Synthesis, ligand binding, and quantitative structure-activity relationship study of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)-2 beta-heterocyclic tropanes: evidence for an electrostatic interaction at the 2 beta-position

A set of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)-2 beta-heterocyclic tropanes was designed, synthesized, and characterized. We discovered that these compounds can function as bioisosteric replacements for the corresponding WIN 35,065-2 analogs which possess a 2 beta-carbomethoxy group. Several of the compounds showed high affinity and selectivity for the dopamine transporter (DAT) relative to the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. From the structure-activity relationship study, the 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2 beta-(3'-phenylisoxazol-5-yl)tropane (5d) emerged as the most potent and selective compound. The binding data for 2 beta-heterocyclic tropanes were found to show a high correlation with molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) minima near one of the heteroatoms in the 2 beta-substituents. In contrast, low correlations were found for other MEP minima near the 2 beta-substituent as well as for calculated log P or substituent volume. These quantitative structure-activity relationship studies are consistent with an electrostatic contribution to the binding potency of these WIN 35,065-2 analogs at the DAT.

Cocaine and 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid ester and amide analogues. New high-affinity and selective compounds for the dopamine transporter

Several 2 beta-carboxylic acid ester and amide analogues of cocaine and of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid were prepared. The binding affinities of these compounds, and of some previously prepared analogues, at the dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and serotonin (5-HT) transporters were determined. The phenyl esters of 3 beta-(4'-methylphenyl)- and 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid are highly potent and highly selective for the DA transporter. The isopropyl esters of 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)- and 3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid also possess high DA affinity and show significant DA transporter selectivity. Similarly, the phenyl and isopropyl ester analogues of cocaine are much more selective for the DA transporter than cocaine. Tertiary amide analogues of cocaine and of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acids are more potent inhibitors of radioligand binding at the DA transporter than the primary and secondary amide analogues. In particular, 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)tropane-2 beta-N-morpholinocarboxamide as well as the 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)- and 3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-N- pyrrolidinocarboxamides possess high affinity and selectivity for the DA transporter. The N,N-dimethylamide cocaine analogue is the most selective cocaine amide derivative for the DA transporter. High correlation between the inhibition of radioligand binding and inhibition of uptake at the DA, NE, and 5-HT transporter was found for a selected group of analogues. Within this group, one compound, the isopropyl ester of 3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)-tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid, was found to be more potent in the inhibition of radioligand binding than in the inhibition of DA uptake. Taken together with its high potency and selectivity at the DA transporter, this suggests that this compound may be a lead in the development of a cocaine antagonist.