SYNTHESIS OF AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS FOR CENTRAL GLUTAMATE RECEPTORSBY A NOVEL RING SWITCHING STRATEGY

A novel and versatile ring switching strategy has been developed for t he synthesis of compounds with structural features consistent with act ivity at glutamate receptors. A variety of homochiral L-alanine deriva tives substituted at the beta-carbon atom with planar five and six-mem bered heteroaromatic rings have been prepared in a one- or two-pot rea ction using this strategy and some of the products have been shown to have biological activity at central glutamate receptors.