Novel N-(arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides targeted as ligands of the benzodiazepine receptor: Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling analysis of the structure-activity relationships

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm010827j

A series of N-(arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides (4-8) was synthesized as ligands of the benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) and tested for their ability to displace [³H]flumazenil from bovine brain membranes. The new compounds, bearing a branched (4) or a geometrically constrained benzyl/phenylethyl amide side chain (5-8), represent the continuation of our research on N-benzylindol-3-ylglyoxylylamides 1 (Da Settimo et al., 1996), N'-phenylindol-3-ylglyoxylo-hydrazides 2 (Da Settimo et al., 1998), and N-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)alanine derivatives 3 (Primofiore et al., 1989). A few indoles belonging to the previously investigated benzylamides 1 and phenylhydrazides 2 were synthesized and tested to enrich the SARs in these two series. The affinities and the GABA ratios of selected compounds for clonal mammalian α₁β₂γ₂, α₃β₂γ₂, and α₅β₃γ₂ BzR subtypes were also determined. It was hypothesized that the reduced flexibility of indoles 4-8 would both facilitate the mapping of the BzR binding cleft and increase the chances of conferring selectivity for the considered receptor subtypes. In the series of indoles 4, the introduction of a methyl group on the benzylic carbon with the R configuration improved affinity of the 5-substituted (5-Cl and 5-NO₂) derivatives, whereas it was detrimental for their 5-unsubtituted (5-H) counterparts. All S enantiomers were less potent than the R ones. Replacement of the methyl with hydrophilic substituents on the benzylic carbon lowered affinity. The isoindolinylamide side chain was tolerated if the 5-position was unsubstituted (K_i of 5a = 123 nM), otherwise affinity was abolished (5b, c). All the 2-indanylamides 6 and (S)-1-indanylamides 8 were devoid of any appreciable affinity. The 5-Cl and 5-NO₂ (R)-1-indanylamides 7b (K_i 80 nM) and 7c (K_i 28 nM) were the most potent among the indoles 5-8 geometrically constrained about the side chain. The 5-H (R)-1-indanylamide 7a displayed a lower affinity (K_i 675 nM). The SARs developed from the new compounds, together with those collected from our previous studies, confirmed the hypothesis of different binding modes for 5-substituted and 5-unsubstituted indoles, suggesting that the shape of the lipophilic pocket L₁ (notation in accordance with Cook's BzR topological model) is asymmetric and highlighted the stereoelectronic and conformational properties of the amide side chain required for high potency. Several of the new indoles showed selectivity for the α₁β₂γ₂ subtype compared with the α₃β₂γ₂ and α₅β₃γ₂ subtypes (e.g.: 4t and 7c bind to these three BzR isoforms with K_i values of 14 nM, 283 nM, 239 nM, and 9 nM, 1960 nM, 95 nM, respectively). The GABA ratios close to unity exhibited by all the tested compounds on each BzR subtype were predictive of an efficacy profile typical of antagonists.

Full text of DOI:10.1021/jm010827j

2286
J . Med. Chem. 2001, 44, 2286-2297
Novel N-(Ar yla lk yl)in d ol-3-ylglyoxylyla m id es Ta r geted a s Liga n d s of th e
Ben zod ia zep in e Recep tor : Syn th esis, Biologica l Eva lu a tion , a n d Molecu la r
Mod elin g An a lysis of th e Str u ctu r e-Activity Rela tion sh ip s†
Giampaolo Primofiore,*,§ Federico Da Settimo,§ Sabrina Taliani,§ Anna Maria Marini,§ Ettore Novellino,£
Giovanni Greco,£ Antonio Lavecchia,£ Franc¸ois Besnard,‡ Letizia Trincavelli,# Barbara Costa,# and
Claudia Martini#
Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche and Dipartimento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia, Farmacologia e Biotecnologie,
Universita` di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy, Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica, Universita` di
Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy, and Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics,
Synthe´labo, 10 rue des Carrie`res, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison, France
Received J anuary 23, 2001
A series of N-(arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides (4-8) was synthesized as ligands of the
benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) and tested for their ability to displace [3H]flumazenil from bovine
brain membranes. The new compounds, bearing a branched (4) or a geometrically constrained
benzyl/phenylethyl amide side chain (5-8), represent the continuation of our research on
N-benzylindol-3-ylglyoxylylamides 1 (Da Settimo et al., 1996), N′-phenylindol-3-ylglyoxylo-
hydrazides 2 (Da Settimo et al., 1998), and N-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)alanine derivatives 3
(Primofiore et al., 1989). A few indoles belonging to the previously investigated benzylamides
1 and phenylhydrazides 2 were synthesized and tested to enrich the SARs in these two series.
The affinities and the GABA ratios of selected compounds for clonal mammalian R1â2γ2, R3â2γ2,
and R5â3γ2 BzR subtypes were also determined. It was hypothesized that the reduced flexibility
of indoles 4-8 would both facilitate the mapping of the BzR binding cleft and increase the
chances of conferring selectivity for the considered receptor subtypes. In the series of indoles
4, the introduction of a methyl group on the benzylic carbon with the R configuration improved
affinity of the 5-substituted (5-Cl and 5-NO2) derivatives, whereas it was detrimental for their
5-unsubtituted (5-H) counterparts. All S enantiomers were less potent than the R ones.
