Synthesis of 8-methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzo[de][1,6]naphthyridin-9-ol (Isoaaptamine) and analogues.

8-Methoxy-1-methyl-1H-benzo[de][1,6]naphthyridin-9-ol, isoaaptamine, a PKC inhibitor isolated from sponge was synthesized. The synthesis parallels a synthesis of 8,9-dimethoxybenzo[de][1,6]naphthyridine, aaptamine, but uses a nitromethyl substituent as a precursor of the key 5-(2-aminoethyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one intermediate. The quinolone intermediates were prepared by thermolysis (220-240 degrees C) of anilinomethylene derivatives of Meldrum's acid. The quinolone intermediates were N-methylated prior to cyclization to the benzo[de][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives. Aaptamine and several analogues of aaptamine and isoaaptamine were prepared including 9-demethylaaptamine, 1-methyl-8-demethylaaptamine, 1-methylaaptamine, and the 8,9-methylenedioxy analogues of aaptamine and 1-methylaaptamine.