# Synthesis of PAMAM Dendrimers Loaded with Mycophenolic Acid to Be Studied as New Potential Immunosuppressants

Authors: Lorenzo Guazzelli; Felicia D’Andrea; Francesco Giorgelli; Giorgio Catelani; Alessandra Panattoni; Andrea Luvisi
Journal: Journal of Chemistry
 (2015)

---

## Abstract

The terminalN-Boc protected diamino PAMAM 7 was condensed (EDC-DMAP) with two units of mycophenolic acid (MPA) giving the N-Boc protected dendron 8 in a good yield (76%). The ammonium trifluoroacetate 9 was prepared from 8 by acid treatment (TFA-THF-H2O) and was split into two equal parts. The first half was treated with di-2-pyridyl thionocarbonate (DPT) in the presence of Et3N to give the corresponding isothiocyanate 10. This was reacted with the second half of 9 providing the symmetrical dendrimer 11 (68% yield), exposing four MPA units around the thioureido-PAMAM core.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

Mycophenolic acid (MPA,1) is a potent inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), a key enzyme in thede novo synthesis of guanine nucleotide [1]. MPA exhibits antiproliferation activity and has been established as an anticancer agent, an immunosuppressant [1, 2] as well as an antiviral drug against some plant viruses [3–5]. Among these promising properties of MPA, the immunosuppressant property is by far the most important. MPA is a cornerstone immunosuppressant used to prevent rejection after organ transplantation. Currently, two MPA derivatives are used clinically for this purpose (Figure 1): mycophenolate sodium (MPS, Myfortic,2) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, CellCept,3). Several structural modification of MPA were carried out during the last twenty years to advance the elucidation of the structure-activity relationship of MPA in its interaction with IMPDH and contributed to the understanding of the relevant sites required for drug activity. Analogues which displayed similar or better immunosuppressive activity were reported. These derivatives present modifications only at the terminal carboxylic acid [6–11].Figure 1
Mycophenolic acid (1) and its marketed derivatives (2) and (3); schematic representation of the structure of a generic dendrimer (4) and of a single PAMAM branch (4a).In the search of new immunosuppressants, we planned the preparation of a new family of MPA derivatives linking more units of MPA to a scaffold by means of the carboxylic group. Among the possible scaffolds, we decided to use dendrimers as a drug delivery system (4, Figure 1) [12]. These are nanostructured macromolecules characterized by a tree-like architecture with exponential numbers of discrete dendritic branches radiating out from a common core. One of the most commonly known dendrimeric structure is the poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer which was introduced and developed by Tomalia and Fréchet [13]. PAMAM dendrimers are monodispersed, biocompatible, and synthetic macromolecules with well-defined structural architecture and composition. Here, we present the synthesis of PAMAM derivatives decorated with MPA units. The antiviral activity of these compounds has been recently tested inNicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi explants infected with a cucumber mosaic virus [14].


## 2. Experimental

Melting points were determined with a Kofler hot-stage apparatus and are uncorrected. Optical rotations were measured with a Perkin-Elmer 241 polarimeter at20±2°C. 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded in appropriate solvents with a Bruker Avance II spectrometer operating at 250.12 MHz (1H) and 62.9 MHz (13C). Spin resonances were reported as chemical shifts (δ) in part per million (ppm) and the references to the residual peak of the solvent employed as follows: CD3CN 1.94 ppm (1H NMR, central band) and 1.28 ppm (13C NMR, central band), CD3OD 3.31 ppm (1H NMR, central band) and 49.0 ppm (13C NMR, central band). Spin multiplicity was indicated by s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, bt = broad triplet, q = quartet, m = multiplet. Coupling constants J were reported in Hertz (Hz). The assignments were made, when possible, with the aid of DEPT, HETCOR, COSY, and HSQC experiments. Low resolution mass spectra were recorded on a LCQ Advantage ThermoFinnigan spectrometer equipped with an ion trap analyzer (Thermo Electron Company, San Jose, CA, USA). All reactions were followed by TLC on Kieselgel 60 F254 with detection by UV light and/or with ethanolic 10% phosphomolybdic or sulfuric acid and heating. Kieselgel 60 (E. Merck, 70–230 and 230–400 mesh, resp.) was used for column and flash chromatography. Solvents were dried and purified by distillation according to standard procedure [15] and stored over 4 Å molecular sieves activated for at least 24 h at 200°C. MgSO4 was used as the drying agent for solutions. Compounds5 and7 were prepared according to the reported procedures [16].


