Eric Fourmaintraux

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of novel naphthalenic and bioisosteric related amidic derivatives as melatonin receptor ligands

A series of N-naphthylethyl amide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as melatonin receptor ligands. The affinity of each compound for the melatonin receptor was determined by binding studies using [2-125I]iodomelatonin on ovine pars tuberalis membrane homogenates. Structure-activity relationships led to the conclusion that naphthalene is a bioisostere of the indole moiety of melatonin. Moreover it appears that the affinity is strongly affected by the size of the substituent of the nitrogen of the amidic function. Many of these ligands give biphasic dose-response curves which suggests that there may be two melatonin receptor subtypes within the ovine pars tuberalis cells. The replacement of naphthalene by benzofuran or benzothiophene did not strongly alter the affinity for the melatonin receptor. In contrast, the benzimidazole analogue was a poor ligand. Compound 7, the naphthalenic analogue of melatonin, a selective ligand of the melatonin receptor and an agonist derivative, has been selected for clinical development.

Tetrahydronaphthalenic derivatives as new agonist and antagonist ligands for melatonin receptors.

Tetrahydronaphthalenic ligands were synthesized and evaluated as melatonin receptor ligands. Biological studies show that the aromaticity of the ring bearing the side chain is not essential for affinity and activity and that replacement of the methoxy group with the bioisostere ethyl which does not offer the possibility of H-bonding, leads to antagonist or forskoline potentiating properties.

Synthesis of 4-[4-(N, N-dimethylsulfamoyl)piperazin-1-yl]-quinolines derivatives as sorbitol dehydrogenase potential inhibitors

Synthesis of various quinolines, substituted in position 4 by [4-(N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl)piperazin-1-yl] group and in position 2 by different groups such as hydrogen, methyl, hydroxymethyl, formyl or carboxyl is described.Besides, we have synthesized derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline.