Synthesis of Carboranyl Amino Acids, Hydantoins, and Barbiturates

Abstract

The syntheses of three novel boronated hydantoins, 5-(o-carboran-1-ylmethyl)hydantoin, 14, the tetraphenylphosphonium salt of 7-(hydantoin-5-ylmethyl)dodecahydro-7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate, 15, 5-(o-carboran-1-ylmethyl)-2-thiohydantoin, 16, and two new barbiturates, 5,5-bis(but-2-ynyl)barbiturate, 18, and 5,5-bis[(2-methyl-o-carboran-1-yl)methyl]barbiturate, 20, are described. Hydantoins 14−16 were synthesized from o-carboranylalanine (Car, 13). The detailed syntheses of Car and two other carborane-containing amino acids, O-(o-carboran-1-ylmethyl)tyrosine (CBT, 5a) and p-(o-carboran-1-yl)phenylalanine (CBPA, 5b), presented earlier as a communication,16 are also described. Hydantoin 14 and barbiturates 18 and 20 were tested for their potential anticonvulsant activity. Initial qualitative screening showed moderate activities for hydantoin 14 and barbiturate 18. Barbiturate 20 had no activity. Compound 14 appeared to be nontoxic at doses of 300 mg/kg (mice, ip) and 50 mg/kg (rats, oral). However, 18 was very toxic under similar conditions.