Solid-phase synthesis of quinol fatty alcohols, design of N/O-substituted quinol fatty alcohols and comparative activities on axonal growth

Following the promising activity of Q2FA15 on axonal growth, two new series of N/O-substituted QFAs were synthesized, based on a SN2-type reaction. O-alkylated QFA bearing 14 carbon atoms on the side chain (n = 14) shows a very potent activity on axonal growth though lowered when compared to Q2FA15. While O-alkylation allows good retention of the biological activity, N-alkylation abolishes it nonetheless. A solid-phase-supported synthesis of Q2FA15 allowing the conception of new hybrid compounds is also described.