Synthesis of some fluorine-containing pyridinealdoximes of potential use for the treatment of organophosphorus nerve-agent poisoning

Fluoroheterocyclic aldoximes were screened as therapeutic agents for the treatment of anticholinesterase poisoning. 2-Fluoropyridine-3- and -6-aldoxime, and 3-fluoropyridine-2- and -4-aldoxime, were synthesised. Attempts to obtain 3,5,6-trifluoropyridine-2,4-bis(aldoxime) and -2-aldoxime, however, proved unsuccessful. Pentafluorobenzaldoxime was prepared by oximation of pentafluorobenzaldehyde. Acid dissociation constants (pK_a) and second-order rate constants (k_ox−) of the fluorinated pyridinealdoximes towards sarin were measured. 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoropyridine-4-aldoxime had the best profile: its k_ox− approached that of the therapeutic oxime P2S (310 vs. 120 l mol⁻¹ min⁻¹), but its higher pK_a (9.1 vs. 7.8) fell short of the target figure of 8 required for reactivation of inhibited acetylcholinesterase in vivo. N-alkylation of the fluorinated pyridine-aldoximes may reduce their pK_a nearer to 8 and enhance their therapeutic potential.