Synthesis and inotropic activity of hydroindene derivatives

A synthetic approach to hydroindenic inotropic agents has been developed, s tarting from enantiopure Hajos-Parrish (1), Hajos-Wiechert (2), and related diketones. Their transformation: into C-l formyl derivatives and other sub sequent synthetic targets is described. The results of the thermodynamic eq uilibration between both epimers of each formyl derivative are analysed. Th e inotropic activities of selected compounds on right and left atrial prepa rations are also evaluated and discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.