Replacement of the methyl with hydrophilic substituents on the benzylic carbon lowered affinity.
The isoindolinylamide side chain was tolerated if the 5-position was unsubstituted (Ki of 5a )
123 nM), otherwise affinity was abolished (5b, c). All the 2-indanylamides 6 and (S)-1-
indanylamides 8 were devoid of any appreciable affinity. The 5-Cl and 5-NO2 (R)-1-
indanylamides 7b (Ki 80 nM) and 7c (Ki 28 nM) were the most potent among the indoles 5-8
geometrically constrained about the side chain. The 5-H (R)-1-indanylamide 7a displayed a
lower affinity (Ki 675 nM). The SARs developed from the new compounds, together with those
collected from our previous studies, confirmed the hypothesis of different binding modes for
5-substituted and 5-unsubstituted indoles, suggesting that the shape of the lipophilic pocket
L1 (notation in accordance with Cook’s BzR topological model) is asymmetric and highlighted
the stereoelectronic and conformational properties of the amide side chain required for high
potency. Several of the new indoles showed selectivity for the R1â2γ2 subtype compared with
the R3â2γ2 and R5â3γ2 subtypes (e.g.: 4t and 7c bind to these three BzR isoforms with Ki values
of 14 nM, 283 nM, 239 nM, and 9 nM, 1960 nM, 95 nM, respectively). The GABA ratios close
to unity exhibited by all the tested compounds on each BzR subtype were predictive of an
efficacy profile typical of antagonists.
In tr od u ction
of the 18 which have so far been cloned and sequenced
(6R, 4â, 4γ, 1δ, 1ꢀ, and 2F). Three subunits (R, â, and γ)
are required to form a fully functional GABAA receptor.
The so-called benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) is located
between the R and γ subunits, and its occupation by a
ligand can allosterically modulate the affinity of the
GABA neurotransmitter for its specific binding site. BzR
agonists and inverse agonists potentiate or decrease,
respectively, the GABA-induced chloride influx, whereas
antagonists have minimal or no effects on the chloride
flux. These substances exhibit a wide variety of phar-
macological actions spanning in a continuum from full
agonists (anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative-hypnotic,
and myorelaxant agents) through antagonists to inverse
The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor is
the major inhibitory ligand-gated ion channel in the
mammalian brain.1,2 This membrane-bound hetero-
pentameric receptor is made up of five subunits out
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: 39 50 500209.
Fax: 39 50 40517. E-mail: primofiore@farm.unipi.it.
† Presented at the Italian-Hungarian-Polish J oint Meeting on
Medicinal Chemistry, Giardini Naxos-Taormina, September 28-
October 1, 1999 and at the IX Meeting on Heterocyclic Structures in
Medicinal Chemistry Research, Palermo, May 14-17, 2000.
§ Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita` di Pisa.
£
Universita` “Federico II” di Napoli.
‡ Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Synthe´labo.
#
Dipartimento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia, Farmacologia e Bio-
tecnologie, Universita` di Pisa.
10.1021/jm010827j CCC: $20.00 © 2001 American Chemical Society
Published on Web 06/12/2001

N-(Arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14 2287
F igu r e 1. Binding modes A and B exemplified through the most potent ligands among benzylamides 1 and phenylhydrazides 2,
respectively. Labeling of BzR subsites are in accordance with Cook’s pharmacophore model.15
agonists (anxiogenic and proconvulsant agents). Partial
agonists exist within this efficacy spectrum and are of
particular interest, as they may display antianxiety
properties devoid of the undesirable side effects typical
of full agonist-type ligands.3 Partial inverse agonists
have been described which can enhance general memory/
learning and block or reverse the effects of barbiturate
toxicity but are devoid of proconvulsant activity.4,5
Moreover, the availability of cloned benzodiazepine
receptor subtypes will probably lead soon to the discov-
ery of subtype-selective ligands, which will open the
exciting possibility to separate the many pharmacologi-
cal actions of BzR ligands permitting the selective
treatment of anxiety, sleep disorders, convulsions, and
memory deficits with fewer side effects.1,6
Structure-activity relationships (SARs) of structur-
ally diverse classes of ligands7-14 were rationalized by
Cook and co-workers15 through a comprehensive phar-
macophore/receptor model consisting of several BzR
interaction (sub)sites: (i) a hydrogen bond acceptor (A2),
(ii) a hydrogen bond donor (H1), (iii) a bifunctional
hydrogen bond donor/acceptor (H2/A3), and (iv) four
lipophilic pockets (L1, L2, L3, and Ldi). The boundaries
of the receptor were defined in terms of sterically
forbidden sites (S1, S2, and S3). Finally, it was assumed
that agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists share
the same binding cleft. Figure 1 describes the inter-
actions of our compounds 1 and 2 at the BzR in the
framework of Cook’s pharmacophore model.
