Compositions and methods comprising substituted 2-aminoimidazoles

Abstract

The present invention presents 2-(acylamino)imidazoles with therapeutic activity, including selective activity against cancer cells, and compositions comprising them. Methods of using and preparing the 2-(acylamino)imidazoles are also presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of selectively preparing a 2-acylamino 4-substituted imidazole, the method comprising the steps:
 monoalkylating an α-amino acid, ester, or amide at the α-amino group;   converting the α-alkylamino acid, ester, or amide to an α-alkylamino ketone;   cyclizing the α-alkylamino ketone and an acyl cyanamide to form a 2-N-acyl imidazolidin-2-imine product; and   converting the 2-N-acyl imidazolidin-2-imine to a 2-acylamino 4-substituted imidazole product; wherein the 2-acylamino product is substantially free from 1-acyl and 3-acyl regioisomers.