Semi-Synthetic Amides from Cinnamic Acid

Substances of Brazilian propolis, such as Artepillin C (AC), have been studied for a long time due to their pharmacological characteristics (AGA, et al. 1994). Aiming to increase their biological activity, structural modifications have been proposed in order to evaluate the derivatives’ potential by some biological assays. Cinnamic acid (CA), is a commercial substance and is structurally like AC, moreover, it is also present in propolis. So, CA has been used as a model substance for reaction studies, aiming to increase procedure's effectiveness before being applied to rarer Arteppillin C. Initially, cyclohexylamine, propanolamine, p-anisidine, tert-butylamine, isopropylamine and aniline, were proposed to form amides from AC, according to the methodology BANDGAR et al. (2004). Eight derivatives were obtained, which will be referred for biological assays. The methodology was optimized and can be applied to AC to provide derivatives of this same series. Derivatives are expected to display some interesting biological activity.