide [(2S,2'S)-7] with a diasteromeric excess higher than 98%.

Structure elucidation of nanogram quantities of unknown designer drugs based on phenylalkylamine derivates by ion trap multiple mass spectrometry

Multiple mass spectra (MS(1) to MS(6)) of 55 phenylalkylamine derivatives were recorded with ion-trap mass spectrometry employing electrospray (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Fragmentation patterns were studied in detail and a generally applicable scheme was established for elucidation of the structures of phenylalkylamine derivatives. HPLC combined with ion-trap multiple mass spectrometry was used to identify the structure of reaction by-products in ecstasy samples from the "black" market. Low nanogram amounts were sufficient for on-line HPLC-MS(n) structure elucidation of unknowns.

Rational design of an indolebutanoic acid derivative as a novel aldose reductase inhibitor based on docking and 3D QSAR studies of phenethylamine derivatives

A series of 45 phenethylamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against pig kidney aldose reductase (ALR2, EC 1.1.1.21). Their IC(50) values ranged from 400 microM to 24 microM. The binding modes of compounds at the active site of ALR2 were examined using flexible docking. The results indicated that phenethylamine derivatives nicely fit into the active pocket of ALR2 by forming various hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. 3D-QSAR analysis was also conducted using FlexX-docked alignment of the compounds. The best prediction was obtained by CoMSIA combined with hydrophobic and hydrogen bond donor/acceptor field (q(2) = 0.557, r(2) = 0.934). A new derivative, 4-oxo-4-(4-hydroxyindole)butanoic acid, was designed, taking into account the CoMSIA field and the binding mode derived by FlexX docking. This rationally designed compound exhibits an ALR2 inhibition with an IC(50) value of 7.4 microM, which compares favorably to that of a well-known ALR2 inhibitor, tolrestat (IC(50) = 16 microM) and represents a potency approximately 240-fold higher than that of an original phenethylamine lead compound, YUA001.

Optically Active Mexiletine Analogues as Stereoselective Blockers of Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels

Optically active mexiletine analogues were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as use-dependent blockers of skeletal muscle sodium channels. The mexiletine analogues were obtained by replacing either the methyl group on the stereogenic center of mexiletine [1-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)propan-2-amine] with a phenyl group or modifying the phenoxy moiety (by removal of one or both of the methyl groups, or introducing a chlorine atom), or both. The voltage clamp recordings showed that, regardless of the substitution pattern of the aryloxy moiety, all the compounds bearing a phenyl group on the stereogenic center (3a-f) were more active than mexiletine both in tonic and phasic block. This observation was in contrast with what was observed for mexiletine, where the removal of both methyls from the aryloxy moiety caused a dramatic reduction of potency. The most potent congener, (R)-2-(2-methylphenoxy)-1-phenylethanamine [(R)-3b], was 27-fold more potent than (R)-mexiletine in producing a tonic block, i.e., the reduction of peak sodium current in resting conditions after application of the compound. (R)-3b maintained a use-dependent behavior, being 23-fold more potent in condition of high frequency of stimulation (phasic block). Despite what was observed with mexiletine, the stereoselectivity held in phasic block conditions. Stereoselectivity indexes were generally low, ranging from 1 to 4, but except for that of the 2,6-xylyloxy congener 3c, they were higher for the congeners bearing a phenyl ring on the stereogenic center than for mexiletine and its strictly related analogue 1-methyl-2-phenoxyethanamine (1). This finding was in agreement with Pfeiffer's rule. The introduction of a chlorine atom in the 4-position of the aryloxy moiety caused a reduction of potency and a reversal of stereoselectivity as well. On the basis of the model to date accepted for the sodium channel local anesthetic-like molecule receptor, some possible explanations of our observations will be proposed.

Identification of regioisomers in a series of N-substituted pyridin-4-yl imidazole derivatives by regiospecific synthesis, GC/MS, and 1H NMR

The regiospecific synthesis of 2a (Scheme 3), a novel and potent pyridinyl imidazole inhibitor of p38 MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase, and the regioselective preparation of its regioisomer 2b (Scheme 4) are described. Chromatographic and spectroscopic data are presented, which in this class of compounds allow the unambiguous identification of regioisomers prepared by a nonregiospecific synthetic strategy. Biological data demonstrating the importance of the correct regiochemistry for inhibition of p38 are given.

Synthesis of fluorinated 1-(3-morpholin-4-yl-phenyl)-ethylamines

The synthesis of four (+/-)-fluorinated 1-(3-morpholin-4-yl-phenyl)-ethylamines and an enantioselective approach to these amines through reductive amination are described.

