Synthesis, in vitro acetylcholine-storage-blocking activities, and biological properties of derivatives and analogues of trans-2-(4-phenylpiperidino)cyclohexanol (vesamicol).

Eighty-four analogues and derivatives of the acetylcholine-storage-blocking drug trans-2-(4-phenylpiperidino)-cyclohexanol (vesamicol) were synthesized, and their potencies were evaluated with the acetylcholine active-transport assay utilizing purified synaptic vesicles from Torpedo electric organ. The parent drug exhibits enantioselectivity, with (-)-vesamicol being 25-fold more potent than (+)-vesamicol. The atomic structure and absolute configuration of (+)-vesamicol were determined by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configuration of (-)-vesamicol is 1R,2R. Structure-activity evidence indicates that (-)-vesamicol does not act as an acetylcholine analogue. Alterations to all three rings can have large effects on potency. Unexpectedly, analogues locking the alcohol and ammonium groups trans-diequatorial or trans-diaxial both exhibit good potency. A potent benzovesamicol family has been discovered that is suitable for facile elaboration of the sort useful in affinity labeling and affinity chromatography applications. A good correlation was found between potencies as assessed by the acetylcholine transport assay and LD50 values in mouse.