Modifications of the ethanolamine head in N-palmitoylethanolamine: Synthesis and evaluation of new agents interfering with the metabolism of anandamide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm0209679

The endogenous fatty acid amide anandamide (AEA) has, as a result of its actions on cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, a number of important pharmacological properties including effects on nociception, memory processes, spasticity, and cell proliferation. Inhibition of the metabolism of AEA, catalyzed by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), potentiates the actions of AEA in vivo and therefore may be a useful target for drug development. In the present study, we have investigated whether substitution of the headgroup of the endogenous alternative FAAH substrate palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can result in the identification of novel compounds preventing AEA metabolism. Thirty-seven derivatives of PEA were synthesized, with the C16 long chain of palmitic acid kept intact, and comprising 20 alkylated, 12 aromatic, and 4 halogenated amides. The ability of the PEA derivatives to inhibit FAAH-catalyzed hydrolysis of [³H]AEA was investigated using rat brain homogenates as a source of FAAH. Inhibition curves were analyzed to determine the potency of the inhibitable fraction (PI₅₀ values) and the maximal attained inhibition for the compound, given that solubility in an aqueous environment is a major issue for these compounds. In the alkylamide family, palmitoylethylamide and palmitoylallylamide were inhibitors of AEA metabolism with PI₅₀ values of 5.45 and 5.47, respectively. Halogenated derivatives (Cl and Br) exhibit pI₅₀ values of ～5.5 but rather low percentages of maximal inhibition. The -OH group of the ethyl head chain of N-palmitoylethanolamine was not necessary for interaction with FAAH. Amides containing aromatic moieties were less potent inhibitors of AEA metabolism. Compounds containing amide and ester bonds, 13 and 37, showed pI₅₀ values of 4.99 and 5.08, respectively. None of the compounds showed obvious affinity for CB₁ or CB₂ receptors expressed on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. It is concluded that although none of the compounds were dramatically more potent than PEA itself at reducing the metabolism of AEA, the lack of effect of the compounds at CB₁ and CB₂ receptors makes them useful templates for development of possible therapeutic FAAH inhibitors.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/jm0209679

1440
J . Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 1440-1448
Mod ifica tion s of th e Eth a n ola m in e Hea d in N-P a lm itoyleth a n ola m in e:
Syn th esis a n d Eva lu a tion of New Agen ts In ter fer in g w ith th e Meta bolism of
An a n d a m id e
Se´verine Vandevoorde,† Kent-Olov J onsson,‡ Christopher J . Fowler,‡ and Didier M. Lambert*,†
Unite´ de Chimie Pharmaceutique et de Radiopharmacie, Universite´ Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Mounier, 73,
UCL-CMFA 73.40, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium, and Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience,
Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Received J une 17, 2002
The endogenous fatty acid amide anandamide (AEA) has, as a result of its actions on
cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, a number of important pharmacological properties
including effects on nociception, memory processes, spasticity, and cell proliferation. Inhibition
of the metabolism of AEA, catalyzed by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), potentiates the
actions of AEA in vivo and therefore may be a useful target for drug development. In the present
study, we have investigated whether substitution of the headgroup of the endogenous alternative
FAAH substrate palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) can result in the identification of novel
compounds preventing AEA metabolism. Thirty-seven derivatives of PEA were synthesized,
with the C16 long chain of palmitic acid kept intact, and comprising 20 alkylated, 12 aromatic,
and 4 halogenated amides. The ability of the PEA derivatives to inhibit FAAH-catalyzed
hydrolysis of [3H]AEA was investigated using rat brain homogenates as a source of FAAH.
Inhibition curves were analyzed to determine the potency of the inhibitable fraction (pI50 values)
and the maximal attained inhibition for the compound, given that solubility in an aqueous
environment is a major issue for these compounds. In the alkylamide family, palmitoylethyl-
amide and palmitoylallylamide were inhibitors of AEA metabolism with pI50 values of 5.45
and 5.47, respectively. Halogenated derivatives (Cl and Br) exhibit pI50 values of ∼5.5 but
rather low percentages of maximal inhibition. The -OH group of the ethyl head chain of
N-palmitoylethanolamine was not necessary for interaction with FAAH. Amides containing
aromatic moieties were less potent inhibitors of AEA metabolism. Compounds containing amide
and ester bonds, 13 and 37, showed pI50 values of 4.99 and 5.08, respectively. None of the
compounds showed obvious affinity for CB1 or CB2 receptors expressed on Chinese hamster
ovary (CHO) cells. It is concluded that although none of the compounds were dramatically
more potent than PEA itself at reducing the metabolism of AEA, the lack of effect of the
compounds at CB1 and CB2 receptors makes them useful templates for development of possible
therapeutic FAAH inhibitors.
In tr od u ction
Eleven years ago, a lipid derivative from arachidonic
acid, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA, Figure 1), was
isolated from pig brain and was proposed as an endog-
enous ligand of cannabinoid receptors.1 Considerable
research has been devoted to this molecule, anand-
amide, and subsequent endogenous fatty acid amides
or fatty acid esters congeners such as N-docosa-
tetraenoylethanolamine, N-homo-γ-linolenoylethanol-
amine, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (Figure 1) (for review
see ref 2). AEA elicits a number of important pharma-
cological actions including effects on nociception,3-7
memory processes,8-9 lung function,10 spasticity,11 and
cell proliferation12,13 (for recent reviews of the thera-
peutic potential of AEA and related endocannabinoids,
F igu r e 1. Structures of endocannabinoids and related en-
dogenous lipids.
see refs 14 and 15). AEA not only acts as an endogenous
ligand at cannabinoid receptors but is also capable of
activating vanilloid receptors (VR).16,17
The pharmacological actions of AEA are terminated
by its metabolism to arachidonic acid, catalyzed by fatty
acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).18 FAAH catalyzes the
metabolism of not only AEA but other potentially
important N-acylethanolamines and N-acylamides such
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: +32 2 764
7347. Fax: +32 2 764 73 63. E-mail: lambert@cmfa.ucl.ac.be.
† Universite´ Catholique de Louvain.
‡ Umeå University.
10.1021/jm0209679 CCC: $25.00 © 2003 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 03/19/2003

Modifications of Ethanolamine Head
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8 1441
Sch em e 1. Syntheses of Primary (2), Secondary (3-33),
and Tertiary (34-36) Amides
as anti-inflammatory agents palmitoylethanolamide,
oleoylethanolamide (which may act as an anorexic lipid
mediator regulated by feeding19), and the sleep-inducing
agent oleamide;20-22 for a review, see ref 23. Since
FAAH inhibitors such as phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride
and palmitoylsulfonyl fluoride have been shown to
potentiate the pharmacological actions of AEA both in
vitro and in vivo,24-26 FAAH is an interesting target for
drug discovery. This conclusion has been strengthened
by the recent finding that FAAH knockout mice show a
large increase in brain AEA levels coupled with a
reduced sensitivity to painful stimuli.27 Very recently,
the 2.8 Å crystal structure of the integral membrane
protein FAAH has been reported,28 which will facilitate
the structure-based design of new inhibitors.
