An efficient, regiospecific synthesis of 4-demethoxydaunomycinone and daunomycinone.

Y TAMURA, M SASHO, S AKAI, H KISHIMOTO…

Index: Tamura; Sasho; Akai; et al. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 1987 ,  vol. 35,  # 4  p. 1405 - 1412

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Citation Number: 22

Abstract

4-Methoxy and 4-acetoxyhomophthalic anhydrides were prepared by convenient oxidations of homophthalic acid derivatives followed by hydrolysis and dehydrative cyclization. Strong base-induced cycloaddition of these anhydrides to 2-ehloro-6, 6-ethylenedioxy-5, 6, 7, 8- tetrahydro-1, 4-naphthoquinone gave the tetracyclic adducts, which were efficiently converted into 4-demethoxydaunomycinone and daunomycinone.