SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY OF ESTERS IN THE TRANS-1,2-DIHYDROXY-1,2-DIHYDROACRONYCINE SERIES

Permanganate oxidation of acronycine (1) led to keto alcohol 4 which c ould be reduced to trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydroacronycine (3) using NaBH4. Acylation of 3 afforded 12, 13, and 14. These esters (12, 13, and 14) were more potent than 1 when tested against L-1210 cells in vi tro. Diacetate 12 was evaluated in vivo against murine P-388 leukemia and was markedly active at a dose 16-fold lower than acronycine itself . Comparison of these results with those recently obtained in the cis- 1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydroacronycine series is discussed.