Synthesis of 2-aza-anthraquinone and 2-azanaphthacenequinone 1-chloro-derivatives as key intermediates for the preparation of antitumour anthraquinone analogues

Abstract

Lithiation of 2-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazole and subsequent condensation with aromatic aldehydes provides a four-step synthesis of both 1-chloro-2-aza-anthraquinone and 1-chloro-2-azanaphthancenequinone derivatives which are key intermediates in the preparation of mitoxanthrone analogues.