X-ray Crystal Structure of the Opioid Ligand Naltrexonazine

The anti-anti isomer of naltrexonazine (1) was synthesized, and its configuration was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The syn-anti isomer is readily converted to 1 under acidic conditions. The apparent equal receptor binding of 1 and syn-anti isomer indicates that isomerization of the azine moiety may take place under the conditions of biological evaluation. Two possible explanations for wash-resistant binding of 1 to opioid receptors are presented. The first possibility involves a noncovalent interaction of the ligand with the opioid receptor, and the second considers covalent binding by a receptor-based sulfhydryl group.