### 2.1. Synthesis of Compound6

A solution of mycophenolic acid (1) (125 mg, 0.390 mmol, 1.2 eq) and amine5 (57 mg, 0.354 mmol) in dry DMF (1.5 mL) containing Et3N (148 μL, 1.06 mmol, 3.0 eq) was treated at room temperature with 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC, 90.4 mg, 0.472 mmol, 1.34 eq) andN-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt, 49.2 mg, 0.364 mmol, 1.03 eq). The solution was stirred at room temperature until TLC analysis (9 : 1 CH2Cl2-MeOH, 21 h) revealed the complete disappearance of amine5 and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.85). The mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and the purification of the residue by flash chromatography over silica gel (2 : 8 hexane-EtOAc) gave pure6 (120 mg, 73% calculated from5) as a solid foam; Rf = 0.22 (2 : 8 hexane-EtOAc); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3CN-CDCl3): δ 1.38 [s, 9H, C(CH3)3], 1.92 (s, 3H, =CCH3), 2.10 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3), 2.18–2.24 (m, 4H, =C(CH2)2CO), 2.98 (q, 2H, J = 5.7 Hz,CH2NHCO), 3.10 (q, 2H, J = 5.7 Hz,CH2NHCOO), 3.34 (d, 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, ArCH2CH=), 3.73 (s, 3H,CH3), 5.20 (s, 2H, ArCH2OCO), 5.17 (t, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz,CH=C), 5.42 (bt, 1H, NHCO), 6.53 (bt, 1H, NHCOO), 7.74 (s, 1H, OH); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3CN-CDCl3): δ 11.6 (Ar-CH3), 16.3 (=CCH3), 23.1 (ArCH2CH=), 28.5 [C(CH3)3], 35.4, 35.8 (=C(CH2)2CO), 40.0, 40.9 [HN(CH2)2NH], 61.5 (OCH3), 70.8 (ArCH2O), 79.3 [C(CH3)3], 107.2 (C=), 123.3 (CH=), 116.0, 122.5, 135.3, 145.8 (4 × Ar-C), 157.0 (O-C=O), 153.8, 164.2 (2 × Ar-C-O), 173.2, 173.6 (2 × C=O). ESIMS: calcd for C24H34N2O7Na [M + Na]+ 485.5, found 485.3. Anal. Calcd for C24H34N2O7: C, 62.32; H, 7.41; N, 6.06. Found: C, 62.34; H, 7.44; N, 6.08.


