Enantioefficient synthesis of alpha-ergocryptine: first direct synthesis of (+)-lysergic acid

The first direct synthesis of (+)-lysergic acid (2a) suitable for scale-up has been achieved by the following reaction sequence. Bromoketones 4d or 4g were allowed to react with amine 5 followed by deprotection, and the resulting diketone 6c was transformed into the unsaturated ketone (+/-)-7 by the LiBr/Et(3)N system. Resolution afforded (+)-7, which was further transformed by Schöllkopf's method into the mixture of esters 2e and 2f. Upon hydrolysis the latter mixture afforded (+)-2a. The peptide part of alpha-ergocryptine (1) was prepared according to the Sandoz method; the stereoefficiency, however, has been significantly improved by applying a new resolution method and recycling the undesired enantiomer. Coupling the peptide part with lysergic acid afforded 1. Having synthetic (+)-7 in hand, we can claim the total synthesis of all the alkaloids which were prepared earlier from (+)-7 that had been obtained through degradation of natural lysergic acid.

Novel Secoergoline Derivatives Inhibit Both GABA and Glutamate Uptake in Rat Brain Homogenates: Synthesis, in Vitro Pharmacology, and Modeling

Three of twelve secoergoline derivatives (Z ethyl 4-[(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)methylamino]-2-methyl-3-phenylpent-2-enoate, 8; ethyl 1,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-2-carboxylate, 9; Z methyl 4-[(methoxycarbonylmethyl)methylamino)-2-methyl-3-phenylpent-2-enoate, 11), containing bioisosteric sequences of GABA and Glu, inhibited both GABA and Glu transport through cerebrocortical membranes specifically. Compounds 8, 9, and 11 appeared to be equipotent inhibitors of GABA and Glu transport with IC50 values between 270 and 1100 microM, whereas derivatives 1-7, 10, and 12 were without effects. In the presence of GABA and Glu transport-specific nontransportable inhibitors, inhibition of GABA and Glu transport by 8, 9, and 11 proceeded in two phases. The two phases of inhibition were characterized by IC50 values between 4 and 180 nM and 360-1020 microM and different selectivity sequences. These findings may indicate the existence of some mechanism possibly mediated by a previously unrecognized GABA-Glu transporter. Derivatives with the cis, but not the trans configuration of bulky ester groups (8 vs 7 and 11 vs 12) showed significant inhibitory effect (IC50 values of 270 microM vs >>1000 microM and 1100 microM vs >>1000 microM on GABA transport, respectively). The cis-trans selectivity can be explained by docking these secoergolines in a three-dimensional model of the second and third transmembrane helices of GABA transporter type 1.

Intramolecular Mannich Reaction of 2-Oxotryptamine and Homologues with Oxo Reagents Yielding Spiro Compounds. Part II

2-Oxotryptamine and its homo derivative undergo intramolecular Mannich-type cyclization with acetone and other ketones to give spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidin]-2-ones and spiro[indole-3,3'-piperidin]-2-ones. A similar reaction with the bis-homologue of 2-oxotryptamine to yield spiro[azepane-3,3'-indol]-2'-ones was unsuccessful.

Intramolecular Mannich Reaction of 2-Oxotryptamines with Acetone Yielding Spiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidin]-2-ones

2-Oxotryptamines undergo intramolecular Mannich-type cyclization with acetone to give 2',2'-dimethylspiro[indole-3,3'-pyrrolidin]-2-ones. In presence of an alkylating reagent, this reaction gives the corresponding 1'-substituted products.

Chemistry of indoles carrying a basic function, Part 3. Synthesis of spiro[cyclopropane-1,3'[3H]indol]-2'(1'H)-ones with antihypoxic effects

Hydroxyindolones (1-6, 15-16) were transformed into isatinylidenes (7, 9-13, 17-19) by dehydration with 4-toluenesulfonic acid. The dimer-type compounds (14, 20) were also isolated in a few cases. The obtained isatinylidenes were transformed into 3-spiro-cyclopropane-oxindoles (21-32) with dimethyloxosulfonium methylide. Compound 22 shows protective effects against hypobaric hypoxia and triethyltin induced brain edema.

Synthesis of vinca alkaloids and related compounds, XLIV: Synthesis of trifluoro-apovincaminic acid ester

Via the intermediate iminium salt 8 the 21,21,21-trifluoro-apovincaminic acid ethyl ester (2), a derivative of CAVINTONR (1) was synthesized. The pharmacological effect of 2 changed dramatically compared with the parent compound.

Griseochelin, a novel carboxylic acid antibiotic from Streptomyces griseus

Griseochelin, C33H60O7, isolated from an asporogenous strain of Streptomyces griseus represents a novel carboxylic acid antibiotic. The metabolite, which is active against Gram-positive bacteria, forms water-insoluble salts with mono- and divalent cations and binds alkaline-earth metal ions specifically in 2:1 (X2M) stoichiometry. Detailed spectral (IR, MS and NMR) studies provide full characterization of its constitution featuring a carboxylic acid function, a substituted tetrahydropyran ring, an allylic OH group which are accommodated within a tetrahydroxylated-octamethyl-C25 diene backbone.