CHEMISTRY OF THE MYCALAMIDES, ANTIVIRAL AND ANTITUMOR COMPOUNDS FROM A MARINE SPONGE .4. REACTIONS OF MYCALAMIDE-A AND ALKYL DERIVATIVES WITH BASIC NUCLEOPHILES

The chemistry of the potent antitumour and antiviral marine sponge met abolite, mycalamide A, and some of its alkyl derivatives, was examined by treatment with alkoxide, hydroxide and oxide bases in various solv ents and with azide and hydride in dimethyl sulfoxide. The major rearr angement and cleavage products resulting from these reactions were cha racterised and tested for in vitro P388 anti-leukaemic activity.