Nucleosides. Part LVI. Aminolysis of carbamates of adenosine and cytidine

The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl(npeoc) group, introduced 1984 as protecting group for exocyclic amino functions of nucleic-acid bases, reacts with amines under mild conditions to urea derivatives. Treatment of 2′,5′-di-O-acetyl-N⁶-[2-(4-nitrophenyl) ethoxycarbonyl]cordycepin ( 3 ) with NH₃/MeOH overnight at room temperature affords cordycepin ( 4 ) and N₆-carbamoylcordycepin ( 5 ). Preliminary investigations towards the elucidation of the reaction mechanism indicate that the aminolysis proceeds via an addition-elimination or an isocyanate mechanism, depending on the reaction conditions. The phenoxycarbonyl (phoc) group at N⁶ or N⁴ was chosen to study the mild conversion of carbamates with aromatic amines into ureas of adenosine and cytidine, respectively.     

Nucleotides. Part XXXI. Modified Oligomeric 2′–5′ A Analogues: Synthesis of 2′–5′ oligonucleotides with 9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine and 9-(3′-amino-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine as modified nucleosides

A series of new 2′–5′ oligonucleotides carrying the 9-(3′-azido-3′deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine moiety as a building block has been synthesized via the phosphotriester method. The use of the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) blocking groups for phosphate, amino, and hydroxy protection guaranteed straightforward syntheses in high yields and easy deblocking lo form the 2′–5′ trimers 21 , 22 , and 25 and the tetramer 23 . Catalytic reduction of the azido groups in [9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine]2′-yl-[2′-(O^p-ammonio)→ 5′]-[9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenin]-2′-yl-[2′-(O^p-ammonio)→ 5′]-9-(3′-azido-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)adenine ( 21 ) led to the corresponding 9-(3′-amino-3′-deoxy-β-D-xylofuranosyl)-adenine 2′–5′ trimer 26 in which the two internucleotidic linkages are formally neutralized by intramolecular betaine formation.     

Nucleosides. Part LI The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) and 2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (dnpeoc) groups for protection of hydroxy functions in ribonucleosides and 2′ -deoxyribonucleosides

The Common 2′ -deoxypyrimidine and -purine nucleosides, thymidine ( 4 ), O⁴-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-thymidine ( 17 ), 2′-deoxy-N⁴-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl]cytidine ( 26 ), 2′-deoxy-N⁶-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)-ethoxycarbonyl]adenosine- 39 , and 2′-deoxy-N²-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)(ethoxycarbonyl]-O⁶-[2–4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-guanosine ( 52 ) were further protected by the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) and the 2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (dnpeoc) group at the OH functions of the sugar moiety to form new partially and fully blocked intermediates for nucleoside and nucleotide syntheses. The corresponding 5′-O-monomethoxytrityl derivatives 5 , 18 , 30 , 40 , and 56 were also used as starting material to synthesize some other intermediates which were not obtained by direct acylations. In the ribonucleoside series, the 5′ -O-monomethoxytrityl derivatives 14 , 36 , 49 , and 63 reacted with 2-(4-nitrophenyl) ethyl chloroformate ( 1 ) to the corresponding 2′,3′-bis-carbonates 15 , 37 , 50 , and 64 which were either detriylated to 16 , 38 , 51 , and 65 , respectively, or converted by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) treatment to the 2′,3′-cyclic carbonates 66 – 69 . The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and UV and ¹H-NMR spectra.     

Nucleotides. Part XLIV. Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of monomeric and trimeric cordycepin-cholesterol conjugates and inhibition of HIV-1 replication

The antivirally active 3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′–5′)-3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′–5′)-3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin trimer core) was modified at the 2′- or 5′-terminus, by attachment of cholesterol via a carbonate bond (→ 15 ) or a succinate linker (→ 16 and 27 ) to improve cell permeability. The corresponding monomeric conjugates 4 , 7 , and 21 of cordycepin were prepared as model substances to study the applicability of the anticipated protecting groups – the monomethoxytrityl (MeOTr), the (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl (tbds), and the β -eliminating 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) groups – for the final deblocking steps without harming the ester bonds of the conjugate trimers. The syntheses were performed in solution using phosphoramidite chemistry. The fully protected trimer conjugates 13 , 14 , and 26 as well as all intermediates were characterized by elemental analyses, UV and ¹H-NMR spectra. The deblocked conjugates 15 , 16 , and 27 were pure according to HPLC and showed the correct compositions by mass spectra. Comparative biological studies indicated that cordycepincholesterol conjugate trimers 16 and 27 were 333- and 1000-fold, respectively, more potent inhibitors of HIV-1-induced syncytia formation than cordycepin trimer core.     

