ANTITUMOR AGENTS .2. REGIOSPECIFIC AND STEREOSPECIFIC SYNTHESES OF 1-BETA-ALKYL-1-DEOXYPODOPHYLLOTOXIN DERIVATIVES AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY

1-beta-Alkyl derivatives of 1-desoxypodophyllotoxin were synthesized, and their cytotoxicity and inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerase II (Topo-II) and tubulin polymerization were examined. The reaction of ep ipodophyllotoxin derivatives (1a-c) with trimethylallylsilane in the p resence of boron trifluoride etherate gave 1-beta-allylated compounds (2a-c). The regiochemistry and the beta-stereochemistry of the 1-allyl group were confirmed by comparison of the C-13-NMR spectra and NOE's (%) of 2c, podophyllotoxin (POD) and epipodophyllotoxin (1b). 1-beta-A lkyl-1-desoxypodophyllotoxin derivatives (3-8) were prepared from 2b. None of the tested compounds (3-8) showed any inhibitory effect on Top o-II. 1-beta-Propyl compound (3) and its 4'-demethyl compound (4) inhi bited tubulin polymerization and the cytotoxicities of these compounds were equal to that of VP-16. 1-beta-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl) compounds ( 5 and 8) and 1-beta-(2,3-diacetoxypropyl) compounds (6 and 7) showed n o inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization. Although 5 did not inhi bit either Topo-II activity or tubulin polymerization, it showed a hig h cytotoxicity against sarcoma 180.