Synthesis,insecticidal activities and SAR of novel phthalamides targeting calcium channel

In order to find novel and environmental friendly insecticides targeting the ryanodine receptor, three series of novel phthalamides containing heptafluoroisopropyl group, low fluorine atoms group and non-fluorine group were designed and synthesized. 35 novel structures of three series were obtained. Insecticidal activities of title compounds against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) indicated that most of title compounds showed moderate to high activities at the tested concentration. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) was discussed in detail. During synthesizing title compounds B₈, C₇, D₁, D₉ and D₁₂, their corresponding positional isomers (B₈′, C₇′, D₁′, D₉′ and D₁₂′) were afforded, and their structures were confirmed by 2D NMR. The calcium-imaging technique was also applied to investigate the effects of compounds B₂, B₁₀, C₄ and C₅ on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i), which indicated that they released stored calcium ions from endoplasmic reticulum, which denoted that some compounds are potential modulators of the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR).     

Caged xanthones displaying protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibition from Cratoxylum cochinchinense

Four new caged xanthones (1–4) and two known compounds (5, 6) were isolated from the roots of Cratoxylum cochinchinense, a polyphenol rich plant, collected in China. The structures of the isolated compounds (1–6) were characterized by obtaining their detailed spectroscopic data. In particular, compounds 1 and 6 were fully identified by X-ray crystallographic data. The isolated compounds (1–6) were evaluated against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which plays an important role in diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Among these compounds, 3, 4, and 6 displayed significant inhibition with IC₅₀ values of 76.3, 43.2, and 6.6 µM, respectively. A detailed kinetic study was conducted by determining K_m, V_max, and the ratio of K_ik and K_iv, which revealed that all the compounds behaved as competitive inhibitors.     

Improvement of σ1 receptor affinity by late-stage C–H-bond arylation of spirocyclic lactones

The direct C–H-bond arylation of the complex spirocyclic lactones 13, 14, and 18 allows the introduction of diverse aryl moieties in the last step of the synthesis. A selective α-arylation of the thiophene moiety was performed with the catalytic system PdCl₂/2,2′-bipyridyl/Ag₂CO₃, whereas the β-position of the thiophene ring was addressed by using the alternative catalytic system PdCl₂/P[OCH(CF₃)₂]₃/Ag₂CO₃. Due to electronic and steric reasons the arylation of the five-membered lactone 18 occurred in both α-positions providing 4′-mono-, 6′-mono- and 4′,6′-diarylated thiophenes 22–26a–c. Compounds with an additional aryl moiety at the ‘upper left (top)’ position (1′-position of 13, 3′-position of 14, 4′-position of 18) showed increased σ₁ affinity compared to the non-arylated parent compounds. A phenyl moiety at the ‘left’ position (2′-position in 20a) also increased the σ₁ affinity but to a lower extent. A considerable reduction of σ₁ affinity was observed after introducing an aryl moiety in 6′-position of 18, which might result from shielding the tertiary amine, which is crucial for interaction with the σ₁ receptor. The discussion of the experimental results is supported by high-level quantum chemical DFT-calculations of the NBO-charges of 13 and 18 and the relative energies of the related arylated products.     

Biogenetic-type synthesis of hydroxylated tricyclic diterpenes in the pimarane class

The biogenetic-type synthesis of various diterpenoids (in the racemic form) possessing the pimarane backbone was achieved through nonenzymic cyclization of the oxide of methyl geranylgeranyl carbonate (46). Treatment of oxide 46 with BF₃ · Et₂O in CH₃NO₂ effected formation of pimaradienol 36, isopimaradienol 39, and the naturally occurring tricycle 40. Acid treatment of either 39 or 40 led to an equilibrium mixture which includes isomer 41, also of natural origin. Side-chain oxidation of dienol 40 afforded araucarol (16), a third plant product. Other substances formed in the cyclization of oxide 46 are described, and a mechanistic interpretation of the overall reaction course is presented.     