ylglyoxylohydrazides 2 formally derived from the previ-
ously described benzylamides by replacing the CH2
spacer with the isosteric NH group.17 Surprisingly,
affinity was restricted to 5-H phenylhydrazides, the
5-Cl/NO2 counterparts being invariably inactive for
either electron-donating or electron-attracting X sub-
stituents on the side phenyl ring. This discrepancy in
the SARs of the isosteric series of 5-Cl/NO2 indoles was
suspected to depend on differences in the conformational
properties of the NHNHAr and NHCH2Ar side chains:
the former being forced in a gauche disposition about
the N-N bond and the latter, more flexible, capable of
assuming a staggered conformation about the N-C
bond. As observed in the 5-H benzylamides, the affinity
of 5-H phenylhydrazides is enhanced by electron-
withdrawing X substituents such as 4′-NO2 (Ki 11 nM)
and is lowered considerably by methylation of the indole
nitrogen. Selected phenylhydrazides tested in vivo
revealed efficacy profiles typical of partial agonists.
We have recently reported on a new class of BzR
ligands designed as open chain analogues of â-carbo-
lines, the N-(benzyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides 1.16 In-
terestingly, in this series the effects of the R5 and
X substituents on potency are not constant but inter-
dependent. Particularly, affinity is favored by electron-
donating or electron-attracting X substituents depend-
ing on whether the 5-position of the indole nucleus is
substituted (R5 ) Cl/NO2) or not (R5 ) H). Thus, while
the optimum of affinity in the 5-Cl/NO2 series was
reached with X ) 3′,4′-(OMe)2 (Ki 11 nM), in the 5-H
series potency was optimized with X ) 4′-Cl (Ki 67 nM).
A few selected benzylamide derivatives were also evalu-
ated by in vivo tests, but none of them showed any
activity. Their lack of efficacy was explained in terms
of poor absorption and bioavailability, partly depending
on low water solubility.
Taken together, the binding data of compounds 1
and 2 suggested that 5-Cl/NO2 indoles interact with
the receptor differently from their 5-H counterparts.
Particularly, two alternative binding modes of the
ligands were hypothesized, called A and B, exemplified
in Figure 1 using the most potent benzylamide and
phenylhydrazide derivatives, respectively.
Binding mode A requires (i) a transoid conformation
of the side chain (not feasible for phenylhydrazides) and
(ii) non-electron-withdrawing X substituents on the side
phenyl ring. According to our hypothesis, benzylamides
would engage interactions with the A2 site (through the
indole NH), the H1 and H2 sites (through the CdO2 and
CdO1), and the L1, L2, and LDi lipophilic regions (filled
by the CH2, the phenyl and the fused benzene ring,
The nanomolar binding constants exhibited by several
benzylamides 1 prompted the design of closely related
but more water-soluble and bioavailable analogues.
Therefore, we prepared a series of N′-phenylindol-3-

2288 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14
Primofiore et al.
respectively). An electron-withdrawing group in the
5-position of the indole, such as Cl or NO2, strengthens
the NH‚‚‚A2 hydrogen bond. The favorable electronic
effects exerted by electron-donating X substituents in
the series of 5-Cl/NO2 benzylamides suggest that the
side phenyl ring might be involved in a charge-transfer
interaction with an electropositive function within the
L2 site.
modes A and B, facilitate mapping of the BzR binding
cleft, and increase the chances of improving affinity.
Binding mode B takes place through the following
interactions: (i) CdO2 and CdO1 are hydrogen-bound
to the H1 and H2 sites; (ii) the lipophilic L1 and L2
regions are occupied by the pyrrole and benzene moi-
eties of the indole nucleus; and (iii) a hydrogen bond
is donated by the indole NH to a heteroatom belonging
to the S1 site. Electron-withdrawing substituents on
the side phenyl ring, such as 4′-NO2 in the most
potent phenylhydrazide, make the terminal 2′-CH hy-
drogen more electropositive thus favoring its interaction
with the electron-rich A2 site. Binding mode B is
accessible only to 5-H indoles because the sterically
forbidden S2 site closely faces the 5-position and is
unable to host substituents larger than a hydrogen.
Alternatively (or additionally), mode B might not
be feasible for 5-Cl and 5-NO2 derivatives owing to
unfavorable electron-attracting effects of these substit-
uents on the indole π-system. Collinearity between size
and electron-attracting power within the limited data
set (Cl and NO2) of 5-substituents did not allow us to
single out which property actually disables mode B.
Benzylamides 1 are closely related analogues of
N-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)amino acid derivatives with the
general formula 318,19 displaying nanomolar potency
when incorporating a (D)-alanine residue (R′ ) Me). The
much lower affinities of the corresponding glycine (R′
) H) and (L)-alanine derivatives led us to hypothesize
that the L1 pocket surrounding the R-carbon is asym-
metric, so that it can be filled by the (D)-alanine methyl
on one side but has no room for the (L)-alanine methyl
on the opposite side.
