Julio Alvarez-Builla

Synthesis and Structure of New Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine Derivatives with Calcium Channel Antagonist Activity

We gratefully acknowledge to ALTER S. A. for studentship (to A. P and R. A.) and financial support

A new approach to the synthesis of 2-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives through microwave-assisted N-alkylation of 2-halopyridines

Abstract A microwave (focused waves) assisted N-alkylation of 2-halopyridines provides a convenient entry to 2-amino-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives after reaction of the alkylated substrates with cyanamide under basic conditions.

Synthesis and chromatographic separation of the stereoisomers of furnidipine

Abstract The four stereoisomers of methyl tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl 2,6-dimethyl-4-(o-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-pyridine-3,5-dicarboxilate (furnidipine), have been synthesized and separated by chiral chromatography using D-phenylglycine as chiral stationary phase. Enantiomeric purity of stereoisomers is determined by HPLC-CSP technique and configurations deduced via X-ray crystallography.

One-pot Graebe-Ullmann synthesis of γ-carbolines under microwave irradiation

Abstract One-pot efficient and simple synthesis of γ-carboline derivatives by the Graebe-Ullmann method was conducted in a commercial microwave oven in a few minutes at a low energy level and using erlenmeyer as adequate reaction vessels. Yields are similar to those obtained by conventional heating.

Pyridinium N-(2'-azinyl)aminides: Regioselective synthesis of 2-alkylaminoazines

The authors wish to thank the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (C.I.C.Y.T.) (Project PM97-0074) and the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion, Universidad de Alcala for financial support (Project E014/97).

Ring-Closing Metathesis Reactions on Azinium Salts: Straightforward Access to Quinolizinium Cations and Their Dihydro Derivatives

The ring-closing metathesis reaction of 1-butenyl-2-vinylpyridinium salts and 2-butenyl-1-vinylpyridinium salts using Grubbs second generation and Hoveyda-Grubbs catalysts proved to be an efficient approach to 3,4-dihydro- and 1,2-dihydroquinolizinium salts and the corresponding quinolizinium derivatives by an improved thermal oxidation in the presence of Pd/C without solvent. A comparative study showed that the quinolizinium system was obtained in better yields through the 3,4-dihydroquinolizinium route, thus allowing the synthesis of quinolizinium derivatives or improvements in the yields of some examples reported previously.

A New Class of Pyrazolopyridine Nucleus with Fluorescent Properties, Obtained through Either a Radical or a Pd Arylation Pathway from N-Azinylpyridinium N-Aminides

The synthesis of dipyridopyrazole and pyridopyrazolopyrazine derivatives--both of which incorporate a 3-aryl moiety--can be achieved in moderate yields by intramolecular radical arylation of pyridinium N-aminides using tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and azobisisobutyronitrile. Improved results were obtained on using Pd direct arylation in conjunction with microwave irradiation. A preliminary study into the fluorescent properties of the target compounds is also reported.

Reaction of imines with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS): unexpected formation of stable 1 : 1 complexes

Imines react with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) to afford unexpected 1 : 1 complexes and the structure of one of these was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; the reaction seems to be very general for substituted cyclic imines with solid stable complexes obtained in high yields; this is the first reported example of a halogen bonding interaction involving the C=N bond and NIS.

LAU-0901, a novel platelet-activating factor antagonist, is highly neuroprotective in cerebral ischemia

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a bioactive phospholipid that accumulates during ischemia-reperfusion and is involved in the activation of platelets, neutrophils, and pro-inflammatory signaling. PAF has been suggested to enhance brain ischemia-reperfusion damage. LAU-0901, a novel PAF receptor antagonist, was examined in models of focal cerebral ischemia in rats and mice. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and received 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) by intraluminal suture. LAU-0901 (30, 60, 90 mg/kg; n=9-11) or vehicle (n=11) was administered i.p. at 2 h after onset of MCAo. The neurological status was evaluated at 60 min, and on days 1, 2, 3 and 7 after MCAo. In the dose-response study in mice, C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized and received 1 h MCAo by intraluminal suture. LAU-0901 (15, 30, 60 mg/kg; n=7-9) or vehicle (n=8) was given i.p. at 1 h after onset of MCAo. Local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) was measured at 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after MCAo in mice. LAU-0901 treated rats showed improved neurological score throughout the 7-day survival period. LAU-0901 treatment (30, 60 and 90 mg/kg) reduced total corrected infarct volume compared to vehicle rats by 76, 88 and 90%, respectively. Mice treated with LAU-0901 (30 and 60 mg/kg) reduced total infarction by 29% and 66%, respectively. LCBF was improved by treatment with LAU-0901 (30 mg/kg) by 77% of baseline at 6 h. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that LAU-0901 improves behavioral scores, LCBF and reduces infarct volume after focal cerebral ischemia in rats and mice. Thus, this PAF receptor antagonist exhibits potent and sustained neuroprotection that may be of value for the design of stroke therapies.

Halogenation of pyridinium-N-(2'-pyridyl)aminide: an easy synthesis of halo-2-aminopyridines

The authors wish to thank the Comision Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnologia (C.I.C.Y.T.) for financial support (Project PB90-0284) and to Lilly S. A. for one studentship (C.B.)