Microwave-assisted four-component reaction for the synthesis of a monothiohydantoin inhibitor of a fatty acid amide hydrolase

Monothiohydantoin 3a is made in seven steps from 1,4-diiodobenzene and is shown to be an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (IC50 = 23.4 ± 1.1 μM). The key step in the sequence involves a microwave-assisted four-component reaction that makes the 5,5′-disubstituted hydantoin nucleus by the sequential formation of two C–C and two C–N bonds.