Among the newly investigated compounds there are
also some benzylamides and phenylhydrazides of series
1 and 2 bearing a methoxy group in position 5 of the
indole nucleus. By adding these 5-MeO derivatives to
the data set of 5-Cl and 5-NO2 indoles, we broke the
collinearity between size and the electron-withdrawing
character of the 5-substituent (R5), so as to unambigu-
ously identify the property of this substituent leading
to binding mode A or B. Finally, benzylamides of type
1 were prepared featuring a nitro group in position 4′
of the side phenyl ring (X ) 4′-NO2) to compare their
binding affinities with those of the 4′-nitro derivatives
of type 4 (R′ ) Me, X ) 4′-NO2).
In light of the SARs in series 1 and 3, we felt that a
fruitful continuation of our research would be to prepare
N-(R-substituted-benzyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamide de-
rivatives 4 which retain the benzylamide scaffold 1 and
bear an R-methyl group (R′ ) Me) in the same spatial
position (R configuration) as in the previously described
(D)-alanine derivatives 3. Compounds 4 were synthe-
sized as pure enantiomers whenever the starting prod-
ucts were commercially available, otherwise the racemic
mixture was prepared and tested.
The following indole derivatives, all featuring a geo-
metrically constrained N-phenylalkyl side chain, were
included in the same project: 2-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)-
isoindolines 5, N-(indan-2-yl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides
6, (R) and (S) enantiomers of N-(indan-1-yl)indol-3-
ylglyoxylylamides 7 and 8. We reasoned that the
reduced flexibility of these structures would more mark-
edly discriminate between the two putative binding
Since it is currently recognized that subtype-selective
BzR ligands might represent potential selective drugs
for the treatment of anxiety, sleep disorders, convul-
sions, and memory deficit with fewer side effects,1,6
a
few selected indole derivatives were evaluated by the
radioligand technique on recombinant rat R1â2γ2, R3â2γ2,
and R5â3γ2 GABAA/BzR subtypes. The in vitro efficacy
profile of the selected compounds for all three GABAA/
BzR subtypes was assessed by means of the GABA ratio.
This paper describes the synthesis, the biological
evaluation, the SARs, and the molecular modeling
analysis of the novel indole derivatives 1, 2, 4-8
targeted as ligands of the BzR.

N-(Arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14 2289
Sch em e 1
favored by the size and/or the electron-withdrawing
ability of R5, as these two properties remained collinear
in a set of the two substituents 5-Cl and 5-NO2.17 The
5-OMe derivatives 1d ,e and 2a ,b were purposely pre-
pared and tested to obtain a slightly larger data set in
which the steric and electronic properties of R5 are not
correlated. Only compound 1d (bearing a 4′-OMe on the
side phenyl ring) possessed an appreciable potency,
implying that a 5-OMe group affects the affinity of
indole derivatives, like a 5-Cl or a 5-NO2 substituent.
Specifically, 5-Cl/NO2 benzylamides 1 elicit nanomolar-
submicromolar Ki values if X is electron-donating or a
hydrogen (1e′-l′), whereas 5-Cl/NO2 phenylhydrazides
2 are inactive for any other type of substituent X (2d ′-
g′). What makes 5-OMe, 5-Cl, and 5-NO2 similar is
clearly a steric rather than an electronic property.
Taken together, the above-summarized SARs suggest
that a 5-substituted indole cannot attain binding mode
B because it would be sterically repelled by the S2 site.
Consequently, we speculate that compound 1d binds to
the receptor in accordance with mode A. The relatively
low affinity of 1d (Ki 494 nM) compared with its 5-H,
5-Cl, and 5-NO2 counterparts 1b′,f ′,j′ (163 nM, 107 nM,
and 53 nM, respectively) is probably related to the
electron-donating effect of the 5-OMe, weakening the
hydrogen bond between the indole NH and the A2 site.
Ch em istr y
The general synthetic procedure used in the prepara-
tion of compounds 1, 2, and 4-8 involved the acylation
of the appropriate indole with oxalyl chloride in ac-
cordance with a published procedure.20 The indolylgly-
oxylyl chlorides obtained were allowed to react in mild
conditions with the appropriate amine in the presence
of triethylamine in toluene solution (in THF solution
for 4i and 4bb) (Scheme 1). All products were purified
by recrystallization from the appropriate solvent, and
Effects of th e R′ a n d X Su bstitu en ts on Affin ity
in Com p ou n d s 4. Compounds with the general formula
4 are moderately to highly potent when bearing a
methyl group on the benzyl R-carbon with the R con-
figuration; 4t is the most potent among the newly
synthesized indoles (Ki 17 nM). The remaining com-
pounds of type 4, where R′ is a hydrophilic (CH2OH,
CN or COOEt) or a Me group with the S configuration,
displayed no affinity at the BzR, with the exception of
the cyano derivative 4c′ (Ki 241 nM). A comparison of
the binding constants of 4a , 4l, and 4t with those of the
corresponding R-desmethyl analogues 1a ′, 1e′, and 1i′
(all the six ligands being unsubstituted on the side
phenyl ring) reveals that (R)-R-Me improves the affinity
of the 5-Cl/NO2 derivatives by 4.5- and 7-fold, respec-
tively, whereas it lowers the affinity of the 5-H deriva-
tive by 11-fold. These divergent effects of (R)-R-Me are
probably related to the different binding modes of the
5-Cl/NO2 and 5-H indoles, which direct the same (R)-
R-Me to different regions of the BzR. The SARs outlined
so far are consistent with our hypothesis19 of a lipophilic
L1 pocket available to the (R)-R-Me of indoles 3 and 4
binding in accordance with mode A. The shape of this
pocket is asymmetric, so that it hosts the (R)-R-Me on
one side, while it has no room available for the (S)-R-
Me on the opposite side. The affinity of 5-H indoles,
binding in accordance with mode B, is significantly
disfavored by R-methylation, probably because the
receptor cleft surrounding the benzylic R-carbon is
relatively narrow.