In 1985, Schmid et al.22 reported that the chain length
of the amino alcohol moiety of N-oleoylethanolamine
dramatically affected its ability to interact with the
amidohydrolase present in rat liver. This study clearly
points to the ethyl head chain as a target for structure-
activity studies. Indeed, considerable work has been
done in this area, usually with arachidonoyl- and
oleoylacyl chains, and resulted in the identification of
several potent FAAH inhibitors (see, for example, refs
29-31), although an inherent disadvantage in this
approach is that some of the compounds are per se
active at cannabinoid receptors. In contrast, little is
known about the effect of modification of the ethyl head
chain in N-palmitoylethanolamine, despite the fact that
this compound, which reduces the rate of metabolism
of AEA by acting as a competing substrate,32 is inactive
at cannabinoid receptors.33-35 Of the few palmitoyl
compounds characterized, palmitoylsulfonyl fluoride
(AM374) is a very potent FAAH inhibitor (IC50 ) 7 nM)
with little effect upon CB1 cannabinoid receptors (IC50
) 520 nM),36 and this compound has proven to be useful
in vivo.11 There is thus a need to further investigate the
effect of substitution of the ethyl head chain of N-
palmitoylethanolamine upon its ability to interact with
FAAH. To this end, we have initiated a project inves-
tigating the biochemistry of analogues and homologues
of N-palmitoylethanolamine. In our initial studies, we
found that the homologues, which were devoid of affinity
for either CB1 or CB2 receptors, were able (1) to prevent
the FAAH-catalyzed metabolism of AEA37 and (2) to
potentiate anandamide activation by VR1 receptors
expressed on hVR1-HEK293 cells.38,39 Such effects,
whereby inactive endogenous compounds potentiate the
effects of related endogenous active compounds, were
first reported for the 2-lineoyl- and 2-palmitoyl homo-
logues of 2-arachidonoylglycerol and termed an “entou-
rage” effect.40
Sch em e 2. Synthesis of N-(2-Acetoxyacetyl)penta-
decylamine 37
have been prepared in good yields following the scheme
from palmitoyl chloride and the respective amines
(Scheme 1). They include primary amides (2), secondary
amides (3-33), and halogen and tertiary amides (34-
36). N-(2-Acetoxyacetyl)pentadecylamine (37) was pre-
pared from pentadecylamine and acetoxyacetyl chloride
(Scheme 2).
In contrast to our knowledge concerning the homo-
logues, only six analogues of N-palmitoylethanolamine
(compounds 2, 4, 6, 7, and 16 shown here and R-palmi-
toyl(2-methyl)ethanolamide) were characterized in these
studies. In consequence, in the present study, we have
investigated in detail the ability of a series of N-
palmitoylethanolamine analogues to interact with FAAH
and CB1 and CB2 receptors.
P h a r m a cology. Compounds 1-37 have been evalu-
ated in an FAAH assay using rat brain homogenates
as the source of the enzyme and [3H]-anandamide as
the labeled substrate. The amount of [3H]-ethanolamine
released has been determined after chloroform/methanol
extraction. It is important to stress at the outset that
the observed absolute inhibition of AEA metabolism
found with a given concentration of the compounds
reflects not only their potency but also their solubility
in the assay medium. The latter is an important issue,
Resu lts a n d Discu ssion
Ch em istr y. Palmitoylethanolamide 1 analogues 2-36,
varying by a modification of the hydroxylamino moiety,

1442 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8
Vandevoorde et al.
values from maximum inibition in the analysis. If the
inhibition curves had been interpreted per se, a different
conclusion would have been made given the considerable
difference in the attainable maximum inhibition of
compounds 6 and 12 (Table 1).
The results shown above are entirely consistent with
the situation for arachidonoyl-based compounds. Thus,
J arrahian et al.42 reported that replacement of the
ethanolamine headgroup of AEA with a cyclopropyl,
methylcyclopropyl, or cyclobutyl group resulted in active
compounds capable of inhibiting the metabolism of [14C]-
AEA by rat forebrain FAAH. Similarly, the chloroethyl
and chloromethyl analogues were active in this re-
spect.42 Interestingly, Lang et al.43 reported that while
the fluoroethyl analogue of AEA was metabolized by
FAAH (and therefore inhibits AEA metabolism by
acting as a competing substrate), the isopropyl and tert-
butyl analogues were not metabolized. Thus, require-
ments for interaction with and metabolism by FAAH
are rather different, and compounds such as 7 are
presumably acting as true inhibitors rather than as
alternative substrates. The lack of an absolute require-
ment of the -OH group for interaction with FAAH is
reminiscent of the situation for the interaction of
arachidonoyl analogues with CB1 receptors44,45 and may
thus be a general phenomenon for the endocannabinoid
system.
F igu r e 2. Inhibition of 2 µM [3H]-AEA metabolism by
compounds 13 (filled triangles) and 20 (open triangles). For
compound 13, analysis of the data indicated that the maximum
inhibition was not significantly different from 100% (i.e., 95%
confidence limits of the minimum activity remaining straddled
0%). The pI50 value of the inhibitable fraction is thus the
concentration of the compound that produces 50% inhibition
of [3H]-AEA metabolism (shown as broken line in the figure).
For compound 20, the analysis indicated that the curve
reached a plateau at a value significantly higher than zero
(59%, 95% confidence limits 52-66%). Thus, the inhibitable
fraction of the activity is 41%. The pI50 value of the inhibitable
fraction is thus the concentration of the compound that
produces 20.5% inhibition of [3H]-AEA metabolism (shown as
‚‚‚ in the figure). The data are the mean ( SEM, n ) 3.
Elongation of compound 4 with one (compound 5) and
two methylene groups (6) did not affect the pI50 values,
whereas a decrease of the number of carbon atoms (3)
reduced the pI50 value. The primary amide 2, however,
had a pI50 value of 5.01. Compound 10, featuring a
double bond in the headgroup, exhibited a potency
similar to that of N-palmitoylethanolamine. The in-
crease of steric hindrance by the introduction of two
methyl groups at the R-carbon on the amide group
yielded an inactive compound (11), but this result, when
taken together with the results obtained for the cy-
cloalkyl substituents (14-16) and to some extent with
some aryl groups (22, 24, 26), indicates that the absence
of inhibition is not simply due to a bulky steric effect.
particularly for saturated long-chain N-acylethanol-
amides and their analogues. To separate potency from
solubility, the inhibition curves were analyzed using a
fixed maximum value (i.e., 100% of control) and a
floating bottom value (reflecting the maximum attain-
able inhibition). The pI50 value of the inhibitable
component was then determined. An example of this is
shown for compounds 13 and 20 in Figure 2. In the
discussion below, we have mainly focused upon the pI50
values being the measure of the potency of the com-
pounds, although of course the goal is to find compounds
that are potent and are without solubility problems.
The results are presented in Tables 1 and 2. N-
Palmitoylethanolamine inhibited FAAH with a pI50
value of 5.30 (corresponding to an IC50 value of 5.1 µM),
in good agreement with the KM value of 2.9 µM found
in the rat brain using the same assay for this compound
as a substrate of FAAH.41 However, the KM values are
highly dependent on the assay conditions used (varia-
tions in the KM values for AEA between 0.8 and 180
µM have been reported in the literature23), and thus, it
is relevant only to compare potencies when the same
assay methodology is used.