Discovery of attenuation effect of orexin 1 receptor to aversion of nalfurafine: Synthesis and evaluation of D-nor-nalfurafine derivatives and analyses of the three active conformations of nalfurafine

The D-nor-nalfurafine derivatives, which were synthesized by contraction of the six-membered D-ring in nalfurafine (1), had no affinity for orexin 1 receptors (OX₁Rs). The 17N-lone electron pair in 1 oriented toward the axial direction, while that of D-nor-derivatives was directed in the equatorial configuration. The axial lone electron pair can form a hydrogen bond with the 14-hydroxy group, which could push the 6-amide side chain toward the downward direction with respect to the C-ring. The resulting conformation would be an active conformation for binding with OX₁R. The dual affinities of 1 for OX₁R and κ opioid receptor (KOR) led us to elucidate the mechanism by which only 1 showed no aversion but U-50488H. Actually, 1 selectively induced severe aversion in OX₁R knockout mice, but not in wild-type mice. These results well support that OX₁R suppresses the aversion of 1. This is the elucidation of long period puzzle which 1 showed no aversion in KOR.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine derivatives as potential c-Met inhibitors

A series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine derivatives (4a–4i) were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their c-Met kinase inhibition and antitumor activity against SNU5 gastric cell line in vitro. Among these compounds, 4d was found to show the highest activity against c-Met and high selectivity against the tumor cells which are believed to be dependent on the c-Met oncogene amplification, because 4d selectively inhibited c-Met while had no effect on other 59 kinases. In vivo efficacy study on human gastric (MKN-45) and human non-small cell lung (NCI-H1993) tumor xenograft in nude mouse demonstrated that 4d·CH₃SO₃H had a better inhibiting activity than SGX-523 in a dose-dependent manner. When tested in mice, compound 4d·CH₃SO₃H was found to have biological half-lives and plasma exposure values higher than those of JNJ-38877605, and its long-term toxicity and acute toxicity turned out to be acceptable, all of which indicates that 4d·CH₃SO₃H is a desirable drug candidate.     

Anti-influenza active and low toxic N-phenyl-substituted β-amidoamidines structurally related to natural antibiotic amidinomycin

A set of racemic N-phenyl-substituted β-amidoamidines hydrochlorides 4, which are structurally related to natural antiviral agent amidinomycin (1), was synthesized in four steps starting from methacryloyl anilide (5). In the final step of the synthetic route, an uncommon monoacylation of β-aminoamidine 8 at the less reactive β-phenylamino-group took place. To rationalize this result, a mechanism which involves initial acylation at the more active amidine-function followed by intramolecular acyl-group transfer to β-phenylamino-group was suggested. All three β-amidoamidines 4d–f bearing long linear aliphatic chain (from n-C₈H₁₇ to n-C₁₂H₂₅) revealed significant in vitro activity against influenza A virus (H3N2) and modest cytotoxicity. The in vitro antiviral potency of 4d,e is 6–20 times greater than that of commercial rimantadine with lower EC₅₀ values and higher therapeutic index. The non-toxic in vivo compounds 4d–f showed a beneficial protective effect in influenza A (H3N2) infected mice.     

Synthesis and structural and pharmacological properties of cyclopropane-based conformationally restricted analogs of 4-methylhistamine as histamine H3/H4 receptor ligands

On the basis of the previous results on a histamine H₄ receptor agonist 4-methylhistamine and a cyclopropane-based conformationally restricted analog CEIC (3) with potent H₃/H₄ receptor antagonistic effect, 4-methylhistamine analogs 4 and 5 of CEIC were designed and synthesized. Compound 4 showed strong affinity (K_i = 38.7 nM) for the H₃ receptor, which was more potent than a well-known H₃ antagonist thioperamide. Stable tautomer and conformation of 3 and 4, which can affect the pharmacological activity, were analyzed by ab initio calculations.     

