2'-substituted analogs of cocaine: synthesis and dopamine transporter binding potencies

A series of 2'-substituted cocaine analogs (4-8) was prepared and evaluated in an in vitro dopamine transporter (DAT) binding assay. Compounds 4-7 were prepared by esterifying the 3 beta-hydroxyl group of ecgonine methyl ester (3) using the appropriate acid chloride in the presence of Et3N and benzene. Compound 3 was obtained from cocaine (1) by hydrolysis using 1N HCl to afford ecgonine.HCl which was subjected to acid catalyzed esterification using methanol saturated with HCl gas. Compound 8 was obtained by hydrogenation of 7 using H2/Pd-C. The IC50 values were calculated from displacement experiment of the radioligand [3H]WIN-35,428 (2). 2'-Aminococaine (8) showed high binding affinity to the DAT (14- and 1.3-fold more active than cocaine and the radioligand 2, respectively). These results, along with previous results, emphasize the importance of a hydrogen-bond donor group at the 2'-position of cocaine to enhance binding affinity to the DAT.