title: Cyclization reactions leading to beta-hydroxyketo esters.
abstract: The purpose of the research was to synthesize beta-diketo esters and to evaluate them for anticonvulsant activity. The reaction of methyl vinyl ketone with dimethyl malonate in the presence of potassium carbonate gave an uncyclized product that underwent a Claisen condensation to yield methyl 2-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohex-2-en-1-oate (5a). Similarly, other cyclized beta-hydroxyketo esters were prepared, and their spectrometric data confirmed that the enol tautomers were preferred to the beta-diketo tautomers. The synthetic work clarified the reaction pathway for the Michael addition of malonate esters to enones. Of the intermediates and products tested for anticonvulsant activity, dimethyl 2,2-bis-(3-oxobutyl)malonate (9a) was found to possess anticonvulsant property. However, it is emphasized that the beta-hydroxyketo esters could be useful intermediates in the synthesis of enaminone anticonvulsants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Edafiogho
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Farrar
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004952:Esters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004952:Esters