Rhodium aryloxide complexes containing terdentate nitrogen ligands, C-O bond formation, hydrogen bonding with phenol and oxidative addition reactions. Molecular structure of an Rh(III)-acetyl complex

The new rhodium(I) phenoxide complexes [Rh(OPh) (2,6-(CH=R²)₂C₅H₃N)] (R² = i-Pr(3), t-Bu(4)) containing strongly electrondonating N-N′-N ligands, have been prepared by a metathesis reaction of [RhCl(2,6-(CH=R²)₂C₅H₃N)] (R² = i-Pr (1), t-Bu (2)) with NaOPh. These rhodium(I) phenoxide complexes 3 and 4, which are very sensitive to O₂ but stable towards H₂O, give with phenol the adducts [Rh(OPh) (2,6-(CH=NR²)₂C₅H₃N)] · HOPh (R2 = i-Pr (5), t-Bu (6)), which contain strong O-HO hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen bonded phenol could not be extracted with diethyl ether, while no exchange of the hydrogen bonded phenol and the phenoxide ligand in 4 is observed on the NMR time scale. However, a small excess of phenol results in exchange of the hydrogen bonded phenol, the coordinated phenoxide ligand and free phenol on the NMR time scale. Reaction of 3 and 4 with p-nitrophenol afforded [Rh(OC₆H₄-(NO₂-4))(2,6-(CH=R²)₂C₅H₃N)] · HOPh (R² = i-Pr (7), t-Bu (8)) in which the formed phenol is hydrogen bonded to the Rh(I)-OC₆H₄-(NO₂-4) moiety. The O-HO bond is less strong than in 5 and 6, as the hydrogen bonded phenol could be removed by diethyl ether.Treatment of 3 with acetyl chloride and benzoyl chloride in benzene at room temperature gave phenylacetate and RhCl₂(C(O)C₆H₃) (2,6(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (15), and phenylbenzoate and [RhCl₂(C(O)Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (19), respectively. Complex 15 and the analogous complex [RhCl₂(C(O)CH₃) (2,6-(C(H)=N-t-Bu)₂C₅H₃N)] (16) could also be prepared directly from acetyl chloride and 1 or 2, respectively. The single crystal X-ray determination of complex 16, monoclinic, space group P2₁/_c, a = 10.0477(5), b= 11.7268(6), c= 19.2336(9) Å, β = 92.041(4)°, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0281, shows that the acetyl group occupies an axial position, while the N-N′-N ligand is positioned equatorially. In solution this geometry remains unchanged as was shown by variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. When the oxidative addition of acetyl chloride to 3 was carried out at −78°C in toluene the intermediate complex [RhCl(OPh) (C(O)Me) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (11) could be isolated, which at room temperature reductively eliminates phenylacetate with formation of 1. Oxidative addition of acetyl chlori de to 4 at room temperature gives [RhCl(OPh) (C(O)Me) (2,6-(C(H)=Nt-Bu)₂C₅H₃N)] (12) which yields phenylacetate and 2 at 70°C in benzene by inductive elimination. Treatment of 3 with two equivalents of benzyl chloride afforded a mixture of [RhCl(OPh) (CH₂Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (13) and [RhCl₂(CH₂Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-i-Pr)₂C₅H₃N)] (17) and some non-characterizable organic products, while 4 only yielded [RhCl(OPh) (CH₂Ph) (2,6-(C(H)=N-tBu)₂C₅H₃N)] (14).     

Syntheses and crystal structures of the metal complexes based on pyrazolecarboxylic acid ligands

This paper aims at introducing five new metal complexes, Co(HL₁)₂(H₂O)₂ (1), {[Cu(HL₁)₂] · (H₂O)}_n (2), {[Zn(HL₂)(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O}_n (3), {[Co(HL₂)(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O}_n (4) and [K(H₂L₂)]_n (5), (in which H₂L₁ is 3-methyl-5-pyrazolecarboxylic acid and H₃L₂ is 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid, respectively), which have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions or by using diffusion methods. Their molecular structures have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The X-ray analyses reveal that complex 1 has a mononuclear structure, which is further assembled to a three-dimensional (3-D) framework through intermolecular hydrogen bonds; complex 2 is a 1-D coordinated polymer, which is further assembled to a 2-D layer through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions; both complexes 3 and 4 possess similar 1-D chain structures, and the adjacent chains are further linked by hydrogen bonds to form 2-D supramolecular networks; complex 5 exhibits a 3-D structure, in which, the metal–metal weak interaction, K–K, plays an important role.     

