Studies on the synthesis of a polar fragment exhibit by antiepileptics ceramides isolated from marine source, using a Morita-Baylis-Hillman

Abstract

This Master research project is focused on the establishment of a synthetic sequence for the preparation of a polar fragment which occurs in sphingosides and ceramides isolated from natural source. Some of these natural compounds exhibit a potent antiepileptic activity. The strategy is based on a Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction between a chiral aldehyde, easily prepared from a natural aminoacid, and methyl acrylate. This adduct will be used as substrate for the preparation of the desired fragment through a direct synthetic sequence. The success of this research proposal will allow us synthesize several biologically active natural sphingoside and ceramides. (AU)