Free-Radical Co-Oligomerization of N-Vinylpyrroles with N-Vinylpyrrolidone: A Route to New Bioactive Oligomers

Abstract

Co-oligomerization of N-vinylpyrroles (N-vinyl-2,3-dimethylpyrrole, N-vinyl-2-phenylpyrrole, N-vinyl-2,3-diphenylpyrrole, N-vinyl-2-(2-thienyl)pyrrole, and N-vinyl-2-[1-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindolyl) ethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroidole) with N-vinylpyrrolidone in the presence of a radical initiator (AIBN) gives co-oligomers with molecular masses of 1600–5200 in up to 87% yield. The products are readily soluble in organic solvents (benzene, 1,4_dioxane, and chloroform), and in the case of high N-vinylpyrrolidone content, also in ethanol and in water. The co-oligomers are non-toxic or have low toxicity (the lethal dose LD₅₀ = 1300–2000) and possess biological activity.