A synthesis of 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)-hexylthiol. A ligand for conjugation with fluorescent cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide core/shell nanocrystals and biological imaging

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/71100777

The synthesis of 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol, an (agonist with a very high affinity for the 5HT)_2A serotonin receptor subtype is reported. This agonist was designed to be attached to highly fluorescent cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide core/shells via a thiol at the end of a linker arm. This conjugate has applications in biological assays and biological imaging.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/71100777

Molecules 2002, 7, 777-790
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
http://www.mdpi.org
A Synthesis of 6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)-
hexylthiol. A Ligand for Conjugation with Fluorescent
Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide Core/Shell Nanocrystals and
Biological Imaging.
Ian D. Tomlinson, Jesse L. Grey and Sandra J. Rosenthal*
The Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Station B, 351822, Nashville, Tennessee,
37235-1822, USA. Fax: (+1) 615 343 1234
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; e-mail: sjr@femto.cas.vanderbilt.edu
Received 13 August 2002; in revised form: 27 November 2002 / Accepted: 27 November 2002 /
Published: 30 November 2002
Abstract: The synthesis of 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol, an
agonist with a very high affinity for the 5HT2A serotonin receptor subtype is reported. This
agonist was designed to be attached to highly fluorescent cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide
core/shells via a thiol at the end of a linker arm. This conjugate has applications in
biological assays and biological imaging.
Keywords: Cadmium selenide / zinc sulfide / core/shells / 5HT2A / fluorescent imaging.
Introduction
When a narrow band gap semiconductor nanocrystal (or quantum dot) is coated with a shell of a
wider band gap semiconductor, a new material, a core/shell nanocrystal, is produced. An example are
CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals [1]. These core/shells have novel physical characteristics, one of the
most important being size-tunable, narrow fluorescence emission bands. The fluorescence emission is
a result of radiative recombination of the quantum confined electron-hole pair within the CdSe core.
The core ranges in diameter from 18Å to 70Å and controls the emission wavelength. Small cores emit
in the blue, while large cores emit in the red. The shell is several monolayers thick and serves both to

Molecules 2002, 7
778
passivate dangling bonds on the core surface (these act as traps for the electron and hole and reduce the
fluorescence quantum yield [2]) and to confine the photoexcited electron-hole pair to the core.
Fluorescent CdSe/ZnS core/shells offer many distinct advantages over conventional dye molecules.
They exhibit greater photostability and are not easily photobleached. Their quantum yields are
comparable to or greater than organic dyes, and their absorption spectra are continuous above the first
excitation feature, enabling all sizes of nanocrystals, and hence all colors, to be excited with a single
excitation source. We are involved in utilizing the optical properties of core/shell nanocrystals for both
static and dynamic fluorescent imaging of biological systems. Several groups have demonstrated that
proteins and antibodies may be attached to core/shells [3-5], and these nanoconjugates have been
shown to be capable of labeling specific cellular components. The narrow emission spectra of
core/shell nanocrystals enables multiplexing experiments, where different biomolecules or drugs
conjugated to different sizes of quantum dots can target multiple cellular components, and their
distribution and dynamics can be visually observed. There is considerable effort being invested in
optimizing fluorescent quantum dots for biological labeling systems [6]. It is hoped that such systems
may find applications in genomics, proteomics, and high-throughput screening [7]
Our group is interested both in compounds that have biological activity in the central nervous
system (CNS) and in synthesizing drug-core/shell conjugates that can be used to image receptor
proteins, ion channels, and transporter proteins in neurons. This paper describes the synthesis and
characterization of a ligand that has high affinity for the 5HT2A and 5HT2C serotonin receptors.[8]
These receptors are G protein coupled receptors [9], and 5-HT2A receptors have been linked to a wide
range of behaviors and physiological functions including sleep, memory, hallucinations, anxiety, and
aggression, as well as psychotic and affective diseases such as schizophrenia and unipolar depression.
Our synthetic strategy is based upon attaching a flexible linker arm to the drug and attaching the other
end to Zn atoms of the nanocrystal via a thiol group. We have already demonstrated that similar
nanoconjugates are biologically active and can be used to image serotonin transporter proteins
transfected in HEK cells [10]. 1-(2-Aminopropyl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene (Figure 1) has been shown to
have a high affinity for the 5HT2 receptors. Recent publications indicated that there is a region in the
molecule where increasing steric bulk is tolerated, and substituents with a large steric bulk have little
or no detrimental effect on its biological activity [8,11]. This position is para to the isopropylamine;
consequently we decided to attach an alkyl chain to this position giving the ligand 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-
(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol (14).
Figure 1. 1-(2-aminopropyl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene, a known high affinity agonist for
5HT2A receptors, and the structure of our proposed ligand 14.
O
O
(CH2)6SH
H2N
H2N
O
O
14

