Synthesis and Properties of 1,3-Disubstituted Ureas Containing (Adamantan-1-yl)(phenyl)methyl Fragment Based on One-Pot Direct Adamantane Moiety Inclusion

A one-stage method for the preparation of 1-[isocyanato(phenyl)methyl]adamantane containing a phenylmethylene fragment located between the adamantane fragment and the isocyanate group, and 1-[isocyanato(phenyl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyladamantane with additional methyl groups at the nodal positions of adamantane, with a yield of 95% and 89%, respectively, is described. The method includes the direct inclusion of an adamantane moiety through the reaction of phenylacetic acid ethyl ester with 1,3-dehydroadamantane or 3,5-dimethyl-1,3-dehydroadamantane followed by the hydrolysis of the obtained esters. The reaction of 1-[isocyanato(phenyl)methyl]adamantane with fluorine(chlorine)-containing anilines gave a series of 1,3-disubstituted ureas with 25–85% yield. 1-[Isocyanato(phenyl)methyl]-3,5-dimethyladamantane was involved in the reactions with fluorine(chlorine)-containing anilines and trans-4-amino-(cyclohexyloxy)benzoic acid to obtain another series of ureas with a yield of 29–74%. The resulting 1,3-disubstituted ureas are promising inhibitors of the human soluble epoxide hydrolase (hsEH).