Síntese e caracterização de diidroperóxidos e tetraoxanos, novos candidatos a antimaláricos

Abstract

This work describes the synthesis of dihydroperoxides and tetraoxanes, both with the similar structure of chalcones and curcumins. These classes of compounds have a broad spectrum of therapeutic action, which, added to the endoperoxide moiety, may result in new candidates as antimalarial and antiparasit agents. A series of three aromatic ketones were obtained from benzaldehyde and two of its methoxylated derivatives in 76 to 95% yields. These compounds contain structures similar to curcumin and chalcones. Aiming to establish the importance of unsaturation in biological activity of the final products the dibenzalketones obtained were hydrogenated, generating three more ketones in 51 to 93% yields. These six ketones, cyclohexanone and tert-butyl cyclohexanone were used in the synthesis of dihydroperoxides and tetraoxanes. For this purpose, several methods were tested aiming a fast method of preparation, using reagents of low cost and toxicity. Four different methodologies were used and compared for the synthesis of the dihydroperoxides. The most efficient provided five dihydroperoxides in 51 to 89% yields. Three different methodologies were used and compared for the synthesis of the tetraoxanes. The most efficient methodology provided four tetraoxanes in 22 to 70% yield. All compounds were characterized using appropriate techniques such as IR, 1H and 13C NMR and melting point. These compounds demonstrated low trypanocidal activity and are being evaluated for their antimalarial action.