Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of (R)-5-acyloxymethyl- and (S)-5-acylaminomethyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinones as new anti-monoamine oxidase (anti-MAO) agents.

(R)-5-Acyloxymethyl- and (S)-5-acylaminomethyl-3-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-2-oxazolidinones 2a-s were synthesized as pyrrole analogues of toloxatone (Humoryl(R)), an anti-MAO agent used in clinical therapy because of its antidepressant properties. Their ability to inhibit the enzymatic isoforms MAO-A and MAO-B was evaluated. From the data most 2a-s showed high reversibility and selective MAO-A inhibitory activity. They exhibited an inhibitory potency (KiMAO-A) of 0.16-0.90 muM comparable to that found for toloxatone (KiMAO-A = 0.38 muM), the A isoform being 11-fold more selective. The results indicate that 2a-s show promise as new antidepressant agents.