Synthesis and antiviral properties of tricyclic amides derived from α-humulene and β-caryophyllene

The Ritter reaction of humulene with acetonitrile occurs as the biomimetic process to afford the amide having the skeleton of a natural alcohol. The structures of the amides obtained from humulene and caryophyllene were confirmed by XRD data. The activity of some cage compounds against influenza virus allowed one to suggest the mechanism of antiviral action based on interfering with membrane fusion activity of viral hemagglutinin.