Antimalarial activity of yingzhaosu A analogues

Iodonium ion mediated cyclization of unsaturated hydroperoxides 1 afforded the expected yingzhaosu A analogues 2. In some cases, however, the corresponding cyclic ethers 5 were formed competitively with the cyclic peroxides 2, the ratios of these two products being a marked function of the structure of the starting materials. Some of the cyclic peroxides 2 showed significant antimalarial activities in vitro and in vivo.