Method for the synthesis of target cytotoxic anthracycline analogues

摘要

The following are claimed: (A) anthracycline compounds of formula Q-O-R-P (I) Q = a group of formula (i):R = H (sic) or C(O)-(CH2)n-C(O);n = 0-7;R' = NH2; or an aromatic or hydrogenated 5 or 6 membered heterocycle having at least one ring nitrogen, optionally having a butadiene moiety bonded to adjacent carbon atoms to form a bicyclic system;P = H or a peptide; Provided that: (a) where R' is NH2, then R and P are other than H; and (b) where R and P are H, then R' is other than NH2. (B) Conversion of the nitrogen of a primary amino group of an ~a,~b- or ~a,~c-hydroxy primary amine into the nitrogen of a monounsaturated nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound having 5-6 ring atoms, comprising: (a) treating the hydroxy amine with an excess of a haloaldehyde having an aldehyde carbon, a halo-bearing carbon and having 2 or 3 moieties between the aldehyde carbon and the halo-bearing carbon selected from CH2, CH2CH2 and OCH2; (b) adding an excess (relative to the hydroxyamine) of an organic base; (c) neutralising the base with a weak acid; and (d) treating with a dilute aqueous acid. X' = halo; Y = CH2, OCH2 or CH2-CH2; Z is absent or is CH2.