Parallel synthesis and antileishmanial activity of ether-linked phospholipids

The synthesis and antileishmanial activity of 18 edelfosine analogs, e.g. I, are described. Compds. were obtained in parallel combining solid phase and soln. phase synthesis. The most active analog is characterized by the octadecyl group in position 2 of the glycerol chain. Considering that this substitution dets. the loss of antitumor activity, a different mechanism of antileishmanial action can be hypothesized