Synthesis and Biological Testing of Acyl-CoA–Ketoprofen Conjugates as Selective Irreversible Inhibitors of COX-2 Original Research Article

Ketoprofenoyl-CoA thioester 3 was synthesized by coupling ketoprofen to coenzyme A using the mixed anhydride method. Diastereoisomeric compounds 3a and 3b corresponding to the enantiomers of ketoprofen, were obtained in optically pure form by preparative HPLC. A non-acylating analogue, rac-3-(3-benzoylphenyl)-2-oxo-butanoyl-CoA (7) was also prepared. The biological evaluation suggested that 3a and 3b are reversible inhibitors of COX-1 and irreversible inhibitors of COX-2. Compound 7 appears to be a poor but selective inhibitor of COX-1.