Isolation and identification of urinary metabolites of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) in rabbits

After oral administration of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) to rabbits, the two unique metabolites, M-I and M-II, were isolated from the urine. M-I, yellow needles of mp 117°, was identified as a new type metabolite of nitrofuran derivative, 2-(β-carboxypropionyl)-3-(5-methylthio-2-furyl) acrylamide by its mass, ir and nmr spectrometries. M-II, yellow solid, appears to be cis-trans isomer of M-I considering from its uv and mass spectral data, and the behavior on tlc.     

(S,E)-N-[1-(3-heteroarylphenyl)ethyl]-3-(2-fluorophenyl)acrylamides: synthesis and KCNQ2 potassium channel opener activity

Replacement of the morpholinyl moiety in (S,E)-N-[1-(3-morpholinophenyl)ethyl]-3-phenylacrylamide (1) with heteroaryl groups led to the identification of (S,E)-N-1-[3-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)phenyl]ethyl-3-(2-fluorophenyl)acrylamide (5) as a potent KCNQ2 potassium channel opener. Among this series of heteroaryl substituted acrylamides, (S,E)-N-1-[3-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]ethyl-3-(2-fluorophenyl)acrylamide (9) exhibits balanced potency and efficacy. The syntheses and the KCNQ2 opener activity of this series of acrylamides are described.     

A study in the adsorption of Fe(2+) and NO(3)(-) on pine needles based hydrogels

Novel supports for use as cation and anion adsorbents were prepared from lignocellulosics using pine needles and their carboxymethylated forms by network/hydrogel formation with acrylamide and N,N-methylene bisacrylamide. The hydrogels thus prepared were further functionalized by partial alkaline hydrolysis with 0.5 N NaOH and were characterized by FTIR, SEM and nitrogen analysis. Adsorption of Fe(2+) on these hydrogels was carried as a function of time, temperature, pH and ionic strength. The hydrogel having the maximum adsorption capacity was loaded with Fe(2+) at the conditions those afforded maximum uptake and was used as novel anionic adsorbent for NO(3)(-). The water uptake capacities and biodegradability of the hydrogels before and after the ion loading was studied to evaluate the possible end-uses of these hydrogels as alternate materials in the removal of ionic species from water.     

Chromosome breakage and neoplastic transformation of Syrian golden hamster embryonic cells in tissue culture by transplacental application of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2)

Hamster embryos were treated with 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) in vivo (in the mother) by transplacental application. The fetuses were isolated 24 h after administration of the AF-2 and cultured. Within the first 24h of primary culture, some parts of the cells were treated with colcemide for 3 h so that mitotic cells could be observed in the first cell cycle in vitro. Cultured embryonic fibroblasts in metaphase plates showed a marked dose-dependence in chromosomal aberrations. Transplacental application of AF-2 also caused slightly dose-dependent morphological transformation. When some transformed colonies were cloned and transferred to the hamster cheek pouch, these cells produced tumors in the host animals. This new in vivo--in vitro combination assay system is considered to be useful for detection of environmental potential carcinogens.     

1-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-(arylsulfonyl)-1H-indoles as novel 5-HT6 receptor ligands

Novel 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(arylsulfonyl)-1H-indoles were prepared. Binding assays indicated they are 5-HT(6) receptor ligands, among which N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-[3-(1-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-1-yl]ethyl)amine 8t and N-methyl-N-(2-[3-(1-naphthylsulfonyl)-1H-indol-1-yl]ethyl)amine 8u showed high affinity for 5-HT(6) receptors with K(i)=3.7 and 5.7 nM, respectively.     

Synthesis,Biological Evaluation and in Silico Studies of 3-Hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide Derivatives

In the present study, a series of 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for theirin vitroactivity, i. e., antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The target compounds were synthesized by condensation reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide with substituted benzaldehydes which were subjected to cyclization reaction with thioglycolic acid and ZnCl₂ to get target compounds. The synthesized 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives were examined for their antimicrobial activity and 3-hydroxy-N-(4-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)thiazolidin-3-yl)-2-naphthamide ( S20 ) exhibited the highest antimicrobial potential. The N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide ( S5 ) displayed good antifungal potential against Rhizopus oryzae, whereas N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide ( S20 ) showed the highest antioxidant potential and N-(2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthamide ( S16 ) displayed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. The results of molecular docking studies revealed that existence of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with their respective proteins. In silico ADMET studies were carried out by Molinspiration, Pre-ADMET and OSIRIS property explorer to predict the pharmacokinetic behaviour of synthesized 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives.     

