10.1039/b702411h
The study presents a concise synthetic route to the anti-cancer agents combretastatin A-4 and DMU-212 using the Ramberg–B?cklund reaction. Combretastatin A-4, isolated from the African tree Combretum caffrum, is a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization, while DMU-212 is a synthetic analogue with cancer chemoprotective activity. The synthesis of combretastatin A-4 begins with the coupling of thiol 13, prepared from 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol using Lawesson’s reagent, and bromide 14, using potassium hydroxide in ethanol. The resulting sulfide is oxidized with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid to form sulfone 12. The Ramberg–B?cklund reaction, carried out under various conditions (Meyers, Chan, and Franck), converts sulfone 12 into the stilbene intermediate 15, which is then desilylated to yield combretastatin A-4. The study also explores the synthesis of other combretastatin analogues, including (E)- and (Z)-2012, using similar procedures. The Ramberg–B?cklund reaction is further applied to prepare DMU-212 from sulfone 29, derived from 4-methoxybenzyl mercaptan and bromide 17. The study highlights the efficiency and stereoselectivity of the Ramberg–B?cklund reaction in synthesizing these anti-cancer stilbenes and provides insights into the reaction's scope and limitations.