Acetylation of Camptothecins Using Lithium Bromide as Catalyst

Abstract

Camptothecin and 9-Methoxycamptothecin, two promising naturally occurring anticancer alkaloids containing a tertiary hydroxy group, were acetylated with acetic anhydride at room temperature in the presence of lithium bromide as catalyst. The similar method was followed for acetylation of other two related natural alkaloids, mappicine and 9-methoxymappicine.

^†The article is dedicated with best regards in memory of (Late) Professor T. R. Govindachari who taught us what camptothecins are.

^#See Ref.[1]

Keywords:

• Camptothecin
• 9-Methoxycamptothecin
• Mappicine
• 9-Methoxymappicine
• Acetylation
• LiBr

Acknowledgments

The authors thank UGC and CSIR, New Delhi for financial assistance.

Notes

^†The article is dedicated with best regards in memory of (Late) Professor T. R. Govindachari who taught us what camptothecins are.

^#See Ref.[1]