### 2.2. Synthesis of Compound8

Method A (EDC, HOBT, Et
3
N, and DMF). A solution of mycophenolic acid (1) (369 mg, 1.151 mmol, 1.2 eq) and amine7 (204 mg, 0.525 mmol) in dry DMF (6.0 mL) containing Et3N (48 μL, 3.48 mmol, 3.0 eq) was treated at room temperature with EDC (296 mg, 0.514 mmol, 1.33 eq) and HOBt (161 mg, 1.19 mmol, 1.03 eq) and the solution was stirred at room temp. After 48 h, TLC analysis (8 : 2 CH2Cl2-MeOH) revealed the complete disappearance of amine7 and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.71). The mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and the purification of the residue by flash chromatography over silica gel (88 : 12 CH2Cl2-MeOH) gave pure8 (298 mg, 57% calculated from7).Method B (EDC, DMAP, and DMF). A solution of amine7 (98.4 mg, 0.253 mmol) and mycophenolic acid (1) (179 mg, 0.558 mmol, 2.2 eq) in dry DMF (3 mL) was treated with EDC (130 mg, 0.676 mmol, 2.67 eq) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP, 9.3 mg, 0.0759 mmol, 0.3 eq). The mixture was stirred at room temperature and after 48 h the TLC analysis (9 : 1 CH2Cl2-MeOH) revealed the complete disappearance of amine7 and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.40). The mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and the purification of the residue by flash chromatography over silica gel (CH2Cl2-MeOH 92 : 8) gave pure8 (191 mg, 76%).Compound8 was a solid foam; Rf = 0.12 (92 : 8 CH2Cl2-MeOH); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3OD-CDCl3): δ 1.40 [s, 9H, C(CH3)3], 1.80 (s, 6H, 2 × =CCH3), 2.13 (s, 6H, 2 × Ar-CH3), 2.30 (bt, 4H, J = 6.3 Hz, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 2.32 (bs, 8H, 2 × =C(CH2)2CO), 2.50 (t, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz, NCH2CH2NHCOO), 2.75 (bt, 4H, J = 6.3 Hz, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 3.15 (t, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz, NCH2CH2NHCOO), 3.30 [m, 8H, 2 × CONH(CH2)2NHCO], 3.36 (d, 4H, J = 6.6 Hz, 2 × ArCH2CH=), 3.75 (s, 6H, 2 × OCH3), 5.41 (m, 6H, 2 ×CH=C, 2 × ArCH2OCO); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3OD-CDCl3): δ 11.6 (2 × ArCH3), 23.5 (2 × ArCH2CH=), 16.3 (2 × =CCH3), 33.4 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 28.7 [C(CH3)3], 35.6, 36.3 (2 × =C(CH2)2CO), 39.8, 39.7 [2 × HN(CH2)2NH], 38.4 (NCH2CH2NHCOO), 50.8 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 53.1 (NCH2CH2NHCOO), 61.5 (2 × OCH3), 70.7 (2 × ArCH2O), 80.1 [C(CH3)3], 107.5 (2 × C=), 123.9 (2 × CH=), 117.7, 123.3, 134.8, 145.8 (8 × Ar-C), 158.1 (O-C=O), 154.5, 164.6 (4 × Ar-C-O), 173.6, 174.3, 175.6 (6 × C=O). ESIMS: calcd for C51H72N2O14Na [M + Na]+ 1015.5, found 1015.4. Anal. Calcd for C51H72N6O14: C, 61.68; H, 7.31; N, 8.46. Found: C, 61.70; H, 7.33; N, 8.47.