Replacement of the -OH group in the ethyl head
chain by a halogen atom in the ethyl head chain (18-
21) had little effect on the potency, with pI50 values
being in the 5.45-5.60 range. Replacement of the -OH
group by a hydrogen results in compound 4, which
exhibits a potency similar to that observed with 1. A
similar relation was seen with the oleoylacyl group
homologues (present authors, unpublished data). This
indicates that the hydroxyl group, albeit a donor-
acceptor group for the H bond, is not crucial for the
FAAH inhibition. This conclusion can also be drawn for
chains with three carbon atoms in the headgroup, since
compounds 6 and 12 show similar pI50 values. These
compounds illustrate the importance of separating pI50
The case of the aryl substituents merits further
attention. Indeed, the steric parameters seem to be very
tight. Para substitution on the aniline is unfavorable
(23, 25), whereas a short spacer between the aromatic
group and the palmitic side chain resulted in a better
inhibitor (28). Given that many phenolic arachidonic
acid derivatives (arachidonoylserotonin,29 AM-404,37
and N-arachidonoyldopamine46) are mixed inhibitors of
FAAH, the ortho (31), meta (32), and para phenol (33)
derivatives have been prepared in order to obtain a
stronger inhibitory potential. However, these three
compounds resulted in weaker inhibitors compared to
compound 22. In addition, the position of the hydroxyl
group does not seem to be as crucial as for the case of
AM404. Modifications of the amide bond by steric
hindrance (the dimethyl compound 11) or by suppres-
sion of the hydrogen on the NH (tertiary amides 34-
36) lead to a drastic decrease of the FAAH inhibition
potential. The latter finding underlines the importance
of the amide bond because it occurs in the endogenous
compounds.
In a separate series of experiments, compounds 1, 7,
12, and 13 were assessed for their ability to inhibit AEA

Modifications of Ethanolamine Head
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8 1443
Ta ble 1. Inhibition of AEA Metabolism and Interaction with CB Receptors for Analogues of Palmitoylethanolamide (1)a
CB1 (% inhibition of
specific binding of
[3H]-CP55,940),
CB2 (% inhibition of
specific binding of
[3H]-Win55,212-2),
[compound] ) 10 µM
inhibition of AEA metabolism
max of inhibition
obtained, %
compdb
pI50
[compound] ) 10 µM
1*
2
5.30 ( 0.15
5.01 ( 0.18
4.57 ( 0.06
5.45 ( 0.04
5.56 ( 0.05
5.54 ( 0.16
4.89 ( 0.27
78 ( 7
51 ( 7
100
23.8 ( 0.07
11.7 ( 0.3
2.5 ( 0.5
2.8 ( 0.3
14.4 ( 0.6
19.6 ( 3.4
25.4 ( 4.5
18.5 ( 0.4
24.6 ( 0.5
13.3 ( 0.4
15.7 ( 0.3
15.0 ( 1.1
7.3 ( 0.5
12.8 ( 0.3
27.1 ( 0.7
34.2 ( 1.5
18.1 ( 0.6
8.2 ( 0.3
25.2 ( 1.0
35.8 ( 1.1
30.6 ( 0.4
2.8 ( 0.2
2.8 ( 0.2
4.9 ( 0.3
11.1 ( 0.5
0.7 ( 0.1
2.2 ( 0.1
4.8 ( 0.4
25.4 ( 0.6
22.8 ( 0.9
10.8 ( 0.2
40.9 ( 1.2
44.8 ( 1.7
0.3 ( 0.1
3.3 ( 0.3
15.5 ( 0.3
16.0 ( 0.8
13.9 ( 1.7
12.9 ( 0.4
7.8 ( 0.1
10 ( 0.4
3
4#
5
72 ( 2
49 ( 2
24 ( 3
6.1 ( 0.2
12.9 ( 0.4
12.3 ( 0.8
8.9 ( 0.2
2.0 ( 0.3
7.8 ( 0.3
6.7 ( 0.2
6.4 ( 0.1
4.1 ( 0.2
16.3 ( 0.5
9.5 ( 0.1
8.1 ( 0.2
5.2 ( 0.3
3.9 ( 0.3
13.5 ( 0.5
15.1 ( 0.7
14.3 ( 0.6
0.5 ( 0.2
6.5 ( 0.1
6.5 ( 0.2
7.4 ( 0.3
0.1 ( 0.0
1.1 ( 0.2
0.7 ( 0.1
3.7 ( 0.5
1.3 ( 0.2
2.7 ( 0.1
3.9 ( 0.7
5.0 ( 0.6
6.4 ( 0.4
2.7 ( 0.1
4.2 ( 0.3
6.0 ( 0.3
6*
7*
8
61 ( 11
6% inhibition @ 100 µM
0% inhibition @ 100 µM
67 ( 3%
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16*
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
5.47 ( 0.06
0% inhibition @ 100 µM
61 ( 3
5.42 ( 0.07
4.99 ( 0.04
5.35 ( 0.10
∼3.8
∼3.9
100
57 ( 4
43% inhibition @ 100 µM
11% inhibition @ 100 µM
46% inhibition @ 100 µM
6% inhibition @ 100 µM
48 ( 3
5.58 ( 0.09
5.45 ( 0.11
5.60 ( 0.07
5.31 ( 0.11
41 ( 3
27 ( 1
18 ( 2
0% inhibition @ 100 µM
31 ( 6
4.85 ( 0.18
4.70 ( 0.24
4.07 ( 0.07
11% inhibition @ 100 µM
28 ( 8
0% inhibition @ 100 µM
100
∼3.7
29% inhibition @ 100 µM
19% inhibition @ 100 µM
53 ( 5
51 ( 2
55 ( 3
30% inhibition @ 100 µM
2% inhibition @ 100 µM
6% inhibition @ 100 µM
87 ( 4
4.40 ( 0.01
4.27 ( 0.03
4.15 ( 0.06
∼3.6
5.08 ( 0.05
a
b
Values are calculated from a minimum of three experiments. The asterisk (/) indicates data from J onsson,37 and the pound sign (#)
indicates data from Smart [FAAH only]38
.
