Synthesis, pharmacological activity and structure affinity relationships of spirocyclic σ(1) receptor ligands with a (2-fluoroethyl) residue in 3-position.
In order to develop a fluorinated radiotracer for imaging of σ(1) receptors in the central nervous system a series of (2-fluoroethyl) substituted spirocyclic piperidines 3 has been prepared. In the key step of the synthesis 2-bromocinnamaldehyde acetal 5 was added to piperidones 6 with various substituents at the N-atom. Unexpectedly, this reaction led to 2-benzoxepines 8, which were contracted with acid to afford the spirocyclic 2-benzofuranacetaldehydes 9. The best yields were obtained, when the transformations up to the alcohols 10 were performed without isolation of intermediates. Generally the (2-fluoroethyl) derivatives 3 have higher σ(1) affinity and σ(1)/σ(2) selectivity than the corresponding (3-fluoropropyl) derivatives 2. The most promising candidate for the development as radiotracer is the (2-fluoroethyl) derivative 3a (WMS-1828, fluspidine, 1'-benzyl-3-(2-fluoroethyl)-3H-spiro[[2]benzofuran-1,4'-piperidine]), which shows subnanomolar σ(1) affinity (K(i)=0.59nM) and excellent selectivity over the σ(2) subtype (1331-fold) as well as some other receptor systems. The novel synthetic strategy also allows the systematic pharmacological evaluation of intermediate alcohols 10. Despite their high σ(1) affinity (K(i)=6-32nM) and selectivity the alcohols 10 are 10-30-fold less potent than the bioisosteric fluoro derivatives 3.
Institut für Pharmazeutische und Medizinische Chemie der Universität Münster, Hittorfstraße 58-62, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
Eva Grosse
EG
Maestrup
Christian
C
Wiese
Dirk
D
Schepmann
Peter
P
Brust
Bernhard
B
Wünsch
D008024:Ligands; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D017480:Receptors, sigma / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D008024:Ligands; D017480:Receptors, sigma