1
their structures were confirmed by IR, H NMR, MS,
and elemental analysis (Table 1). Spectral data of all
the newly synthesized compounds 1, 2, and 4-8 are
reported in the Supporting Information.
Resu lts a n d Discu ssion
The binding affinity of each newly synthesized indole
derivatives at the BzR in bovine brain membranes was
determined by competition experiments against the
radiolabeled antagonist [3H]flumazenil21 and expressed
as the Ki value only for those compounds inhibiting
radioligand binding by more than 80% at a fixed
concentration of 10 µM. The in vitro efficacy of active
compounds was measured by the GABA ratio which
predicts the pharmacological profile of a BzR ligand.22-24
Table 2 summarizes the biological data. The affinities
of some previously reported16,17,19 indoles (compounds
1a ′-l′, 2a ′-g′, and 3a ′-c′) discussed in the present
paper are listed in Table 3. Molecular modeling studies,
performed to aid the interpretation of SARs, were based
on semiempirical quantum-mechanics and molecular
mechanics calculations using the AM1 method25 and the
Tripos force field26 available within the SYBYL suite of
programs27 (computational details are given in the
Experimental Section).
P r op er ty of th e R5 Su bstitu en t Disa blin g Bin d -
in g Mod e B. As stated, binding mode B might not be
feasible for 5-Cl/NO2 indoles, due to a steric clash
between a 5-substituent (R5) larger than a hydrogen and
the S2 site (see Figure 1). Alternatively or additionally,
mode B might be forbidden for 5-substituted indoles
owing to the unfavorable electron-withdrawing effect
exerted by a 5-Cl or a 5-NO2 on a putative charge-
transfer interaction between the indole moiety and an
electron-poor function within the L2 site. It was not
possible to establish whether binding mode B is dis-
Within the set of 5-Cl/NO2 indoles 4, none of the
substituents X on the side phenyl ring increases affinity
(compare 4l vs 4n , p -r and 4t vs 4v, x-z). In contrast,
4′-OMe and 3′,4′-(OMe)2 improve potency of 5-Cl/NO2
benzylamides 1 by 16- and 10-fold (compare 1e′ vs 1g′
and 1i′ vs 1k ′). In the series of 5-H indoles 4, affinity is
favored by an electron-donating X group (compare 4a
against 4c,e,f) or abolished if X is an electron-with-

2290 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14
Primofiore et al.
Ta ble 1. Physical Properties of Indolylglyoxylylamide Derivatives 1, 2, and 4-8

N-(Arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14 2291
Ta ble 1. (Continued)
a
Elemental analyses for C, H, N, were within (0.4% of the calculated values.
drawing 4′-NO2 group (compare 4a vs 4g). These data
contrast with the effects of X in the set of 5-H indoles
1, wherein affinity is favored by an electron-withdraw-
ing X substituent such as a 4′-Cl (compare 1a ′ vs 1d ′)
or a 4′-NO2 (featured by the newly synthesized 1a ,
which is the most potent 5-H benzylamide derivative).
The lack of parallelism between the effects of X in series
1 and 4 might be due to different orientations of their
side phenyl rings within the BzR depending on the
absence/presence of the (R)-R-Me group.
In d oles 5-8 Geom et r ica lly Con st r a in ed a bou t
th e N-P h en yla lk yl Sid e Ch a in . Also in the series of
ligands 5-8, 5-H derivatives exhibit divergent SARs
from their 5-Cl/NO2 counterparts. Unsubstituted indoles
tolerate the isoindolinylamide side chain (5a being
practically equipotent to 1a ′) but not the (R)-1-indanyl-
amide moiety (7a is 5.6-fold less potent than 1a ′). In
contrast, 5Cl/NO2 indoles show no potency at the BzR
when bearing the isoindolinylamide side chain, while
the (R)-1-indanylamide residue produces an enhance-
ment of the affinity, seeing that 7b and 7c are 6-fold
and 4-fold more potent than the corresponding benzyl-
amides 1e′ and 1i′. None of the compounds 6a -c and
8a -c possesses any significant potency. These data
further support our hypothesis of different interaction
modes available for 5-H and 5-Cl/NO2 indoles at the
BzR. The binding data of the 1-indanylamides 7a ,b,c
and 8a ,b,c parallel those of their open chain analogues
4a ,l,t and 4b,m ,u , thus suggesting that the methylene
in position 2 of the 1-indane ring (2-CH2) fits into the
same lipophilic pocket of the L1 site hosting the (R)-R-
Me group.
