Anticancer agent development; 6. Application of the heterocycle annulation-rearrangement strategy in the synthesis of a podophyllotoxin precursor

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1991-26444

A four-step synthesis of the Bristol-Myers' precursor, ethyl rel-(3R,4R)-6,7-methylenedioxy-1-oxo-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,2,3 ,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-3-carboxylate, to (±)-podophyllotoxin is described in 40% overall yield from ethyl 3,4,5-trimethoxy