CATIONIC HETEROAROMATIC CARBAMATES AS ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS- SYNTHESIS AND INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF 5-CARBAMOYLOXY , 6-CARBAMOYLOXY , 7-CARBAMOYLOXY AND 8-CARBAMOYLOXY DERIVATIVES OF 2-SUBSTITUTED IMIDAZO[1,2-A]PYRIDINIUM SALTS

A series of 1-methyl 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy deriva tives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinium salts with varying 2-substituents (R = H, CH3, (CH3)(2)CH, Ph) was prepared. The inhibitory activity again st acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was determined. The 5- and 8-substitute d compounds are active as AChE inhibitors in the submicromolar range a nd show significant acute toxicity. The AChE inhibitory activity decre ased in the order 5>8>7>6 as the position of substitution. Some of the compounds were also evaluated for protective effects against soman in mice. Several of the compounds have modest protective effects against 2LD(50) soman.