Analogues of platelet activating factor. 3. Replacement of the phosphate moiety with a sulfonylbismethylene group

An analogue of platelet activating factor (PAF) in which the phosphate moiety has been replaced with a sulfonylbismethylene group has been prepared. A key step in the synthetic sequence is the preparation of 4-[[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]thio]-1-(hexadecyloxy)-2-butanol via a one-pot reaction involving a sequential Michael addition and reduction. In comparison to racemic C16-PAF, 8 showed no platelet aggregating activity and substantially reduced hypotensive activity.