Abstract:
A method of synthesizing diacetylenic amides is described. The key steps of the invention include the reaction of an aldehyde with the monoanion of a diacetylene and the reductive removal of a propargylic alcohol. The invention offers the first known method of synthesizing diacetylenic amides that are naturally isolated from  Echinacea  through a direct and flexible route.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 60/577,125 filed Jun. 4, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     GRANT REFERENCE CLAUSE 
     This invention was funded in part by N.I.H. Contract No. ES012020. The government may have certain rights in this invention. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to methods of synthesizing ynamides which are diacetylenic amides. Specifically, this invention relates to methods of synthesizing ynamides found in unisolated form in the herb  Echinacea angustifolia , including N-(2-methylpropyl)-2E-undecene-8,10-diynamide, and relates to methods of their use and manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       Echinacea  is a native plant of North America and traditionally is used to combat cold, flu, cough, sore throats and many other ailments. Today,  Echinacea  is among the most frequently utilized medicinal herbs around the world for use in supplements and personal care formulations. The consumption of  Echinacea  has significantly increased in Europe and North America, with a market share of about 10% of the herbal industry in the United States (Rawls 1996). In Russia,  E. purpurea  tops are mixed with animal feeds to improve the natural resistance of cattle to diseases, and improve milk production and quality. Numerous attempts have been underway in some non-traditional Echinacea growing countries, in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East to introduce cultivation, processing, and marketing. Today,  E. purpurea  in the markets originates solely from cultivation, while  E. angustifolia, E. pallida, E. paradoxa, E. tenneseensis , and  E. sanguinea  raw materials are sourced either from partial cultivation or totally collected from the wild. 
     Among the many novel natural products isolated from  E. angustifolia  are a series of diacetylenic amides. A complex mixture containing at least twelve different acetylenic amides can be obtained by supercritical fluid extraction of fresh dried  E. angustifolia  roots. In addition to its properties described above, these amides have been shown to be active against the larvae of mosquito species  Aedes aegypti . These amides have also been found to be active against neonates of the corn bollworm  Helicoverpa zea.    
     Investigations of the pharmacological and biological activities of purported  Echinacea  extracts have frequently shown them to be of widely differing character. With the evolution of botanical products, there has been an increasing demand for  Echinacea  having consistent and defined pharmacological properties. While it would be advantageous to artificially synthesize  Echinacea  extracts in order to achieve better consistency, to date such attempts have been unsuccessful. 
     Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a method and means of synthesizing ynamides. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and means of synthesizing diacetylenic amides. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and means of synthesizing diacetylenic amides that provides for economical, easy, and high yield processing. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and means of synthesizing pure diacetylenic amides that are natural constituents of  Echinacea  extracts. 
     It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and means of synthesizing pure form diacetylenic amides that are present as natural constituents of  Echinacea angustifolia , but in mixtures. 
     It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and means of synthesizing N-(2-methylpropyl)-2E-undecene-8,10-diynamide. 
     The method and means of accomplishing each of the above objectives as well as others will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows hereafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention describes a method and means of synthesizing in pure form diacetylenic amides, many of which are naturally present in  Echinacea . These compounds have the general formula: 
                                
wherein R′ is a functionalized chain that is stable in pH ranging from about 8–12, R″ is a branched alkyl chain, and n is an integer equal to the number of carbons minus four in the alcohol starting material for synthesizing the compounds of this invention. The alkene can have either the E- or Z-configuration.
 
     The diacetylenic amides are synthesized by first reacting an alcohol starting material with a reagent that is functionally capable of isomerizing the alcohol into a terminal acetylene (i.e., KAPA reagent). The terminal acetylene is next reacted with a halogen, followed by reaction with a second acetylene for a time period sufficient to form a diacetylenic alcohol. This alcohol is oxidized, then reacted with a Wittig reagent to form the diacetylenic amides of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates to the synthesis in high yield and pure form of a subclass of ynamides, diacetylenic amides, many of which exist in mixture in  Echinacea . The diacetylenic amides of this invention have the following general structural formula: 
                                
wherein R′ is a functionalized chain that is stable in pH ranging from about 8–12, R″ is a branched alkyl chain, and n is an integer equal to the number of carbons minus four in the alcohol starting material for synthesizing the compounds of this invention.
 