2-(2-Furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) is a weak in vivo clastogen as revealed by the micronucleus assay

The in vivo clastogenicity of 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2) was examined in the micronucleus test using peripheral blood from three mouse strains (ICR, CD-1, and MS/Ae) and bone marrow from one rat strain (Sprague-Dawley). Doses up to the maximum tolerated were tested. The chemical was given once, twice, thrice, or four times via either the i.p. or p.o. route. Under some conditions, ICR and CD-1 mice showed an increased frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes, but definite conclusions were difficult to draw because the increases were very slight. MS/Ae mice showed a markedly elevated micronucleated reticulocyte frequency after the double and triple ip treatments. Rats showed a slightly but statistically significantly increased frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes after double i.p. treatments. These results indicate that AF-2 is a weak in vivo clastogen.     

Synthesis of N2-(substituted benzyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)indazoles as novel anti-angiogenic agents

To search for novel compounds with potent anti-angiogenic activity, a series of N(1)-(substituted benzyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-indazoles (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) and N(2)-(substituted benzyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-2H-indazoles (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, and 33) were synthesized. The structures of these regioisomers were established by IR, UV, and NMR spectral data. 3-(4-Methylphenyl)-1H-indazole (6) and the N(2)-substituted derivatives (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33) were evaluated for their anti-angiogenic activity. Most of them showed more prominent activity than ethyl 4-(1-benzyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)benzoate (YD-3). Among these tested compounds, 2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-2H-indazole (19), 2-(4-methylbenzyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-2H-indazole (25), and 2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-2H-indazole (31) showed significant anti-angiogenic activity and are worthy of further investigation.     

Synthesis of AZT analogues: 7-(3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl)-, 7-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)-,7-(3-triazolyl-2-hydroxypropyl)theophylline

Nucleophilic displacement of the tosyloxy group in 7-(2-hydroxy-3-p-toluenesulfonyloxypropyl)theophylline (1) with azide anion afforded 7-(3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl)theophylline (2). Reduction of the 3-azido group in 2 with Ph3P/Py/NH4OH afforded the 3-amino derivative 4, alternatively obtained by regioselective amination of 7-(2,3-epoxypropyl)theophylline (3). Selective acetylation of 4 gave the N-acetyl derivative 5. 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of the azide group in 2 with N1-propargyl thymine (6) afforded the regioisomeric triazole 7.     

Synthesis of the isomeric trisaccharides, methyl O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl- (1----3, 4, and 6)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----3)-beta- D-galactopyranoside

Benzylation of methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside with benzyl bromide in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of sodium hydride afforded methyl 3-O- (2-acetamido-3-O-benzyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) -2,4,6- tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (3). Reductive ring-opening of the benzylidene group of 3 gave methyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranosyl)- 2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (4). Cleavage of the 4,6-acetal group of 3 with hot, 80% aqueous acetic acid afforded the diol (5). Compounds 3, 4, and 5 were each subjected to halide ion-catalyzed glycosylation with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl bromide to produce the corresponding trisaccharide derivatives, which, on catalytic hydrogenation, furnished the title trisaccharides, respectively.     

2'-Deoxy-3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)- and 3'(2')-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-diphosphate, fluorescent photoaffinity analogues of adenosine 5'-diphosphate. Synthesis, characterization, and interaction with myosin subfragment 1

