Stereoselective synthesis of a novel 2-aza-7-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane as neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist

A novel neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, (±)-(1R*,3S*,4S*,5S*)-4-[(N-(2-methoxy-5-trifluoromethoxybenzyl)amino]-3-phenyl-2-aza-7-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1), was synthesized stereoselectively using Padwa’s intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology as the key step. Compound (±)-1 showed high affinity for the NK-1 receptors in human IM-9 cells with an IC50 value of 0.22 nM. This new structural scaffold demonstrated significant in vivo antagonistic activity in the guinea pig ureter capsaicin-induced plasma extravasation model with an ED50 value of 1–10 mg/kg, po.