Synthesis of imidazolidin-4-one and 1H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindole-2,5(3H,9bH)-dione derivatives of primaquine: scope and limitations

The synthesis of imidazolidin-4-one derivatives of primaquine as potential antimalarial agents is described. The target compounds were synthesized in three steps: (i) condensation of (±)-primaquine with Nα-protected amino acids, (ii) removal of the Nα-protecting group, and (iii) reaction of the N-acylprimaquine with a carbonyl compound: acetone, three cyclic ketones and veratraldehyde. Using 2-formylbenzoic acid in the third step afforded 1H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindole-2,5(3H,9bH)-diones. All products were isolated in good to excellent yields. Whereas imidazolidin-4-ones were formed as mixtures of all possible diastereomers in equal amounts, 1H-imidazo[2,1-a]isoindole-2,5(3H,9bH)-diones were produced in a stereoselective fashion. The compounds hydrolyse very slowly (t1/2 5–30 d) in pH 7.4 buffer to release primaquine. These primaquine derivatives are being submitted to biological assays, and preliminary results of their antimalarial activity are quite encouraging.