The synthesis and transformations of ethyl (Z)-2-[2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]amino-3-dimethylaminopropenoate,a new reagent in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

Ethyl (Z)-2-[2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]amino-3-dimethylaminopropenoate (5) , a new reagent in the synthesis of heteroaryl substituted β-amino- α,β- -dehydro—amino acid derivatives and some fused hetero-cyclic systems, was prepared from ethyl N-2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinylglycinate (3) and N,N-dimethyl-formamide dimethyl acetal (4) . The substitution of the dimethylamino group in the compound 5 with heterocyclic amines produced ethyl 2-[2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]amino-3-heteroarylaminopropenoates 7a-f and, in some instances, [2,2-bis-(ethoxycarbonyl)vinyl]aminoazolo- or -azinopyrimidine derivatives 8g-k.     

Nucleosides. Part LXI. A Simple Procedure for the Monomethylation of Protected and Unprotected Ribonucleosides in the 2′-O- and 3′-O-Position Using Diazomethane and the Catalyst Stannous Chloride

Intensive studies on the diazomethane methylation of the common ribonucleosides uridine, cytidine, adenosine, and guanosine and its derivatives were performed to obtain preferentially the 2′-O-methyl isomers. Methylation of 5′-O-(monomethoxytrityl)-N²-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl-O⁶-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-guanosine ( 1 ) with diazomethane resulted in an almost quantitative yield of the 2′- and 3′-O-methyl isomers which could be separated by simple silica-gel flash chromatography (Scheme 1). Adenosine, cytidine, and uridine were methylated with diazomethane with and without protection of the 5′ -O-position by a mono- or dimethoxytrityl group and the aglycone moiety of adenosine and cytidine by the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) group (Schemes 2–4). Attempts to increase the formation of the 2′-O-methyl isomer as much as possible were based upon various solvents, temperatures, catalysts, and concentration of the catalysts during the methylation reaction.     

Nucleosides. Part LIX. The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl (Npes) Group: A New Type of Protection in Nucleoside Chemistry

The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl (npes) group is developed as a new sugar OH-blocking group in the ribonucleoside series. Its cleavage can be performed in a β-eliminating process under aprotic conditions using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as the most effective base. Since sulfonates do not show acyl migration, partial protection of 1,2-cis-diol moieties is possible leading to new types of oligonucleotide building blocks. A series of Markiewicz-protected ribonucleosides 1–10 is converted into their 2′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl] derivatives 29–38 in which the 5′-O? Si bond can be cleaved by acid hydrolysis forming 39–45 . Subsequent monomethoxytritylation leads to 46–50 , and desilylation affords the 5′-O-(monomethoxytrityl)-2′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl]ribonucleosides 51–55 . Acid treatment to remove trityl groups do also not harm the npes group (→ 56–58 ). Unambiguous syntheses of fully blocked 2′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl]ribonucleosides 96–102 are achieved from the corresponding 3′-O-(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl derivatives. Furthermore, various base-protected 5′-O-(monomethoxytrityl)- and 5′-O-(dimethoxytrityl)ribonucleosides, i.e. 59–77 , are treated directly with 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl chloride forming in all cases a mixture of the 2′,3′-di-O- and the two possible 2′- and 3′-O-monosulfonates 107–148 which can be separated into the pure components by chromatographic methods. The npes group is more labile towards DBU cleavage than the corresponding base-protecting 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) groups allowing selective deblocking which is of great synthetic potential.     

Nucleotides,Part LXIII,New 2-(4-Nitrophenyl)ethyl(Npe)- and 2-(4-Nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl(Npeoc)-Protected 2′-Deoxyribonucleosides and Their 3′-Phosphoramidites – Versatile Building Blocks for Oligonucleotide Synthesis

