Structure-activity study of estrogenic agonists bearing dicarba-closo-dodecaborane. Effect of geometry and separation distance of hydroxyl groups at the ends of molecules

Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes (carboranes), which have spherical geometry and hydrophobicity, are applicable as a hydrophobic pharmacophore of biologica lly active molecules. We have investigated structure-activity relations bas ed on the structure of the potent estrogenic agonist, 1-hydroxymethyl-12-(4 -hydroxyphenyl)-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane, which we have previously r eported. The geometry and separation distance of the phenolic and alcoholic hydroxyl groups play a critical role in the appearance of biological activ ity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.