First Total Synthesis of Cytotoxic Diarylheptanoids, Galeon, and Pterocarine

Abstract

The first total synthesis of cytotoxic diphenyl ether‐type diarylheptanoids, galeon and pterocarine, was described in which the Ullmann reaction was employed at the final step for the diaryl ether formation of key intermediate, 1‐(3‐bromo‐4‐benzyloxyphenyl)‐7‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)heptan‐3‐one, assembled by a series of cross‐aldol condensation from 3‐methoxy‐4‐benzyloxybenzaldehyde.

Keywords:

• aldol
• cytotoxicity
• diatrylheptanoid
• galeon
• pterocarine
• Ullmann reaction

Acknowledgment

Financial support form Korean Research Foundation Grant KRF‐2006‐005‐J01101 is gratefully acknowledged. Dedicated to Professor See Ryun Chung in commemoration of his retirement from Yeungnam University.