A series of new base-protected and 5′-O-(4-monomethoxytrityl)- or 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-substituted 3′-(2-cyanoethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites) and 3′-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites] 52 – 66 and 67 – 82 , respectively, are prepared as potential building blocks for oligonucleotide synthesis (see Scheme). Thus, 3′,5′-di-O-acyl- and N ²,3′-O,5′-O-triacyl-2′-deoxyguanosines can easily be converted into the corresponding O⁶-alkyl derivatives 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , and 16 by a Mitsunobu reaction using the appropriate alcohol. Mild hydrolysis removes the acyl groups from the sugar moiety (→ 9 , 11 , 13 , 15 , and 19 (via 18 ), resp.) which can then be tritylated (→ 38 – 42 ) and phosphitylated (→ 57 – 61 ) in the usual manner. N ²-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl]-substituted and N ²-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl]-O⁶-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]-substituted 2′-deoxyguanosines 5 and 7 , respectively, are synthesized as new starting materials for tritylation (→ 28 , 35 , and 37 ) and phosphitylation (→ 54 , 56 , 70 , and 78 ). Various O⁴-alkylthymidines (see 20 – 24 ) are also converted to their 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl derivatives (see 43 – 47) and the corresponding phosphoramidites (see 62 – 66 and 79 – 82 ).     

Lanthanide Complexes of Polyacid Ligands derived from 2, 6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine,pyrazine, and 6, 6′-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)-2, 2′-bipyridine: Synthesis and luminescence properties

The synthesis of three novel pyrazole-containing complexing acids, N,N,N′,N′-{2, 6-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-4-methoxypyridine}tetrakis(acetic acid)( 1 ), N,N,N′,N′-{2, 6-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]pyrazine}-tetrakis(acetic acid) ( 2 ), and N,N,N′,N′-{6, 6′-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]-2, 2′-bipyridine}tetrakis(acetic acid) ( 3 ) is described. Ligands 1–3 formed stable complexes with Eu^III, Tb^III, Sm^III, and Dy^III in H₂O whose relative luminescence yields, triplet-state energies, and emission decay lifetimes were measured. The number of H₂O molecules in the first coordination sphere of the lanthanide ion were also determined. Comparison of data from the Eu^III and Tb^III complexes of 1–3 and those of the parent trisheterocycle N,N,N′,N′-{2, 6-bis[3-(aminomethyl)pyrazol-l-yl]pyridine}tetrakis(acetic acid) showed that the modification of the pyridine ring for pyrazine or 2, 2′-bipyridine strongly modify the luminescence properties of the complexes. MeO Substitution at C(4) of 1 maintain the excellent properties described for the parent compound and give an additional functional group that will serve for attaching the label to biomolecules in bioaffinity applications.     

Nucleotides Part LI. Synthesis and biological activities of (2′-5′)adenylate trimer conjugates with 2′-terminal 3′-O(ω-hydroxyalkyl) and 3′-O-(ω-carboxyalkyl) spacers

An efficient strategy for the synthesis of (2′-5′)adenylate trimer conjugates with 2′-terminal 3′-O-(ω-hydroxyalkyl) and 3′-O-(ω-carboxyalkyl) spacers is reported. Npeoc-protected adenosine building blocks 37--40 for phosphoramidite chemistry carrying a 3′-O-[11-(levulinoyloxy)undecyl], 3′-O-{2-[2-(levulinoyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl}, 3′-O-[5-(2-cyanoethoxycarbonyl)pentyl], and 3′-O-{5-[(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]pentyl} moiety, respectively, were prepared (npeoc = 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl). Condensation with the cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) dimer 1 led to the corresponding trimers 42, 43, 47 , and 48. Whereas the levulinoyl (lev) and 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethyl (fm) blocking groups could be cleaved off selectively from the trimers 42, 43 , and 48 yielding the intermediates 44, 45 , and 49 for the synthesis of the 3′-O-(ω-hydroxyalkyl)trimers 53, 54 and the cholesterol conjugates 59--61 , the 2-cyanoethyl (ce) protecting group of 47 , however, could not be removed in a similar manner from the carboxy function. Trimer 47 served as precursor for the preparation of the trimer 55 with a terminal 3′-O-(5-carboxypentyl)adenosine moiety. The metabolically stable 3′-O-alkyl-(2′--5′)A derivatives were tested regarding inhibition of HIV-1 syncytia formation and HIV-1 RT activity. Only the conjugate 59 showed significant effects, whereas the trimers 53--55 and the conjugates 60 and 61 were less potent inhibitors, even at 100-fold larger concentrations.     

