The CB2 cannabinoid receptor-selective agonist O-3223 reduces pain and inflammation without apparent cannabinoid behavioral effects.

Although Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other mixed CB(1)/CB(2) receptor agonists are well established to elicit antinociceptive effects, their psychomimetic actions and potential for abuse have dampened enthusiasm for their therapeutic development. Conversely, CB(2) receptor-selective agonists have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, without eliciting apparent cannabinoid behavioral effects. In the present study, we developed a novel ethyl sulfonamide THC analog, O-3223, and compared its pharmacological effects to those of the potent, mixed CB(1)/CB(2) receptor agonist, CP55,940, in a battery of preclinical pain models.

Addition of the phenoxathiin cation radical to alkenes and nonconjugated dienes. Formation of (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes and (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)dienes on basic alumina.

Addition of phenoxathiin cation radical (PO*+) to acyclic alkenes in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution occurred stereospecifically to form bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkane adducts. Stereospecific trans addition is ascribed to the intermediacy of an episulfonium cation radical. The alkenes used were cis- and trans-2-butene, cis- and trans-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-methyl-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-octene, trans-3-hexene, trans-3-octene, trans-5-decene, cis-2-hexene, and cis-2-heptene.

Reaction of thianthrene and phenoxathiin cation radicals with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene. Chemical and electrochemical studies.

Thianthrene cation radical tetrafluoroborate (Th*+ BF4-) has been found to add to 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (DMB) at 0 degrees C and -15 degrees C. The adduct, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-(5,10-thianthreniumdiyl)butane ditetrafluoroborate (12), was isolated at -15 degrees C, and its 1H NMR spectrum was recorded at that temperature. The adduct was stable in CD3CN solution at -15 degrees C but decomposed slowly at 0 degrees C and quickly at 23 degrees C, forming the salt of 2,4,4,5,5-pentamethyl-2-oxazoline (8) with loss of thianthrene (Th).

Decomposition of alkene adducts of thianthrene cation radical in nitrile solvents. Formation of alkyl-2-oxazolines and a new class of four-component products: 5-[(1-alkoxyalkylidene)ammonio]alkylthianthrenium diperchlorates.

The monoadducts (4a-d) of thianthrene cation radical perchlorate (1a) and isobutene, 2-methylbutene, 2-methyl-2-butene, and 2-methylpentene decompose spontaneously in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution, with the formation of thianthrene (Th). Decomposition of 4a (1,2-(5,10-thianthreniumdiyl)-2-methylpropane diperchlorate) and 4a', the corresponding dihexafluorophosphate, was studied in depth and extensively with (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Decomposition of 4a was found to involve the solvent itself as well as water in the solvent, remaining from incomplete drying, and gave, apart from Th, successively, the perchlorate salts of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-oxazoline (6) and 2-amino-2-methylpropyl acetate (7).

Adducts of phenoxathiin and thianthrene cation radicals with alkenes and cycloalkenes.

Phenoxathiin cation radical perchlorate (PO.+ClO4(-)) added stereospecifically to cyclopentene, cyclohexene, cycloheptene, and 1,5-cyclooctadiene to give 1,2-bis(5-phenoxathiiniumyl)cycloalkane diperchlorates (4-7) in good yield. The diaxial configuration of the PO+ groups was confirmed with X-ray crystallography.