A Concise Synthesis of the DNA??Intercalating and Antimalarial Alkaloid Cryptolepine and Its Fluorescence Behaviour in Solvents of Different Polarities
Abstract A microwave-induced rapid and facile synthesis of the DNA-intercalating and antimalarial drug cryptolepine is described. The key step in this synthesis involves the aqueous-phase base-catalyzed condensation of isatin and 1-acetyl-1H-indol-3-yl acetate which has been simplified and expedited by dielectric heating, employing an ordinary domestic microwave oven. The method transforms the synthesis of an important drug ...