Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activities of some N-[Pyridyl(phenyl)carbonylamino]-tert-butyl/phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines

Nucleophilic attack of tert-butyl/phenylpyridines 3 on 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene 4 results in the formation of tert-butyl/phenyl substituted 2,4-dinitrophenylpyridinium chlorides 5. Benzoyl hydrazide and pyridyl acid hydrazides 6 were reacted with the pyridinium chlorides 5 furnishing the 2,4-dinitroanilino derivatives 7, which were subsequently hydrolyzed with water: p-dioxane to yield N-[pyridyl(phenyl)carbonylimino]-tert-butyl/phenylpyridinium ylides 8. The title compounds 9, N-[pyridyl(phenyl)carbonylamino]-tert-butyl/phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridines, were obtained by sodium borohydride reduction of the pyridinium ylides 8. The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 9a-p were determined using the carrageenan-soaked sponge model of inflammation in Sprague Dawley rats. All compounds tested showed moderate to good anti-inflammatory effects compared to indomethacin. Compounds 9b, 9c and 9p were the most active analogs of the group in this model.