Synthesis of Adamantane Aminoethers with Antitubercular Potential

Background: Intrigued by the fact that aminoadamantane derivatives, bearing the active 1,2-ethylenediamine moiety, are promising antitubercular agents, we report herein the synthesis and the antitubercular evaluation of N,N'-substituded-4,4'-[adamantane-2,2-diyl]bis(phe-noxyalkylamines) 1a-g, N,N'-substituded-4,4'-[adamantane-1,3-diyl]bis(phenoxyalkylamines) 2a-f, N,N'-substituded-[4-(1-adamantyl)phenoxy]alkylamines 3a-d and N,N'-substituded-[4-(2-adamantyl)phenoxy]alkylamines 4a, b. Method: A substituted diarylmethane moiety was introduced on the adamantane skeleton of the new derivatives. The synthesis of the above compounds involved the nucleophilic attack of the corresponding phenoxide, to the appropriate aminoalkylchloride hydrochloride under heating. Results: The double substituted adamantane derivatives with an aminoether side chain exhibit significant activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion: The length and the nature of the amino end of the side chain influence the antitubercular activity. The double phenolic substitution of the adamantane scaffold and the aminoether side chain with a three-methylene spacer between the phenoxy group and the nitrogen atom present the better results. (analogues 1f, g and 2e, f). These findings merit further investigation aiming at the design of more potent adamantane antituberculars, bearing a number of different substituents on the diarylmethane pharmacophore, which will also be translocated to other posititions on the adamantane ring.