Ta ble 2. Inhibition of AEA Metabolism by Compounds 1, 7,
12, and 13 at Different Assay pHa
The affinity for cannabinoid receptors was determined
for the entire set of compounds in radioligand binding
assays using homogenates of Chinese hamster ovary
(CHO) cell membranes selectively expressing either the
human CB1 or the human CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
The results of the screening of compounds 1-37 at 10
µM are given in Table 1 and are expressed as percent-
ages of inhibition of the specific binding of the radioli-
gand used. All the compounds were essentially devoid
of CB2 affinity. None of the palmitoyl compounds with
the exception of compounds 16, 20, 21, 32, and 33
exhibit an inhibition of specific binding greater than
30% at the CB1 receptor. Even in these three com-
pounds, the inhibition did not exceed 45%.
maximum attainable
pI50 value
pH 6 pH 9
4.93 ( 0.09 5.04 ( 0.06 62 ( 6
inhibition, %
compd
pH 6
pH 9
100
1
7
12
13
4.85 ( 0.17 4 ( 9% at 50 µM 39 ( 10
5.01 ( 0.07 5.16 ( 0.10 45 ( 5
4.86 ( 0.14 4.72 ( 0.09 75 ( 11
81 ( 8
100
a
pI50 values and maximal attainable inhibitions were calculated
from three to five experiments (using three homogenate prepara-
tions) over a concentration range of 3-100 µM (seven concentra-
tions). For 7, the highest concentration gave precipitation, so it
was not used in the analysis.
metabolism at two assay pH values, pH 6 and pH 9
(Table 2). This approach was undertaken in view of the
finding that potency of inhibition of AEA metabolism
can show pH dependency.47 In the case of compounds
1, 12, and 13, the pI50 values were similar at the two
pH values, and the values were in reasonable agreement
with those found at pH 7.6 (Table 1) given the fact that
the time elapsed between the two sets of experiments
was greater than 9 months. In contrast, the maximum
observable inhibition was greater at pH 9 than at pH
6, again underlining the importance of separating these
two parameters in the analyses. Compound 7 showed
little effect at pH 6. Thus, the solubilities of the
compounds show pH dependency, but not their poten-
cies.
From the present study, it can be concluded that the
-OH group of the ethyl head chain of N-palmitoyletha-
nolamine is not necessary for interaction with FAAH.
However, there are considerable steric restrictions
placed upon the ability of analogues of N-palmitoyl-
ethanolamine to interact with the enzyme. Although
these data shed considerable light upon the structure-
activity relationships for the ethyl headgroup and the
palmitoyl acyl side chain, the substitutions have led
either to an unchanged or to a loss of affinity for FAAH
rather than to a dramatic gain. Thus, the most potent
compound of the study, 21, with a pI50 value of 5.60, is
considerably less potent an inhibitor of FAAH than
either its sulfonyl fluoride (AM274, pI50 ) 8.15 36) or

1444 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8
Vandevoorde et al.
trifluoromethyl ketone (PTMK, pI50 ) 7.10 37) analogues
(see refs 36 and 48 for structure-activity data on these
side groups with variations in saturated acyl side chain
length). Nevertheless, the lack of effect of the com-
pounds at CB1 and CB2 receptors makes them useful
templates for development of possible therapeutic FAAH
inhibitors.
Syn th esis of N-(2-Meth ylp r op yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (8).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 4.8 g
(66 mmol) of isobutylamine and 1.8 g (6.6 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 1.95 g (95%) of a white solid: mp 68-69.6 °C
(uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/methanol 8:2 vv-1) Rf ) 0.82;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.89 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 9H), 1.10-1.30
(m, 26 H), 1.48-1.52 (m, 2H), 2.1-2.19 (m, 1H), 3.05-3.09
(m, 2H), 5.56 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.1 (CH3),
20.10, 22.71, 25.92, 28.54, 29.35, 29.52, 29.63, 29.66, 29.69,
31.95, 37.00 (CH2), 46.82 (CH), 173.15 (CdO); mass spectrom-
etry [M+•] ) 312; IR ν (cm -1) 3315 (NH), 1641 (CdO). CAS
number: 54794-72-8.
Exp er im en ta l Section
Ch em istr y. All solvents and reagents were obtained from
commercial suppliers and used without further purification
unless otherwise noted. Analytical thin-layer chromatography
(TLC) was undertaken using Merck silica gel F254 plates with
detection under UV lamp or iodine vapor. Flash chromatog-
raphy was performed using silica gel (60 Å, 40-63 µm, 230-
400 mesh ASTM) from ROCC. Thin-layer chromatography was
used to designate the tubes containing the purified product.
Melting points (mp) were determined in open capillaries
using an Electrothermal 9100 apparatus and are reported
uncorrected. Infrared (IR) spectra were recorded using a
Perkin-Elmer FT-IR 286 spectrometer, and values are reported
as frequency (ν) and expressed in cm-1. Nuclear magnetic
resonance (1H NMR, 13C NMR) spectra were recorded on a
Bruker AM-300 spectrometer and analyzed using the WIN-
NMR software package. Chemical shifts (δ) are reported
relative to the tetramethylsilane peak set up at 0.00 ppm. They
were quoted in the case of multiplets by their interval values.
Signals were designed as the following: s, singlet; d, doublet;
t, triplet; m, multiplet. Coupling constants were expressed in
hertz. EI mass spectra were obtained on a Finnigan MAT 44S,
with an ionization voltage of 70 eV. CAS numbers are indicated
below when known. Elemental analyses were performed on a
Carlo Erba EA 1108 analyzer (Carlo-Erba, Milano, Italy) and
are within (0.4% of the theoretical values.
Syn t h esis of N-(1,1-Dim et h ylet h yl)h exa d eca n a m id e
(9). The procedure described for compound 3 was used with
7.3 g (100 mmol) of tert-butylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of
palmitoyl chloride to give 1.05 g (34%) of a white solid: mp
52-54 °C (uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/methanol 6:4 vv-1
)
1
Rf ) 0.9; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 12H),
1.10-1.45 (m, 26 H), 2.07 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 5.34 (NH); 13C
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.12(CH3), 22.71, 25.84, 28.88, 29.26,
29.38, 29.42, 29.53, 29.64, 29.68, 29.71, 31.94, 37.78 (CH2),
51.01 (C), 172.55 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 312; IR ν
(cm -1) 3325 (NH), 1643 (CdO). CAS number: 74058-70-1.
Syn th esis of N-(2-P r op en yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (10). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 5.7 g (100
mmol) of allylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl chloride
to give 1.74 g (59%) of a white solid: mp 61-63 °C (uncor-
1
rected); TLC (ethyl acetate/methanol 8:2 vv-1) Rf ) 0.77; H
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 3 Hz, 3H), 1.22-1.54 (m,
26 H), 2.19 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.7-3.72 (m, 2H), 5.11-5.2 (m,
2H), 5.55 (NH), 5.79-5.88 (m, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm)
14.10 (CH3), 22.77, 25.88, 29.43, 29.56, 29.76, 32.02, 35.39,
36.87, 41.99, 58.48, 116.39 (CH2), 134.51 (CH), 173.07 (CdO);
mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 296; IR ν (cm-1) 3299 (NH), 1636
(CdO). CAS number: 1012114-99-8.
Syn th esis of N-(2-Hyd r oxy-1,1-d im eth yleth yl)h exa d e-
ca n a m id e (11). The procedure described for compound 3 was
used with 8.9 g (100 mmol) of 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol
and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl chloride to give 1.11 g (34%)
of a white solid: mp 65-68 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl
Alk yla ted Am id es. Syn th esis of Hexa d eca n a m id e (2).
This compound has been prepared as previously described:49
mp 104-104.4 °C (uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/methanol 8:2
vv-1) Rf ) 0.8; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 6 Hz,
3H), 1.21-1.42 (m, 26 H), 2.22 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 5.42 (NH);
13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.12 (CH3), 22.7, 25.57, 29.27,
29.37, 29.50, 29.63, 29.71, 31.94, 35.98 (CH2), 175.59
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 256; IR ν (cm-1) 3353 (NH),
1632 (CdO). These values were consistent with those reported
in the literature.50 CAS number: 629-54-9.
