Synthesis of the selective antimuscarinic agent 4-{[cyclohexylhydroxy(2-methoxyphenyl)silyl]-methyl}-1,1-dimethylpiperazinium methyl sulfate (o-methoxy-sila-hexocyclium methyl sulfate)

The synthesis of the potent and highly selective silicon-containing antimuscarinic agent o-methoxysila-hexocyclium methyl sulfate and its corresponding tertiary amine (isolated as the dihydrochloride) is described. The quarternary compound is an o-methoxy derivative of sila-hexocyclium methyl sulfate, which represents one of the tools currently used in experimental pharmacology for the subclassification of muscarinic receptors. The o-methoxy derivative, the pharmacological profile of which differs substantially from that of the nonmethoxy compound, is also recommended as a tool for the investigation of muscarinic receptor heterogeneity.