SYNTHESIS OF 3-ARYLECGONINE ANALOGS AS INHIBITORS OF COCAINE BINDING AND DOPAMINE UPTAKE

3-Arylecgonine analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and MS. The compounds were synthesized as racemates from cycloheptatriene-7-carboxylic acid or enantiomerically from (-)-cocaine. These analogues were tested for their ability to inhibit [3H]cocaine binding to bovine striatal tissue and to inhibit [3H]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes. Methyl (lRS-2-exo-3-exo)-8-methyl-3-phenyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate was the most potent analogue. IC50values for inhibition of cocaine binding and dopamine uptake were 20 and 100 nM, respectively. The racemates and the 1R isomers were equally potent inhibitors of binding and uptake. Methyl (lRS-2-endo-3-exo)-3-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxylate was the least potent. IC50for inhibition of both binding and uptake was 40 µM. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.