Synthesis of new fluorinated, 2-substituted 5-pyrrolidinylsulfonyl isatin derivatives as caspase-3 and caspase-7 inhibitors: Nonradioactive counterparts of putative PET-compatible apoptosis imaging agents

A series of new (S)-(+)-5-[1-(2-methoxymethylpyrrolidinyl]sulfonyl isatins bearing fluorinated and non-fluorinated alkyl groups in the isatin or in the pyrrolidine part has been synthesized and their inhibition potencies were assayed for recombinant human caspases-3 and -7. Among the most active inhibitors in this series are the N-butyl derivatives.