Syntheses of the acridone alkaloid citrusinine-I and its derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1248/cpb.41.445

Citrusinine-I (1), a naturally occurring acridone alkaloid with potent antiviral activity, was synthesized for the first time, via a route involving Ullmann reaction, cyclization, and selective demethylation at the 1-position with boron trifluoride etherate and lithium bromide. 1,5,6-Trihydroxy-3-methoxy-9(10H)-acridone (2a) and 1,5,6-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-10-methyl-9(10H)-acridone (2b) were also synthesized.