There are eight possible stereoisomers of lomevactone. It is the (3R,4R,6R)-form that has the psychotherapeutic properties.[3][4]
Synthesis
The conjugate 1,4-alkylation reaction between 4-chlorobenzylideneacetone (1) and phenylacetonitrile (2) gives 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-2-phenylhexanenitrile (3). The selective reduction of the keto group to the alcohol with sodium borohydride gives 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2-phenylhexanenitrile (4). Hydrolysis of the nitrile to an acid gives 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2-phenylhexanoic acid. This is followed by lactone formation completing the synthesis of lomevactone (5).
^Poncelet M, Chermat R, Soubrie P, Simon P (1983). "The progressive ratio schedule as a model for studying the psychomotor stimulant activity of drugs in the rat". Psychopharmacology. 80 (2): 184–9. doi:10.1007/BF00427967. PMID6136063. S2CID2372145.
^Axiotis, S.; Druex, J.; Perrin, M.; Royer, J. (1982). "Conformations in the tetrahydropyran-2-one ring". Tetrahedron. 38 (4): 499–504. doi:10.1016/0040-4020(82)80093-8.
^Axiotis, S., Sollier, J.-C., Dreux, J., Chermat, R., Poncelet, M., Simon, P. (July 1987). "Tétrahydropyrones-2 III. Recherche d'une activité psychostimulante spécifique". European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 22 (4): 293–303. doi:10.1016/0223-5234(87)90266-2.
^Axiotis, S. et al, Eur. J. Med. Chem.-Chim. Ther., 1981, 16, 431, 439.