### 2.3. Synthesis of Dendrimer11

A solution of8 (186 mg, 0.186 mmol) in CH2Cl2-TFA-H2O 7.4 : 2.4 : 0.2 (2.0 mL) was stirred at room temperature until the TLC analysis (8 : 2 CH2Cl2-MeOH, 1 h) revealed the complete disappearance of the starting material and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.36). The reaction mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and repeatedly coevaporated with toluene (4 × 30 mL). The crude residue (184 mg) analyzed by NMR proved to be constituted only by the ammonium trifluoroacetate9. The salt9 is a solid foam, Rf = 0.36 (8 : 2 CH2Cl2-MeOH); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3CN): δ 1.77 (s, 6H, 2 × =CCH3), 2.10 (s, 6H, 2 × Ar-CH3), 2.70 (bs, 4H, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 2.18–2.30 (m, 12H, 2 × =C(CH2)2CO, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 3.05 (m, 2H, NCH2CH2NH3+), 3.32 (d, 4H, J = 6.8 Hz, 2 × ArCH2CH=), 3.20, 3.40 [2m, each 4H, 2 × CONH(CH2)2NHCO], 3.44 (m, 2H,CH2NH3+), 3.72 (s, 6H, 2 × OCH3), 5.16 (m, 6H, 2 ×CH=C, 2 × ArCH2OCO), 10.1 (bs, 4H, 4 × NHCO), 7.80 (s, 2H, 2 × OH); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3CN): δ 11.6 (2 × Ar-CH3), 16.2 (2 × =CCH3), 23.3 (2 × ArCH2CH=), 29.1 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 35.9, 36.4 (2 × =C(CH2)2CO), 38.7, 39.9 [2 × HN(CH2)2NH], 51.9 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 36.4 (CH2NHCO), 50.1 (CH2NH3+), 61.6 (2 × OCH3), 71.0 (2 × ArCH2O), 123.8 (2 × CH=), 107.3 (2 × C=), 119.0, 122.7, 135.2, 146.2 (8 × Ar-C), 153.9, 164.3 (4 × Ar-CO), 173.0, 176.0, 173.4 (6 × C=O).To a solution of crude9 (92 mg, 0.0912 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (1.4 mL), Et3N (100 μL) and 2-pyridyl thiocarbonate (DPT, 22 mg, 0.0912 mmol) were added at room temperature. After 6 h the TLC analysis (7 : 3 EtOAc-iprOH) revealed the complete disappearance of the starting material and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.24). The solution was concentrated under diminished pressure and the crude isothiocyanate intermediate10 (86 mg, 0.0912 mmol) was solubilized in dry 1 : 1 CH2Cl2-DMF (1.0 mL) and a solution of crude9 (92 mg, 0.0912 mmol) in dry 1 : 1 CH2Cl2-DMF (2.0 mL) containing Et3N (0.2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 43 h, until TLC analysis (7 : 3 EtOAc-iprOH) revealed the formation of a major product at Rf = 0.22. The reaction was concentrated at reduced pressure and the crude was subjected to a flash chromatography (EtOAc) on silica gel to give dendrimer11(114 mg, 68% from9) as a foam solid; Rf = 0.22 (7 : 3 EtOAc-iprOH); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3OD-CDCl3): δ 1.81 (s, 12H, 4 × =CCH3), 2.14 (s, 12H, 4 × Ar-CH3), 2.26 [bs, 16H, 4 × =C(CH2)2CO], 2.34 (bt, 8H, J = 6.4 Hz, 4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 2.72–2.86 (m, 12H, 2 × NCH2CH2NHCS, 4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 3.22 [m, 16H, 4 × CONH(CH2)2NHCO], 3.37 (d, 8H, J = 7.0 Hz, 4 × ArCH2CH=), 3.58 (t, 4H, J = 5.6 Hz, NCH2CH2NHCS), 3.76 (s, 12H, 4 × OCH3), 5.21 (s, 8H, 4 × ArCH2OCO), 5.24 (t, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, 4×CH=C); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3CN-D2O): δ 11.5 (4 × Ar-CH3). 16.3 (4 × =CCH3), 23.5 (4 × ArCH2CH=), 34.8 (4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 35.8, 36.4 [4 × =C(CH2)2CO], 39.9 [4 × HN(CH2)2NH], 44.3 (NCH2CH2NHCS), 50.8 (4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 54.2 (2 × NCH2CH2NHCS), 61.5 (4 × OCH3), 70.7 (4 × ArCH2O), 107.5 (4 × C=), 117.6, 123.4, 134.9, 146.2 (16 × Ar-C), 124.3 (4 × CH=), 154.5, 164.5 (8 × Ar-C-O), 173.6, 174.7, 175.7 (12 × C=O), 179.8 (C=S). ESIMS: calcd for C93H126N12O24SNa [M + Na]+ 1849.9, found 1849.7. Anal. Calcd for C93H126N12O24S: C, 61.10; H, 6.95; N, 9.19. Found: C, 61.13; H, 6.98; N, 9.21.


## 2.1. Synthesis of Compound6

A solution of mycophenolic acid (1) (125 mg, 0.390 mmol, 1.2 eq) and amine5 (57 mg, 0.354 mmol) in dry DMF (1.5 mL) containing Et3N (148 μL, 1.06 mmol, 3.0 eq) was treated at room temperature with 1-ethyl-3-(3-(dimethylamino)-propyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC, 90.4 mg, 0.472 mmol, 1.34 eq) andN-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt, 49.2 mg, 0.364 mmol, 1.03 eq). The solution was stirred at room temperature until TLC analysis (9 : 1 CH2Cl2-MeOH, 21 h) revealed the complete disappearance of amine5 and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.85). The mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and the purification of the residue by flash chromatography over silica gel (2 : 8 hexane-EtOAc) gave pure6 (120 mg, 73% calculated from5) as a solid foam; Rf = 0.22 (2 : 8 hexane-EtOAc); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3CN-CDCl3): δ 1.38 [s, 9H, C(CH3)3], 1.92 (s, 3H, =CCH3), 2.10 (s, 3H, Ar-CH3), 2.18–2.24 (m, 4H, =C(CH2)2CO), 2.98 (q, 2H, J = 5.7 Hz,CH2NHCO), 3.10 (q, 2H, J = 5.7 Hz,CH2NHCOO), 3.34 (d, 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, ArCH2CH=), 3.73 (s, 3H,CH3), 5.20 (s, 2H, ArCH2OCO), 5.17 (t, 1H, J = 7.0 Hz,CH=C), 5.42 (bt, 1H, NHCO), 6.53 (bt, 1H, NHCOO), 7.74 (s, 1H, OH); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3CN-CDCl3): δ 11.6 (Ar-CH3), 16.3 (=CCH3), 23.1 (ArCH2CH=), 28.5 [C(CH3)3], 35.4, 35.8 (=C(CH2)2CO), 40.0, 40.9 [HN(CH2)2NH], 61.5 (OCH3), 70.8 (ArCH2O), 79.3 [C(CH3)3], 107.2 (C=), 123.3 (CH=), 116.0, 122.5, 135.3, 145.8 (4 × Ar-C), 157.0 (O-C=O), 153.8, 164.2 (2 × Ar-C-O), 173.2, 173.6 (2 × C=O). ESIMS: calcd for C24H34N2O7Na [M + Na]+ 485.5, found 485.3. Anal. Calcd for C24H34N2O7: C, 62.32; H, 7.41; N, 6.06. Found: C, 62.34; H, 7.44; N, 6.08.


