Synthesis, absolute configuration and antimuscarinic activity of the enantiomers of [1-(2,2-diphenyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-yl)-ethyl]dimethyl-amine

Methylation of the carbon atom C1 of compound 1, a potent and not selective muscarinic antagonist, was carried out. The resulting diastereomers were separated and the corresponding racemate further resolved to give four enantiomers, which were tested both as hydrogen oxalate and methiodide salts. The pharmacological results obtained at M-1, M-2 and M-3 muscarinic receptor subtypes, show that methylation at C1, depending on the stereochemistry, increases antagonist potency, having thus the same effect of nitrogen quaternization. These results may well lead to the development of new potent antimuscarinic drugs lacking a cationic head. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.