Synthesis of (+)- and (−)-2-methylarachidonyl-2′-fluoroethylamide (O-689)

Abstract The enantiomers of 2-methylarachidonyl-2′-fluoroethylamide, (+)- 4a (>98% ee) and (−)- 4b (98% ee), were synthesized from methyl arachidonate and were shown to be nonenantioselective in binding to the cannabinoid receptor (CB 1 ) and in the mouse tetrad tests.