Neurosteroid analogues. Part 5.1 Enantiomers of neuroactive steroids and benz[e]indenes: total synthesis, electrophysiological effects on GABAA receptor function and anesthetic actions in tadpoles

Abstract

The synthesis of (3β,5β,8α,9β,10α,13α,14β,17α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one 2, (3β,5β,8α,9β,10α,13α,14β,17α)-3-hydroxyandrostane-17-carbonitrile 4,† [3R-(3α,3aα,5aβ,7α,9aα,9bβ)]-1-[dodecahydro-7-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3a-methyl-1H-benz[e]inden-3-yl]ethanone 6 and [3R-(3α,3aα,5aβ,7α,9aα,9bβ)]-dodecahydro-7-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3a-methyl-1H-benz[e]indene-3-carbonitrile 8 is reported.‡ Steroids 2 and 4 have been used previously to investigate the enantioselectivity of steroid action on GABA_A receptor function and to correlate steroid action at this receptor with the anesthetic actions of the compounds. The enantioselective actions of benz[e]indenes 6 and 8 have been evaluated for the same reasons in this study. Similar correlations between the enantioselective effects of both classes of compounds on GABA_A receptor function and anesthetic potency in tadpoles have been observed.