1
acetate/hexane 6:4 vv-1) Rf ) 0.51; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm)
0.89 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 9H), 1.22-1.42 (m, 26 H), 2.14 (t, J ) 7 Hz,
2H), 3.55 (s, 2H), 4.86 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.42
(CH3), 23.68, 24.19, 27.04, 30.21, 30.41, 30.73, 32.99, 37.72,
69.55 (CH2), 56.03 (C), 176.37 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•
]
) 328; IR ν (cm-1) 3425 (OH), 3295 (NH), 1625 (CdO). CAS
number: 36136-10-4.
Syn th esis of N-Meth ylh exa d eca n a m id e (3). In a two-
neck flask, 5 mL of methylamine (40% solution in water) was
poured into 10 mL of dry methylene chloride. The solution was
cooled in an ice bath and magnetically stirred. Palmitoyl
chloride (2.74 g, 10 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction
mixture was stirred for 12 h at room temperature and then
washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, 1 M HCl, and
brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, and after
filtration, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure
to give 2.67 g (99%) of a white solid: mp 98.6-99.8 °C
(uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/methanol 8:2 vv-1) Rf ) 0.88;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 3 Hz, 3H), 1.16-1.34
(m, 26 H), 2.1 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 2.6-2.9 (m, 3H), 5.44 (NH);
13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.1 (CH3), 22.7, 25.8, 26.26, 29.37,
29.5, 29.63, 29.66, 29.69, 31.94 (CH2), 36.78 (CH3), 173.78
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 270; IR ν (cm -1) 3299 (NH),
1635 (CdO). CAS number: 7388-58-1.
Syn th esis of N-P r op ylh exa d eca n a m id e (5). The proce-
dure described for compound 3 was used with 5.9 g (100 mmol)
of propylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl chloride to
give 2 g (68%) of a white solid: mp 65.4-66 °C (uncorrected);
TLC (chloroform/methanol 8:2 vv-1) Rf ) 0.87; 1H NMR
(CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 3 Hz, 3H), 1.18-1.35 (m, 28 H),
1.58-1.62 (m, 3H), 2.1 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.18-3.24 (m, 2H),
5.49 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 11.37, 14.1 (CH3), 22.7,
22.98, 25.89, 29.37, 29.4, 29.55, 29.69, 29.72, 31.97, 36.99,
41.21 (CH2), 173.1 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 298; IR
ν (cm-1) 3296 (NH), 1637 (CdO). CAS number: 189939-61-5.
Syn th esis of N-P a lm itoyl-3-a m in o-1-p r op a n ol (12). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 7.5 g (100
mmol) of 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol and 2.74 g (10 mmol)
of palmitoyl chloride to give 1.67 g (54%) of a white solid: mp
83-84 °C (uncorrected); TLC (acetone/methylene chloride 1:1
1
vv-1) Rf ) 0.55; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz,
3H), 1.11-1.34 (m, 26 H), 1.60-1.67 (m, 4H), 2.19 (t, J ) 6
Hz, 2H), 3.41-3.43 (m, 2H), 5.8 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.71, 25.81, 29.31, 29.50, 29.69, 32.48,
36.23, 36.75, 59.32 (CH2), 174.49 (CdO); mass spectrometry
[M+•] ) 312; IR ν (cm-1) 3428 (OH), 3297 (NH), 1636 (CdO).
CAS number: 18704-66-0.
Syn th esis of N-(1-Oxoh exa d ecyl)glycin e Meth yl Ester
(13). The procedure described for compound 3 was used with
6.27 g (50 mmol) of glycine methyl ester hydrochloride, 8.2
mL (60 mmol) of triethylamine, and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of
palmitoyl chloride to give 3.23 g (99%) of a white solid: mp
158-162 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/methanol 8:2
1
vv-1) Rf ) 0.75; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz,
3H), 1.12-1.35 (m, 26 H), 2.24 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.2 (s, 3H),
3.71-3.83 (m, 2H), 4.8 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.42
(CH3), 23.74, 26.85, 30.28, 30.47, 30.79, 33.12, 36.81, 41.01,
41.86 (CH2), 49.62 (CH3), 168.99, 178.00 (CdO); mass spec-
trometry [M+•] ) 328; IR ν (cm-1) 3310 (NH), 1641 (CdO), 1747
(CdO). CAS number: 214706-34-0.
Syn th esis of N-Cyclop r op ylh exa d eca n a m id e (14). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 5.7 g (100

Modifications of Ethanolamine Head
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8 1445
mmol) of cyclopropylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 2.16 g (73%) of a white solid: mp 87-89 °C
(uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/acetone 9:1 vv-1) Rf ) 0.48; 1H
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.11-1.43 (m,
26 H), 1.60-1.71 (m, 4H), 2.11 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.71-3.8 (m,
1H), 5.59 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.58,
22.71, 25.75, 29.37, 29.50, 29.69 (CH2), 31.96 (CH), 36.68 (CH2),
174.49 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 296; IR ν (cm-1) 3295
(NH), 1640 (CdO). Anal. (C19H37NO) C, H, N.
palmitoyl chloride to give 1.78 g (53%) of a white solid: mp
81.8-83.2 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 9:1
vv-1) Rf ) 0.6; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 6 Hz,
3H), 1.15-1.35 (m, 26 H), 1.99 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 2.16 (t, J )
7 Hz, 2H), 3.40-3.44 (m, 2H), 3.56-3.60 (m, 2H); 13C NMR
(CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.71, 25.75, 29.30, 29.50, 29.69,
31.89, 32.22, 36.81, 37.07, 42.57 (CH2), 173.46 (CdO); mass
spectrometry [M+•] ) 332; IR ν (cm-1) 3325 (NH), 1635(CdO).
Anal. (C19H38ClNO) C, H, N.
Syn th esis of N-Cyclop en tylh exa d eca n a m id e (15). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 8.5 g (100
mmol) of cyclopentylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 2.36 g (73%) of a white solid: mp 64-65 °C
(uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1 vv-1) Rf ) 0.61;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.11-1.42
(m, 26 H), 2.01-2.09 (m, 4H), 2.14 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 2.25-
2.28 (m, 4H), 4.0-4.24 (m, 1H), 5.34 (NH); 13C NMR (CDCl3)
δ (ppm) 14.16 (CH3), 22.77, 23.81, 24.91, 25.03, 25.94, 29.44,
29.56, 29.76, 31.96, 33.25, 33.83, 34.48, 37.07 (CH2), 51.17
Ar om a tic Am id es. Syn th esis of N-P h en ylh exa d eca n -
a m id e (22). The procedure described for compound 3 was used
with 9.3 g (100 mmol) of aniline and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of
palmitoyl chloride to give 2.85 g (86%) of a white solid: mp
70.7-71.5 °C (uncorrected); TLC (chloroform) Rf ) 0.41; 1H
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.86 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.11-1.38 (m,
26 H), 2.33 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 7.06-7.09 (m, 1H), 7.25-7.32
(m, 2H), 7.32-7.52 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.12
(CH3), 22.71, 25.68, 29.31, 29.37, 29.41, 29.52, 29.71, 31.95,
37.86 (CH2), 119.85, 124.16, 128.97, 138.04 (phenyl), 171.52
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 332; IR ν (cm-1) 3303 (NH),
1654 (CdO). CAS number: 6832-98-0.
