Volinanserin

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

The time to peak levels of volinanserin is 1 to 2.5hours. The elimination half-life of volinanserin is 6.6hours, with a range of 4.5 to 9.8hours. However, cortical serotonin 5-HT2A receptor occupancy with volinanserin measured by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging lasts much longer than its circulating elimination half-life would imply.

Chemistry

Synthesis

The synthesis of volinanserin has been reported. Beginning with protection of ethyl isonipecotate (1) with Boc anhydride gives ethyl N-Boc-4-piperidinecarboxylate (2). Ester-amide interchange with N-methoxymethylamine HCl in the presence of carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) coupling agent gives 1-Boc-4-[methoxy(methyl)carbamoyl]piperidine (3). Weinreb ketone synthesis occurs upon benzoylation with 1,2-dimethoxybenzene (4) to give 1-Boc-4-(2,3-dimethoxybenzoyl)piperidine (5). Acid removal of the urethane protecting group gives (2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-piperidin-4-ylmethanone (6). The reduction of the ketone with sodium borohydride leads to (2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-piperidin-4-ylmethanol (7). Resolution of the alcohol gives (8). SN2 alkylation of the secondary nitrogen with 4-fluorophenethyl bromide (9) completes the synthesis of volinanserin (10).

References

References

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