Nucleosides. Part LX. Synthesis and Characterization of Monomeric Cordycepin-Vitamin and Cordycepin-Lipid Conjugates Model Substances for Biodegradable Ester and Carbonate Linkages in Conjugates and Potential Inhibitors of HIV-1 Replication

Monomeric 3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin) was modified at the 2′-O- ( 13–18 ) and 5′-O-position ( 25–29 ) by the vitamins E, D₂, and A and by the two lipids 1,2-di-O-palmitoylglycerol and 1,2-di-O-hexadecylglycerol via succinate or carbonate linkages. The base-labile conjugates afforded protection groups like the 2-(4-nitro-phenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) and monomethoxytrityl group (MeOTr) that are cleavable without harming the ester and carbonate bonds, respectively. Monomeric conjugates of cordycepin and vitamin E, vitamin D₂, 1,2-di-O-palmitoylglycerol, and 1,2-di-O-hexadecylglycerol (see 13, 14, 17, 18, 25, 26, 28 , and 29 ) inhibited HIV-1-induced syncytia formation 1.7 to 6.2 fold compared to 1.5-fold for cordycepin (see Table); IC₅₀ values for 25 and 28 were 257 and 267 m?M , respectively. In addition, the monomeric cordycepin-vitamin and -lipid conjugates inhibited HIV-1 RT activity 28–49% which compares with a 13% inhibition of HIV-1 RT observed for cordycepin. The minimal inhibition of HIV-1-induced syncytia formation and HIV-1 RT activity did not proceed by the activation of RNase L. The monomeric conjugates tested ( 13, 14 ) increased PKR expression.     

Electrospray-Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Part III. Acid-Catalyzed Isomerization of N,N′-Bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines by the Zip Reaction

The electrospray tandem mass spectra (ESI-MS/MS) of the three N,N′-bis[(E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]spermidines 1–3 displayed the same fragment-ion signals. These isomers could not be differentiated by ESI-MS/MS, since their fragmentation patterns are similar. (E,E)-N-(3-[¹⁵N]Aminopropyl)-3,3′-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)-N,N′-(butane-1,4-diyl)bis[prop-2-enamide] ([¹⁵N(1)])-( 1 ) was synthesized in order to get further information about the fragmentation mechanisms. The comparison of the ESI-MS/MS of 1 and [¹⁵N(1)]- 1 revealed a transamidation, the Zip reaction, under mass-spectral conditions of the [ 1 + H]⁺ ions. Because of this reaction, the three isomers 1–3 could not be distinguished.     

Folic acid analogs. III. N-(2-[2-(2,4-diarnino-6-quinazolinyl)ethyl]benzoyl)-l-glutamic acid

A trideaza analog of aminopterin, N-(4[2-(2,4-diamino-6-quinazolinyl)ethyl]benzoyl)-L-glutamic acid, was prepared by a Wittig condensation of 2,4-diaminoquinazoline-6-carboxaldehyde and [P-(N-[1,3-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)propan-1-yl]aminocarbonyl)phenylmethyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide followed by catalytic reduction and mild hydrolysis. This compound was found to have confirmed inhibitory activity against leukemia L1210 in mice.     

Addition of trimethylsilyl azide and of “mixed anhydrides” to the N-C(3) σ-bond in 3-substituted-1-azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes

Trimethylsilyl azide adds smoothly to the highly strained N-C(3) σ-bond in 3-ethyl-1-azabicyclo[1.1.0]-butane ( 1 ) to afford an adduct, 2 , that reacts in situ with a variety of electrophilic reagents (i.e., ethyl chloroformate, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, acetyl chloride, and oxalyl chloride) to afford the corresponding N-substituted-3-azido-3-ethylazetidines 3–7 , respectively in 62–72% yield. Similarly, 1 reacts regiospecifically with “mixed anhydrides” (i.e., p-toluenesulfonyl acetate, methanesulfonyl acetate, and benzoyl trifluoromethanesulfonate) to afford the corresponding adducts, 8–10 , respectively) in 38–68% yield. Reaction of p-toluenesulfonyl azide with 1-aza-3-phenylbicyclo[1.1.0]butane ( 12 ) produces two products: N-(p-toluenesulfonyl-3-azido-3-phenylazetidine ( 13 , 15%) and a dimeric product, N-(N'-p-toluenesulfonyl-3′-phenyl-3′-azetidinyl)-3-azido-3-phenylazetidine ( 14 , 28%). Ethyl chloroformate adds to the N-C(3) σ-bond in 1-aza-3-(bromomethyl)bicyclo[1.1.0]butane ( 15 ) to afford N-carboethoxy-3-(bromomethyl)-3-chloroazetidine ( 16 ) in 73% yield.     

