Synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 1,4-naphthoquinones as antiplatelet agents

In continuing search for novel antiplatelet agents, the highly potent agent 2-chloro-3-methoxycarbonylethylcarboxamido-1,4-naphthoquinone 2 was selected as lead compound. Structure-activity relationships in this series were examined. Some of these compounds showed significant antiplatelet activities. Further studies on the action mechanism showed that 2-acetamido-3-chloro-1,4-naphthoquinone 4 has a direct inhibitory action on cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) activity in platelets.