α-Fluorination of tropane compounds and its impact on physicochemical and ADME properties

Using an electrochemical C(sp3)-H fluorination reaction, a series of α-fluorinated tropane compounds were synthesized and their druglikeness parameters were assessed to compare with the parent compounds. Improvements were observed in membrane permeability, P-gp liability, and inhibitory effects on hERG and Nav1.5 channels, accompanied with a trend of decreased aqueous solubility and microsomal stability. It was also revealed that α-fluorination reduced the basicity of tropane nitrogen atom for about 1000-fold.