Simultaneous synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine from racemic alpha-methylbenzylamine using omega-transaminase/alcohol dehydrogenase/glucose dehydrogenase coupling reaction

A simultaneous synthesis of (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine from racemic alpha-methylbenzylamine was achieved using an omega-transaminase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and glucose dehydrogenase in a coupled reaction. Racemic alpha-methylbenzylamine (100 mM) was converted to 49 mM (R)-1-phenylethanol (> 99% ee) and 48 mM (R)-alpha-methylbenzylamine (> 98% ee) in 18 h at 37 degrees C. This method was also used to overcome product inhibition of omega-TA by the ketone product in the kinetic resolution of racemic amines at high concentration.

Binding and functional affinity of some newly synthesized phenethylamine and phenoxypropanolamine derivatives for their agonistic activity at recombinant human beta3-adrenoceptor

Beta(3)-adrenoceptor is the predominant beta-adrenoceptor in adipocytes and has drawn much attention during the investigation for anti-obesity and antidiabetes therapeutics. Thirteen new compounds have been evaluated for their potencies and efficacies as beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonists on human beta(3)-adrenoceptor expressed in COS-7 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using radioligand binding assay and cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation assay. Phenoxypropanolamine derivatives, SWR-0334NA (([E)-[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-pentene-3-yl] phenoxy]acetic acid sodium salt), SWR-0335SA ((E)-[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-pentene-3-yl] phenoxy] acetic acid ethanedioic acid), SWR-0342SA (S-(Z)-[4-[[1-[2-[(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)]amino] ethyl]-1-propenyl]phenoxy] acetic acid ethanedioic acid), SWR-0348SA-SITA ((E)-[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-hexene-3-yl] phenoxy]acetic acid ethanedioic acid) and SWR-0361SA ((E)-N-methyl[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-pentene-3-yl]phenoxy]acetoamide ethanedioic acid) showed higher agonistic activity for the beta(3)-adrenoceptor. Among the compounds tested, SWR0334NA exhibited full agonist activity (%E(max) = 100.26) despite its lower binding affinity (pK(I) = 6.11). Compounds SWR-0338SA ((E)-[4-[5-[(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-pentene-3-yl] phenoxy]acetic acid ethanedioic acid), SWR-0339SA (S-(E)-[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-pentene-3-yl] phenoxy] acetic acid ethanedioic acid), SWR-0345HA ((E)-2-methyl-3-[4-[2-(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl-amino)ethoxy] phenyl]-2-propenoic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride), SWR-0358SA ((E)-(2-methoxyethyl)-[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl) amino]-2-pentene-3-yl]phenoxy]acetoamide ethanedioic acid) and SWR-0362SA ((E)-1-[[[4-[5-[(3-phenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-2-pentene-3-yl]phenoxy]acetyl]carbonyl]piperidine ethanedioic acid) had moderate agonistic activity and were phenethylamine and phenoxypropanolamine derivatives. Compounds SWR-0065HA ([4-[2-[3-[[(3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-[1,2,4]-triazino(4,5-a)indol)-lyl]oxy]-2-hydroxypropylamino]ethoxy]phenyl]acetic acid methyl ester hydrochloride), SWR-0098NA ((E)-[4-[3-[(2-phenyl-2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-1-butenyl] phenoxy]acetic acid sodium salt) and SWR-0302HA ([4-[[4-[2-(3-chlorophenoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)amino]-E-2-butenyl]oxy]phenoxy]acetic acid hydrochloride) had very low binding affinity towards beta(3)-adrenoceptors and they did not induce cAMP accumulation. We concluded that compounds SWR-0334NA, SWR-0335SA, SWR-0342SA, SWR-0348SA-SITA and SWR-0361SA were potential agonists of human beta(3)-adrenoceptor. Further investigation on their selectivity towards beta(3)-adrenoceptor could be useful for the exploration of the physiological properties of the beta(3)-adrenoceptor.

