Synthetic analogues to the spermidine-spermine alkaloid tenuilobine

Naturally occurring spider and wasp toxins are potent inhibitors of glutama te receptors in the central nervous system. They consist of a polyamine bac kbone and carboxylic acids or amino acids linked by peptide bonds. In some respects, the plant alkaloid tenuilobine, a derivative of spermine and sper midine, shows structural similarities to these toxins. In the present paper , the synthesis of the five tenuilobine analogs 12, 13, 15, 24, and 25 is d escribed. These derivatives differ in their aromatic carboxylic acid subuni ts and in the polyamine moiety.