## 2.2. Synthesis of Compound8

Method A (EDC, HOBT, Et
3
N, and DMF). A solution of mycophenolic acid (1) (369 mg, 1.151 mmol, 1.2 eq) and amine7 (204 mg, 0.525 mmol) in dry DMF (6.0 mL) containing Et3N (48 μL, 3.48 mmol, 3.0 eq) was treated at room temperature with EDC (296 mg, 0.514 mmol, 1.33 eq) and HOBt (161 mg, 1.19 mmol, 1.03 eq) and the solution was stirred at room temp. After 48 h, TLC analysis (8 : 2 CH2Cl2-MeOH) revealed the complete disappearance of amine7 and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.71). The mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and the purification of the residue by flash chromatography over silica gel (88 : 12 CH2Cl2-MeOH) gave pure8 (298 mg, 57% calculated from7).Method B (EDC, DMAP, and DMF). A solution of amine7 (98.4 mg, 0.253 mmol) and mycophenolic acid (1) (179 mg, 0.558 mmol, 2.2 eq) in dry DMF (3 mL) was treated with EDC (130 mg, 0.676 mmol, 2.67 eq) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP, 9.3 mg, 0.0759 mmol, 0.3 eq). The mixture was stirred at room temperature and after 48 h the TLC analysis (9 : 1 CH2Cl2-MeOH) revealed the complete disappearance of amine7 and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.40). The mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and the purification of the residue by flash chromatography over silica gel (CH2Cl2-MeOH 92 : 8) gave pure8 (191 mg, 76%).Compound8 was a solid foam; Rf = 0.12 (92 : 8 CH2Cl2-MeOH); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3OD-CDCl3): δ 1.40 [s, 9H, C(CH3)3], 1.80 (s, 6H, 2 × =CCH3), 2.13 (s, 6H, 2 × Ar-CH3), 2.30 (bt, 4H, J = 6.3 Hz, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 2.32 (bs, 8H, 2 × =C(CH2)2CO), 2.50 (t, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz, NCH2CH2NHCOO), 2.75 (bt, 4H, J = 6.3 Hz, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 3.15 (t, 2H, J = 6.8 Hz, NCH2CH2NHCOO), 3.30 [m, 8H, 2 × CONH(CH2)2NHCO], 3.36 (d, 4H, J = 6.6 Hz, 2 × ArCH2CH=), 3.75 (s, 6H, 2 × OCH3), 5.41 (m, 6H, 2 ×CH=C, 2 × ArCH2OCO); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3OD-CDCl3): δ 11.6 (2 × ArCH3), 23.5 (2 × ArCH2CH=), 16.3 (2 × =CCH3), 33.4 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 28.7 [C(CH3)3], 35.6, 36.3 (2 × =C(CH2)2CO), 39.8, 39.7 [2 × HN(CH2)2NH], 38.4 (NCH2CH2NHCOO), 50.8 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 53.1 (NCH2CH2NHCOO), 61.5 (2 × OCH3), 70.7 (2 × ArCH2O), 80.1 [C(CH3)3], 107.5 (2 × C=), 123.9 (2 × CH=), 117.7, 123.3, 134.8, 145.8 (8 × Ar-C), 158.1 (O-C=O), 154.5, 164.6 (4 × Ar-C-O), 173.6, 174.3, 175.6 (6 × C=O). ESIMS: calcd for C51H72N2O14Na [M + Na]+ 1015.5, found 1015.4. Anal. Calcd for C51H72N6O14: C, 61.68; H, 7.31; N, 8.46. Found: C, 61.70; H, 7.33; N, 8.47.


