Triazolyl derivatives of anilines were prepared and evaluated as releasing systems at mildly acidic pH values. Two triazolyl derivatives showed convenient pH sensitivity, being stable at pH 7.3 and rapidly hydrolyzed at pH values below 5. A generalized mechanism is proposed from additional theoretical investigations.Drug delivery systems (DDS) are developed to exploit endocytosis 1 and enhance permeability and retention effects, 2 with progressive or differentiated release being extensively investigated. 3 Covalent acid-sensitive linkers are used to connect drugs to vectors 4 to exploit the acidic process of endocytosis. We recently described amine 5 and alcohol 6 release (Scheme 1, X = NH or O respectively) based on an acid-sensitive triazolyl system obtained by click chemistry 7 and report herein new findings for the release of aniline.
Scheme 1 Principle of triazolyl-based acid-sensitive systemsTwo synthetic pathways were investigated to prepare aniline carbamates A (Scheme 1, Y = CO 2 , R 4 = Ph) and alkylanilines B (Scheme 1, Y = no atom, R 4 = Ph). In path A (Scheme 2), propargylic carbamates 2 were prepared from alcohols 1. The reaction with alcohols 1a and 1c proceeded in good yields, however, although alcohols 1b and 1d were consumed, the corresponding carbamates 2b and 2d were probably unstable and could not be isolated. 8 Cycloaddition of 2a with azide 3 gave carbamate 4a in modest yield. The cycloaddition of 2c resulted in decomposition. In path B, the known alcohols 5a-d were prepared in high yields and reacted with phenyl isocyanate to give carbamates 4. Carbamate 4a was isolated in higher yield than that obtained using path A. The syntheses of carbamates 4b-d remained problematic. Alcohol 5b gave carbamate 4b together with the inseparable alkene 8b. For alcohols 5c and 5d, two rearranged amine derivatives 6c and 6d were isolated in very high yields instead of the expected carbamates 4c and 4d. The structures of alkylamines 6c and 6d were confirmed by their preparation from alcohols 5 (path B), via chlorides 7 and substitution with aniline (Scheme 2, iii-v). Since dianisyl chlorides can easily be converted into alcohols, 9 this may explain the low yields observed with the chlorination method. Amines 6c and 6d were obtained in moderate yields compared to the in situ rearrangement of carbamates 4c and 4d. Derivatives 6a and 6b were not prepared because they were expected to be stable at low pH. The syntheses of amines 6c and 6d appeared to be more effective via the rearrangement of carbamates 4c and 4d, which are probably formed in situ.The carbamate 4a and alkylamines 6c and 6d were submitted to acidic hydrolysis (citrate buffer for pH 4.3 and TRIZMA buffer for physiological pH). Half-lives (t 1/2 ) are A , Y = CO 2 B , Y = no atom a R 1 = R 2 = Me b R 1 = Me, R 2 = Ph c R 1 = R 2 = Ph d R 1 = R 2 = p-MeOC 6 H 4