Molecules 2002, 7
779
Results and Discussion
Several synthetic methodologies were considered in our design of the synthesis of 6-(2,5-
dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol (14). Our main criterion when selecting a route was to
develop a reproducible method that used inexpensive, commercially available reagents. First the
intermediate 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(6-hydroxyhexyl))-2-aminopropane (6) was synthesized (Scheme 1),
and this was then converted to 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol via two different
methods. Scheme 2 shows these methodologies.
Scheme 1.
O
O
O
O
O
O
(ii)
(i)
(CH2)4CO2H
(CH2)4CO2CH3
O
O
(2)
(1)
(iii)
O
(CH3)5CO2CH3
O
O
(CH3)5CO2CH3
O
(CH3)5CO2CH3
O
O
O
(v)
(iv)
(3)
(4)
(5)
O2N
(vi)
Reagents: (i) (a) AlCl3, adipoyl chloride, 0˚C, 5 hours; (b) H2O, yield
= 60%; (ii) methanol, H2SO4, yield = 94%; (iii) zinc amalgam, HCl,
yield = 33%; (iv) POCl3, N-methylformanilide, yield = 35%; (v)
nitroethane, ammonium acetate, yield = 35%; (vi) LiAlH4, yield =
38%
O
(CH3)6OH
O
(6)
H2N
6-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-6-oxohexanoic acid (1) was synthesized by a Friedel-Crafts acylation of
1,4-dimethoxybenzene with adipoyl chloride. Hydrolysis of the resultant acid chloride gave 1 in 60%
yield. Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-oxohexanoate (2) was obtained by esterification of 1 in 94%
yield and this was reduced using amalgamated zinc to give methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)hexanoate
(3) in 33% yield. A Vilsmeier-Haack formylation was performed on compound 3 giving methyl 6-(2,5-
dimethoxy-4-formylphenyl)hexanoate (4) in 35% yield. The nitrostyrene 5 was obtained by refluxing

Molecules 2002, 7
780
the aldehyde 4 with nitroethane in acetic acid. Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitroprop-2-ene)phenyl)-
hexanoate (5) was obtained as a yellow solid (35% yield) and reduced in the presence of 5 molar
equivalents of lithium aluminum hydride to give 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-4-(6-hydroxyhexyl))-2-
aminopropane (6) in 66% yield.
Scheme 2
O
O
(CH3)6OH
O
(CH3)6OH
O
(CH3)6OH
O
O
O
(v)
O
O
(i)
O
N
H
N
H2N
(6)
(7)
(ii)
(10)
(vi)
O
(CH3)6Br
O
(CH3)6Br
O
O
O
O
O
N
H
N
(11)
(vii)
(8)
O
(iii)
O
O
(CH3)6S
O
O
(CH3)6S
O
O
O
O
O
N
H
N
(12)
(9)
O
(viii)
(iv)
O
(CH3)6SH
O
(CH3)6SH
(ix)
O
O
O
O
N
H
H2N
(13)
(14)
Reagents: (i) N-carbethoxyphthalimide, yield = 95%; (ii) PPh3, NBS, yield = 27%; (iii) potassium
thioacetate, yield = 82%; (iv) hydrazine hydrate, yield = 68%; (v) t-BOC anhydride, yield = 47%;
(vi) PPh3, NBS, yield = 30%; (vii) potassium thioacetate, yield = 73%; (viii) ammonia, yield =
88%; (ix) trifluoroacetic acid, yield = 88%

Molecules 2002, 7
781
The amine 6 was protected using either a phthalimido or a t-BOC protecting group, giving 6-(2,5-
dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexanol (7) and 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-
butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexanol (10) in yields of 95% and 47%, respectively. The
alcohols were then converted to protected thiols and the protecting groups were removed giving 6-
(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol (14). Initially the alcohol was converted to a
group that could be displaced with a sulfur-containing nucleophile such as a chloride, tosylate or
bromide. Conversion to a chloride using thionyl chloride gave low yields of the chloride. Unwanted
side products such as 15 (Figure 2) predominated; this was also observed when the alcohol was
converted to a tosylate.
Figure 2. A potential side product formed during the synthesis of intermediates such as
the chloro analogue of 8.
O
O
N
O
O
(15)
When the alcohol was converted to a bromide using triphenyl phosphine and N-bromosuccinimide
low yields of product were obtained. However it was possible to reclaim and reuse unreacted starting
material giving 6-(2,5-dimethoxy)-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexyl bromide (8) in a yield
of
27%
and
a
30%
yield
of
6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]-
aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl bromide (11). Nucleophilic substitution of bromine in compounds 8 and 11
with
potassium
thioacetate
gave
thioacetate
an
82%
(9)
yield
whilst
6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-
6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-
phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexyl
butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thioacetate (12) was obtained in 73% yield.
Thioacetates are hydrolyzed under basic conditions giving thiols [12]. We were able to hydrolyze
thioesters with hydrazine hydrate enabling the removal of two protecting groups in one pot from
compound 9 (Method A, Experimental). 6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thiol (14)
was obtained as a colorless oil in a yield of 68% by this method. Alternatively, the thioacetate was
removed from compound 12 by hydrolysis in methanolic ammonia giving 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-
(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thiol (13) in 88% yield. t-BOC was subsequently
removed in the final step using triflouroacetic acid giving 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-
aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thiol (14) in 70% yield (Method B, Experimental). Compound 14 was
purified by washing with hexanes and crystallization from ether as the oxalate salt. It was
characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, low resolution mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis.