     Preferably, R′ is selected from the group consisting of non-functionally substituted alkyl, alcohol, ketal, alkenyl, alkynyl, and ether. Most preferably, R′ is selected from the group consisting of a C 1 –C 12  alkyl, alcohol, ketal, alkenyl, alkynyl, and ether. 
     Preferably, R″ is a non-functionally substituted C 1 –C 12  branched alkyl chain, that is most preferably isobutyl, isopentyl, or isopropyl. 
     In accordance with the first step of the process of this invention, a propargyl alcohol of the following formula is the starting material: 
                                
wherein R is a non-functionally substituted unbranched alkyl chain, which is preferably C 1 –C 25 , and most preferably C 1 –C 12 . The R moiety must be non-functionally substituted in order to prevent undesired side reactions from occurring on this side chain moiety.
 
     The alcohol starting material is reacted with a material that is functionally capable of moving the acetylene to the end of the chain. Such materials are well known in the art. A preferred compound for this purpose is KAPA reagent (potassium 3-aminopropyl amide). Persons skilled in the art can readily determine other reagents that are suitable for this purpose. The alcohol is reacted with the KAPA or other suitable reagent for a time period sufficient for this chemical shift to occur, which will generally range from about 1–2 hours. The KAPA (or other reagent) should be combined with the alcohol starting material in a ratio of greater than 1:1 reagent to alcohol. Preferably this addition occurs at an elevated temperature of, for example, 70° C. with stirring. 
     The resulting terminal acetylene is next reacted with a halogen that is either iodine or bromine for a time period sufficient to add a terminal halide group to the acetylene. The terminal acetylene should be combined with the iodine or bromine in a ratio of greater than 1:1 iodinelbromine to acetylene. This reaction is shown in the examples may occur in the presence of base such as potassium hydroxide, methyl alcohol and water. Temperature is not critical, but it may start at 0° C., and warm to room temperature with stirring over a two hour time. 
     The halogenated acetylene is next coupled with a second acetylene for a time period sufficient to form the new carbon-carbon bond. The second acetylene has the general formula HCCR′ wherein R′ has the same meaning as already described above. There is no criticality with regard to the acetylene compound used in this respect, with its precise structure depending upon the structure of the diacetylenic amide desired. Generally, however, both substituted and unsubstituted, straight chain, branched chain and cyclic compounds may be used as well as aromatics, both substituted and unsubstituted. Examples of appropriate R′ groups include, but are not limited to, disulphides, alkylhalides, aldehydes, ketones, esters, silanes, and epoxides. One example of an appropriate acetylene for this purpose is trimethylsilylacetylene. The ratio of halogenated acetylene to second acetylene is preferably 1:1. A palladium catalyst is necessary. 
     If a TMS-substituted acetylene is used as the acetylene in the coupling reaction, the silyl group may be removed if desired by reaction of the diacetylene with fluoride. 
     The resulting alcohol is next oxidized to produce the aldehyde. Any oxidation method may be used in this respect. Methods of oxidizing alcohols are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to, Swern oxidation, K. Omura, D. Swern,  Tetrahedron  34, 1651 (1978), pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) oxidation. Swern oxidation is promoted by oxalyl chloride activation of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). The aldehyde formed has the following general formula: 
                                
wherein R′ and n have the same meanings as already described above.
 
     The aldehyde then undergoes a Wittig reaction to form an unsaturated amide. The Wittig reaction is well known in the art, and involves alkene formation from carbonyl compounds and phosphonium ylides (Wittig reagents), proceeding primarily through the proposed betaine and/or oxaphosphetane intermediates. 
                                
