We describe a general method for elaboration of the ethyl sidechain of tamo
xifen and its primary 4-hydroxy metabolite. Novel lipidic tamoxifen and a f
unctionalized B-ring analog were synthesized from a common stilbene oxide i
ntermediate for potential liposomal applications including estrogen recepto
r targeting. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.