Novel dual inhibitors of AChE and MAO derived from hydroxy aminoindan and phenethylamine as potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Carbamate derivatives of N-propargylaminoindans (Series I) and N-propargylphenethylamines (Series II) were synthesized via multistep procedures from the corresponding hydroxy precursors. The respective rasagiline- and selegiline-related series were designed to combine inhibitory activities of both acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) by virtue of their carbamoyl and propargylamine pharmacophores. Each compound was tested for these activities in vitro in order to find molecules with similar potencies against each enzyme. Compounds with such dual AChE and MAO inhibitory activities are expected to have potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The observed SAR also offers insight into the requirements of the active sites on these enzymes. A carbamate moiety was found to be essential for AChE inhibition, which was absent in the corresponding hydroxy precursors. The propargyl group caused 2-70-fold decrease in AChE inhibitory activity (depending on the position of the carbamoyl group) of Series I, but had little or no effect in Series II. Thus, the 6- and 7-carbamyloxyphenyls in Series I were either equipotent to, or slightly (2- to 5-fold) less active as AChE inhibitors than, the corresponding compounds in Series II, while the 4-carbamyloxyphenyls were more potent. The presence of the carbamate moiety in 6- and 7-carbamyloxyphenyls of Series I, considerably decreased MAO-A and -B inhibitory activity, compared to that of the parent hydroxy analogues, while the opposite was true for Series II. Thus, the 6- and 7-carbamyloxyphenyls in Series I were 2-3 orders of magnitude weaker MAO inhibitors while the 4- carbamyloxyphenyls were equipotent with the corresponding compounds in Series II. In both series, N-methylation of the propargylamine enhanced the MAO (A and B equally) inhibitory activities and decreased the AChE inhibitory activity. Two candidates belonging to the indan and tetralin ring systems (24c, 27b) and one phenethylamine (53d) were identified as possible leads for further development based on the following criteria: (a) comparable AChE and MAO-B inhibitory activities, (b) good to moderate AChE inhibitory activity, and (c) lack of strong MAO-A selectivity. However, it is likely that these compounds will be metabolized to the corresponding phenols, with inhibitory activities against AChE and/or MAO-A or -B, different from those of the parent carbamates. Thus, the apparent enzyme inhibition will be a result of the combined inhibition of all of these individual metabolites. The results of our ongoing in vivo screening programs will be published elsewhere.

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-substituted 2-phenylethylamines by lithiation-substitution sequences: synthetic development and mechanistic pathway

The lithiation and asymmetric substitution of N-(2-phenylethyl)isobutyramide (2) with selected electrophiles, under the influence of (-)-sparteine, provides benzylically substituted products in 58-90% yields with enantiomeric ratios (ers) from 72:28 to 91:9. Syntheses of enantioenriched dihydroisoquinolines (S)-18 and (S)-19 and a tetrahydroisoquinoline (4S)-20 provide examples of synthetic applications. Mechanistic investigations suggest the enantiodetermining step at -78 degrees C is a dynamic thermodynamic resolution.

New p-methylsulfonamido phenylethylamine analogues as class III antiarrhythmic agents: design, synthesis, biological assay, and 3D-QSAR analysis

Class III antiarrhythmic agents selectively delay the effective refractory period (ERP) and increase the transmembrane action potential duration (APD). Using dofetilide (2) as a template of class III antiarrhythmic agents, we designed and synthesized 16 methylsulfonamido phenylethylamine analogues (4a-d and 5a-l). Pharmacological assay indicated that all of these compounds showed activity for increasing the ERP in isolated animal atrium; among them, the effective concentration of compound 4a is 1.6 x 10(-8) mol/L in increasing ERP by 10 ms, slightly less potent than that of 2, 1.1 x 10(-8) mol/L. Compound 4a also produced a slightly lower change in ERP at 10(-5) M, DeltaERP% = 17.5% (DeltaERP% = 24.0% for dofetilide). On the basis of this bioassay result, these 16 compounds together with dofetilide were investigated by the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) techniques of comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA), and the hologram QSAR (HQSAR). The 3D-QSAR models were tested with another 11 compounds (4e-h and 5m-s) that we synthesized later. Results revealed that the CoMFA, CoMSIA, and HQSAR predicted activities for the 11 newly synthesized compounds that have a good correlation with their experimental value, r(2) = 0.943, 0.891, and 0.809 for the three QSAR models, respectively. This indicates that the 3D-QSAR models proved a good predictive ability and could describe the steric, electrostatic, and hydrophobic requirements for recognition forces of the receptor site. On the basis of these results, we designed and synthesized another eight new analogues of methanesulfonamido phenylethyamine (6a-h) according to the clues provided by the 3D-QSAR analyses. Pharmacological assay indicated that the effective concentrations of delaying the ERP by 10 ms of these newly designed compounds correlated well with the 3D-QSAR predicted values. It is remarkable that the percent change of delaying ERP at 10(-5) M compound 6c is much higher than that of dofetilide; the effective concentration of compound 6c is 5.0 x 10(-8)mol/L in increasing the ERP by 10 ms, which is slightly lower than that of 2. The results showed that the 3D-QSAR models are reliable and can be extended to design new antiarrhythmic agents.