Molecules 2002, 7
782
Conclusions
A synthetic route for the synthesis of 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexylthiol (14)
has been developed. This compound has been shown to be a full agonist with an EC50 for the 5HT2A
receptor of 88 nM [13]. Conjugates of this compound with highly fluorescent cadmium selenide/zinc
sulfide core/shells have been demonstrated to be biologically active and have been used in biological
fluorescence studies [13].
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Professor Ned Porter for a critical reading of this manuscript and
Vanderbilt University for supporting this research in part by providing an intramural discovery grant.
We would also like to acknowledge the National Institute of Health for provision of grant # 5R03191-
161874-02.
Experimental
General
Adipic acid, N-bromosuccinimide, potassium thioacetate, N,N-phthalimido-2-(5-hydroxy-1H-
indole-3-yl)ethylamine, potassium thioacetate and triphenyl phosphine were purchased from Aldrich.
1,4-Dimethoxybenzene, aluminum chloride, and lithium aluminum hydride were purchased from
Lancaster Synthesis. Thionyl chloride was purchased from ACROS. Reagents were used as they were
received. Thin-layer chromatography was carried out on pre-coated plates, and the products were
visualized using UV light. Column chromatography on silica refers to silica gel obtained from
Scientific Adsorbents, Inc., catalogue number 02826-25. All NMR data was obtained using a Brucker
300 MHz machine with CDCl3 as a solvent unless otherwise stated. Chemical shifts were measured in
ppm relative to TMS and coupling constants are measured in Hz. GC-MS was performed on a
Hewlett Packard 5890 series II gas chromatogram coupled to a Hewlett Packard 5971 mass
spectroscope using electron impact as the ionization method. Low resolution mass spectra (MS) were
obtained using a Finnegan Thermoquest TSQ 7000 triple quadrupole LC-MS equipped with an API-1
electrospray ionization source (ES). Samples for elemental analysis were routinely dried at ca.
10mmHg. Elemental analysis was performed by Atlantic Microlabs, Georgia, and the analysis is
corrected for hydrates when necessary.
6-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-6-oxohexanoic acid (1)
Adipoyl chloride (50 mL) and aluminum chloride (10g, 7.4 mmols) were dissolved in
nitrobenzene (50 mL) and cooled to 0oC. 1,4-Dimethoxybenzene (10g, 7.2 mmols) dissolved in
nitrobenzene (50 mL) was added dropwise over a 3 hour period, during which the temperature was

Molecules 2002, 7
783
maintained below 5oC. The resulting mixture was stirred for a further 2 hours at 0oC, then crushed ice
was added. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over an 18 hour period
and the solution was filtered. The organic solution was separated and extracted into 3M sodium
hydroxide solution (3 x 100 mL) and the aqueous solution was acidified to pH 1 using 4M
hydrochloric acid. After extracting this solution with diethyl ether (3 x 200 mL) the ethereal extracts
were combined and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solution was filtered and evaporated giving
the crude product as a brown solid. It was purified by recrystallization from a mixture of ethyl acetate
and hexane. This gave the product 11.4g (60%) as a colorless solid Rf = 0.38 (silica, 9:1
dichloromethane-methanol); m.p. = 75-77°C (lit. [14] = 78-800C); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 1.50 - 1.55
(m, 4H), 2.22 (t, J = 3.7 Hz, 2H), 2.91 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 7.05 (t, J = 1.8
Hz, 1H), 7.09 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 2H), 11.99 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 23.75, 24.50, 33.72, 33.88,
55.86, 56.58, 113.85, 114.25, 119.23, 128.99, 152.50, 153.27, 174.66, 174.70
Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-oxohexanoate (2)
6-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-6-oxohexanoic acid (1, 4.2g, 160 mmols) was added to a mixture of
methanol (100 mL) and concentrated sulfuric acid (2 drops). The solution was heated at reflux over a
period of 18 hours with stirring. After cooling to room temperature the solution was evaporated and
the crude product was dissolved in diethyl ether (100 mL). This was washed with saturated sodium
bicarbonate (50 mL) and water (50 mL). It was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated.
The product was purified using column chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane elution). This
gave 4.2g (94%) of the product as a pale yellow oil; Rf = 0.24 (silica, dichloromethane); 1H-NMR: δ
1.39 – 1.42 (m, 4H), 2.17 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.69 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.51 (s, 3H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.85
(s, 3H), 6.61 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (dd, J = 9.0 Hz and J = 1.0 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J = 3.0 Hz, 1H);
13C-NMR: δ 23.40, 24.21, 33.13, 33.44, 50.94, 55.21, 55.55, 112.69, 113.56, 119.11, 128.14, 152.53,
153.04, 173.13, 173.37; GC-MSEI [M+1 ]281, [M+] 280; Calculated: C=64.22%, H=7.19%; found
C=64.06%, H=7.03%
Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)hexanoate (3).
Powdered zinc (22.5g) was added to a solution of mercuric chloride (940 mg) in concentrated
hydrochloric acid (0.93 mL) and water (23.1 mL). This suspension was shaken for 5 minutes and the
liquid was decanted. The amalgamated zinc was placed in a 500ml 3 necked flask and concentrated
hydrochloric acid (12 mL) was added. The flask was heated to cause a gentle reflux and a solution of
methyl-6-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-oxohexanoate (2, 4.2g, 15 mmols) in methanol (7 mL) and
concentrated hydrochloric acid (23 mL) was added dropwise [15]. The mixture was heated at reflux
for 3 hours following the addition of compound 2, then filtered. The aqueous solution was extracted
with diethyl ether (4 x 100 mL) and the combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated
sodium bicarbonate (50 mL) and water (50 mL). After drying over magnesium sulfate the solution