Secoiridoid analogues from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum and their inhibitory activities against influenza A virus

A phytochemical study focusing on the secoiridoid components in the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum was carried out, which finally led to the isolation of nine secoiridoid glycosides (1–9) together with two secoiridoids (10, 11). The structures of all compounds were established mainly by NMR and MS experiments as well as the necessary chemical evidence, of which 1, 2, 4 (ligulucisides A–C), 10 and 11 (liguluciridoids A and B) were identified as new secoiridoid analogues. An in vitro antiviral bioassay indicated that 1, 4, 6, and 10 displayed the inhibitory activities against influenza A virus with the IC₅₀ values of 16.5, 12.5, 13.1, and 18.5?μM, respectively, which were better than the positive control Ribavirin (IC₅₀ 22.6?μM)..     

New 3,5-dimethylpyrazole copper(II) compounds with a variety of hydrogen bonds,synthesized by using a dehydrating agent: Synthesis,characterization, structures and intermolecular interactions

Six new mononuclear-based compounds have been synthesized with formula [Cu(Hdmpz)₄(BF₄)₂] (1), [Cu(Hdmpz)₄(ClO₄)₂] (2), [Cu(Hdmpz)₄(CF₃SO₃)₂] (3), [Cu(Hdmpz)₄(NO₃)₂] (4), [Cu(Hdmpz)₃(NO₃)₂] (5), [Cu(Hdmpz)₄(H₂O)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (6), in which Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole. In addition a complete 3-D structure determination for five of these compounds was performed. All compounds have also been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ligand field and EPR spectroscopy. Special attention is given to the differences in hydrogen bonding properties, which do vary with the Cu(II) chromophore and with varying anions; The used anions have different effects on the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, which is also reflected in the weak exchange couplings, as deduced from the EPR line widths.     

Antitumor properties of some titanocene chalcogenates

Five chalcogen-coordinated bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) chalcogenolates were tested against fluid Ehrlich ascites tumor for antitumor properties: the titanocene phenolates (C₅H₅)₂TiCl(2,4,6-OC₆H₂Cl₃) (I) and (C₅H₅)₂Ti(OC₆F₅)₂ (II); the titanocene thiophenolate (C₅H₅)₂Ti(SC₆F₅)₂ (III); the titanocene dithiolene chelate (C₅H₅)₂Ti[cis-1,2-S₂C₂ (CN)₂] (IV); and the titanocene selenophenolate (C₅H₅)₂TiCl(SeC₆H₅) (V). The best antitumor activity and an optimum cure rate of 100% were observed in the case of the pentafluorophenyl derivatives II and III, followed by IV and V which induced cure rates of 90 and 80% respectively. These results confirm that bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) diacido complexes can be widely varied at the position of the acido ligands without loss of antitumor potency. The titanocene derivatives described in the present study are the first neutral mercapto and seleno titanocene derivatives for which strong antiproliferative properties have been shown.     

Zincation of primary amines: synthesis and structures of dimeric alkylzinc amides

The zincation of triisopropylsilylamine with dimethyl- and diethylzinc yields dimeric methylzinc (1) and ethylzinc triisopropylsilylamide (2). Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, 2 in P2₁/c. The reaction of dimethylzinc with adamantylamine gives [(THF)ZnMe][(AdNH₂)ZnMe][μ-N(H)Ad]₂ (3) which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. All these compounds have central Zn₂N₂ cycles. Contrary to 1 and 2 with triply coordinated metal centers, the zinc atoms in 3 show a distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere due to the contact to the neutral coligands THF and adamantylamine.     

