Arabinogalactan propargyl ethers: Au-catalysed hydroamination by imidazols

A method for the synthesis of pharmacologically prospective arabinogalactan (AG) imidazole- and benzimidazole derivatives in a yield of up to 97 % via Au(III)-catalyzed hydroamination of AG propargyl ethers has been developed. It is found that in the presence of 5 mol% HAuC1₄ and 10-fold excess imidazole relative to the propargyl groups, the hydroamination successfully competes with cross-linking processes to afford products soluble in DMSO and aqueous HC1 solutions (degree of substitution of imidazolylpropenyl fragments 0.5-1.8, yield 62-97 %). It is established that under the conditions of hydroamination Au(III) is reduced to give mainly Au(0) and minor amounts of Au(I), which are contained in AG imidazole derivatives as particles of 190-640 nm in size. Hydrochlorides of Au-containing AG imidazole derivatives show high bacteriostatic activity with respect to test gram-positive microorganisms and thus confirming their prospects as new AG-derived bioactive agents.