Molecules 2002, 7
784
was filtered and evaporated. The product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (98:2
dichloromethane-methanol). This gave 1.35g (33%) of the product as a pale yellow oil; Rf = 0.67
(silica, 98:2 dichloromethane-methanol); 1H-NMR: δ 1.26- 1.41 (m, 2H), 1.53 - 1.76 (m, 4H), 2.30 (t,
J = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.57 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.54 (s, 3H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 6.64 - 6.78 (m, 3H);
13C-NMR: δ 24.65, 28.79, 29.19, 29.85, 33.75, 51.09, 55.29, 55.72, 110.41, 110.96, 115.96, 131.93,
151.53, 153.24, 173.90; GC-MSEI [M+1] 267, [M+] 266; Calculated: C = 67.67%, H = 8.33%; found
C = 67.91%, H = 8.15%
Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-formylphenyl)hexanoate (4).
A mixture of phosphorus oxychloride (1mL) and N-methylformanilide (1.81 g) were allowed to
incubate at room temperature for 30 minutes. Methyl-6-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)hexanoate (3, 1 g, 4
mmols) was added and the mixture was heated for 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature water
(50 mL) was added and the mixture was left standing at room temperature for 18 hours. Then the
solution was extracted with dichloromethane (2 x 100mL) dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and
evaporated. The resulting oil was leached with boiling hexanes (4 x 100mL) and the combined
solutions were evaporated under reduced pressure [16]. Purification of the product was accomplished
by column chromatography on silica gel (98:2 dichloromethane-methanol). This gave 0.4g (35%) of
the product as a colorless solid; Rf = 0.25 (silica, 95:5 dichloromethane-methanol); m.p. = 74-76oC;
1H-NMR: δ 1.38 (m, 2H), 1.60 (m, 4h), 2.32 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.64 (t, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 3.67 (s, 3H),
3.82 (s, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 7.27, (s, 1H), 10.40 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR: δ 22.10, 26.35, 26.54,
28.25, 48.86, 53.16, 53.58, 105.49, 111.23, 120.30, 138.13, 149.08, 154.10, 171.56, 186.61; GC-
MSEI [M+1] 295, [M+] 294; Calculated: C = 65.53%, H = 7.50%; found C = 65.30%, H = 7.55%
Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitroprop-2-ene)phenyl)hexanoate (5).
Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-formylphenyl)hexanoate (4, 1g, 3.4 mmols) was added to glacial acetic
acid (100mL). This was followed by ammonium acetate (272 mg) and nitroethane (1mL). The mixture
was heated at reflux for 4 hours and then it was evaporated. The product was purified by column
chromatography on silica gel (25:75 ethyl acetate-hexanes). This gave 420 mg (35%) of the product as
1
a yellow solid; Rf = 0.65 (silica, 1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes); m.p. = 57-58oC; H-NMR: δ 1.37 (q, J =
6.5 Hz, 2H), 1.57 – 1.73 (m, 4H), 2.32 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.63 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.65
13
(s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 6.77 (s, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 8.18 (s, 1H); C-NMR: δ 24.35, 28.57,
28.87, 30.05, 33.49, 50.93, 55.55, 55.64, 111.48, 112.73, 118.44, 129.42, 135.06, 146.31, 150.78,
152.13, 173.64; Calculated: C = 61.52%, H = 7.17%, N = 3.99%; found C = 61.66%, H = 7.07%, N =
4.09%