Wittig reagents for use in the invention have the general formula Ph 3 PCHCONHR″ whereby R″ has the same meaning as set forth above. Examples of appropriate Wittig reagents for this reaction include, Ph 3 PCHCONHiBu. The ratio of Wittig reagent to aldehyde is preferably 1:1
 
     The final products of this reaction scheme are diacetylenic amides having the following general formula: 
                                
wherein R′, R″, and n have the same meanings as already described above. The alkene can have either the E- or Z-configuration.
 
     Temperatures for the reactions described above have not been found to be critical, although it has been found desirable to react at room temperature or lower. Pressure does not appear to be a controlling factor. Atmospheric pressure works satisfactorily. The reactions are preferably employed in an inert atmosphere. 
     The following examples are offered to illustrate but not limit the invention. Thus, they are presented with the understanding that various formulation modifications as well as method of delivery modifications may be made and still be within the spirit of the invention. 
     EXAMPLE 
     Preparation of Diacetylenic Amide (E-N-isobutyl undeca-2-ene-8,10-diynamide) 
     A diacetylenic amide from  Echinacea  was synthesized in accordance with the methods of this invention. 
     The compound had the following general structure: 
                                
whereby R″ is isobutyl, n is 3 and R′ is H.
 
     The synthesis scheme is set forth below: 
     Strategy Accomplished in Laboratory 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Starting from commercially available heptynol, the KAPA reagent was used to move the acetylene to the end of the chain. The resulting terminal acetylene was converted into the iodoacetylene using iodine and then coupled with trimethylsilylacetylene (TMS). The primary alcohol was oxidized to the aldehyde. This aldehyde was treated with a Wittig reagent, followed by desilylation with fluoride to provide the acetylenic amides from  Echinacea , specifically the following occurred. 
     6-pentyn-1-ol 
     To 10 ml of 1,3-diaminopropane was added lithium metal (186 mg, 27 mmol) in argon atmosphere. After stirring for 2 hrs at 70° C., solution was cooled to rt. To a mixture was added t-BuOK (1.69 g). After 15 min of stirring, 2-heptynol (0.507 ml, 4 mmol) was added to a mixture then stirred for 1 hr at rt. Reaction was quenched by adding 20 ml of water, extracted with ether (30 ml three times), washed with 10% HCl solution, and dried over MgSO 4 . Solvent was removed—74% yield. 
     7-iodo-6-pentyn-1-ol 
     To a solution of 6-heptynol (331 mg, 2.95 mmol) in 10 ml of methanol was added KOH in 5 ml of H 2 O. After 10 min, iodine (824 mg, 3.24 mmol) was added at 0° C. and warmed to rt and stirred for 2 hr. The reaction was then quenched with water and extracted with ether (20 ml three times). The solvent was removed in vacuo, the residue dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 , washed with brine and dried over MgSO 4 . Purification by silica gel chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=4:1) gave the product 498 mg (71% yield). 
     9-trimethylsilyl-6,8-nonadiyn-1-ol 
     To a solution of 7-iodo-6-heptynol (100 mg, 0.42 mmol), trimethylsilylacetylene (0.072 ml, 0.5 mmol), diphenyldichloropaladium (10 mg) and copper iodide (3 mg) in 5 ml of THF was added diisopropylamine (0.150 ml) at rt in argon atmosphere. After stirring 1 hr at rt, the mixture was diluted with ether, washed with NH 4 Cl solution, water and brine, dried over MgSO 4  and concentrated. Purification by silica gel chromatography (hexanes:ethyl acetate=4:1) gave 50 mg of product (50% yield). 
     2 5 9-trimethylsilyl-6,8-nonadiynaldehyde 
     To a solution of alcohol (50 mg, 0.24 mmol) in 2 ml of CH 2 Cl 2  was added PCC (78 mg, 0.36 mmol) at rt. After 1 hr, 20 mg of PCC was added. After 30 min, reaction was quenched by adding ether and filtered through Celite, concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (hexanes:ethyl acetate=2:1) gave 46 mg of product (93% yield). 
     E-N-isobutyl undeca-2-ene-8,10-diynaniide and Z-N-isobutyl undeca-2-ene-8,10-diynamide 
     To a solution of N-isobutyl triphenylphosphonium acetamide (0.415 g, 1.01 mmol) in 3 ml of THF was added 2.5M n-BuLi in hexane (0.404 ml, 1.01 ml) at 0° C. After stirring for 10 min at 0° C., aldehyde (104 mg, 0.51 mmol) in THF was added dropwise at 0° C. After stirring for 30 min at 0° C., reaction was quenched with water. The solution was then extracted with ether and dried over MgSO 4 . The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=10:1) to give Z compound (15 mg, 10% yield) and E compound (112 mg, 73% yield). 
     To a solution of amide (0.029 g, 0.096 mmol) in THF (1 mL) was added 1M TBAF (0.144 mL, 0.144 mmol) at 0 ° C. After stirring for 30 min, the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=10:1) to give the product (0.021 g, 95% yield). 
     E-N-isobutyl undeca-2-ene-8,10-diynamide: 300 MHz  1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) 6.79 (1H, dt, J=15.3, 6.6 Hz), 5.79 (1H, d, J=15.3 Hz), 5.62 (1H, br), 3.13 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 2.23˜2.29 (2H, m), 2.16˜2.22 (2H, m), 1.97 (1H, t, J=0.9 Hz) 1.74˜1.83 (1H, m), 1.52˜1.59 (4H, m), 0.91 (6H, d, J=6.9 Hz);  13 C NMR 166.1, 143.8, 124.3, 78.1, 68.6, 65.2, 64.9, 47.1, 31.5, 28.8, 27.6, 27.5, 20.3, 19.0. HRMS (EIMS) m/z for C 15 H 21 NO calcd 231.16231, measured 231.16260. EIMS 70 eV, m/z (rel. int.): 231 [M] +  (6), 216 [M-CH 3 ] +  (8), 202 (27), 188 [M-C 3 H 7 ] +  (22), 174 [M-C 4 H 9 ] +  (16), 160 (21), 131 [M-C 5 H 10 NO] +  (43), 116 (56), 103 (40), 91 [C 7 H 7 ] +  (100), 55 (26), 41 (25).
 
