Synthesis and AChE inhibitory activity of new chiral tetrahydroacridine analogues from terpenic cyclanones.

This work describes the enantioselective synthesis of a new series of terpenic chiral 9-aminotetrahydroacridine analogues. Several chiral ketones were synthesized from natural monoterpenes in an optically active form and subjected to the cyclodehydration reactions with anthranilonitrile in the presence of BF(3).Et(2)O as catalyst. The 9-aminotetrahydroacridine analogues were tested as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Based on qualitative structure-activity relationship some trends are suggested.