Molecules 2002, 7
785
1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(6-hydroxyhexyl))-2-aminopropane (6).
Methyl 6-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitroprop-2-ene)phenyl)hexanoate (5, 420 mg, 1.2 mmols) was
dissolved in dry diethyl ether (100 mL) and a solution of lithium aluminum hydride (1M, 14 mL) was
added. The mixture was heated at reflux for 48 hours under nitrogen then stirred at room temperature
for a further 2 days under nitrogen. The solution was cooled to 0°C in an ice-acetone bath and sulfuric
acid (8%) was added until hydrogen evolution ceased. The aqueous solution was separated and washed
with diethyl ether (2 x 50 mL). The aqueous solution was basified with sodium bicarbonate to pH 8 and
the aluminum salts were removed by filtration. The inorganic salts were dried and washed with
dichloromethane (2 x 100mL) and the aqueous solution was extracted with dichloromethane (2 x
100mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to
yield 250 mg (66%) of the product as a colorless solid. The product was converted to the oxalate salt by
dissolving the base (20 mg, 0.68 mmols) in dry ether and adding oxalic acid (100 mg, 1.1 mmols). The
resulting oxalate salt was recrystallized from isopropanol giving 10 mg (38%) of the product as a
colorless solid, m.p. = 164-166°C; Calculated (oxalate salt + 1/4 H2O): C = 58.52%, H = 8.14% , N =
3.59%; found C = 58.69%, H = 8.00%, N = 3.66%. The oxalate salt was converted to the base for the
next step in the synthetic route; 1H-NMR: δ 1.10 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 3H), 1.37 - 1.38 (m, 4H), 1.51 – 1.59
(m, 4H), 2.46 – 2.70 (m, 7H), 3.20 (q, J = 5.4 Hz , 1H), 3.56 (t, J = 4.9 Hz, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.75 (s,
13
3H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 6.66 (s, 1H); C-NMR: δ 20.90, 25.22, 28.84, 29.56, 32.23, 40.14, 46.62, 55.06,
55.24, 55.39, 61.11, 112.29, 113.42, 124.96, 129.32, 150.52, 150.91
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexanol (7).
1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(6-hydroxyhexyl))-2-aminopropane (6, 250 mg, 0.8 mmols) was dissolved in
tetrahydrofuran (10mL). A solution of sodium bicarbonate (100 mg) in water (10mL) was added
followed by N-carbethoxyphthalimide (175 mg, 0.8 mmols) The mixture was stirred at room
temperature for 18 hours and then extracted with dichloromethane (2 x 50mL). The combined organic
extracts were washed with water (20mL) dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated under
reduced pressure. The product was purified by column chromatography on silica (1:1 ethyl acetate-
hexanes). This gave 0.326g (95%) of the product as a colorless solid, m.p. = 82-83 oC; Rf = 0.4 (silica,
1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes); 1H-NMR: δ 1.28 – 1.56 (m, 11H), 1.73 (br s, 1H), 2.48 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H),
3.14 (m, 2H), 3.52 (s, 3H), 3.60 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 4.65 – 4.77 (m, 1H), 6.52 (s, 1H),
6.55 (s, 1H), 7.62 – 7.66 (m, 2H), 7.71 – 7.75 (m, 2H); 13C-NMR: δ 18.40, 25.43, 28.99, 29.84, 29.91,
32.57, 34.73, 47.30, 55.79, 55.90, 62.76, 112.61, 113.69, 122.72, 124.49, 130.06, 131.90, 133.56,
150.84, 151.43, 168.42; Calculated: C = 70.57%, H = 7.34% , N = 3.29%; found: C = 70.51%, H =
7.34%, N = 3.25%.