Isoindolinylamides 5 are the most rigid structures
among those discussed in the present paper: the torsion
angles (OdC)-N-C-C1′ and N-C-C1′-C2′ are both
frozen in a staggered conformation (their values are
180°). Based on our model of binding mode A,17 the
transoid disposition of the former torsion angle should
favor affinity of the 5-Cl and 5-NO2 derivatives 5b and
5c. Actually, the inactivity of these two compounds

2292 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14
Primofiore et al.
Ta ble 2. Inhibition of [3H]flumazenil Specific Binding to Bovine Brain Membranes and GABA Ratios of Indolylglyoxylylamide
Derivatives 1, 2, and 4-8

N-(Arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14 2293
Ta ble 2. (Continued)
a
b
Ki values are means ( SEM of three determinations. GABA ratio ) (Ki without GABA)/(Ki with GABA). c Not determined for the
compounds (10 µM) showing percentages of inhibition of specific [3H]flumazenil binding e80%.
ring F of the inactive benzopyridodiindole 9.28 The active
(R)-R-Me benzylamide 4t, also aligned in accordance
with mode A, avoids the steric clash with the S2 site by
virtue of its side phenyl ring twisted out of the main
plane of the molecule. More specifically, the torsion
angle N-C-C1′-C2′ is 60° in 4t, whereas, as already
mentioned, it is fixed to 180° in the isoindolinylamides
5. On the other hand, it is worth noting that when the
active 5-H isoindoline 5a adopts binding mode B, the
indole moiety fills the L2 site without contacting the S2
site.
F igu r e 2. The isoindolinylamides 5c (inactive, in red) and
5a (active, in yellow) oriented according to mode A and,
respectively, mode B are aligned on the (R)-R-Me-benzylamide
4t (active, in gray) and the benzopyridodiindole 9 (inactive,
in cyan). The fused benzene ring F of 9 maps the sterically
forbidden S2 site.
depends on poor shape complementarity with the recep-
tor rather than on lack of conformational requirements.
In fact, Figure 2 shows that when 5c is oriented in
accordance with mode A, the isoindoline benzene moiety
projects into the sterically hindered S2 site mapped by
The lack of affinity exhibited by the 2-indanylamides
6a -c and the (S)-1-indanylamides 8a -c implies that
neither mode A nor mode B of interaction are allowed
for these compounds. The 5-Cl/NO2 (R)-1-indanylamides
7b and 7c are the only ones, among the newly investi-

2294 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14
Primofiore et al.
Ta ble 3. Inhibition of [3H]flumazenil Specific Binding to Bovine Brain Membranes and GABA Ratios of Indolylglyoxylylamide
Derivatives 1′-3′16,17,19
a-c See Table 2 footnotes.
gated closed-chain analogues, capable of ensuring a
tight binding (probably in accordance with mode A).
Figure 3 shows an overlay of the 5-NO2 derivatives
7c (active), 6c (inactive), and 8c (inactive) illustrating
how we interpret the binding data of indoles 6-8 at the
molecular level. The side chains of the three ligands
attain a transoid conformation (required for binding
mode A) which ensures the match of the corresponding
terminal fused-benzene rings expected to fill the L2
F igu r e 3. Superposition of the (R)-1-indanylamide 7c (active,
in yellow) on the (S)-1-indanylamide 8c (inactive, in red) and
the 2-indanylamide 6c (inactive, in cyan), all oriented in
accordance with mode A. Sterically unfavorable fragments of
pocket. An arrow highlights a region of the receptor
whose occupancy by a ligand, such as 6c or 8c, com-
promises binding for steric reasons. The indane 2-CH2
fragment of the (R)-1-indanylamide 7c, supposed to
enhance affinity through a hydrophobic interaction, is
surrounded by a cartoon of the lipophilic pocket L1. We
believe that this BzR site hosts similarly also the (R)-
R-Me group of indole derivatives 4.
the inactive compounds 8c and 6c are marked by an arrow. A
cartoon of the L1 lipophilic pocket surrounds the favorable
2-CH2 fragment of the potent ligand 7c.
carbon bound to the amidic nitrogen, a structural motif
common to these compounds as well as to the 5-H
R-methylbenzylamides 4, interferes sterically with bind-
The 5-H derivatives 6a , 7a , and 8a are poorly active
or not active at all, probably because branching at the

N-(Arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides
J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14 2295
Ta ble 4. Inhibition of [3H]Flumazenil Specific Binding and
GABA Ratios of Selected Compounds at Rat R1â2γ2, R3â2γ2, and
R5â3γ2 GabaA/Bz Receptor Subtypesa
pocket L1 is asymmetric. A subset of the compounds
tested on recombinant GABAA/BzR R1â2γ2, R3â2γ2, and
R5â3γ2 subtypes showed an enhanced affinity at the R1
containing GABAA isoform.
Ki (nM)b or % inhibition (10 µM)c
GABA
ratiod
GABA
ratiod
GABA
ratiod
no.
