A method for the preparation of bis-omega-appended hypericin derivativ
es bearing n-octyl n-hexadecyl, and 2-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethoxy)-eth
oxymethyl substituents was developed. The key step - the synthesis of
appropriately omega-substituted emodin derivatives - was achieved by s
olvolyzing omomethyl-1,6,8-triacetyloxy-anthracene-9,10-dione (omega-b
romo triacetylemodin) in an appropriate alcohol in the presence of sil
ver perchlorate. The corresponding bis-omega-substituted hypericins we
re then prepared conventionally by dimerizing the omega-substituted em
odin anthrones. The latter were prepared by reduction of the omega-app
ended emodins.