Molecules 2002, 7
786
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexyl bromide (8)
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexanol (7, 200 mg, 0.4 mmols) was
dissolved in dichloromethane (20 mL) and cooled to 0°C. Triphenylphosphine (130 mg, 0.51 mmols)
was dissolved in dichloromethane (10 mL) and added drop wise to the solution of 7. After stirring for
30 minutes a solution containing N-bromosuccinimide (90 mg, 0.5 mmols) in dichloromethane (10
mL) was added dropwise over 10 minutes. The solution was stirred for 10 minutes at 00C after the
addition of N-bromosuccinimide was complete. Then it was allowed to warm to 22°C and it was
stirred for 2 hours at this temperature [17]. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the
product was purified by column chromatography on silica (1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes). This gave 60
mg (27%) of the title compound as a yellow oil; Rf = 0.65 (silica, 1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes); 1H-NMR:
δ 1.26 – 1.56 (m, 7H), 1.83 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.48 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 3.05-3.28 (m, 4H), 3.38 (t, J =
6.8 Hz, 2H), 3.53 (s, 3H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 4.66 – 4.78 (m, 1H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 7.63 – 7.75 (m,
13
4H); C-NMR: δ 18.45, 27.94, 28.42, 29.73, 29.93, 32.72, 33.98, 34.86, 47.29, 55.86, 55.91, 112.65,
113.69, 122.74, 124.61, 129.90, 131.98, 133.59, 150.87, 151.48, 168.41; Calculated: C = 61.48%, H =
6.19%, N = 2.87%; found C = 61.43% , H = 6.20%, N = 2.79%
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexyl thioacetate (9).
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexyl bromide (8, 280 mg, 0.57 mmols)
was dissolved in dry dimethylformamide (10 mL) and 4 Å molecular sieves (10 pellets) were added.
The solution was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature and the potassium thioacetate (130 mg, 1.14
mmols) was added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Then it was filtered and
diethyl ether (100 mL) was added to the solution. The organic solution was washed with water (2 x
20mL), 1M hydrochloric acid (1 x 20mL), water (2 x 20 mL), 0.1M sodium bicarbonate (1 x 20mL).
Then the ethereal solution was dried over magnesium sulfate filtered and evaporated under reduced
pressure. The product was purified by column chromatography on silica (33:77 ethyl acetate-hexanes).
This gave 230 mg (82%) of the product as a pale yellow oil; Rf = 0.6 (silica, 1:1 ethyl acetate-
1
hexanes); H-NMR: δ 1.25 – 1.56 (m, 7H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 2.47 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.86 (t, J = 7.4 Hz,
2H), 3.05 – 3.11 (m, 4H), 3.20-3.28 (m, 2H), 3.52 (s, 3H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 4.68 – 4.73 (m, 1H), 6.53 (s,
13
1H), 6.56 (s, 1H), 7.62 – 7.74 (m, 4H); C-NMR: δ 18.34, 28.47, 28.68, 28.97, 29.29, 29.66, 29.84,
30.44, 34.67, 47.16, 55.71, 55.76, 112.52, 113.55, 122.61, 124.42, 129.87, 131.86, 133.47, 150.75,
151.35, 161.25, 195.72; Calculated: C = 67.06%, H = 6.88%, N = 2.90%, S = 6.63%; found C =
66.72%, H = 6.96%, N = 2.97%, S = 6.58%
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexanol (10).
1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(6-hydroxyhexyl))-2-aminopropane (6, 250 mg, 0.085 mmols) was dissolved
in methanolic hydrochloric acid (30 mL) and this was evaporated. Once all the methanol had been

Molecules 2002, 7
787
removed the resulting solid was dissolved in water (10 mL) and potassium carbonate (250 mg) was
added all at once followed by di-t-butyl dicarbonate (200 mg, 1.1 mmols). The mixture was stirred at
room temperature overnight and then extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 50 mL). The combined
organic extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. The product was purified
by column chromatography on silica (95:5 dichloromethane-methanol). This gave 18 mg (47%) of the
product as a colorless solid; Rf = 0.65 (silica, 97: 3 dichloromethane-methanol); 1H-NMR: δ 1.12 (d, J
= 4.8 Hz, 3H), 1.34 (s, 9H), 1.55-1.58 (m, 6H), 2.21-2.33 (m, 2H), 2.68 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.73-2.83
(m, 2H), 3.61 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 4.86 (s, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H);
13C-NMR: δ 21.33, 26.03, 28.81, 29.76, 30.49, 30.58, 33.10, 37.03, 47.91, 56.43, 63.17, 79.07, 113.19,
114.38, 125.07, 130.38, 151.58, 151.75, 155.84; Calculated: C = 66.80%, H = 9.43%, N = 3.54%;
found C = 66.62%, H = 9.39%, N = 3.56%
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl bromide (11).
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexanol (10, 180 mg, 0.45
mmols) was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 mL) and cooled to 0°C. Triphenylphosphine (130 mg,
0.49 mmols) in dichloromethane (10 mL) was added dropwise followed by N-bromosuccinimide (90
mg, 0.5 mmols) in dichloromethane (10 mL). The solution was stirred at 0°C for 5 minutes following
the addition of N-bromosuccinimide and then the solution was allowed to warm to 22°C. It was stirred
at 22°C for 2 hours after which the dichloromethane was removed under reduced pressure and the
product was purified using column chromatography on silica (1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes). This gave
0.07g (30%) of the product as a yellow oil; Rf = 0.6 (silica, 1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes); 1H-NMR: δ 1.05
(d, J = 6.0 Hz, 3H), 1.31 (s, 9H), 1.32-1.53 (m, 4H), 1.74-1.81 (m, 2H), 2.50 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.63
(t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.33 (t, J = 6.5 Hz, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.77-3.80 (m, 1H), 6.56 (s, 1H),
6.58 (s, 1H), 6.70 (br s, NH); 13C-NMR: δ 20.86, 27.95, 28.35, 28.58, 29.82, 30.07, 32.71, 33.94,
36.64, 47.49, 55.90, 55.99, 78.61, 112.74, 113.88, 124.73, 129.74, 151.15, 151.33, 155.34; Calculated:
C = 57.64%, H = 7.92%, N = 3.06%; found C = 57.56%, H = 7.87%, N = 3.11%
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thioacetate (12).
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl bromide (11, 70 mg,
0.15 mmols) was dissolved in dry dimethylformamide (2 mL) and 4 Å molecular sieves (6 pellets)
were added. The mixture was stirred at 22°C for 1 hour, then potassium thioacetate (35 mg, 0.3
mmols) was added. The solution was stirred for 18 hours at 22°C, filtered and diethyl ether (50 mL)
was added. This was washed with 0.1M hydrochloric acid (1 x 10 mL), water (2 x 10 mL), 0.1M
sodium bicarbonate (1 x 10 mL) and water (1 x 10 mL). The organic solution was dried over
magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Then the product was purified using column
chromatography on silica (1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes). This gave 51 mg (73%) of the title product as a
1
colorless solid, m.p. = 91-92°C; Rf = 0.6 (silica, 1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes); H NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.13

