A series of analogs based on a novel template, ll-aza-(20S)-camptothecin, were obtained from total synthesis and tested as potential anticancer drugs in the topoisomerase I enzyme cleavable complex assay. The parent compound 1 l-aza-(20S)-camptothecin (8) was derived from a Friedlander condensation between the known aminopyridine derivative 3-(3- amino-4-picoly1idene) ptoluidine and optically active tricyclic ketone 7. Compound 8 had ...