Structural modification of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline platelet activating factor receptor antagonists

In an effort to determine the effect of modification of the imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline portion of the PAF-receptor antagonist SDZ 64-412 (1), several new analogs were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. One of these, 5-[4-[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]phenyl]-2,3-dihydroimidazo [1,2-a]thieno[2,3-c]pyridine (6) was 4-5 times more potent than 1 in inhibiting PAF-induced bronchoconstriction and hemoconcentration when administered po to the guinea pig.