Molecules 2002, 7
788
(d, J = 5.5 Hz, 3H), 1.38 (s, 11H), 1.47 – 1.59 (m, 6H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.55 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.73 (t, J
= 6.2 Hz, 2H), 2.88 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.80 – 3.90 (m, 1H), 4.76 (s, 1H),
6.62 (s, 1H), 6.64 (s, 1H); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ 21.48, 28.37, 28.64, 28.99, 29.11, 29.42, 29.90, 30.12,
30.58, 36.65, 47.51, 55.92, 56.03, 78.63, 112.76, 113.91, 124.69, 129.89, 151.17, 151.36, 155.37,
195.95; Calculated: C = 63.54%, H = 8.67%, N = 3.09%, S = 7.07%; found: C = 63.51%, H = 8.72%,
N = 3.16%, S = 7.11%
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thiol (13)
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thioacetate (12, 51 mg,
0.11 mmols) was dissolved in methanol (5 mL) and methanolic ammonia (25 mL) was added. The
mixture was stirred at 22°C for 3 hours and evaporated. This gave a yellow tar which was dissolved in
dichloromethane (50mL), the organic solution was washed with water (1 x 20mL) and dried over
magnesium sulfate. After filtering it was evaporated and purified using silica gel column
chromatography (1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes). This gave 40 mg (88%) of compound 13 as a colorless
1
solid, m.p. = 99-100°C; Rf = 0.57 (silica, 1:1 ethyl acetate-hexanes); H-NMR: δ 1.05 (d, J = 6.5 Hz,
3H), 1.13 – 1.59 (m, 17H), 2.41 – 2.70 (m, 6H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.76- 3.77 (m, 1H), 4.69 (s,
1H), 6.55 (s, 1H), 6.58 (s, 1H); 13C-NMR: 20.44, 24.16, 27.94, 28.58, 28.69, 29.50, 30.15, 33.51,
38.64, 47.05, 55.49, 55.60, 78.23, 112.33, 113.48, 124.27, 129.45, 150.75, 150.93, 154.95; Calculated:
C = 64.20%, H = 9.06%, N = 3.40%, S = 7.79%; found: C = 64.04%, H = 8.95%, N = 3.41%, S =
7.68%
6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thiol (14)
Method A: 6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N,N-phthalimido]propyl)phenyl)hexyl thioacetate (9, 230 mg, 0.47
mmols) was dissolved in absolute ethanol (50 mL). Hydrazine monohydrate (15 mL) was added to this
solution and the mixture was stirred at 22°C for 90 minutes. Dichloromethane (200 mL) was added and
the solution was washed with water (2 x 100 mL). The organic solution was dried over magnesium
sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. This gave100 mg (68%) of the product as a pale yellow oil; 1H-NMR:
δ 1.13 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 3H), 1.23 (m, 1H), 1.40 (m, 6H), 1.57 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 1.68 (t, J = 6.0 Hz,
2H), 2.40 (br s, 2H), 2.56 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.68 (t, J = 7.3, 2H), 3.21 (m, 1H), 3.76 (s, 6.0 H), 6.65
(s, 2H); 13C-NMR: δ 23.26, 28.36, 29.97, 30.14, 39.11, 40.64, 47.30, 56.01, 56.13, 112.95, 114.06,
125.67, 129.82, 151.12, 151.49; LR-ESMS [M+1] 312.32; The base was converted to the corresponding
oxalate salt by dissolving 50 mg of the amine in dry ether (50 mL) and adding an ethereal solution
containing oxalic acid (100 mg) dissolved in ether (200 mL). The resulting product was removed by
filtration, washed with dry ether (2 x 100 mL) and air dried to give 20 mg of the oxalate as a colorless
solid, m.p. = 148-150°C; Calculated: C = 56.84%, H = 7.78%, N = 3.49%, S = 7.98% found: C =
57.03%, H = 7.63%, N = 3.36%, S = 7.78%.

