Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 6-alkyl-6-demethylmitomycins.

A series of 6-alkyl-6-demethylmitomycins (1-5) was synthesized and evaluated for anticellular and antitumor activities. These novel compounds were prepared by Michael addition of various carbanion species to 6-demethyl-7, 7-(ethylenedioxy)-6, 7-dihydro-6-methylidenemitosane (6 and 9) followed by treatment with NH3 or MeOH/K2CO3. Alkylation at the C-6 position of 6-demethyl-6-selenide (7) was also useful for the alternative synthesis of 6-alkyl-6-demethylmitomycins. The antitumor activity of these derivatives was evaluated, and 6-demethyl-6-ethylmitomycin A (2a) was found to exhibit excellent activity against S-180 solid tumor in mice. The structure-activity relationship is also discussed.