Synthesis of New N-quaternary-3-benzamidoquinuclidinium Salts

The synthesis of racemic and enantiomerically pure N-p-methylbenzyl-3-and N-p-chlorobenzylbenzamidoquinuclidinium bromides (6-8 and 9-11, respectively) is described. These compounds were prepared from racemic or enantiomerically pure 3-benzamidoquinuclidines 3-5 using the appropriate quaternization reagents: p-methyl-benzyl bromide (1) and p-chlorobenzyl bromide (2).


Introduction
Many natural and synthetic quinuclidine derivatives display a wide variety of biological activities and some of them, such as aceclidine, for example, are even commercially available as therapeutic agents [1].3-Substitued quinuclidine derivatives have also been shown to be potential antidotes against poisoning by organophosphorus compounds such as pesticides and chemical warfare agents [2][3][4][5][6].Furthermore, 3-substituted derivatives of quinuclidine such as zacopride and RG 12915 are classical 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonists [7].Since 3-substitued quinuclidines contain an asymmetric carbon atom, numerous investigations have concentrated on the resolution of the racemic compounds using chemical [8,9] and biocatalytical [10,11] methods, in order to provide an efficient, simple and inexpensive procedure.In our previous investigations we tested butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) as a possible biocatalyst in the resolution of racemic N-benzyl-3benzamido-and N-benzyl-3-butanamidoquinuclidinium compounds.The expected resolution by hydrolysis of these amides did not occur, however, we discovered that these enantiomerically pure quaternary derivatives are good inhibitors of the tested enzyme.The best inhibitior of the enzyme was the (S)-enantiomer of N-benzyl-3-benzamidoquinuclidinum bromide, with a K i = 3.70 ± 0.00 µM, while the corresponding (R)-enantiomer (with a K i = 25.92 ± 0.01 µM) was a 7-fold weaker inhibitor than the (S)-enantiomer.Both enantiomers of quaternary 3-benzamidoquinuclidines were more potent inhibitors of BChE than enantiomers of quaternary 3-buatanamidoquinuclidines.The (R)-enantiomer of N-benzyl-3-butanamidoquinuclidinium bromide had a K i value of 159.88 ± 0.47 and its (S)-enantiomer´s K i was 241.96 ± 0.08 µM, showing that this compound was the weakest inhibitor, 65-fold weaker than the most potent one [12].
In continuation of these studies we present the synthesis of some new derivatives of N-quaternary-3-benzamidoquinuclidine with groups of different chemical and inductive characteristics (CH 3 and Cl) introduced at the 4-position of the benzyl ring.

Results and Discussion
Racemic and enantiomerically pure (R)-and (S)-3-benzamidoquinuclidines 3-5 have been synthesized by the reaction of the appropriate 3-aminoquinuclidine and benzoic acid anhydride [12].Their quaternary salts 6-11 were prepared with p-methylbenzyl bromide and p-chlorobenzyl bromide as the respective quaternization agents (Scheme 1).According to NMR spectroscopy the products were of satisfactory purity and therefore no further purification by recrystallization was necessary.The quaternary bromides were obtained in very good yields. 1H-and 13 C-NMR signals of the quinuclidine moiety were completely in an accord with previous data [12].The assignment of the aromatic benzyl ring 1 H-and 13 C-NMR signals was based on their chemical shifts and multiplicity (for the 1 H signals) and was unambiguously established with the aid of HETCOR data.The attributions of the aromatic 1 H-NMR chemical shifts are in full agreement with those previously reported for the N-benzyl-3-benzamidoquinuclidines [12] except that the signal of H-4 is missing due to p-substitution.On the other hand, the aromatic 13 C-signals are not in accord with the spectral data of N-benzyl-3-benzamidoquinuclidines [12].The 13 C-chemical shifts of C-3, C-4 and C-5 atoms of the benzyl ring are displayed at higher values because the influence of p-substitution.

General
Quaternization reagents were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich.Reactions were monitored by thinlayer chromatography using DC-Alufolien Aluminiumoxide 60 F 254 (Merck) with 9:1 chloroformmethanol as the eluent.The detection of spots was achieved by UV light and by the reversible absorption of iodine.Melting points were determined in open capillaries using a Büchi B-540 apparatus and are uncorrected.Optical rotations (in degrees) were measured in chloroform on an Schmidt + Haensch Polartronic NH8 automatic polarimeter at ambient temperature.Elemental analyses were performed with a Perkin-Elmer PE 2400 Series II CHNS/O Analyser.FTIR spectra were recorded on a Bruker VECTOR 22 FT-IR spectrometer.All samples were prepared by mixing FTIR-grade KBr (Sigma-Aldrich) with 1% (w/w) salt and grinding to a fine powder.Spectra were recorded over the 400-4000 cm -1 range without baseline corrections.Charasteristic absorptions are given in cm -1 . 1 H and 13 C 1D and 2D (HETCOR) NMR spectra were recorded in CDCl 3 solutions on a Bruker AV500 spectrometer (300 MHz) at room temperature.Chemical shifts are reported as δ values in ppm using TMS as an internal standard.Coupling constants (J) are given in Hz.

General procedure for the synthesis of N-quaternary quinuclidinium salts 6-11
To the solution of the appropriate 3-benzamidoquinuclidine (3-5, 0.22 mmol) in dry diethyl ether equimolar amounts of p-methylbenzyl bromide (1) were added at room temperature.The reaction mixture was kept in the dark overnight to obtain a solid.The excess of the solvent was then removed under reduced pressure and the solid was washed several times with dry diethyl ether to give compounds 6-8 as white crystals.
The same reaction procedure as described for 6-8 was followed using p-chlorobenzyl bromide (2) as the other quaternization agent and the appropriate 3-benzamidoquinuclidines 3-5 to give compounds 9-11 as white crystals.