Molecules 2002, 7
789
Method B: 6-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-(2-[N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)]aminopropyl)phenyl)hexyl thiol (13, 41
mg, 0.97 mmols) was dissolved in dry toluene (10 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.2 mL) was added.
The mixture was stirred at 22°C for 1 hour and then the solvent was removed under reduced pressure.
The resultant tar was dissolved in dichloromethane (20 mL) and this was washed with sodium
bicarbonate (0.1M, 1 x 20 mL) and water (2 x 10 mL). After drying over magnesium sulfate the
solution was filtered and evaporated. This gave 21 mg (70%) of the product as a pale yellow oil.
References and Notes
1. Hines, M. A.; Guyot-Sionnest, P. Synthesis and Characterization of Strongly Luminescing ZnS-
Capped CdSe Nanocrystals, J. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 468-471
2. Underwood, D. F.; Kippeny, T.; Rosenthal, S. J. Ultrafast Carrier Dynamics in CdSe Nanocrystals
Determined by Femtosecond Fluorescence Upconversion Spectroscopy, J. Phys. Chem. B, 2001,
105, 436-443
3. Chunyang, Z.; Hui, M.; Nie, S. D.; Yao, J.; Dieyan, C. Quantum dot-labeled trichosanthin, The
Analyst, 2000, 125, 1029-1031.
4. Bruchez, M.; Moronne, M.; Gin, P.; Weiss, S.; Alivisatos, A. P. Semiconductor Nanocrystals as
Fluorescent Biological Labels Science, 1998, 281, 2013-2018.
5. Chan, W.C.W.; Nie, S. Quantum Dot Bioconjugates for Ultrasensitive Nonisotopic Detection,
Science, 1998, 281, 2016-2018
6. See for example www.qdots.com
7. Rosenthal, S.J. Bar-coding biomolecules with fluorescent nanocrystals, Nature Biotechnology,
2001, 7, 621-622
8. Dowd, C. S.; Herrick-Davis, K.; Egan, C.; DuPre, A.; Smith, C.; Teitler, M. 1-[4-(3-Phenylalkyl)-
phenyl]-2-aminopropanes as 5-HT2A Partial Agonists, J. Med. Chem., 2000, 43, 3074-3084
9. Sanders-Bush, E.; Canton, H. in Psychopaharmacology: The Fourth Generation of Progress,
Bloom, F.; Kupfer, D., eds.; Raven Press: New York, 1995.
10. Rosenthal, S. J.; Tomlinson, I. D.; Adkins, E. M.; Schroeter, S.; Adams, S.; Swarford, L.;
McBride, J.; Wang, Y.; Defelice, L. J.; Blakely, R.D. Targeting Cell Surface Receptors with
Ligand-Conjugated Nanocrystals, J. Am. Chem. Soc.,2002, 124, 4586-4594
11. Seggel, M. R., Yousif, M. Y., Lyon, R. A., Titeler, M., Roth, B. L., Suba, E. A., Glennon, R. A.
A Structure-Affinity Study of the Binding of 4-Substituted Analogues of 1-(2,5-
Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane at 5HT2 Serotonin Receptors, J. Med. Chem., 1990, 33, 1032-
1036
12. Greene, T.W. Protective groups in Organic Chemistry, McOmie, J.F.W., ed.; Plenum Press: New
York, 1973; pp.197-198.
13. Gresch, P.; Tomlinson, I.D.; Sanders-Bush, E.; Rosenthal, S. J. Unpublished results.
14. Tamura, S.; Okubo, H.; Kaneta, H., Nippon Nôgei-Kagaku Kaishi, 1954, 28, 4-8

Molecules 2002, 7
790
15. Schwarz, R.; Herring, H. Organic Synthesis, N. Rabjohn, N., ed.; John Wiley & Sons: New York,
1963; 4, pp. 203-205
16. Shulgin, A. T.; Dyer, D. C. Psychotomimetic phenylisopropylamines. 5. 4-Alkyl-2,5-dimethoxy-
phenylisopropylamines, J. Med. Chem., 1975, 18, 1201-1204
17. Bose, A.; Lal, B. A facile replacement of hydroxyl by halogen with inversion, Tetrahedron Lett.,
1973, 15, 3937-3940
Sample Availability: Samples of compounds 1, 2 and 5 are available from MDPI.
© 2002 by MDPI (http://www.mdpi.org). Reproduction is permitted for noncommercial purposes.