(CH), 172.74(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 324; IR ν (cm-1
3303 (NH), 1639 (CdO). Anal. (C21H41NO) C, H, N.
)
Syn th esis of N-Meth oxyh exa d eca n a m id e (17). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 4.2 g (50
mmol) of methoxylamine hydrochloride, 8.2 mL (60 mmol) of
triethylamine, and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl chloride to
give 2.28 g (80%) of a white solid: mp 52-53 °C (uncorrected);
TLC (chloroform/methanol 6:4 vv-1) Rf ) 0.88; 1H NMR
(CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.16-1.52 (m, 26 H),
2.43 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.47-3.49 (m, 3H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 14.12 (CH3), 22.74, 24.31, 25.02, 28.93, 29.24, 29.41,
29.45, 29.63, 29.75, 31.98, 34.17, 35.35 (CH2), 51.40 (CH3),
Syn th esis of N-(4-Meth ylp h en yl)h exa d eca n a m id e(23).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 10.7
g (100 mmol) of p-toluidine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 2.7 g (78%) of a white solid: mp 95.6-96.7 °C
(uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:9 vv-1) Rf ) 0.28;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.25-1.29
(m, 26 H), 2.30-2.34 (m, 5H), 7.19-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.39
(m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 20.83, 22.71,
25.69, 29.44, 29.69, 31.96, 37.85 (CH2), 119.95, 129.46 (CH),
133.80, 135.48 (C), 171.32 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] )
346; IR ν (cm-1) 1661 (CdO). CAS number: 6876-53-5.
Syn th esis of N-(2-Meth ylp h en yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (24).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 10.7
g (100 mmol) of o-toluidine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 1.66 g (48%) of a white solid: mp 88.7-89.2
°C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:9 vv-1) Rf ) 0.22;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.86 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.25-1.29
(m, 26 H), 2.22 (s, CH3), 2.35 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 7.00-7.02 (m,
1H), 7.04-7.06 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.18 (m, 1H), 7.23-7.25 (m, 1H);
13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10, 17.79 (CH3), 22.71, 24.84,
25.04, 25.88, 29.37, 29.69, 31.96, 37.65 (CH2), 123.31, 125.13,
126.81, 129.01, 130.44, 135.81 (phenyl), 171.32 (CdO); mass
spectrometry [M+•] ) 346; IR ν (cm-1) 1653 (CdO). CAS
number: 54662-37-2
169.63(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) labile; IR ν (cm-1
1640 (CdO). CAS number: 337962-52-4.
)
Ha logen a ted Am id es. Syn th esis of N-(2-F lu or oeth yl)-
h exa d eca n a m id e (18). The procedure described for com-
pound 3 was used with 300 mg (3 mmol) of 2-fluoroethylamine
hydrochloride, 500 µL of triethylamine (3.65 mmol), and 82
mg (0.3 mmol) of palmitoyl chloride to give 70 mg (78%) of a
white solid: mp 54.6-55.9 °C (uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/
acetone 9:1 vv-1) Rf ) 0.5; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.86 (t, J
) 6 Hz, 3H), 1.15-1.43 (m, 26 H), 2.31 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 2.41-
2.43 (m, 2H), 4.37-4.39 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm)
14.10 (CH3), 22.71, 24.26, 24.72, 28.92, 29.18, 29.37, 29.69,
31.96, 33.71, 35.33, 73.95 (CH2), 169.64 (CdO); mass spec-
trometry [M+•] )302; IR ν (cm-1) 3306 (NH), 1643(CdO). Anal.
(C18H36FNO) C, H, N.
Syn th esis of 4′-Ch lor oh exa d eca n a n ilid e (25). The pro-
cedure described for compound 3 was used with 12.7 g (100
mmol) of p-chloroaniline and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 1.83 g (50%) of a white solid: mp 98.2-99.6
°C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:9 vv-1) Rf ) 0.28;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.22-1.29
(m, 26 H), 2.35 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 7.19-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.44-
7.47 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.71,
25.55, 29.37, 29.50, 29.69, 31.96, 37.78 (CH2), 120.98, 129.01,
Syn th esis of N-(2-Ch lor oeth yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (19).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 1.16
g (10 mmol) of 2-chloroethylamine hydrochloride, 3 mL of
triethylamine (22 mmol), and 274 mg (1 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 254 mg (80%) of a white solid: mp 82.2-82.5
°C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/methanol 8:2 vv-1) Rf )
1
0.9; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 3H), 1.15-
1.42 (m, 26 H), 1.61-1.63(m, 2H), 2.20 (t, J ) 8 Hz, 2H), 3.59
(t, J ) 6 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.71,
23.35, 25.68, 29.37, 29.50, 29.69, 30.86, 31.96, 34.09, 36.75,
37.65, 41.21, 44.25 (CH2), 173.39(CdO); mass spectrometry
129.4, 136.58 (phenyl), 171.39 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•
]
) 366; IR ν (cm-1) 1659 (CdO). CAS number: 100172-16-5.
Syn th esis of N-(1-Na p h th a len yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (26).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 14.3
g (100 mmol) of 1-aminonaphthalene and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of
palmitoyl chloride to give 1.98 g (52%) of a white solid: mp
110.8-112 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:9
[M+•] ) 318; IR ν (cm-1) 3309 (NH), 1644(CdO). Anal. (C18H36
ClNO) C, H, N.
-
Syn th esis of N-(2-Br om oeth yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (20).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 2 g
(10 mmol) of 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide, 3 mL of
triethylamine (22 mmol), and 274 mg (1 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 238 mg (66%) of a white solid: mp 83.6-86.0
°C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 9:1 vv-1) Rf ) 0.69;
1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 3H), 1.15-1.46
(m, 26 H), 1.61-1.63 (m, 2H), 2.20 (t, J ) 8 Hz, 2H), 3.59-
3.62 (m, 2H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.44 (CH3), 26.08,
29.77, 29.89, 30.09, 33.00, 37.08, 41.61, 44.52 (CH2), 173.79
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 362; IR ν (cm-1) 3309 (NH),
1644(CdO). Anal. (C18H36BrNO) C, H, N.
1
vv-1) Rf ) 0.17; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz,
3H), 1.22-1.29 (m, 26 H), 2.52 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 7.25-7.87
(m, 7H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.70, 29.37,
29.50, 29.69, 31.96, 37.78 (CH2), 120.98, 125.77, 126.14, 126.58,
127.64, 127.58, 128.24, 128.81, 129.01, 129.4 (naphthyl), 171.40
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 382; IR ν (cm-1) 1653
(CdO). CAS number: 79352-13-9.
Syn th esis of N-(Diph en ylm eth yl)h exadecan am ide (27).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 18.3
g (100 mmol) of aminodiphenylmethane and 2.74 g (10 mmol)
of palmitoyl chloride to give 1.94 g (46%) of a white solid: mp
116.3-118.2 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:1
Syn th esis of N-(3-Ch lor op r op yl)h exa d eca n a m id e (21).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 9.3 g
(100 mmol) of 1-chloropropylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of
1
vv-1) Rf ) 0.89; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.89 (t, J ) 7 Hz,

1446 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8
Vandevoorde et al.
