Patent GB-1290263-A (GB)
IPC: C07D313/00
Filed: 1970-02-23
Abstract: 1290263 Zearalane derivatives MERCK & CO Inc 23 Feb 1970 [27 Feb 1969] 8568/70 Heading C2C The invention comprises compounds of the Formula I (in which A is a hydrogen atom or a radical of formula-OR, where R is a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6  alkyl, aralkyl, C 1-6  alkanoyl or benzoyl radical ; B is a hydrogen atom or a nitro radical, provided that B is not nitro when A is hydrogen ; and R<SP>1</SP> is a radical of formula -CH 2 OH, -CHO, -COOR<SP>11</SP> or -CH 2 COOR<SP>11</SP>, where R<SP>11</SP> is a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6  alkyl or an aralkyl radical, except that R<SP>11</SP> is not hydrogen when R is C 1-6  alkanoyl or benzoyl). 7<SP>1</SP>-(Formyl, carboxy and hydroxymethyl) zearalanes (Formula I, A = OH, R = H, B = H, R<SP>1</SP> = CHO, COOH or CH 2 OH) are prepared by hydrogenating 61(71) - dehydro - 7<SP>1</SP> - formyl - zearalene 2,4-dibenzyl ether to give 7-formylzearalane, if desired, oxidizing this to give 7-carboxyzearalane, and, if desired, reducing this to give 7- hydroxymethylzearalane. Ethers of 7<SP>1</SP>-(formyl or carboxy)zearalane are prepared by reacting 7<SP>1</SP>-(formyl or carboxy)zearalane with a dialkyl or diaralkyl sulphate to produce a mixture of the corresponding 2,4-diether and 2-monoether, separating the 2-monoether, and, if desired, selectively hydrolysing the diether to give the 4-monoether. The resulting monoethers may be acylated to give mixed ether-esters which may be hydrolysed to give the monoesters. Mixed ether and mixed esters are prepared by etherification and esterification of the monoethers or monoesters. Diesters in which the ester groups are the same are prepared by esterification of 7<SP>1</SP>-(formyl or carboxy) zearalane. 7<SP>1</SP>- (Hydroxymethyl)zearalanes are prepared by reduction of a suitable 7<SP>1</SP>-carboxyzearalane. 7<SP>1</SP>- (carboxymethyl)zearalanes and the corresponding 2-desoxy compounds and their 2- and/or 4- ether or ester derivatives are prepared by reacting a 7<SP>1</SP>-hydroxymethylzearalane or a 2- and/or 4-ether or ester thereof with an organic sulphonyl chloride to form the corresponding 7<SP>1</SP>-(organic sulphonyloxy)methyl zearalane, reacting this with an alkali metal cyanide to form the corresponding 7<SP>1</SP>-cyanomethylzearalane, reacting-this with a C 1-6  alkanol or aralkanol in the presence of gaseous hydrogen chloride, reacting the product in situ with water to form a 7<SP>1</SP>-(earboalkoxy or carboaralkoxy)methylzearalane and hydrolysing this to the free acid. The nitro compounds (Formula I, B = NO 2 ) are prepared by treating the parent zearalane or ether or ester derivative with concentrated nitric acid. The 2-desoxy-zearalanes (Formula I, A = H) are prepared by reacting 7<SP>1</SP>-formylzearalane with dihydropyran to form 7<SP>1</SP>-formylzearalane 4-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)ether, reacting this with 1-phenyl-5-chlorotetrazole to form the corresponding 7<SP>1</SP>-formylzearalane 2-(1-phenyl-5-tetrazolyl)ether 4-(2-tetrahydropyranyl)ether, hydrogenating this, followed by treating with a dilute mineral acid, to form 2-desoxy-7<SP>1</SP>-hydroxymethylzearalane, and, if desired, oxidizing this to 2-desoxy-71-(formyl or carboxy)zearalane. Ether and esters of 2-desoxy-71-formylzearalane are prepared as described above and these may be converted to the corresponding 2-desoxy-71- (hydroxymethyl or carboxy)zearalanes by reduction or oxidation, respectively. 61(71) - Dehydro - 7<SP>1</SP>-formylzearalane 2,4 - dibenzyl ether is prepared by reacting zearalenone 2,4-dibenzyl ether with ethyl formate in the presence of a strong base to produce 7<SP>1</SP>-hydroxymethylenezearalenone 2,4-dibenzyl ether (which can exist in tautomeric form 7<SP>1</SP>-formylzearalenone 2,4-dibenzyl ether), reacting this with an alcohol, e.g. cyclohexanol, to form the corresponding ether, e.g. 7<SP>1</SP>-cyclohexyloxymethylzearalenone 2,4-dibenzyl ether, and, finally, treating this with a reducing agent, e.g. lithium aluminium hydride. Pharmaceutical compositions having anabolic and estrogenic activity, comprise a compound of Formula I together with an inert carrier. The compositions may be administered orally or parenterally.