Arylethylamine psychotropic recreational drugs: a chemical perspective

The arylethylamines substituted in the aryl ring, side-chain carbons and on the terminal amine, comprise a large number of human mood and behaviour altering chemicals. Some of these psychotropic drugs have been used since pre-history, but in many states are proscribed and are consequently subject to clandestine synthesis and illegal traffic world-wide in the forms particularly of amphetamines and to a lesser extent tryptamines. The chemistry employed in the synthesis of these compounds is dictated often by the available precursors and relies usually on relatively simple, unsophisticated conversion reactions to a suitable product. The internet web sites and documentation of the recreational drug culture have been studied alongside the professional scientific and regulatory literature. The review demonstrates the great complexity of the chemistry and neuro-pharmacology of these chemicals and the challenge faced by legislative bodies to control their traffic and use for the sake of social welfare.

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of 2-(4-chloro-3-hydroxyphenyl)ethylamine and N,N-dialkyl derivatives as dopamine receptor ligands

2-(4-Chloro-3-hydroxyphenyl)ethylamine (4) and some derivatives were synthesized as dopamine (DA) receptor ligands. Amine 4 retains the dopaminergic pharmacophore 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-ethylamine, and the chlorine atom replaces the "para" hydroxyl group of DA. The derivatives 18a-e were obtained by introducing on the nitrogen of amine 4 the n-propyl and 2-phenylethyl or 3-phenylpropyl groups which can be accommodated by the D-2 receptor lipophilic sites 3C and pi 3, respectively. The affinity and selectivity of these compounds for D-1 and D-2 subtypes was determined in radioligand competition assays for the DA receptors of rat striatum membranes using [3H]SCH 23390 (D-1 selective) and [3H]spiperone (D-2 selective) as radioligands. The amine 4 shows about 7-fold lower affinity than DA for both sites and is not able to discriminate between the two subtypes of DA receptors. The introduction of two n-propyl groups (18a) on the nitrogen atom reduces by one-half and doubles the affinity for D-1 and D-2 binding sites, respectively. The substitution of an n-propyl group with different alkylphenyl groups, to give compounds 18b-e, increases the affinity for the D-2 subtype from 19-fold to 36-fold. These compounds have the same affinity at the D-2 site as the DA agonist N-n-propyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-ethylamine (2a) and are about 20 times more selective than DA for this binding site. In the assay for D-2 receptor mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, all the tested compounds behaved as D-2 agonists; N-n-propyl-N-[2(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]- (18d) and N-n-propyl-N-(2-phenyl-ethyl)-2-(4-chloro-3-hydroxyphenyl)ethylamine (18b) were more effective than DA or 2a. On the other hand, all compounds were less effective than DA in stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in rat striatal homogenates, a kind of effect which is mediated by the D-1 subtype of DA receptors. These results suggest that the nitrogen substitution enhances the affinity and selectivity for the D-2 receptor. In the adenylate cyclase assay, the compounds behave as potent D-2 agonists.

[Synthesis and anti alpha-adrenoceptor activity in vitro of 4-((4-((2-substitutedphenoxy)ethyl)-1-piperazinyl) methyl)- 1,2-dihydro-quinoline-2-one compounds]

AIM

To study the synthesis and anti alpha-adrenoceptor activity of 1,2-dihydro-quinoline-2-one compounds.

METHODS

Acylation, bromination and cyclization, and substitute reactions were used in the synthesis of the title compounds IV. A proposed mechanism was showed to explain the unusual compounds 5 and 6 in the route C. The inhibition activity of the six target compounds were tested.

RESULTS

Twelve new compounds were synthesized (II1-6 and IV1-6). Among them, six new compounds (IV1-6) are the title compounds. Structure of the title compounds were determined by IR, 1HNMR, MS and HRMS.

CONCLUSION

Compounds IV3, IV4 and IV6 showed inhibitiion activity, and were worth further studying.

Alpha-phenylethylamine in illegally produced amphetamine

The possibility of simultaneous synthesis of alpha-phenylethylamine and amphetamine from mixture of acetophenone and benzylmethylketone was studied. The structures of specific impurities were predicted and these compounds were synthesized and finally found in reaction mixtures, as well as in the final product. The data collected by gas chromatography, proton and carbon magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and mass spectrometry are presented.

