3-Deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-3-C-methyl-α-d-allofuranose was stereoselectively converted into 3,5-dideoxy-4-O-(methoxymethyl)-3,5-di-C-methyl-6-O-pivaloyl-l-talose ethylene dithioacetal (31) via 3,5-dideoxy-4-O-(methoxymethyl)-3,5-di-C-methyl-l-talopyranuro-6,2-lactone ethylene dithioacetal (24) in 10 steps (23.6% overall yield). Desulfurization [Raney Ni W-4, 92% yield] of 31 followed by three-step transformation (91% yield) afforded 2,4,6-trideoxy-5-O-(diethylisopropylsilyl)-3-O-(methoxymethyl)-2,4-di-C-methyl-l-altrose, which was olefinated by using methyl (2E,4E)-6-(dimethoxyphosphinyl)-2,4-hexadienoate twice to give the target compound, all-trans-hexaenal 4 (12 steps, 38.6% overall yield from 31).

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A series of (E)-4-(2-[[3-(indol-5-yl)-1-oxo-2-butenyl]amino]phenoxy)butyric acid derivatives was prepared, and the derivatives were demonstrated to be potent inhibitors of steroid 5 alpha-reductase in the rat prostate. The structure-activity relationships were as follows. An alpha-branched alkyl or benzyl substituent of proper size at position 1 of the indole is crucial for optimal enzyme inhibitory activity. N-Methylation of the amide NH resulted in complete loss of activity. Thus, coplanarity of the benzene ring and amide moiety is essential for such activity. Among the compounds prepared, (E)-4-(2-[[3-[1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]indol-5-yl]-1-oxo-2- butenyl]-amino]phenoxy)butyric acid (57, KF18678) was one of the most potent compounds (rat prostate 5 alpha-reductase IC50 = 3.3 nM).

A series of 11-[2-(1-benzimidazolyl)ethylidene]-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxep in-2- carboxylic acid derivatives and related compounds were synthesized and found to be potent TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonists. Each compound synthesized was tested for its ability to displace [3H]U-46619 binding from guinea pig platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that the following key elements were required for enhanced activities: (1) an (E)-2-(1-benzimidazolyl)ethylidene side chain in the 11-position of the dibenzoxepin ring system and (2) a carboxyl group in the 2-position of the dibenzoxepin ring system. The studies also indicated that the TXA2/PGH2 receptor binding affinities of this series of compounds in guinea pig platelet were poorly correlated with those in human platelet. Introduction of substituent(s) to the benzimidazole moiety was effective and sodium (E)-11-[2-(5,6-dimethyl-1-benzimidazolyl)ethylidene]- 6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-carboxylate monohydrate (57) recorded the highest affinity for human platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptor with a K(i) value of 1.2 +/- 0.14 nM. It demonstrated potent inhibitory effects on U-46619-induced guinea pig platelet aggregation (in vitro and ex vivo) and human platelet aggregation (in vitro). Compound 57, now designated as KW-3635, is a novel, orally active, and specific TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist with neither TXA2/PGH2 receptor agonistic nor TXA2 synthase inhibitory effects. It is now under clinical evaluation.

An efficient route suitable for a large-scale preparation of KF31327 (1), a potent phosphodiesterase V inhibitor, has been developed. We selected 7-chloro-2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione (15) as a starting material, which gave the desired 6-nitro compound with good selectivity. In the chlorination of 7-ethylamino-6-nitro-2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione (17), reaction conditions were optimized to minimize the amount of phosphorus oxychloride, and 2,4-dichloro-7-ethylamino-6-nitroquinazoline (14) was obtained in excellent yield. After the selective substitution at C4 position, the chloro substituent at C2 position was successfully removed by hydrogenation concomitant with the reduction of nitro group. The construction of the imidazothione ring was achieved by using phenyl isothiocyanate as a thiocarbonyl donor instead of extremely flammable carbon disulfide. Multikilograms of drug substance have been successfully prepared by these procedures.