Two new fluorescent nucleotide photoaffinity labels, 3'(2')-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-diphosphate (Bz2 epsilon ADP) and 2'-deoxy-3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 5'-diphosphate [3'(Bz2)2'd epsilon ADP], have been synthesized and used as probes of the ATP binding site of myosin subfragment 1 (SF1). These analogues are stably trapped by the bifunctional thiol cross-linker N,N'-p-phenylenedimaleimide (pPDM) at the active site in a manner similar to that of ATP [Wells, J.A., & Yount, R.G. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 4966-4970], and nonspecific photolabeling can be minimized by removing free probe by gel filtration prior to irradiation. Both probes covalently photoincorporate with high efficiency (40-50%) into the central 50-kDa heavy chain tryptic peptide, as found previously for the nonfluorescent parent compound 3'(2')-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine diphosphate [Mahmood, R., & Yount, R.G. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 12956-12959]. The solution conformations of Bz2 epsilon ADP and 3'(Bz2)-2'd epsilon ADP were analyzed by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. These data indicated that the benzoylbenzoyl rings in both analogues were stacked over the epsilon-adenine ring. The degree of stacking was greater with the 2' isomer than with the 3' isomer. Fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes were measured for Bz2 epsilon ADP and 3'(Bz2)2'd epsilon ADP reversibly bound, stably trapped, and covalently photoincorporated at the active site of SF1. These values were compared with those for 3'(2')-O-[[(phenylhydroxymethyl)phenyl]carbonyl]-1,N6-ethenoadenos ine diphosphate (CBH epsilon ADP) and 2'-deoxy-3'-O-[[(phenylhydroxymethyl)phenyl]carbonyl]-1,N6- ethenoadenosine diphosphate [3'(CBH)2'd epsilon ADP]. These derivatives were synthesized as fluorescent analogues of the expected product of the photochemical reactions of Bz2 epsilon ADP and 3'(Bz2)2'd epsilon ADP, respectively, with the active site of SF1. The fluorescence properties of the carboxybenzhydrol derivatives trapped at the active site by pPDM were compared with those of the Bz2 nucleotide-SF1 complexes. These properties were consistent with a photoincorporation mechanism in which the carbonyl of benzophenone was converted to a tertiary alcohol attached covalently to the protein. The specific, highly efficient photoincorporation of Bz2 epsilon ADP at the active site will allow it to be used as a donor in distance measurements by fluorescence resonance energy transfer to acceptor sites on actin.     

Steric and charge factors in the resistance of uridylyl(3' - 5')N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl)adenosine to venom phosphodiesterase hydrolysis.

The contribution of steric and negative charge factors to the resistance of uridylyl(3' - 5')N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl)adenosine to venom phosphodiesterase was investigated. The hydrolysis rates of uridylyl(3'-5')N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl)-adenosine, its model derivatives, methyl ester and O-benzyl ester, together with unmodified uridyly (3'-5')adenosine, were studied. It was found that the contribution of both factors is of the same order. The steric inhibition of digestion is distinctly higher than that confirmed by N6-(delta2-isopentenyl)adenosine [1], which is ascribed to the rigid conformation of the threonylcarbonyladenosine side chain.     

Synthesis of methyl O-(3-deoxy-3-fluoro-β- -galactopyranosyl)-(1→6)-β- -galactopyranoside and methyl O-(3-deoxy-3-fluoro-β- -galactopyranosyl)-(1→6)-O-β- -galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-β- -galactopyranoside

Condensation of 2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-3-fluoro-α- -galactopyranosyl bromide (3) with methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β- -galactopyranoside (4) gave a fully acetylated (1→6)-β- -galactobiose fluorinated at the 3′-position which was deacetylated to give the title disaccharide. The corresponding trisaccharide was obtained by reaction of 4 with 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-chloroacetyl-α- -galactopyranosyl bromide (5), dechloroacetylation of the formed methyl O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-chloroacetyl-β- -galactopyranosyl)-(1→6)- 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β- -galactopyranoside to give methyl O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β- -galactopyranosyl)-(1→6)-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β- -galactopyranoside (14), condensation with 3, and deacetylation. Dechloroacetylation of methyl O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-chloroacetyl-β- -galactopyranosyl)-(1→6)-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl- β- -galactopyranosyl)-(1→6)-2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-β- -galactopyranoside, obtained by condensation of disaccharide 14 with bromide 5, was accompanied by extensive acetyl migration giving a mixture of products. These were deacetylated to give, crystalline for the first time, the methyl β-glycoside of (1→6)-β- -galactotriose in high yield. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed by 500-MHz, 2D, ¹H- and conventional ¹³C- and ¹⁹F-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

In Vitro antifungal activity of 2-(4-substituted phenyl)-3(2H)-isothiazolones

The in vitro antifungal activity of several N2-phenyl-3(2H)-isothiazolones substituted at C4 of the phenyl moiety with heterocyclic nucleus or groups of different physico-chemical properties against four human pathogenic fungi was determined by broth macrodilution method; results were compared with those obtained with itraconazole and ketoconazole. These isothiazolones showed moderate to high activity against some or all tested strains and in comparison with the reference drugs, 5-chloro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)isothiazol-3-one (1g), 5-chloro-2-phenylisothiazol-3-one (1c), 4-[4-(5-chloro-3-oxo-3H-isothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]-1,4-dihydrotriazol-5-one (1s) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)isothiazol-3-one (2g) against Aspergillus niger, 5-chloro-2-(4-nitrophenyl)isothiazol-3-one (1g) and 4-[4-(5-chloro-3-oxo-3H-isothiazol-2-yl)phenyl]piperazine-1-carboxamide (1q) against Trichophyton mentagrophytes had comparable activity, compounds 1g and 2g showing higher activity against Microsporum canis. Antifungal activity was favored by the presence of chlorine at C5 of the isothiazolone and/or the presence of nitro group or heterocyclic nucleus at C4 of the phenyl ring and proper hydrophilicity of the molecule.     

Synthesis of O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-2- acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose (N-acetyl-3'-O-alpha-L-fucopyranosyllactosamine)

Methyl 2-O-benzyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (6) was obtained in five, good yielding steps from methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside (1). Treatment of 1 with tert-butylchlorodiphenylsilane in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of imidazole afforded a 6-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl) ether, which was converted into its 3,4-O-isopropylidene derivative (3). Benzylation of 3 with benzyl bromide-silver oxide in N,N-dimethylformamide, and subsequent cleavage of its acetal and ether groups then afforded 6. On similar benzylation, followed by the same sequence of deprotection, benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-4-O-[6-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-3,4 -O- isopropylidene-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranoside gave the 2-O-benzyl derivative (10). Compound 10 was converted into its 4,6-O-benzylidene acetal (11). Glycosylation (catalyzed by halide-ion) of 11 with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl bromide afforded the fully protected trisaccharide derivative (13). Cleavage of the benzylidene and then the benzyl groups of 13 furnished the title trisaccharide (16). The structure of 16 was established by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Amide and ester derivatives of N3-(4-methoxyfumaroyl)-(S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid: the selective inhibitor of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase

Several amide and ester derivatives of a glutamine analogue, N3-(4-methoxyfumaroyl)-(S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (FMDP) (1-8), were synthesized and evaluated for the inhibitory activity in regard to glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase from Candida albicans. The syntheses were accomplished by the reaction of N2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N3-(4-methoxyfumaroyl)-(S)-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (BocFMDP) with the corresponding amines to give the FMDP amides (1-4) or with alkyl halides to give corresponding esters of FMDP (5-8). Among the synthesized compounds, the acetoxymethyl ester of FMDP was the most active inhibitor of the enzyme. Its IC50 value compared to that of FMDP (4 microM) was equal to 11.5 microM. The methyl and allyl esters and the N-hexyl-N-methyl-amide of FMDP exhibited a moderate enzyme inhibitory activity.     

Conformational preferences of modified nucleic acid bases N6-methyl-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) adenine and 2-methylthio-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) adenine by the quantum chemical PCILO calculations