Total synthesis of mololipids: a new series of anti-HIV Moloka'iamine derivatives

A new family of bioactive bromotyrosine derivatives, termed mololipids, was recently isolated from a Hawaiian sponge, but could not be resolved into individual components by chromatography. To complete their structural characterization and better understand structure-activity relationships, the first pure samples of dimyristoyl, distearoyl, dioleoyl, and stearoyl/oleoyl mololipids have now been prepared by total synthesis, and their anti-HIV activity investigated.

Computer-aided design, synthesis and biological assay of p-methylsulfonamido phenylethylamine analogues

Class III antiarrhythmic agents selectively delay the effective refractory period (ERP) and increase the transmembrance action potential duration (APD). Based on our previous studies, a set of 17 methylsulfonamido phenylethylamine analogues were investigated by 3D-QSAR techniques of CoMFA and CoMSIA. The 3D-QSAR models proved a good predictive ability, and could describe the steric, electrostatic and hydrophobic requirements for recognition forces of the receptor site. According to the clues provided by this 3D-QSAR analysis, we designed and synthesized a series of new analogues of methanesulfonamido phenylethylamine (VIa-i). Pharmacological assay indicated that the effective concentrations of delaying the functional refractory period (FRP) 10ms of these new compounds have a good correlation with the 3D-QSAR predicted values. It is remarkable that the maximal percent change of delaying FRP in microM of compound VIc is much higher than that of dofetilide. The results showed that the 3D-QSAR models are reliable.

Synthesis and biological activities of the marine bryozoan alkaloids convolutamines A, C and F, and lutamides A and C

Synthesis of convolutamines and lutamides, new 2,4,6-tribromo-3-methoxyphenethylamine alkaloids isolated from Floridian marine bryozoan Amathia convoluta, was accomplished by a sequence of reactions starting from 3-hydroxyphenethylamines. Cytotoxities of the synthetic lutamides, convolutamines and their de-O-methyl derivatives were examined using drug-sensitive and -resistant P388 as well as KB cell lines. The bioassay suggests that the 2,4,6-tribromo-3-methoxyphenethylamine is an indispensable unit for detection of the activities. Additionally, a reversal of drug resistance by those alkaloids is recognized.

Radiosynthesis and in vitro evaluation of 2-(N-alkyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin analogs as high affinity agonists for dopamine D-2 receptors

We have developed radiotracers based on agonists that may potentially allow the in vivo assessment of the high affinity (HA) state of the dopamine D-2 receptors. The population of HA state, which is likely the functional state of the receptor, may be altered in certain diseases. We carried out radiosyntheses and evaluated the binding affinities, lipophilicity, and in vitro autoradiographic binding characteristics of three dopamine D-2 receptor agonists: (+/-)-2-(N,N-dipropyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (5-OH-DPAT), (+/-)-2-(N-phenethyl-N-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (PPHT), and (+/-)-2-(N-cyclohexylethyl-N-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (ZYY-339). In 3H-spiperone assays using rat striata, ZYY-339 exhibited subnanomolar affinity for D-2 receptor sites (IC50 = 0.010 nM), PPHT was somewhat weaker (IC50 = 0.65 nM), and 5-OH-DPAT exhibited the weakest affinity (IC50 = 2.5 nM) of the three compounds. Radiosynthesis of these derivatives, 2-(N-propyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-5-OH-DPAT), 2-(N-phenethyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-PPHT), and 2-(N-cyclohexylethyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-ZYY-339) was achieved by first synthesizing 11C-1-propionyl chloride and subsequent coupling with the appropriate secondary amine precursor to form the respective amide, which was then reduced to provide the desired tertiary amine products. The final products were obtained by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification in radiochemical yields of 5-10% after 60-75 min from the end of 11CO2 trapping and with specific activities in the range of 250-1,000 Ci/mmol. In vitro autoradiographs in rat brain slices with 11C-5-OH-DPAT, 11C-PPHT, and 11C-ZYY-339 revealed selective binding of the three radiotracers to the dopamine D-2 receptors in the striata.

Synthesis and biological activity of KCB-328 and its analogues: novel class III antiarrhythmic agents with little reverse frequency dependence

A series of 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine derivatives was prepared, and their prolongation effects on effective refractory period of contractile response (ERPc) and action potential duration (APD) in isolated guinea-pig papillary muscles at 1 Hz and 3 Hz were examined. SAR studies led to the identification of KCB-328 (51) which is a novel class III antiarrhythmic agent with little reverse frequency dependence.

