Synthetic protocols for the manipulation of the polyhydroxylated southern r
egion of ingenol (1a) were developed, and a series of isosteres of the anti
cancer compound ingenol 3,20-dibenzoate (1b) was prepared. The biological e
valuation of these compounds showed that cytotoxicity was relatively tolera
nt to changes at C-20, while PKC activation was markedly affected by these
modifications. These data suggest that chemical manipulation can effectivel
y dissect cytotoxicity and tumour-promoting activity (or potential) of inge
noids, affording more optimal candidates for development, like 20-deoxy-20-
fluoroingenol 3,20-dibenzoate (5b). In mild acidic medium, an unexpected vi
nylogous retro-pinacol rearrangement of ingenol to a tigliane derivative wa
s observed.