Preparative synthesis and pharmacological activity of Albicar racemate and enantiomers

Racemic Albicar (2,6-diethyl-4,8-dimethylglycoluril) has been synthesized and resolved into enantiomers on a preparative scale by chiral HPLC. A comparison of the pharmacological effects of these compounds has been performed for the first time. It has been demonstrated that the (−)-(1S,5S)-enantiomer exerts a stimulating effect on the central nervous system due to activation of the serotonergic system, since it potentiates the effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan (the serotonin precursor), while the antagonist of serotonin receptors blocks its activity; the (+)-(1R,5R)-enantiomer evinces an inhibitory effect.