Structure-activity relationships study of two series of leukotriene B4 antagonists: novel indolyl and naphthyl compounds substituted with a 2-[methyl(2-phenethyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl side chain

N-Methyl-N-phenethylphenylacetamide has been reported to be a key binding domain to LTB4 receptors. Here we describe the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of two new series of LTB4 receptor antagonists in which the phenyl ring of this receptor binding domain is replaced with indole and naphthalene, respectively. Results of these studies indicate that, in addition to the 2-[methyl(2-phenethyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl moiety, the presence of an acid group and a lipophilic side chain, as well as the spatial relationship of these three functions, is crucial for high binding affinity with LTB4 receptors. Our SAR studies also reveal that an arenecarboxylic acid, or an enoic acid in which the carboxyl group is conjugated with the central ring, is the preferred polar group. The lipophilic side chain of the naphthyl series was found to tolerate minor variations, ranging from a phenylmethoxy group to phenyl and alkyloxy groups. The most active compounds are 2-ethyl-3-[1-[2-[methyl(2-phenethyl) amino]-2-oxoethyl]-5-(phenylmethoxy)indol-3-yl]propenoic+ ++ acid (4g) of the indolyl series and 4-[2-[methyl(2-phenethyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl]-8-(phenylmethoxy )-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid (2a) or the naphthyl series, with IC50 of 8 and 4.7 nM respectively, in the receptor binding assay using intact human neutrophils.

Amides of piperidine, morpholine and piperazine substituted 1-phenylethylamines: inhibitors of acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity in vitro and in vivo

Amides of some substituted 1,2-diarylethylamines have been shown to exhibit potent acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT, EC 2.3.1.26) inhibitory activity in vitro in microsomal ACAT assays but show poor in vivo activity in a cholesterol-fed hamster model. In an effort to design ACAT inhibitors that are potent in both our in vitro and in vivo assays a series of amides of piperidine, morpholine and piperazine substituted 1-phenylethylamines were synthesized. Compounds of this series were found to be very potent inhibitors of ACAT in a microsomal ACAT assay and also exhibited potent activity in a cholesterol-fed hamster model.

SAR studies of fluorine-substituted benzylamines and substituted 2-phenylethylamines as substrates and inactivators of monoamine oxidase B

To test whether addition of electron-withdrawing substituents to good substrates of monoamine oxidase (MAO) will transform them into inactivators, a series of fluorine-substituted benzylamines and a series of substituted 2-phenylethylamines were synthesized and tested as substrates and inactivators of monoamine oxidase B. All of the compounds were substrates. None of the benzylamines was an inactivator, but several of the phenethylamines were. These results suggest that either stronger electron withdrawing character or additional stabilizing factors are needed to stabilize the hypothesized enzyme adduct.

1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-aminopropane: a potent serotonin 5-HT2A/2C agonist

A method was found to synthesize 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl)-2-aminopropane, 5, and its des-alpha-methyl congener 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)aminoethane, 6, the trifluoromethyl analogs of substituted hallucinogenic phenethylamine derivatives such as 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (3, DOI) that are potent 5-HT2A/2C agonists. In our hands, 5 and 6 have proven to have affinity for [3H]ketanserin or [125I]-3-labeled 5-HT2A/2C sites in rat cortex comparable to or higher than the analogous bromo or iodo analogs. Similarly, 5 and 6 had potency comparable to or slightly greater than that of their bromo or iodo congeners in the two-lever drug discrimination assay in rats trained to discriminate saline from LSD tartrate. The agonist properties of 5 and 6 were evaluated by measuring the accumulation of [3H]inositol monophosphate in cultured cells selectively expressing either 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptors. In comparison to serotonin (5-HT), compounds 3 (DOI), 5, and 6 were equally efficacious and full agonists at the 5-HT2C receptor. Similarly, 3 and 5 produced equivalent responses at the 5-HT2A receptor as compared to 5-HT. In contrast, 6, the alpha-desmethyl analog of 5, was only half as potent at stimulating inositol monophosphate accumulation at the 5-HT2A receptor. In conclusion, the title compound 5 and its alpha-desmethyl congener 6 appear to be the most potent of the so-called hallucinogenic amphetamine 5-HT agonists reported to date. Further, the reduced efficacy of 6 at the 5-HT2A receptor may offer at least a partial explanation for the observed higher in vivo potencies of alpha-methyl-substituted compounds in this series.

