Syntheses of 3-acetoacetylaminobenzo[b]furan derivatives having cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor antagonistic activity.

Novel 3-acetoacetylaminobenzo[b]furan derivatives having a modified triene system at the 3-position were synthesized starting with 3-aminobenzo[b]furans. The enol isomers, 3-[(3-hydroxybut-2-enonyl)amino]benzo[b]furans (), of the 3-acetoacetylaminobenzo[b]furans were obtained as stable isomers owing to formation of a hydrogen bonding between the enol hydroxyl group and the amidocarbonyl group. The planarity of the C-2 substituent through the C-3 side chain suggested the existence of a modified conjugational triene system in the enol compound. Cysteinyl leukotriene 1 and 2 receptor antagonistic activities for these compounds were evaluated. 2-(4-Cyanobenzoyl or ethoxycarbonyl)-3-[(2-cyano-3-hydroxybut-2-enonyl)amino]benzo[b]furans (, ) were moderately active.