R1â2γ2
16 ( 2
R3â2γ2
R5â3γ2
58 ( 6
Exp er im en ta l Section
1a
4a
4t
5a
7a
7c
1j′
2c′
0.90 1600 ( 110 0.91
1150 ( 86 0.92
14 ( 2 1.17
224 ( 20 1.06 3200 ( 150 1.10 43% ( 4
225 ( 13 1.13 28% ( 3
0.73
Ch em ist r y. Melting points were determined using a
Reichert Ko¨fler hot-stage apparatus and are uncorrected. The
[R]D values were measured with a Perkin-Elmer Model 241
polarimeter in freshly distilled DMF solution. Infrared spectra
were obtained on a PYE/UNICAM mod. PU 9561 spectropho-
tometer in Nujol mulls. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra
were recorded in DMSO-d6 on a Varian CFT-20 spectrometer
operating at 80 MHz using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the
internal standard. Mass spectra were obtained on a Hewlett-
Packard 5988 A spectrometer using a direct injection probe
and an electron beam energy of 70 eV. Magnesium sulfate was
always used as the drying agent. Evaporations were made in
vacuo (rotary evaporator). Analytical TLC was carried out on
Merck 0.2 mm precoated silica gel aluminum sheets (60 F-254).
Elemental analyses were performed by our Analytical Labora-
tory and agreed with theoretical values to within (0.4%.
5% ( 0.4
283 ( 19
5500 ( 360 1.05
239 ( 21 1.30
1.30
2160 ( 160 1.10
9 ( 0.6 1.13 1960 ( 150 1.12
95 ( 8
126 ( 11
43 ( 5
0.98
0.90
0.80
42 ( 3
25 ( 3
50 ( 3
1.11
0.96
137 ( 11
40 ( 4
765 ( 63
0.96
0.98
zolpidem
35% ( 3
The ability of the compounds to displace [3H]flumazenil was
measured in membranes from HEK293 cells expressing the R1â2γ2,
R3â2γ2, and R5â3γ2 subtypes, as described in the Experimental
a
b
Section. Ki values are means ( SEM of three determinations.
c Percentage inhibition values of specific [3H]flumazenil binding
at 10 µM concentration are means ( SEM of three determinations.
GABA ratio ) (Ki without GABA)/(Ki with GABA).
d
Besides the commercially available starting materials, the
following products were prepared in accordance with reported
methods: 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylamine,30 1-(3,4-dimethoxy-
phenyl)ethylamine,30 and 1,3-dihydroisondole.31
ing mode B. This hypothesis is consistent with the
significantly higher potency elicited by the isoindolin-
ylamide 5a which is characterized by two nonbranched
benzylic CH2 fragments.
Gen er a l P r oced u r e for th e Syn th esis of N-[(5-Su bsti-
t u t ed in d ol-3-yl)glyoxylyl]a m id e Der iva t ives 1, 2, a n d
4-8. Triethylamine (3.0 mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred
suspension, cooled at 0 °C, of indolylglyoxylyl chloride (2.5
mmol) and the appropriate amine (2.75 mmol) in 50 mL of
dry toluene (THF for compounds 4i and 4bb). The reaction
mixture was left to warm to room temperature, stirred for 24-
36 h (TLC analysis), and then filtered. The precipitate collected
was triturated with a saturated NaHCO3 aqueous solution,
washed with water, and collected again to give a first portion
of crude product. The toluene (or THF) solution was evaporated
to dryness, and the residue was treated with saturated
NaHCO3 aqueous solution, washed with water, and collected
to yield an additional amount of crude product. The quantities
of amide derivatives obtained from the initial insoluble
precipitate or from the toluene (or THF) solution were variable,
depending upon the solubility of the various compounds. All
products 1, 2, and 4-8 were purified by recrystallization from
the appropriate solvent. Yields, recrystallization solvents, and
melting points are listed in Table 1. IR, 1H NMR, and MS
spectral data are reported in the Supporting Information.
Using an exhaustively washed membrane prepara-
tion, the GABA ratio values of the most active com-
pounds of each series 1, 4, 5, and 7 were evaluated. All
the products tested showed values close to unity,
predicting antagonist properties. A correspondence be-
tween the GABA ratio and the pharmacological profile
has already been reported for the structurally analogous
N-(phenylethyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamides.29
Bin d in g of Selected Com p ou n d s a t r1â2γ2, r3â2γ2,
a n d r5â3γ2 GABAA/Bz Recep tor Su btyp es. A number
of compounds (1a , 4a , 4t, 5a , 7a , 7c, 1j′, and 2c′) were
tested for their ability to displace [3H]flumazenil from
recombinant rat R1â2γ2, R3â2γ2, and R5â3γ2 GABAA/Bz
receptor subtypes (Table 4). A good correlation exists
between the affinities at wild-type and R1â2γ2 subtype
receptors. Most of the ligands showed enhanced affini-
ties for the R1â2γ2 isoform, with compounds 4t and 7a
exhibiting the highest selectivity over both R3â2γ2 and
R5â3γ2 subtypes.
