Synthesis,crystal structures and anti‐inflammatory activity of fluorine‐substituted 1,4,5,6‐tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin‐2‐amine derivatives

Two fluorine‐substituted 1,4,5,6‐tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin‐2‐amine (BQA) derivatives, namely 2‐amino‐4‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐9‐methoxy‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin‐3‐ium chloride, ( 8 ), and 2‐amino‐4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐9‐methoxy‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydrobenzo[h]quinazolin‐3‐ium chloride, ( 9 ), both C₁₉H₁₉FN₃O⁺·Cl^?, were generated by Michael addition reactions between guanidine hydrochloride and the α,β‐unsaturated ketones (E)‐2‐(2‐fluorobenzylidene)‐7‐methoxy‐3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one, C₁₈H₁₅FO₂, ( 6 ), and (E)‐2‐(4‐fluorobenzylidene)‐7‐methoxy‐3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one, ( 7 ). Because both sides of α,β‐unsaturated ketones ( 6 ) or ( 7 ) can be attacked by guanidine, we obtained a pair of isomers in ( 8 ) and ( 9 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that each isomer has a chiral C atom and both ( 8 ) and ( 9 ) crystallize in the achiral space group P2₁/c. The chloride ion, as a hydrogen‐bond acceptor, plays an important role in the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds. Thus, adjacent molecules are connected through intermolecular hydrogen bonds to generate a banded structure. Furthermore, these bands are linked into an interesting 3D network via hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions. Fortunately, the solubilities of ( 8 ) and ( 9 ) were distinctly improved and can exceed 50 mg ml^?1 in water or PBS buffer system (pH 7.4) at room temperature. In addition, the results of an investigation of anti‐inflammatory activity show that ( 8 ) and ( 9 ), with o‐ and p‐fluoro substituents, respectively, display more potential for inhibitory effects on LPS‐induced NO secretion than starting ketones ( 6 ) and ( 7 ).