In pursuit of a more detailed understanding of the structural requirements for the key side chain cannabinoid pharmacophore we have extended our SAR to cover a variety of conformationally modified side chains within the 9-keto and 9-hydroxyl tricyclic structures. Of the compounds described here, those with a seven-atom long side chain substituted with a cyclopentyl ring at C1′ position have very high affinities for both CB1 and CB2 (0.97 nM

Alpha-hydrogen abstraction and alpha-hydrogen migration reactions yield novel titanium(IV) complexes bearing terminal phosphinidene ligands. Via an alpha-H migration reaction, the phosphinidene ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip](CH(2)(tBu) ((tBu)nacnac(-) = [Ar]NC((t)Bu)CHC((t)Bu)N[Ar], Ar = 2,6-(CHMe2)(2C6H3, Trip = 2,4,6-(i)Pr3C6H2) was prepared by the addition of the primary phosphide LiPH[Trip] to the nucleophilic alkylidene triflato complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=CH(t)Bu(OTf), while alpha-H abstraction was promoted by the addition of LiPH[Trip] to the dimethyl triflato precursor ((tBu)nacnac)Ti(CH)(2)(OTf) to afford ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip](CH3). Treatment of ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip](CH3) with B(C6F5)(3) induces methide abstraction concurrent with formation of the first titanium(IV) phosphinidene zwitterion complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip]{CH3B(C6F5)(3)}. Complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip]{CH3B(C6F5)(3)} [2 + 2] cycloadds readily PhCCPh to afford the phosphametallacyclobutene [((tBu)nacnac)Ti(P[Trip]PhCCPh)][CH3B(C6F5)(3)]. These titanium(IV) phosphinidene complexes possess the shortest Ti=P bonds reported, have linear phosphinidene groups, and reveal significantly upfielded solution 31P NMR spectroscopic resonances for the phosphinidene phosphorus. Solid state 31P NMR spectroscopic data also corroborate with all three complexes possessing considerably shielded chemical shifts for the linear and terminal phosphinidene functionality. In addition, high-level DFT studies on the phosphinidenes suggest the terminal phosphinidene linkage to be stabilized via a pseudo Ti[triple bond]P bond. Linearity about the Ti-P-C(ipso) linkage is highly dependent on the sterically encumbering substituents protecting the phosphinidene. Complex ((tBu)nacnac)Ti=P[Trip]{CH3B(C6F5))(3)} can catalyze the hydrophosphination of PhCCPh with H(2)PPh to produce the secondary vinylphosphine HP[Ph]PhC=CHPh. In addition, we demonstrate that this zwitterion is a powerful phospha-Staudinger reagent and can therefore act as a carboamination precatalyst of diphenylacetylene with aldimines.

We report an approach for obtaining novel cannabinoid analogs with controllable deactivation and improved druggability. Our design involves the incorporation of a metabolically labile ester group at the 2'-position on a series of (−)-Δ8-THC analogs. We have sought to introduce benzylic substituents alpha to the ester group which affect the half-lives of deactivation through enzymatic activity while enhancing the affinities and efficacies of individual ligands for the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The 1'-(S)-methyl, 1'-gem-dimethyl and 1'-cyclobutyl analogs exhibit remarkably high affinities for both CB receptors. The novel ligands are susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis by plasma esterases in a controllable manner while their metabolites are inactive at the CB receptors. In further in vitro and in vivo experiments key analogs were shown to be potent CB1 receptor agonists and exhibit CB1-mediated hypothermic and analgesic effects.

A rare fluorobenzene adduct of group 4, [(nacnac)Ti=NAr(FC6H5)][B(C6F5)4] (nacnac- = [ArNC(tBu)]2CH, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3), has been isolated and structurally characterized. This highly electron-deficient system engages readily in imine metathesis and catalyzes carboamination reactions involving diphenylacetylene and aldimines to afford alpha,beta-unsaturated imines as well as triaryl-substituted quinolines. The latter product results from cyclization of the corresponding electron-rich alpha,beta-unsaturated imine.