Derivatives of apomorphine and of other N-substituted norapomorphines.

Derivatives of apomorphine and of N-n-propylnorapomorphine were prepared to obtain modified pharmacological activity and enhanced chemical stability. Mouse profile and dog emesis screens were performed, and the activity of various N-substituted derivatives and their esters was evaluated and compared to the parent compounds. The N-n-propyl diacetate derivative and N-methyl and N-n-propyl ascorbate salts were remarkably stable to air: apomorphine etherate was no more stable than the free base. The dimers, the major products formed during the acid-catalyzed rearrangement of morphines to apomorphines, were all potent emetics. Additionally, two showed a significant antagonism to morphine in mice and dogs.

The synthesis of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-6-O-beta-D-mannopyranosyl-D-glucose.

4,6-Di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl bromide was condensed with benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside in the presence of silver carbonate to give crystalline benzyl 2-acetamido-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-6-O-(4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-O-carbonyl-beta-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside in 32% yield. Removal of the protective O-acetyl and cyclic carbonate groups gave the crystalline benzyl alpha-glycoside of the disaccharide, which was catalytically hydrogenolyzed to yield the crystalline, title compound. Proof of the anomeric configuration of the interglycosidic linkage was obtained by comparison of the physical, spectral, and chromatographic properties of the disaccharide and its derivatives with those of the previously prepared alpha-D-linked analog.