Synthesis and Evaluation of Fluorinated Aporphines: Potential Positron Emission Tomography Ligands for D2 Receptors

The 2-fluoroalkoxy substituted catechol-aporphines 6, 8a-f and 11-monohydroxyaporphines 11a-e were synthesized and found to have high in vitro affinity and selectivity for the dopamine D(2) receptors. The catechol aporphines, 8b and 8d, and the monohydroxy aporphines, 11a-d, were identified as candidates for development as potential PET ligands.

Opioid bifunctional ligands from morphine and the opioid pharmacophore Dmt-Tic.

Bifunctional ligands containing an ester linkage between morphine and the δ-selective pharmacophore Dmt-Tic were synthesized, and their binding affinity and functional bioactivity at the µ, δ and κ opioid receptors determined. Bifunctional ligands containing or not a spacer of ß-alanine between the two pharmacophores lose the µ agonism deriving from morphine becoming partial µ agonists 4 or µ antagonists 5. Partial κ agonism is evidenced only for compound 4. Finally, both compounds showed potent δ antagonism.

Synthesis and opioid receptor binding affinities of 2-substituted and 3-aminomorphinans: ligands for mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptors.

The phenolic group of the potent mu and kappa opioid morphinan agonist/antagonists cyclorphan and butorphan was replaced by phenylamino and benzylamino groups including compounds with para-substituents in the benzene ring. These compounds are highly potent mu and kappa ligands, e.g., p-methoxyphenylaminocyclorphan showing a K(i) of 0.026 nM at the mu receptor and a K(i) of 0.03 nM at the kappa receptor. Phenyl carbamates and phenylureas were synthesized and investigated. Selective o-formylation of butorphan and levorphanol was achieved. This reaction opened the way to a large set of 2-substituted 3-hydroxymorphinans, including 2-hydroxymethyl-, 2-aminomethyl-, and N-substituted 2-aminomethyl-3-hydroxymorphinans. Bivalent ligands bridged in the 2-position were also synthesized and connected with secondary and tertiary aminomethyl groups, amide bonds, and hydroxymethylene groups, respectively. Although most of the 2-substituted morphinans showed considerably lower affinities compared to their parent compounds, the bivalent ligand approach led to significantly higher affinities compared to the univalent 2-substituted morphinans.

Synthesis and neuropharmacological evaluation of esters of R(-)-N-alkyl-11-hydroxy-2-methoxynoraporphines.

We synthesized several esters of R(-)-N-alkyl-11-hydroxy-2-methoxynoraporphines, assessed their affinities at dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors in rat forebrain tissue and quantified their effects on motor activity in normal adult male rats. Tested compounds displayed moderate to high affinities to D(2) receptors but low affinities to D(1) receptors. The most D(2)-potent (K(i)=18.9nM) and selective novel agent (>529-fold vs D(1) sites) was R(-)-2-methoxy-11-acetyloxy-N-n-propylnoraporphine (compound 4b). At moderate doses, the compound proved to have prolonged behavioral locomotor activity.

Synthesis and binding studies of 2-O- and 11-O-substituted N-alkylnoraporphines.

We synthesized several novel 2-O- or 11-O-substituted N-alkylnoraporphines and assessed their affinities at dopamine D(1) and D(2), and serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptors in rat forebrain tissue. Tested compounds displayed moderate to high affinities to D(2) receptors but low affinities to D(1) and 5HT(1A) receptors. The findings accord with previous evidence of a lipophilic cavity on the surface of the D(2) receptor to accommodate N-alkyl moieties of aporphines. The most D(2)-potent (K(i)=97 nM) and selective novel agent (>100-fold vs. D(1) and 5-HT(1A) sites) was R(-)-2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-11-hydroxy-N-n-propylnoraporphine (compound 11).

Synthesis and dopamine receptor affinities of N-alkyl-11-hydroxy-2-methoxynoraporphines: N-alkyl substituents determine D1 versus D2 receptor selectivity.

We developed a procedure to synthesize a series of N-alkyl-2-methoxy-11-hydroxynoraporphines from thebaine and evaluated their binding affinities at dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in rat forebrain tissue. At D2 receptors, the most potent 10,11-catechol-aporphine was (R)-(-)-2-methoxy-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (D2, Ki = 1.3 nM; D1, Ki = 6450 nM), and the most selective and potent 11-monohydroxy aporphine was (R)-(-)-2-methoxy-11-hydroxy-N-n-propylnoraporphine (D2, Ki = 44 nM; D1, Ki = 1690 nM). In contrast, the N-methyl congeners (R)-(-)-2-methoxy-11-hydroxy-N-methyl-aporphine (D1 vs D2, Ki = 46 vs 235 nM) showed higher D1 than D2 affinity, indicating that N-alkyl substituents have major effects on D2 affinity and D2/D1 selectivity in such 2-methoxy-11-monohydroxy-substituted aporphines.

R-(-)-N-alkyl-11-hydroxy-10-hydroxymethyl- and 10-methyl-aporphines as 5-HT1A receptor ligands.

Several N-substituted-11-hydroxy-10-hydroxymethyl- and 11-hydroxy-10-methylaporphines were synthesized and their binding affinities at dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors and serotonin 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptors in rat forebrain tissue were evaluated. Tested compounds displayed moderate to high affinity to 5-HT(1A) receptors but low affinity to D(1) and D(2) receptors. The most potent novel 5-HT(1A) agent was R-(-)-N-methyl-10-hydroxymethyl-11-hydroxyaporphine.

Addition of amines to the triple bond in alpha,alpha,alpha-trichloromethylpropargyl mesylate: synthesis of alpha,alpha-dichloromethylenaminones and preparation of 2-phenyl-4-dichloromethylquinolines.

[reaction: see text] Addition of amines to the triple bond in alpha,alpha,alpha-trichloromethylpropargyl mesylate to give alpha,alpha-dichloromethylenaminones and its use in the preparation of 2-phenyl-4-dichloromethylquinolines in good yields are reported.

Zn(II)-mediated alkynylation-cyclization of o-trifluoroacetyl anilines: one-pot synthesis of 4-trifluoromethyl-substituted quinoline derivatives.

A novel efficient route to 4-trifluoromethyl-substituted quinoline derivatives through the Zn(II)-mediated alkynylation-cyclization of o-trifluoroacetyl anilines is described.