New quinoline NK3 receptor antagonists with CNS activity

Lead optimisation starting from the previously reported selective quinoline NK₃ receptor antagonists talnetant 2 (SB-223412) and 3 (SB-222200) led to the identification of 3-aminoquinoline NK₃ antagonist 10 (GSK172981) with excellent CNS penetration. Investigation of a structurally related series of sulfonamides with reduced lipophilicity led to the discovery of 20 (GSK256471). Both 10 and 20 are high affinity, potent NK₃ receptor antagonists which despite having different degrees of CNS penetration produced excellent NK₃ receptor occupancy in an ex vivo binding study in gerbil cortex.     

Synthesis,cannabinoid receptor affinity,molecular modeling studies and in vivo pharmacological evaluation of new substituted 1-aryl-5-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamides. 2. Effect of the 3-carboxamide substituent on the affinity and selectivity profile

New substituted 1-aryl-5-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamides were synthesized by replacing the 2,4-dichlorobenzyl and cyclohexyl moieties at the 3-carboxamide nitrogen of the previously reported CB₁ receptor antagonists/inverse agonists 4 and 5. Several ligands showed potent affinity for the hCB₁ receptor, with K_i concentrations comparable to the reference compounds 1, 4 and 5, and exhibited CB₁ selectivity comparable to 1 and 2. Docking experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations explained the potent hCB₁ binding affinity of compounds 31 and 37. According to our previous studies, 31 and 37 formed a H-bond with K3.28(192), which accounted for the high affinity for the receptor inactive state and the inverse agonist activity. The finding of inhibition of food intake following their acute administration to rats, supported the concept that the CB₁ selective compounds 4 and 52 act as antagonists/inverse agonists.     

A novel nitro-substituted benzothiadiazole as fluorescent probe for tumor cells under hypoxic condition

Most of solid tumor cells are hypoxic and hard to trace and measure. A new compound, 4,7-bis(4-dodecylthiophen-2-yl)-5,6-dinitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BTTD-NO₂), was synthesized for labeling the hypoxic cells specially in this paper. BTTD-NO₂ showed no cytotoxicity to MG63 cells by MTT method. When MG63 cells were cultured with BTTD-NO₂ under hypoxic condition for 24 h, strong red fluorescence distribution in cytoplasm was observed. Flow cytometry results showed that 65% of MG63 cells were labeled with strong red fluorescence in hypoxic condition while only 2.4% in oxic condition. Furthermore, Real time RT-PCR proved that BTTD-NO₂ could stimulate high gene expression of the nitroreductase in the cells which could improve the conversion rate of BTTD-NO₂ to BTTD-NH₂ in turn. It proved that the fluorescence of BTTD-NO₂ was quenched by its two nitro groups, however, strong red fluorescence could emit in the cytoplasm after the reduction of its nitro groups to amino groups in the tumor cells under hypoxic condition. These results suggested that BTTD-NO₂ had the potential as a superior fluorescent probe for tumor detection.     

Tyrosinase inhibitory study of flavonolignans from the seeds of Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)

Anti-melanogenesis effects of silymarin from milk thistle have been reported recently, but detailed tyrosinase inhibition properties of individual components have not been investigated. This study purported to substantiate tyrosinase inhibition and its mechanism based on a single metabolite. The responsible components for tyrosinase inhibition of target source were found out as flavonolignans which consist of isosilybin A (1), isosilybin B (2), silydianin (3), 2,3-dihydrosilychristin (4), silychristin A (5), silychristin B (6) and silybin (7), respectively. The isolated flavonolignans (1–7) inhibited both monophenolase (IC₅₀ = 1.7–7.6 µM) and diphenolase (IC₅₀ = 12.1–44.9 µM) of tyrosinase significantly. Their inhibitions were 10-fold effective in comparison with their mother skeletons (8–10). Inhibitory functions were also proved by HPLC analysis using N-acetyl-l-tyrosine as substrate. The predominant formation of E_met·I was confirmed from a long prolongation of lag time and a decrease of the static state activity of the enzyme. All tested compounds had a significant binding affinity to tyrosinase with K_SV values of 0.06–0.27 × 10⁴ L·mol⁻¹, which are well correlated with IC₅₀s. In kinetic study, all flavonolignan (1–7) were mixed type I (K_I < K_IS) inhibitors, whereas their mother skeletons (8–10) were competitive ones. The UPLC-ESI-TOF/MS analysis showed that the isolated inhibitors are the most abundant metabolites in the target plant.     

