The Synthesis of Certain Derivatives and Analogues of (-)- and (+)-Galanthamine and an Assessment of their Capacities to Inhibit Acetylcholine Esterase.

Syntheses of certain di- and mono-oxygenated derivatives (e.g., 2 and 3, respectively) and analogues (e.g., 4, a D-ring monoseco-analogue of 2) of both the (-)- and (+)-enantiomeric forms of the alkaloid galanthamine [(-)-1] are reported. All have been assessed for their capacities to inhibit acetylcholine esterase but, in contrast to the predictions from docking studies, none bind strongly to this enzyme.