We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of new 2-amino-4,5-diarylpyrimidines as selective antagonists at the adenosine A(1) receptor. The scaffold they are based upon is a deaza variation... Show moreWe report the synthesis and biological evaluation of new 2-amino-4,5-diarylpyrimidines as selective antagonists at the adenosine A(1) receptor. The scaffold they are based upon is a deaza variation of a previously reported collection of 3-amino-5,6-diaryl-1,2,4-triazines, members of which had a sub-nanomolar affinity but limited selectivity over the A(2A) subtype. Initially, similar structure-affinity relationships at the 5-aryl ring were established, and then emphasis was put on increasing selectivity at the hA(1)AR by introducing substituents on the N-2-position, all the while maintaining a nanomolar affinity. Compound 3z, bearing a trans 4-hydroxycyclohexyl substituent, was identified as a potent (K-i(hA(1)AR) = 7.7 nM) and selective (K-i(hA(2)AAR) = 1389 nM) antagonist at the human adenosine A(1) receptor. Computational docking was effected at the A(1) and A(2A) subtypes, rationalizing the effect of the 4-hydroxycyclohexyl substituent on selectivity, in relation with the nature of the substituent on the 5-position of the pyrimidine. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Show less