Conformational preferences of the hypermodified nucleic acid bases N6-methyl-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) Adenine, m6tc6 Ade, and 2-methylthio-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) Adenine, mS2 tc6 Ade, have been studied theoretically using the quantum chemical PCILO (Perturbative Configuration Interaction using Localized Orbitals) method. The multidimensional conformational space has been searched using selected grid points formed by combining the various torsion angles which take the favoured values obtained from energy variation with respect to each torsion angle individually. In m6 tc6 Ade and mS 2tc6 Ade alike the threonylcarbonyl substituent preferably orients away (distal) from the imidazole moiety of the adenine ring. And as in the simpler N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) Adenine, tc6 Ade, the atoms in the ureido group as well as the amino acid carbon atoms C(12) and C(13) remain coplanar with the purine base. As in tc6 Ade, this conformation is stabilized by the intramolecular hydrogen bond between N(11)H of the amino acid and N(1) of the adenine base. The N6-methyl protons, in m6 tc6 Ade, take trans-staggered orientation with respect to the C(6)-N(6) bond. The preferred orientation of the 2-methylthio group is cis to the C(2)-N(3) bond in mS 2tc6 Ade. This is in marked contrast to the modified nucleic acid base 2-methylthio-N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl) Adenine, mS 2i6 Ade, where the 2-methylthio group orients trans to the C(2)-N(3) bond, causing a change in the preferred orientation of the isopentenyl component on methylthiolation. The present results thus indicate that unlike in the isopentenyl adenine the role of further chemical substitutions in threonylcarbonyl adenine may be indirect and less pronounced.     

Synthesis of DNA oligodeoxynucleotides containing structurally defined N6-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)-adenine adducts of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene

3,4-Epoxy-1-butene (EB) is generated by cytochrome P450-mediated epoxidation of 1,3-butadiene (BD), an important environmental and industrial chemical classified as a probable human carcinogen. The ability of EB to induce point mutations at GC and AT base pairs has been attributed to its reactions with DNA to form covalent nucleobase adducts. Guanine alkylation is preferred at the endocyclic N7 nitrogen, while adenine can be modified at the N1-, N3-, N7-, and the N6 positions. For each of these sites, a pair of regioisomeric 2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl and 1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl adducts is produced as a result of epoxide ring opening at the terminal C-4 or the internal C-3 carbon position of EB, respectively. The N6-EB-adenine adducts are of particular interest because of their stability in DNA, potentially leading to their accumulation in vivo. In the present work, synthetic DNA oligomers containing structurally defined N6-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl)-dA (N6-HB-dA) adducts were prepared for the first time by a postoligomerization approach that involved coupling 6-chloropurine-containing DNA with synthetic 1-amino-3-buten-2-ol. N6-HB-dA-containing DNA oligomers were isolated by reversed phase HPLC, and the presence of N6-HB-dA in their structure was confirmed by molecular weight determination from HPLC-ESI- -MS of the intact strands and by HPLC-ESI+-MS/MS and MS/MS/MS analyses of the enzymatic digests using synthetic N6-HB-dA as an authentic standard. N6-HB-dA-containing oligomers generated in this study will be used for structural and biological studies.     

Synthesis and in vitro antimycobacterial activity of N1-nicotinoyl-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methyl phenyl)-5-[(sub)phenyl]-2-pyrazolines

A series of N1-nicotinoyl-3- (4'-hydroxy-3'-methyl phenyl)-5-(substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolines were synthesized by the reaction between isoniazid (INH) and chalcones and were tested for their antimycobacterial activity in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) and INH-resistant M. tuberculosis (INHR-MTB) using the agar dilution method. Among the synthesized compounds, compound (i) N1-nicotinyl-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methyl phenyl)-5-(1'-chlorophenyl)-2-pyrazoline was found to be the most active agent against MTB and INHR-MTB, with minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.26 microm. When compared to INH-compound i was found to be 2.8- and 43.7-fold more active against MTB and INHR-MTB, respectively.     

Atropisomeric property of 1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-3-[(2R)-amino-2-phenethyl]-5-(2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyluracil

1-(2,6-Difluorobenzyl)-3-[(2R)-amino-2-phenethyl]-5-(2-fluoro-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyluracil (6), a potent and orally active antagonist of the human gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, exists as a pair of atropisomers in solution, which was detected by NMR spectroscopy, and separable by HPLC. In addition to a (R)-configured benzylamine, there is a second stereogenic element due to the presence of a chiral axis between the substituted 5-phenyl group and the uracil core. The rate constant of the interconversion (k = 5.07 x 10(-5) s(-1)) of these two atropisomers was determined by proton NMR analysis of a diastereoisomer-enriched sample in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C, and the corresponding Gibbs free energy DeltaG(#) of rotation barrier (97.4 kJ mol(-1)) was calculated using the Eyring equation. The diastereoisomer half-life at physiological temperature (37 degrees C) in aqueous media was estimated to be about 46 min.