Platinum(II) complexes with aryl tellurols and diaryl ditellurides: Syntheses and spectral investigations

Arytellurol complexes [PtCl(TeAr)(PPh₃)₂] (I) and [Pt(TeAr)₂(PPh₃)₂] (II) are readily obtained from cis-[PtCl₂(PPh)₃)₂] and NaTeAr (Ar = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄ and 4-CH₃CH₂OC₆H₄) in ethanolbenzene at room temperature. ³¹P NMR spectra of (I) and (II) indicate their trans configuration in solution. Metathetical reactions between I (Ar = 4-CH₃OC₆H₄) and NaX (X = I, Br, SCN) occur in methanol to give [Pt(X)(TeC₆H₄OCH₃-4)(PPh₃)₂]. ¹H NMR shows that equimolar proportions of NaTeC₆H₅, NaTeC₆H₄OCH₂CH₃-4 and cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] give a mixture of three complexes: II, Ar = C₆H₅; II, Ar = 4-CH₃CH₂OC₆H₄; and [Pt(TeC₆H₅)(TeC₆H₄OCH₂CH₃-4)(PPh₃)₂]. Polymeric complexes [PtCl(TeAr)]_n (III) and [Pt(TeAr)₂]_n (IV) result from reaction between K₂[PtCl₄] and NaTeAr in aqueaous ethanol. They react with excess of PPh₃ in CDCl₃ to yield monomeric complexes I and II respectively which were characterized in situ by ¹H and ³¹P NMR of the reaction mixtures. IR spectra indicate the presence of bridging chloride ligands in III. An alternating chloride and tellurol bridged chain structure for III and a tellurol bridged for IV have been proposed. Reaction between equimolar amounts of III and PPh₃ in dichloromethane yielded a tellurol bridged dimeric complex [PtCl(μ-TeAr)(PPh₃)]₂ (V) with terminal chloride ligand as suggested by IR study. Ethanolic solutions of diarylditellurides also react readily with an aqueous solution of K₂[PtCl₄] at 10 °C to give complexes for which the structure trans-[PtCl₂(ArTeTeAr)₂] (VI) is suggested from their elemental analyses, IR, Raman (in one case only), ¹H, ¹²⁵Te (in one case only), and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectra and reactions with triphenylphosphine which liberated free ditellurides. At 40 °C or above the same ditellurides form polymeric complexes III with K₂[PtCl₄] in aquaeous ethanol.     

Novel naftopidil derivatives containing methyl phenylacetate and their blocking effects on α1D/1A-adrenoreceptor subtypes

α₁-Adrenoceptor (α₁-AR) antagonists are considered to be the most effective monotherapy agents for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). In this study, we synthesized compounds 2–17, which are novel piperazine derivatives that contain methyl phenylacetate. We then evaluated the vasodilatory activities of these compounds. Among them, we found that compounds 2, 7, 12, which contain 2-OCH₃, 2-CH₃ or 2, 5-CH₃, respectively, exhibited potent α₁-blocking activity similar to protype drug naftopidil (1). The antagonistic effects of 2, 7, and 12 on the (?)-noradrenaline-induced contractile response of isolated rat prostatic vas deferens (α_1A), spleen (α_1B) and thoracic aorta (α_1D) were further characterized to assess the sub receptor selectivity. Compared with naftopidil (1) and terazosin, compound 12 showed the most desirable α_1D/1A subtype selectivity, especially improved α_1A subtype selectivity, and the ratios pA₂ (α_1D)/pA₂ (α_1B) and pA₂ (α_1A)/pA₂ (α_1B) were 17.0- and 19.5-fold, respectively, indicating less cardiovascular side effects when used to treat LUTS/BPH. Finally, we investigated the chiral pharmacology of 12. We found, however, that the activity of enantiomers (R)-12 and (S)-12 are not significantly different from that of rac-12.