Synthesis and stereochemistry of dilactones related to strigol
Abstract
A general approach to the synthesis of strigol (1) analogues has been developed which involves the stereospecific coupling of bromobutenolides (3a) and (3b) with the sodium enolate (2) of 3-(hydroxymethylene)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one to give dilactones (4a) and (4b) one of which showed significant cytotoxicity against Hela cells in preliminary testing to evaluate the potential anticancer activity of strigol analogues.