3H), 1.10-1.45 (m, 26 H), 2.23 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 6.04-6.08
(m, 1H), 7.19-7.34 (m, 10H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10
(CH3), 22.70, 25.82, 29.37, 29.69, 31.96, 36.87 (CH2), 56.80
(CH), 126.14, 127.45, 128.68, 141.75 (phenyls), 172.10 (CdO);
mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 422; IR ν (cm-1) 3297 (NH), 1643
(CdO). CAS number: 10254-05-4.
Syn t h esis of N-(4-H yd r oxyp h en yl)h exa d eca n a m id e
(33). The procedure described for compound 31 was used with
720 mg (6.6 mmol) of 4-aminophenol and 0.66 mmol of
palmitoyl chloride to give 164 mg (72%) of a white solid: mp
119.1-120 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 4:6
vv-1) Rf ) 0.54; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 0.86 (t, J ) 9
Hz, 3H), 1.16-1.42 (m, 26 H), 2.21 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 6.65 (d,
2H), 7.34 (d, 2H), 9.15 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6) δ (ppm)
14.40 (CH3), 22.55, 25.66, 29.15, 29.47, 31.74, 36.72 (CH2),
115.39, 121.28 (CH), 131.51, 153.50 (C), 170.97 (CdO); mass
spectrometry [M+•] ) 347; IR ν (cm-1) 3315 (NH), 3070 (OH),
1653 (CdO). Anal. (C22H37NO2) C, H, N.
Syn th esis of N-(4-Meth ylben zyl)h exa d eca n a m id e (28).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 12.1
g (100 mmol) of p-methylbenzylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of
palmitoyl chloride to give 2.98 g (83%) of a white solid: mp
85.9-88.4 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 4:6
1
vv-1) Rf ) 0.46; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz,
3H), 1.15-1.35 (m, 26 H), 2.17 (s, CH3), 2.28 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H),
Syn th esis of N,N′-Dim eth ylh exa d eca n a m id e (34). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 4.5 g (100
mmol) of dimethylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 1.78 g (63%) of a white solid: mp 46-47 °C
(uncorrected); TLC (chloroform/acetone 9:1 vv-1) Rf ) 0.88; 1H
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.06-1.10 (m,
6H), 1.11-1.43 (m, 26 H), 2.43 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H); 13C NMR
(CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10, 14.12 (CH3), 22.72, 24.29, 28.93, 29.24,
29.41, 29.45, 29.61, 29.72, 31.97, 35.34 (CH2), 171.64 (CdO);
mass spectrometry [M+•] ) labile; IR ν (cm-1) 1640 (CdO). CAS
number: 3886-91-7.
4.39-4.41 (m, 2H), 7.13-7.17 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.28 (m, 2H); 13
C
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10, 14.23 (CH3), 21.03, 22.70, 25.04,
25.82, 29.37, 29.50, 31.96, 34.03, 34.42, 36.81, 43.41, 60.10
(CH2), 127.84, 128.56, 129.33, 135.48 (phenyl), 173.07 (CdO);
mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 360; IR ν (cm-1) 3296 (NH), 1638
(CdO). Anal. (C24H41NO) C, H, N.
Syn th esis of N-(4-Meth oxyben zyl)h exadecan am ide (29).
The procedure described for compound 3 was used with 13.7
g (100 mmol) of p-methoxybenzylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol)
of palmitoyl chloride to give 3.08 g (82%) of a white solid: mp
81.8-82.3 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 4:6
vv-1) Rf ) 0.5; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.88 (t, J ) 7 Hz,
3H), 1.25-1.51 (m, 26 H), 2.16 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H),
Syn th esis of N,N′-Dieth ylh exa d eca n a m id e (35). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 7.3 g (100
mmol) of diethylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 2.3 g (74%) of a yellowish oil: TLC (chloroform/
4.42-4.44 (m, 2H), 6.88-6.94 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.28 (m, 2H); 13
C
NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.71, 24.97, 25.81, 29.37,
29.69, 31.96, 34.03, 36.94, 39.33(CH2), 55.31 (CH3), 110.37,
120.79 (CH), 128.81, 157.60 (C), 172.87 (CdO); mass spec-
trometry [M+•] ) 376; IR ν (cm-1) 3302 (NH), 1646 (CdO).
Anal. (C24H41NO2) C, H, N.
1
methanol 6:4 vv-1) Rf ) 0.82; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87
(t, J ) 6 Hz, 3H), 1.09-1.16 (m, 6H), 1.22-1.41 (m, 26 H),
2.27 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.33 (q, J ) 12 Hz, 4H); 13C NMR
(CDCl3) δ (ppm) 13.18, 14.14 (CH3), 22.79, 25.58, 29.64, 29.81,
32.04, 33.17, 40.11, 42.03 (CH2), 172.11 (CdO); mass spec-
trometry [M+•] ) 312; IR ν (cm-1) 1646 (CdO). CAS number:
57303-21-6.
Syn th esis of N-P h en eth ylh exa d eca n a m id e (30). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 12.1 g (100
mmol) of phenethylamine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl
chloride to give 2.16 g (60%) of a white solid: mp 83.2-83.5
°C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/methanol 8:2 vv-1) Rf )
Syn th esis of 4-(1-Oxoh exa d ecyl)m or p h olin e (36). The
procedure described for compound 3 was used with 8.7 g (100
mmol) of morpholine and 2.74 g (10 mmol) of palmitoyl chloride
to give 1.7 g (52%) of a white solid: mp 38-39 °C (uncorrected);
TLC (chloroform/methanol 6:4 vv-1) Rf ) 0.9; 1H NMR (CDCl3)
δ (ppm) 0.86 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 3H), 1.22-1.43 (m, 26 H), 2.29 (t, J
) 7 Hz, 2H), 3.43-3.46 (m, 4H), 3.62-3.65 (m, 4H); 13C NMR
(CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.12 (CH3), 22.71, 25.02, 25.31, 29.39, 29.47,
29.52, 29.55, 29.69, 31.73, 31.96, 33.14, 41.92, 46.13, 66.72
(CH2), 171.89 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 326; IR ν
(cm-1) 1649 (CdO). CAS number: 5299-68-3.
1
0.83; H NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.87 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 3H), 1.15-
1.35 (m, 26 H), 2.10 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 2.81 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H),
3.53 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 7.17-7.31 (m, 5H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ
(ppm) 14.10 (CH3), 22.70, 25.75, 29.37, 29.50, 29.69, 31.96,
35.77, 36.87, 40.50 (CH2), 126.55, 127.45, 128.62, 128.81
(phenyl), 173.07 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 360; IR ν
(cm-1) 3316 (NH), 1638 (CdO). CAS number: 10015-69-7.
Syn t h esis of N-(2-H yd r oxyp h en yl)h exa d eca n a m id e
(31). A solution of palmitoyl chloride (0.66 mmol) in 4 mL of
dry benzene was cooled in an ice bath, and a solution of
2-aminophenol (6.6 mmol, 720 mg) in 9 mL of anhydrous THF
was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room
temperature for 2 h and then diluted with 10 mL of methylene
chloride and 10 mL of water. The organic layer was separated,
and the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The
residue was chromatographed on silica gel (eluting with ethyl
acetate/hexane 4:6 vv-1) to give 150 mg (62%) of a white
solid: mp 75.9-76.4 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/
Syn th esis of N-(2-Acetoxyacetyl)pen tadecylam in e (37).
