Inventors:
Kilmer S. McCully - Boston MA
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health,
Education and Welfare - Washington DC
International Classification:
A61K 3138
Abstract:
Homocysteine thiolactone perchlorate is prepared from the corresponding homocysteine thiolactone hydrochloride and optimally about two equivalents of perchloric acid as reactants. A preferred solvent utilized is chloroform-methanol (4:1) solution and a preferred temperature range is 0. degree. -85. degree. C. with the lower limit dependent upon the particular solvent and the upper limit of about 186. degree. C. dependent upon the melting point of the product crystals. The preferred perchloric acid reactant may be replaced with perchlorate salts such as AgClO. sub. 4 or KClO. sub. 4. The product perchlorate salt is soluble in organic solvents, whereas other known salts such as the hydrochloride are only water soluble. This property is thought to influence the growth effect of the perchlorate salt in animals, such as rabbits, and to influence the unique effect of the perchlorate salt on the growth of malignant tumors in animals, such as mice.