Synthesis and absolute configuration of the new thromboxane antagonist (3R)-3-(4-fluorophenylsulfonamido)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-carbazolepropan oic acid and comparison with its enantiomer.

The synthesis of (3R)-3-(4-Fluorophenylsulfonamido)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9- carbazolepropanoic acid (Bay u 3405), a new, enantiomerically pure antagonist of thromboxane A2, is described. The determination of the absolute configuration of Bay u 3405 was performed by an X-ray analysis of compound 7 ([3((2S)-acetylamido)-3-phenylpropionamido]-1,2,3,4- tetrahydro-carbazol). Bay u 3405 is in vitro 1 to 2 orders of magnitude more active than its (-)-enantiomer Bay u 3406.