Z-N-isobutyl undeca-2-ene-8,10-diynamide: 300 MHz  1 H NMR (CDCl 3 ) 5.96 (1H, dt, J=11.4, 7.5 Hz), 5.69 (1H, d, J=11.4 Hz), 5.49 (1H, br), 3.11 (2H, t, J=6.9 Hz), 2.64˜2.72 (2H, m), 2.57˜2.30 (2H, m), 1.95 (1H, t, J=1.2 Hz), 1.72˜1.86 (1H, m), 1.50˜1.63 (4H, m), 0.92 (6H, d, J=6.6 Hz),;  13 C NMR 166.6, 145.0, 122.9, 78.5, 68.7, 65.0, 64.7, 46.8, 28.8, 28.5, 28.2, 27.8, 20.4, 19.1. EIMS 70 eV, m/z (rel. int.): 231 [M] +  (4), 216 [M-CH 3 ] +  (5), 202 (14), 188 [M-C 3 H 7 ] +  (11), 174 [M-C 4 H 9 ] +  (12), 159 (18), 131 [M-C 5 H 10 NO] +  (98), 117 (100), 91 [C 7 H 7 ] +  (82), 57 (57), 41 (48).
 
     It should be appreciated that the compounds of this invention may contain ynamides within the scope of the formulas described above, or prodrugs or analogues of these compounds and still come within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     Having described the invention with reference to particular compositions, theories of effectiveness, and the like, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that it is not intended that the invention be limited by such illustrative embodiments or mechanisms, and that modifications can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. It is intended that all such obvious modifications and variations be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The claims are meant to cover the claimed components and steps in any sequence which is effective to meet the objectives there intended, unless the context specifically indicates to the contrary.