Reduction of the Δ13-15-Keto Grouping of Prostaglandin Intermediates

11-Deoxy-11 alpha,12 alpha-methanoprostaglandin E2, a potent, short-acting bronchodilator

11-Deoxy-11 alpha,12 alpha-methanoprostaglandin E2 (1b) and the corresponding methyl ester 7a were highly potent, but short acting, bronchodilators both by the intravenous (80 and 10 times PGE2, respectively) and aerosol (2 and approximately 1 times PGE2) routes, as measured by the Konzett-Rössler assay. The 11 beta,12 beta-methano compound 15a was two orders of magnitude less active than 7a. In rhesus monkeys anesthetized by aerosol administration, 1b was 10-50% as potent as, and had a duration of action similar to, PGE1 in the inhibition of methacholine-induced increases in airway resistance. At doses effective in preventing the methacholine response, 1b increased the heart rate (less than or equal to 30%) and precipitated mild upper airway irritation.

Omega chain methylated analogs of PGF2 alpha and PGE2

Our previously published prostaglandin (PG) synthesis route, in which the omega-chain is added in the penultimate step, provides facile access to a wide variety of omega-chain variant PG analogs. Each series requires only the synthesis of the appropriate methylated acylphosphonate for the Emmons' condensation. The syntheses of analogs bearing the following methylation patterns are detailed: 15-Me; 17,17-(Me) 2; 17, 17, 20-(Me) 3; 18, 18, 20-(Me) 3; 15, 18, 18, 20-(Me) 4; and 15-OMe-18, 18, 20- (Me) 3. The well-known 16., 16-dimethyl prostaglandins have also been prepared by this sequence. The synthesis of 16, 16-tetramethylene-PG analogs is also described.

Synthesis of diastereomeric bis-unsaturated prostaglandins

With the report given herein all diastereomers of PGF2, PGE2, and PGD2 which bear the naturally recognized 15-S hydroxylated center, whether in the natural or entprostanoic acid skeleton, have been prepared by a route involving initial introduction of the carboxyl (alpha) chain (1). A major advantage of the initial alpha-ylation route is the facile reduction of the 13, 14-en-15-one system with methanolic NaBH4 which proceeds without competing 1,4-reduction. The products are thus free of 13,14-dihydro-PG2 contaminants (2). The initial pharmacological evaluation of these diastereomers will be submitted for publication in this journal (3).