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Hexahydroindenopyridine (HHIP) is an interesting heterocyclic framework that contains an indene core similar to ramelteon. This type of tricyclic piperidines aroused our interest as potential melatoninergic ligands. Melatonin receptor ligands have applications in insomnia and depression. We report herein an efficient two-step method to prepare new HHIP by the reaction of an enamine with 3-bromopropylamine hydrobromide. Some synthesized compounds showed moderate affinity for melatonin receptors in the nanomolar or low micromolar range. Furthermore, the methylenedioxy HHIPs 2d (N-phenylacetamide) and 2f (N,N-diethylacetamide), exhibited high selectivity at MT1 or MT2 receptors, respectively, when compared with melatonin. It seems that the methylenedioxy group on the indene ring system and the N-acetamide substituent are important structural features to bind selectively MT1 or MT2 subtypes.

Dopamine and serotonin are important neurotransmitters in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) involved in numerous physiological and behavioural disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Several natural and synthetic benzylisoquinoline derivatives have displayed affinity for dopamine and serotonin receptors in nanomolar or micromolar ranges. This review covers the last three decades of dopaminergic and serotonergic activities, and especially focuses on structure-activity relationships of natural and synthetic benzylisoquinoline derivatives. We have included aporphines, 1-benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines, bis-benzylisoquinolines, protoberberines, cularines and other structural analogues. Further molecular modelling calculations have been considered as important tools to not only obtain structural information of both neurotransmitter receptors, but to also identify their pharmacophore features. The development of selective potential ligands like benzylisoquinoline derivatives may help in the therapy of diseases related to CNS dysfunction.

This paper sets forth the synthesis of novel oxybispyridylboronic acids, which are prepared from the corresponding halo-oxybispyridines via halogen–metal exchange using n-butyllithium and treatment with triisopropylborate. A range of efficient cross-coupling reactions of these novel boronic acids with selected aryl halides is described. This strategy produces novel pyridylethers of interest in cholinergic medicinal chemistry.

We report herein the synthesis of new dioxopiperazine isoquinolines using the Pictet–Spengler cyclisation. Our synthetic strategy for the preparation of two new compounds ( 5 , 6 ), with a tetrahydro-6H-pyrazino[1,2-b]isoquinoline-1,4-dione moiety was developed in only four steps. To understand better the crucial step of the synthesis reported here, theoretical calculations using semiempirical (PM3), ab initio and DFT computations were carried out on a reduced system model. The structure of chlorohydrate water solvate of tetrahydro (2-piperidinylethyl)-6H-pyrazino [1,2-b]isoquinoline-1,4-dione ( 6·HCl·2H2O ) was determined by X-ray diffraction. Theoretical calculations (RHF/3-21G and RB3LYP/6-31G(d)) were also performed for compound 6 neutralised with a chloride ion.

A molecular modeling study on 16 1-benzyl tetrahydroisoquinolines (BTHIQs) acting as dopaminergic ligands was carried out. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a simple and generally applicable procedure to evaluate the binding energies of BTHIQs interacting with the human dopamine D2 receptor (D2 DR) is reported here, providing a clear picture of the binding interactions of BTHIQs from both structural and energetic viewpoints. Molecular aspects of the binding interactions between BTHIQs and the D2 DR are discussed in detail. A significant correlation between binding energies obtained from DFT calculations and experimental pKi values was obtained, predicting the potential dopaminergic effect of non-synthesized BTHIQs. Fil: Andujar, Sebastian Antonio. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Quimica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Suvire, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Quimica; Argentina Fil: Berenger, Inmaculada. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Cabedo, Nuria. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Marín, Paloma. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Moreno, Laura. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Ivorra, María Dolores. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Cortes, Diego. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Enriz, Ricardo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Quimica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Two series of halogenated 1-benzyl-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinolines were prepared to explore the influence of each series on the affinity for dopamine receptors. All the compounds displayed a high affinity for D(1)-like and/or D(2)-like dopamine receptors in striatal membranes, although they were unable to inhibit [(3)H]-dopamine uptake in striatal synaptosomes. The halogen placed on the benzylic ring in 1-benzyl-THIQs, compounds of the series 1, 2'-bromobenzyl derivatives with K(i) values into the nanomolar range, and the series 2, 2',4'-dichlorobenzyl-THIQ homologues, proves to be an important factor to modulate affinity at dopamine receptor. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved., This research was supported by the Spanish "Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia" grant SAF 2007-63142. I. Berenguer acknowledges the fellowship of Generalitat Valenciana. S. Andujar acknowledges the fellowship of CONICET-Argentina.

International audience; Three series of 1-substituted-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinolines (1-butyl-, 1-phenyl- and 1-benzyl derivatives) were prepared to explore the influence of each of these groups at the 1-position on the affinity for dopamine receptors. All the compounds displayed affinity for D(1)-like and/or D(2)-like dopamine receptors in striatal membranes, and were unable to inhibit [(3)H]-dopamine uptake in striatal synaptosomes. Different structure requirements have been observed for adequate D(1) or D(2) affinities. This paper details the synthesis, structural elucidation, dopaminergic binding assays, structure-activity relationships (SAR) of these three series of isoquinolines. Moreover, 1-butyl-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1e) with the highest affinity towards D(2)-like receptors (K(i) value of 66nM) and the highest selectivity (49-fold D(2) vs D(1)) by in vitro binding experiments was then evaluated in behavioral assays (spontaneous activity and forced swimming test) in mice. Compound 1e increased locomotor activity in a large dose range (0.04-25mg/kg). Furthermore, this lead compound produced reduction in immobility time in the forced swimming test at a dose (0.01mg/kg) that did not modify locomotor activity. The haloperidol (0.03mg/kg), a D(2) receptor preferred antagonist, blocked the antidepressant-like effect of compound 1e.