A New Route to Benzonaphthacene-8,13-diones: Synthesis and Revision of the Structure Proposed for G2N

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00289a030

A regiospecific total synthesis of 1b, the tris(methyl ether) derivative of the structure proposed for G2N (1a), was performed through condensation of the anion of the phthalidesulfone 3 with the hydrophenanthrone 4.This preparation shows that although the ring system for these natural products is correct, the proposed substitution pattern is incorrect.The revised structures 19a and 19b are recommended for G2N and G2N tris(methyl ether), respectively.