Spirohidantoins represent an pharmacologically important class of
heterocycles since many derivatives have been recognized that display
interesting activities against a wide range of biological targets. First
synthesis of cycloalkanespiro-5-hydantoins was performed by Bucherer and Lieb
1934 by the reaction of cycloalkanone, potassium cyanide and
ammonium-carbonate at reflux in a mixture of ethanol and water. QSAR
(Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) studies showed that a wide
range of biological activities of spirohydantoin derivatives strongly depend
upon their structure. This paper describes different methods of synthesis of
spirohydantoin derivatives, their physico-chemical properties and biological
activity. It emphasizes the importance of cycloalkanespiro-5-hydantoins with
anticonvulsant, antiproliferative, antipsychotic, antimicrobial and
antiinflammatory properties as well as their importance in the treatment of
diabetes. Numerous spirohydantoin compounds exhibit physiological activity
such as serotonin and fibrinogen antagonist, inhibitors of the glycine
binding site of the NMDA receptor also, antagonist of leukocyte cell
adhesion, acting as allosteric inhibitors of the protein-protein
interactions. Some spirohydantoin derivatives have been identified as
antitumor agents. Their activity depends on the substituent presented at
position N-3 of the hydantoin ring and increases in order alkene > ester >
ether. Besides that, compounds that contain two electron withdrawing groups
(e.g. fluorine or chlorine) on the third and fourth position of the phenyl
ring are better antitumor agents than compounds with a single electron
withdrawing group. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 172013]