## 2.3. Synthesis of Dendrimer11

A solution of8 (186 mg, 0.186 mmol) in CH2Cl2-TFA-H2O 7.4 : 2.4 : 0.2 (2.0 mL) was stirred at room temperature until the TLC analysis (8 : 2 CH2Cl2-MeOH, 1 h) revealed the complete disappearance of the starting material and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.36). The reaction mixture was concentrated under diminished pressure and repeatedly coevaporated with toluene (4 × 30 mL). The crude residue (184 mg) analyzed by NMR proved to be constituted only by the ammonium trifluoroacetate9. The salt9 is a solid foam, Rf = 0.36 (8 : 2 CH2Cl2-MeOH); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3CN): δ 1.77 (s, 6H, 2 × =CCH3), 2.10 (s, 6H, 2 × Ar-CH3), 2.70 (bs, 4H, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 2.18–2.30 (m, 12H, 2 × =C(CH2)2CO, 2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 3.05 (m, 2H, NCH2CH2NH3+), 3.32 (d, 4H, J = 6.8 Hz, 2 × ArCH2CH=), 3.20, 3.40 [2m, each 4H, 2 × CONH(CH2)2NHCO], 3.44 (m, 2H,CH2NH3+), 3.72 (s, 6H, 2 × OCH3), 5.16 (m, 6H, 2 ×CH=C, 2 × ArCH2OCO), 10.1 (bs, 4H, 4 × NHCO), 7.80 (s, 2H, 2 × OH); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3CN): δ 11.6 (2 × Ar-CH3), 16.2 (2 × =CCH3), 23.3 (2 × ArCH2CH=), 29.1 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 35.9, 36.4 (2 × =C(CH2)2CO), 38.7, 39.9 [2 × HN(CH2)2NH], 51.9 (2 × NCH2CH2CONH), 36.4 (CH2NHCO), 50.1 (CH2NH3+), 61.6 (2 × OCH3), 71.0 (2 × ArCH2O), 123.8 (2 × CH=), 107.3 (2 × C=), 119.0, 122.7, 135.2, 146.2 (8 × Ar-C), 153.9, 164.3 (4 × Ar-CO), 173.0, 176.0, 173.4 (6 × C=O).To a solution of crude9 (92 mg, 0.0912 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (1.4 mL), Et3N (100 μL) and 2-pyridyl thiocarbonate (DPT, 22 mg, 0.0912 mmol) were added at room temperature. After 6 h the TLC analysis (7 : 3 EtOAc-iprOH) revealed the complete disappearance of the starting material and the formation of a major product (Rf = 0.24). The solution was concentrated under diminished pressure and the crude isothiocyanate intermediate10 (86 mg, 0.0912 mmol) was solubilized in dry 1 : 1 CH2Cl2-DMF (1.0 mL) and a solution of crude9 (92 mg, 0.0912 mmol) in dry 1 : 1 CH2Cl2-DMF (2.0 mL) containing Et3N (0.2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 43 h, until TLC analysis (7 : 3 EtOAc-iprOH) revealed the formation of a major product at Rf = 0.22. The reaction was concentrated at reduced pressure and the crude was subjected to a flash chromatography (EtOAc) on silica gel to give dendrimer11(114 mg, 68% from9) as a foam solid; Rf = 0.22 (7 : 3 EtOAc-iprOH); 1H NMR (250.12 MHz, CD3OD-CDCl3): δ 1.81 (s, 12H, 4 × =CCH3), 2.14 (s, 12H, 4 × Ar-CH3), 2.26 [bs, 16H, 4 × =C(CH2)2CO], 2.34 (bt, 8H, J = 6.4 Hz, 4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 2.72–2.86 (m, 12H, 2 × NCH2CH2NHCS, 4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 3.22 [m, 16H, 4 × CONH(CH2)2NHCO], 3.37 (d, 8H, J = 7.0 Hz, 4 × ArCH2CH=), 3.58 (t, 4H, J = 5.6 Hz, NCH2CH2NHCS), 3.76 (s, 12H, 4 × OCH3), 5.21 (s, 8H, 4 × ArCH2OCO), 5.24 (t, 4H, J = 7.3 Hz, 4×CH=C); 13C NMR (62.9 MHz, CD3CN-D2O): δ 11.5 (4 × Ar-CH3). 16.3 (4 × =CCH3), 23.5 (4 × ArCH2CH=), 34.8 (4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 35.8, 36.4 [4 × =C(CH2)2CO], 39.9 [4 × HN(CH2)2NH], 44.3 (NCH2CH2NHCS), 50.8 (4 × NCH2CH2CONH), 54.2 (2 × NCH2CH2NHCS), 61.5 (4 × OCH3), 70.7 (4 × ArCH2O), 107.5 (4 × C=), 117.6, 123.4, 134.9, 146.2 (16 × Ar-C), 124.3 (4 × CH=), 154.5, 164.5 (8 × Ar-C-O), 173.6, 174.7, 175.7 (12 × C=O), 179.8 (C=S). ESIMS: calcd for C93H126N12O24SNa [M + Na]+ 1849.9, found 1849.7. Anal. Calcd for C93H126N12O24S: C, 61.10; H, 6.95; N, 9.19. Found: C, 61.13; H, 6.98; N, 9.21.


