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A highly enantio- and diastereoselective synthesis of 3-aminocyclopenta[b]indoles has been developed through formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of enecarbamates and 3-indolylmethanols. This transformation is catalyzed by a chiral phosphoric acid that achieves simultaneous activation of both partners of the cycloaddition. Mechanistic data are also presented that suggest that the reaction occurs through a stepwise pathway.

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Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoglyceride lipase (MGL) are the main enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of endogenous cannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively. Phenyl alkylcarbamates are FAAH inhibitors with anxiolytic and analgesic activities in vivo. Herein we present for the first time the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of chiral 3-(2-oxazoline)-phenyl N-alkylcarbamates as FAAH inhibitors. Furthermore, the structural background of chirality on the FAAH inhibition is explored by analyzing the protein–ligand interactions. Remarkably, 10-fold difference in potency was observed for (R)- and (S)-derivatives of 3-(5-methyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)phenyl cyclohexylcarbamate (6a vs. 6b). Molecular modelling indicated an important interaction between the oxazoline nitrogen and FAAH active site.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an intracellular serine hydrolase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of the endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamide to arachidonic acid and ethanolamine. FAAH also hydrolyzes another endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). However, 2-AG has been assumed to be hydrolyzed mainly by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) or a MAGL-like enzyme. Inhibition of FAAH or MAGL activity might lead to beneficial effects in many physiological disorders such as pain, inflammation, and anxiety due to increased endocannabinoid-induced activation of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. In the present study, a total of 34 novel compounds were designed, synthesized, characterized, and tested against FAAH and MAGL-like enzyme activity. Altogether, 16 compounds were found to inhibit FAAH with half-maximal inhibition concentrations (IC50) between 28 and 380 nM. All the active compounds belong to the structural family of carbamates. Compounds 14 and 18 were found to be the most potent FAAH inhibitors, which may serve as lead structures for novel FAAH inhibitors.