The synthesis of a new class of epoxide derivatives from prochiral vinylidene bisphosphonate (VBP) precursors is reported using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant. The reaction is carried out using a series of possible organic catalysts having a basic character, the best results being observed using quinine and sparteine. These catalysts not only provide from good to excellent epoxide yields with a large variety of VBPs but also interesting enantioselectivities in the 67-96% ee range at least in the case of the Ph and m-MeO-Ph VBP derivatives opening the way to a number of chiral anti-osteoporosis potentially active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Fourteen quinolizidine derivatives, structurally related to the alkaloids lupinine and cytisine and previously studied for other pharmacological aims, were presently tested for antiarrhythmic, inotropic, and chronotropic effects on isolated guinea pig heart tissues, and to assess calcium antagonism in comparison to amiodarone, lidocaine, procainamide, and quinidine. All compounds, but two, compared favorably with the reference drugs. Potent antiarrhythmic activity was observed for compounds (in increasing order) 4, 1, 6 and 5. The last compound N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)aminohomolupinane) was outstanding, exhibiting a nanomolar potency (EC50 = 0.017 µM) for the increase of threshold of ac-arrhythmia, and being devoid of antihypertensive activity against spontaneously hypertensive rats.