## 3. Results and Discussion

Derivative6 was first prepared, as a positive control for biological evaluations (Scheme 1). The monoprotectedN-Boc-ethylenediamine5 [16], which is also used as the central core in the construction of PAMAM dendrons, was used as capping reagent. The same kind of additional functional groups will be present in all synthetic structures, thus ensuring similar interactions during the evaluation of immunosuppressant properties.Scheme 1
Synthesis of compound6.1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC), which is nowadays preferred toN,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in the formation of amide bonds because it is not a skin sensitizer and its urea by-product can be easily removed, was chosen as a coupling agent and the reaction was carried out at room temperature in the presence ofN-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) and triethylamine (Et3N). Compound6 was isolated after 12 h in a 73% yield after flash chromatography on silica gel. The two-branched structure7 [16] was easily obtained via double Michael addition of methyl acrylate toN-Boc-ethylenediamine followed by amidation of the intermediate with a large excess of ethylenediamine. This was then reacted with1 using the same coupling conditions seen above (Scheme 2). The reaction required longer time (48 h) to go to completion and afforded8 in a poor 57% yield. Better results were obtained whenN,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) was used instead of the mixture Et3N-HOBt. In this case, the desired compound was isolated in a 76% yield after chromatographic purification.Scheme 2
Synthesis of compound8. Reaction conditions: EDC, DMPA, DMF, room temperature, 48 h (76% yield) or EDC, HOBt, DMF, Et3N, room temperature, 48 h (57% yield).Having obtained this structure, the synthesis of the symmetrical dendrimer11 was possible (Scheme 3). First, the acid labileN-Boc protecting group was removed (trifluoroacetic acid-water, in CH2Cl2) giving the ammonium trifluoroacetate salt9 in a quantitative yield. The structure and purity of9 were confirmed by NMR analysis, which verified the complete removal of thet-butoxy carbonyl group. The latter compound was then reacted, without purification, with di-2-pyridyl thionocarbonate (DPT) and triethylamine. DPT [17, 18] is a commercially available, solid, nontoxic reagent that can be used in the preparation of isothiocyanates as a safe alternative to thiophosgene. The reaction proceeded smoothly and gave the complete conversion after 5.5 h. The intermediate isothiocyanate obtained after removal of the solvents was directly reacted with crude9 in the presence of Et3N in a mixture of CH2Cl2 and DMF.Scheme 3
Synthesis of dendrimer11.Dendrimer11 was obtained after flash chromatographic purification in a satisfactory 68% overall yield. The symmetrical structure of compound11 and the formation of the thioureido bridge (diagnostic C=S signal) were fully confirmed by 1H, 13C and 2D NMR experiments.


## 4. Conclusions

In conclusion, we reported the synthesis of poly (amidoamine) structures decorated with mycophenolic acid. The target structures were prepared in good overall yields and with a limited number of purification steps. Furthermore, the very same strategy could be used to prepare dendrimers of higher generation. On the other hand, the presence of the orthogonally protected amino group on the inner core could allow for the preparation of a library of asymmetrical structures coupling the dendron with different compounds rather than its symmetrical counterpart. The immunosuppressant properties of these compounds are currently under investigation and the results will be published in due course.



---

*Source: 263072-2015-05-05.xml*