Synthesis and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of fluorinated analogues of huperzine A

Three novel fouorinated analogues of huperzine A (1), (±)-12,12,12-trifluorohuperzine A (2), (±)-14,14,14-trifluorohuperzine A (3), and (±)-12,12,12,14,14,14-hexafluorohuperzine A (4), have been synthesized by employing TMSCF3 as a trifluoromethylating agent. These analogues were found to still retain anti-acetylcholinesterase activity.