Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of anticonvulsant enaminones

1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of enaminones were determined and compared to the anticonvulsant activity of the compounds. Although the precise employment of the NMR data to predict anticonvulsant activity of the enaminones could not be established, general inferences were made. The NMR data confirmed that the enaminones existed predominantly in the amino tautomer, and no evidence was found for the imino tautomer. The ketamine form of the enaminones was supported by the observed spin-spin splittings of the NH with the alpha-protons on certain enaminones. The NH of secondary enaminones was very important in conferring anticonvulsant activity to the enaminones. The peak for the NH proton which could be seen between delta (ppm) 4.50 and 9.70 was present in all of the active enaminones. The tertiary enaminones, which were devoid of the NH proton, were uniformly inactive. It appeared that a combination of steric and electronic effects, lipophilicity, and hydrogen bonding were necessary for the anticonvulsant activity of the enaminones. The cyclic enaminones existed in the trans-S-trans fixed conformation, and the NMR data supported our hypothesis that enantioselectivity is retained in synthesizing enaminones from cyclic, diasteriomeric 1,3-diketones. In addition, the AB system and many unique features were observed in some enaminones. The para, meta, and ortho substituted patterns were observed for monosubstituted phenyl protons, and the NMR patterns for di- and trisubstituted phenyl groups were elucidated.