Nucleotides,Part LX,Synthesis and Characterization of New 2′-O-Methylriboside 3′-O-Phosphoramidites Useful for the Solid-Phase Synthesis of 2′-O-Methyloligoribonucleotides

A series of new 2′-O-methylribonucleoside 3′-O-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl dialkylphosphoramidites] 27 – 31 , 33 – 38 , 40 – 44 , and 45 – 50 were synthesized and their stability and reactivity compared in automated oligonucleotide synthesis with the standard 2′-O-methylribonucleoside 3′-O-(β-cyanoethyl diisopropylphosphoramidites) 32 , 39 , 45 , and 51 , respectively. The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) groups were used for the protection of the base moieties.     

Die Produkte der Thermolyse von N-(1-Pyridinio)-2-nitroaniliden sind keine Triaziridine,sondern 1, 2-Bis[(2′-nitrophenyl)-azoxyl]-benzole

The products of the thermolysis of N-(1-pyridinio)-2-nitroanilides ( 1 ) had previously been interpreted as tris (2-nitrophenyl)-triaziridines ( 3 ). The present work shows them to be actually 1, 2-bis[(Z)-(2′-nitrophenyl)-ONN-azoxy]benzenes ( 5 ). The revised structural assignment is based on the chemical and the spectroscopic (especially ¹H-NMR.) properties of 5 and on the results of a X-ray structural analysis.     

Nucleotides Part XL. Synthesis and Characterization of Modified 2′–5′ Adenylate Trimers–Potential Antiviral Agents

2′–5′ Adenylate trimers 41–44 carrying the (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl (tbds) group at the 3′-OH position of various sugar moieties were synthesized via the phosphoramidite method. The use of the (tert-butyloxy)carbonyl (boc) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylsulfonyl (npes) groups for 2′-OH protection in neighbourhood to the 3′-O-tbds residue was compared during the synthesis of the target trimers. For other functional positions, the use of the 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) blocking groups were favoured.     

Synthesis of certain 6-alkylthio-2,2′-anhydro-5-azauridines

β-D-Arabinofurano[1′,2′:4,5]oxazolo-s-triazin-4-one-6-thione ( 7b ) and its t-butyldimethylsilyl protected counterpart 7a were synthesized by treating the appropriate 2-amino-β-D-arabinofurano[1′,2′:4,5]-2-oxazoline with ethoxycarbonyl isothiocyanate. These 2,2′-anhydro-s-triazine nucleosides were then subjected to alkylation under similar reaction conditions. Alkylation of 3′,5′-bis(O-t-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D-arabinofurano[1′,2′:-4,5]oxazolo-s-triazin-4-one-6-thione ( 7a ) provided the targeted S-alkylated nucleosides, i.e., the C6-SCH₃ ( 9a ), C6-SCH₂-CH = CH₂ ( 10a ), and C6-S-CH₂-C = CH ( 11a ), in reasonable yields. Attempted deprotection of these nucleosides failed. In order to circumvent this problem, 7b was alkylated with the same reagents. In each case, instead of the expected S-alkylated anhydronucleosides, a mixture of the 5-N-alkylanhydro-s-triazine-4,6-dione and 5-N-alkylanhydro-s-triazin-4-one-6-thione derivatives were obtained. The 2,2′-anhydro linkage of 7a was also found to be more stable than the s-triazine ring to mild base. Basic conditions displaced the C6-sulfur substituent and eventually caused ring opening of the s-triazine aglycone.     

Allgemeiner Zugang zu Polyaminen mit Ethan-1,2-diamin-Einheiten: Synthese von nicht natürlich vorkommenden homologen und isomeren N1,4-Di(4-cumaroyl)sperminen

█tl="American"█The synthesis of the three N,N′-di(4-coumaroyl)tetramines, i.e., of (E,E)-N-{3-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]propyl}-3,3′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[prop-2-enamide] ( 1a ), (E,E)-N-{4-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]butyl}-3,3′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[prop-2-enamide] ( 1b ), and (E,E)-N-{6-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]hexyl}-3,3′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis[prop-2-enamide] ( 1c ), is described. It proceeds through stepwise construction of the symmetric polyamine backbone including protection and deprotection steps of the amino functions. Their behavior on TLC in comparison with that of 1,4-di(4-coumaroyl)spermine (=(E,E)-N-{4-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]butyl}-3,3′-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N,N′-(propane-1,3-diyl)bis[prop-2-enamide]; 2 ) is discussed.