Indatraline is N-alkylated at the amino group, making it possible to slow the onset of action, so that it is not until N-demethylation occurs that the molecules become active. N-methylindatraline has a longer duration than indatraline because norindatraline is inactive, whereas demethylating N-methylindatraline does not terminate the actions of the parent compound.
Effects of N-dimethylindatraline start about 20–30 minutes after administration; it takes a longer time for this chemical to absorb into the body than cocaine.[4]
Synthesis
Two main routes have been reported. The first route was reported by Bøgesø and co-workers.[5]
Another method involves the contraction of a dihydronaphthalene (6–6 fused system) to form the 6–5 indane skeleton.[7]
Routes based on
1-indanone-type intermediates are not as simple as a direct reduction of an imine or oxime. The undesirable cis diastereomers are formed instead of the desirable trans isomers. This adds an extra step to the synthetic route. First, the ketones are reduced to mostly cis alcohols. Second, the cis alcohols are converted to the corresponding mesylates, conserving stereochemistry. Third, the mesylates can then be reacted, e.g. with, N-methylbenzylamine, causing a Walden inversion
(SN2). Finally, the removal of the benzyl affords the product as a racemic mixture.