Enzymatic asymmetric synthesis of alpha-methyl arylalkylamines and alpha-methyl arylalkylalcohols by arylalkyl acylamidases

With the novel microbial enzyme, 'arylalkyl acylamidase', optically active alpha-methyl arylalkylamines and alpha-methyl arylalkylalcohols have been obtained through enantioselective hydrolysis of their racemic amides and esters. (S)-Enantiomers of 1-methylbenzylamine, 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine and 1-methyl-3-phenylpropanol of high optical purity (> 94% e.e.) were synthesized with the cells of Nocardia erythropolis IAM 1440 or Cellulomonas fimi AKU 671. (R)-Enantiomer of 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine and (S)-enantiomer of 1-methyl-2-phenylpropanol of high optical purity (> 95% e.e.) were synthesized with the crude preparation of arylalkyl acylamidase of Pseudomonas putida Sc2 AKU 881.

Oxygen-18 kinetic isotope effects in the dopamine beta-monooxygenase reaction: evidence for a new chemical mechanism in non-heme metallomonooxygenases

Previous studies of dopamine beta-monooxygenase (D beta M) have implicated the formation of a substrate-derived benzylic radical via a hydrogen atom abstraction mechanism [Miller & Klinman (1985) Biochemistry 24, 2114]. We now address the nature of the oxygen species catalyzing C-H bond cleavage through the measurement of oxygen-18 isotope effects as a function of substrate structure. Using deuterium isotope effects, together with experimental O-18 isotope effects with protonated and deuterated substrates, it has been possible to calculate intrinsic O-18 isotope effects. Since the D beta M mechanism includes many steps which may involve changes in bond order at dioxygen, e.g., the reversible binding of O2 to the active-site copper and its reductive activation to a copper-hydroperoxide species, the intrinsic O-18 isotope effect is expected to be the product of two terms: (1) an overall equilibrium O-18 isotope effect on steps leading from O2 binding to the formation of the intermediate which catalyzes C-H bond cleavage and (2) a kinetic O-18 isotope effect on the C-H bond cleavage step. Thus, the magnitude of a single O-18 isotope effect measurement cannot reveal the nature of the bonding at oxygen during substrate activation. In the present study we have measured the change in O-18 isotope effect as a function of substrate structure and reactivity, finding values of 18(V/K) which decrease from 1.0281 +/- 0.001 to 1.0216 +/- 0.0003 as the rate of the C-H bond cleavage step decreases from 680 to 2 s-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis and in vivo distribution in the rat of several fluorine-18 labeled 5-hydroxy-2-aminotetralin derivatives

A method is described for the rapid production and purification of new potential dopamine agonists. Via thermal heating (refluxing in an oil bath) and microwave exposure 2-[N-n-3-fluoropropyl-N-(4-methylphenyl)ethylamino]-5-hydroxyte tralin (12), 2-[N-n-3-fluoropropyl-N-(4-fluorophenyl)ethylamino]-5-hydroxyte tralin (13), and their isotopic fluorine-18 derivatives were synthesized, respectively. The fluorine-18 label was introduced via N-fluoroalkylation with no-carrier-added (n.c.a.) 18FCH2CH2CH2I. In 115 min, radiochemical yields of 11% (corrected for decay) were achieved for both compounds. The specific activity ranged from 15-75 GBq/mumol. After i.v. injection in rats, the fluorine-18 labeled compounds were evaluated for their in vivo binding to the D2-receptors. The radioactivity levels in the striatum, nucleus accumbens and tuberculum olfactorius were not significantly higher than in the cerebellum and frontal cortex at 15, 30 and 60 min after administration of the tetralin derivatives. Dopamine depletion with reserpine did not affect the uptake in the dopamine D2-receptor rich area. Remarkable high uptakes were found in the adrenal for both compounds.

Synthesis and structure of new bronchospasmolytic agents. I

The crystal structures of two phenylethanolamines showing bronchospasmolytic activity have been determined at room temperature [293 (2) K]. Crystal data are as follows: 11-morpholinotricyclo[6.3.0.0(2,7)]undeca-2,4,6-trien-l-ol (3), C15H19NO2, M(r) = 245.3, triclinic, P1, a = 10.360 (5), b = 12.169 (5), c = 12.488 (4) A, alpha = 95.14 (10), beta = 108.49 (12), gamma = 114.69 (5) degrees, V = 1311 (2) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.243 Mg m-3, Cu K alpha 1 radiation, lambda = 1.540562 A, mu = 0.618 mm-1, F(000) = 528, R = 0.0537 for 3009 observed reflections; 4-morpholino-1,2-benzocyclononen-3-ol monohydrate (5), C17H25NO2.H2O, M(r) = 293.4, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.063 (9), b = 19.398 (5), c = 8.670 (5) A, beta = 110.56 (1) degree, V = 1585 (2) A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.230 Mg m-3, Mo K alpha 1 radiation, lambda = 0.709300 A, mu = 0.0778 mm-1, F(000) = 640, R = 0.0376 for 1407 observed reflections. The stereochemistry of compound (3) is found to be 'all cis', which allows the mechanism of formation of these compounds to be interpreted. The various aspects of the conformations of these molecules are discussed.

