Isothiocyanate-substituted benzyl ether opioid receptor ligands derived from 6 beta-naltrexol

A series of regioisomeric substituted 6-O-benzyl ethers of 6 beta-naltrexol (12) in which isothiocyanate groups were attached directly to or one carbon removed from the aromatic ring of the benzyl group were prepared. These agents were prepared to obtain electrophilic opioid ligands potentially useful in the characterization of opioid receptors and drug-receptor interactions. Preparation of these ligands was accomplished from 3-O-trityl-6 beta-naltrexol (13) via phase transfer-catalyzed alkylation of the regioisomeric o-, m-, and p-nitrobenzyl halides and the o-, m-, and p-cyanobenzyl halides. The intermediates were deprotected and reduced, and formation of the isothiocyanates from the corresponding amines completed the synthesis. The ligands (6-11) were tested in radioligand displacement assays in guinea pig brain homogenate for opioid receptor binding affinity and irreversibility. All six of the isothiocyanates demonstrated significant affinity in the displacement assays for all three opioid receptors. They also appeared to be irreversibly bound at each of the receptor types. Compound 6, the o-isothiocyanatobenzyl ether analog, had the highest affinity, and it demonstrated significant irreversibility at very low concentration. It appears to be suitable for further investigation.