Thromboxane synthetase inhibitors. I. Synthesis of some imidazolylarylmethanols and their inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation

Several imidazolylpyridinemethanols and imidazolylbenzenemethanols were prepared and evaluated for an inhibitory activity against arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. The result shows that the arylmethanol moiety is essential for the activity and may correspond to the 15-OH group of prostagrandin H2 (PGH2). Among the compounds tested, 4-[alpha-hydroxy-5-(1-imidazolyl)-2-methylbenzyl]-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid (XV) was found to have a potent inhibitory activity and a long duration of action. Structure-activity relationships are also discussed briefly.