A novel class of calcium-entry blockers: the 1[[4-(aminoalkoxy)phenyl]sulfonyl]indolizines

The synthesis and initial biological evaluation of a series of 1-sulfonylindolizines is described. These compounds have been shown to be representatives of a novel class of potent, slow-channel calcium antagonists. All compounds were found to be at least as active as the reference calcium antagonists verapamil and cis-(+)-diltiazem. Structure-activity relationship studies have shown that all compounds possessing an aralkyl group in the amine moiety and an isopropyl or cyclopropyl group at the 2 position of the indolizine are among the most potent calcium antagonists known outside the 1,4-dihydropyridine series. The IC50 values for the inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding vary between 0.19 and 4.5 nM whereas the IC50 value for nifedipine is 2.5 nM. One of the compounds in this group (9ab) has now been selected for clinical development.

A unique fluorescent phenylalkylamine probe for L-type Ca2+ channels. Coupling of phenylalkylamine receptors to Ca2+ and dihydropyridine binding sites

The first fluorescently labeled phenylalkylamine, DMBODIPY-PAA (5-(3-[3-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-3a, 4a-diaza-4-bora-indacen-3-yl)propionamido] phenethyl-N-methylamino)-2-isopropyl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-valer onitrile) has been introduced for L-type Ca2+ channel research. DMBODIPY-PAA binds reversibly to L-type Ca2+ channels purified from rabbit skeletal muscle microsomes by wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose chromatography. In this preparation DMBODIPY-PAA labels 412 pmol of phenylalkylamine receptors/mg of protein with a Kd of 6.82 nM and a favorable signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore DMBODIPY-PAA has a higher affinity for purified Ca2+ channels than the commonly employed radioligands and consequently has assisted in channel purification after prelabeling by simply monitoring receptor-bound fluorescence. (+)-PN200-110 (which is stimulatory for (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil binding to purified Ca2+ channels) inhibits DMBODIPY-PAA labeling. Since these drug interactions are reciprocal, the phenylalkylamine and dihydropyridine binding sites of the alpha 1-subunit are tightly coupled. Kinetic and equilibrium binding studies with (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil and DMBODIPY-PAA show that phenylalkylamine binding to L-type Ca2+ channels is dependent on Ca2+. Chelation of divalent metal ions converts phenylalkylamine receptors into a very low affinity state. This conversion is temperature- and time-dependent and completely reversible (K0.5 for free Ca2+ = 58 nM). This study demonstrates the utility of fluorescent ligands for binding studies with L-type Ca2+ channels and provides evidence for coupling between Ca2+ binding sites and phenylalkylamine receptors.

Synthesis and pharmacological examination of 1-(3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane and 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan: similarities to 3,4-(methylenedioxy)methamphetamine (MDMA)

The racemate and the enantiomers of 1-(3-methoxy-4-methyphenyl)-2- aminopropane (6) and racemic 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (11) were tested for stimulus generalization in the two-lever drug-discrimination paradigm. Both 6 and 11 were found to substitute with high potency in 3,4-(methylenedioxy)methamphetamine (1) and (S)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)butane (2) trained rats. In the latter assay, both enantiomers of 6 had identical potencies, but their dose-response curves were not parallel. Racemic 6, but not 11, partially substituted for LSD. Racemic 6 and 11 did not substitute in (S)-amphetamine-trained rats. All of the test compounds were potent inhibitors of [3H]-5-HT uptake into synaptosomes in vitro, with the S enantiomer of 6 being most active. Rat brain monoamine levels were unaltered 1 week following a single high dose (10 or 20 mg/kg, sc) of 6 or 11, or two weeks following a subacute dosing regimen (20 mg/kg, sc, twice a day for 4 days). In addition, radioligand-binding parameters in rat brain homogenate with the 5-HT uptake inhibitor [3H]paroxetine were unchanged after subacute dosing with either racemic 6 or 11. The results indicate that compounds 6 and 11 have animal behavioral pharmacology similar to the methylenedioxy compounds 1 and 2, but that they do not induce the serotonin neurotoxicity that has been observed for the latter two drugs.