Bin d in g Stu d ies. [3H]Flumazenil (specific activity 70.8 Ci/
mmol) was obtained from NEN Life Sciences Products. All
other chemicals were of reagent grade and were obtained from
commercial suppliers.
The GABA ratios close to unity exhibited by these
compounds at the R1â2γ2 receptor subtype were pre-
dictive of antagonist properties. Interestingly, it has
recently been proposed that R1-selective ligands, such
as the antagonist tert-butyl â-carboline-3-carboxylate
(BCCT), may be useful for the treatment of alcohol
abuse.1
Bovine cerebral cortex membranes were prepared in ac-
cordance with ref 32. The membrane preparations were
subjected to a freeze-thaw cycle, washed by suspension and
centrifugation in 50 mM tris-citrate buffer pH 7.4 (T1), and
then used in the binding assay. Protein concentration was
assayed by the method of Lowry et al.33
[3H]Flumazenil binding studies were performed as previ-
Con clu sion s
ously reported.17
The SARs developed from the new series of N-
(arylalkyl)indol-3-ylglyoxylylamide derivatives 1 and
4-8 further support our hypothesis of two different
binding modes selected by these ligands depending on
the size of the substituent in the 5-position of the indole
nucleus. Specifically, 5-substituted and 5-unsubstituted
indoles bind preferentially in accordance with mode A
and B, respectively. Using molecular modeling methods,
we inferred the conformational and stereoelectronic
properties of the amide side chains leading to a high
affinity. The binding data of optically active indole
derivatives suggested that the shape of the lipophilic
Clonal mammalian cell lines expressing relatively high
levels of rat GABAA receptor subtypes (R1â2γ2, R3â2γ2, R5â3γ2)
were maintained, as previously described34 in Minimum Es-
sential Medium Eagle with EBSS, supplemented with 10%
fetal calf serum, L-glutamine (2 mM), penicillin (100 units/
mL), and streptomycin (100 µg/mL) in a humidified atmo-
sphere of 5% CO2/95% air at 37 °C. Cells were harvested and
then centrifuged at 500 × g. The crude membranes were
prepared after homogenization in 10 mM potassium phos-
phate, pH 7.4, and differential centrifugation at 48 000 × g
for 30 min at 4 °C. The pellets were washed twice in this
manner before final resuspension in 10 mM potassium phos-
phate, pH 7.4, containing 100 mM potassium chloride.34

2296 J ournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2001, Vol. 44, No. 14
Primofiore et al.
[3H]Flumazenil binding assays to transfected cells mem-
branes were carried out as previously described.34 In brief, the
cell lines membranes were incubated in a volume of 500 µL
which contained [3H]flumazenil at a concentration of 1-2 nM
and the test compound in the range 10-9-10-5 M. Nonspecific
binding was defined by 10-5 M diazepam. Assays were
incubated to equilibrium for 1 h at 4 °C.
The potencies of the new synthesized compounds to inhibit
[3H]flumazenil binding in the presence and absence of GABA
were compared. The differences obtained were expressed as
the GABA ratio, namely the ratios of the Ki values obtained
in the absence of GABA over the Ki values obtained in the
presence of GABA.
Com p u ta tion a l Ch em istr y. All molecular modeling was
performed using the software package SYBYL27 running on a
Silicon Graphics R10000 workstation. Most of the models were
built starting from benzylamide structures of type 1 (available
from our previous works)16,17 in accordance with SYBYL
standard bond lengths and valence angles. Atom centered
charges were calculated by the Gasteiger-Hu¨ckel method.35,36
Preliminary geometry optimizations were carried out using the
SYBYL/MAXIMIN2 minimizer based on the molecular me-
chanics Tripos force field26 and the BFGS (Broyden, Fletcher,
Goldfarb, and Shanno) algorithm.37 A root-mean-square gradi-
ent of the forces acting on each atom of 0.05 kcal/mol Å was
set as the convergence criterion.
Global minimum and pharmacophore-consistent conforma-
tions were identified using the SYBYL/SEARCH routine. With
the exception of compounds 5a and 5c, featuring a totally rigid
isoindolinylamide moiety, rotatable bonds of the arylalkyl side
chain were generally scanned through 10° increments within
the 0-350° interval. A 0.75 van der Waals scaling factor was
applied to “soften” steric contacts in the rigid rotamers. All
the conformations subjected to further modeling had a strain
energy (difference with respect to the global minimum con-
formation) not greater than 3 kcal/mol.38 For each of the
compounds 4t, 6c, 7c, and 8c we selected a pharmacophore-
consistent conformation as the one featuring the largest
distance between the amidic nitrogen and the phenyl ring
centroid. This criterion allowed us to identify geometries
characterized by a side chain aryl moiety positioned within
the plane of the indole-COCONH system and therefore com-
patible with binding mode A.
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et al.15
Ack n ow led gm en t. This work was supported by
grants from the Ministry of University and Scientific
and Technological Research (MURST).
Su p p or tin g In for m a tion Ava ila ble: Table containing
the IR, 1H NMR, and MS spectral data of compounds 1, 2, 4-7.
This material is available free of charge via the Internet at
http://pubs.acs.org.
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