Novel c-4 heteroaromatic kainoid analogues: a parallel synthesis approach

New C-4 thiazole Figure 1 and Scheme 2 and aminothiazole Figure 1 and Scheme 2 kainoid analogues were efficiently synthesised in five steps from commercially available (−)-α-kainic acid Figure 1 and Scheme 1 and exhibited strong binding to the kainate receptors. A reactive α-bromoketone Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 was generated and reacted with thioamides and thioureas to form thiazole and aminothiazole heterocycles 11–14. Deprotection gave the new kainoid amino acids Figure 1 and Scheme 2 in excellent yield.