Thalidomide Analogs from Diamines

Fourteen thalidomide analogs bearing two phthalimido units were prepared in high yields (83--94%) by condensation of different diamines with phthalic or 3-nitrophthalic anhydride. An in vitro investigation of the compounds as inhibitors of the TNF-α production was performed. The inhibition was higher for compounds bearing amino and nitro groups and was modulated by increasing the size of the spacers between the phthalimide groups.