In a two-neck flask, an amount of 500 mg (2.2 mmol) of
pentadecylamine was poured into a solution of 10 mL of dry
methylene chloride with 300 µL of pyridine. Acetoxyacetyl
chloride (395 mg, 2.9 mmol) was added dropwise at room
temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h. Excess
acetoxyacetyl chloride was destroyed by adding 350 µL of
water. The mixture was then washed with 10% citric acid
solution, 5% bicarbonate solution, and brine. The solvent was
evaporated under reduced pressure to afford 618 mg (86%) of
a white solid: mp 69.8-70.2 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl
acetate/dichloromethane 1:9 vv-1) Rf ) 0.42; 1H NMR (300
MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 0.86 (t, J ) 6 Hz, 3H), 1.10-1.41 (m, 26
H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 3.26-3.31 (m, 2H), 4.54 (s, 2H); 13C NMR (300
MHz, CDCl3) δ (ppm) 14.1, 20.70 (CH3), 22.71, 26.85, 29.24,
29.37, 29.56, 29.69, 31.96, 39.27, 63.21 (CH2), 166.79, 169.32
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 328; IR ν (cm -1) 3306 (NH),
1761, 1655 (CdO). Anal. (C19H37NO3) C, H, N.
1
hexane 4:6 vv-1) Rf ) 0.79; H NMR (DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 0.85
(t, J ) 9 Hz, 3H), 1.16-1.28 (m, 26 H), 2.37 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H),
6.72-7.67 (m, 4H), 9.24 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6) δ (ppm)
13.75 (CH3), 21.90, 25.07, 28.44, 28.63, 28.83, 31.09, 35.81
(CH2), 115.98, 118.82, 122.12, 124.52 (CH), 126.26, 147.74 (C),
171.88 (CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 347; IR ν (cm-1) 3393
(NH), 3169 (OH), 1646 (CdO). Anal. (C22H37NO2) C, H, N.
Syn t h esis of N-(3-H yd r oxyp h en yl)h exa d eca n a m id e
(32). The procedure described for compound 31 was used with
720 mg (6.6 mmol) of 3-aminophenol and 0.66 mmol of
palmitoyl chloride to give 130 mg (58%) of a white solid: mp
106.3-107 °C (uncorrected); TLC (ethyl acetate/hexane 4:6
vv-1) Rf ) 0.6; 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 0.83 (t, J ) 9 Hz,
3H), 1.16-1.34 (m, 26 H), 2.25 (t, J ) 7 Hz, 2H), 6.39-7.17
(m, 4H), 9.36 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (DMSO-d6) δ (ppm) 13.84
(CH3), 21.99, 25.10, 28.59, 28.72, 28.92, 31.18, 36.42 (CH2),
106.23, 109.85, 109.98, 129.14 (CH), 140.33, 157.47 (C), 171.13
(CdO); mass spectrometry [M+•] ) 347; IR ν (cm-1) 3331 (NH),
3106 (OH), 1664 (CdO). Anal. (C22H37NO2) C, H, N.
P h ar m acology. Com pou n ds. Anandamide [ethanolamine-
1-3H] ([3H]-AEA, specific activity of 60 Ci mmol-1) was obtained
from American Radiolabeled Chemicals, Inc. (St. Louis, MO).
[3H]-WIN 55,212-2 (specific activity of 45.5 Ci mmol-1) and
[3H]-CP55,940 (specific activity of 101.1 Ci mmol-1) were
obtained from New England Nuclear, Boston, MA. Nonradio-
active anandamide (arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA) was
purchased from the Cayman Chemical Company (Ann Arbor,
MI). Fatty acid free bovine serum albumin (BSA) was obtained

Modifications of Ethanolamine Head
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 8 1447
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from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO). All cell culture
media, sera, and supplements were from Gibco/Life Technolo-
gies.
Mem br a n e P r ep a r a tion for F AAH Assa y. Frozen brains
(minus cerebellum) stored at -70 °C from adult rats were
thawed and homogenized at 4 °C in 20 mM HEPES buffer,
pH 7.0, with 1 mM MgCl2 using a glass homogenizer. The
homogenates were centrifuged twice (36000g for 20 min at 4
°C) after which the tissue pellets were resuspended in homog-
enization buffer and incubated at 37 °C for 15 min. After
centrifugation at 36000g for 20 min at 4 °C, membranes were
resuspended in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.4, containing 1
mM EDTA and 3 mM MgCl2. Protein content in the membrane
preparations was determined according to the method of
Harrington,51 using bovine serum albumin as standard, and
was stored at -70 °C until used for the assay.
F AAH Assa y. The method, adapted to the tritiated sub-
strate as described previously,52 was based on that of Omeir
et al.53 who used 14C-labeled AEA as substrate. Membranes,
test compounds or ethanol carrier (10 µL), [3H]-AEA (2 µM
final concentration), and assay buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, 1 mM
EDTA, 1% (w/v) BSA, pH 7.6) were incubated at 37 °C for 10
min. Reactions were stopped by placing the tubes in ice and
adding 400 µL of chloroform/methanol (1:1 v/v) followed by
vortex mixing. Phases were separated by centrifugation in a
bench centrifuge, and aliquots (200 µL) of the methanol/buffer
phase were analyzed for radioactivity by liquid scintillation
spectroscopy with quench correction. Blanks contained distilled
water instead of the homogenate preparations.
Ra d ioliga n d Bin d in g Exp er im en ts. Human CB1- (“CHO-
CB1”) and CB2- (“CHO-CB2”) transfected CHO cells, kindly
donated by Drs. Nokin and Detheux (Euroscreen, Belgium),
were maintained in culture using Ham’s F12 medium contain-
ing 10% fetal bovine serum, 100 µg/mL streptomycin, 100
U/mL penicillin, and 200 µg/mL G418. Membranes (40 µg)
were incubated at 30 °C with 1 nM [3H]-CP55,940 (CHO-CB1)
or 1 nM [3H]-WIN 55,212-2 (CHO-CB2) for 1 h in 50 mM Tris-
HCl with MgCl2 and EDTA (pH 7.4) in the presence of 50
µM PMSF. Nonspecific binding was determined with 10 µM
HU-210 (CHO-CB1). After incubation, the membrane suspen-
sion was rapidly filtered through 0.5% polyethyleneimine-
pretreated GF/B glass fiber filters (Whatman), and the radio-
activity trapped on the filters was measured by liquid
scintillation spectroscopy. Assays were undertaken in quad-
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gratefully acknowledged. This study was supported by
grants from the Belgian National Fund for Scientific
Research, an FSR grant from the Universite´ Catholique
de Louvain, the Charcot Foundation “Groupe Belge
d’Etude de la Scle´rose en Plaques”, the Swedish Re-
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dation, Konung Gustav V’s and Drottning Victorias
Foundation, the Swedish Psoriasis Association, and the
Research Funds of the Medical Odontological Faculty,
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