Stereoselective synthesis and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonistic activity of optically active phenol derivatives.

Enantiomers of four potent nonprostanoid thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonists, (+/-)-7-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-(2-hydroxyphenyl)heptanoic acids (1-4), were synthesized stereoselectively by direct ortho-alkylation of phenols under modified Mitsunobu conditions. The reaction of 5 eq of phenols (6a-c) with 1 eq of (S)- or (R)-methyl 7-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-hydroxyheptanoate ((S)- or (R)-7) afforded ortho-alkylated phenol derivatives (6a-c) enantioselectively in 33 to 42% chemical yield and 90 to 93% ee. In these compounds, the (R)-enantiomers (1-4) exhibited potent TXA2 receptor antagonistic activity and the (S)-isomer (3) was much less active. In particular, compound (R)-3 strongly inhibited U-46619-induced human platelet aggregation (IC50 = 48 nM), and also showed a very potent inhibitory effect with a minimum effective dose (MED) of 0.3 mg/kg (p.o.) on U-46619-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs.