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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Functionalized Spirocyclic Heterocycle Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assay
Published on: February 9, 2021
Synthesis and cytotoxicity of new aminoterpenylquinones
José M Miguel del Corral1, María Angeles Castro, Marina Gordaliza
1Departamento de Química Farmacéutica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37007 Salamanca, Spain. jmmcs@usal.es
Abstract:
Several 6(7)-alkyl-1,4-naphthoquinones (NQ) have been prepared by cycloaddition reactions between the monoterpene alpha-myrcene and p-benzoquinones and halogen and nitrogen-containing functional groups have been introduced at the C-2 position of the naphthoquinone ring via nucleophilic addition or substitution reactions. These substituents at positions 2/3 of the NQ clearly influence the cytotoxic potency of this type of compound. Of particular interest is substitution by arylamino, specifically p-oxyarylamino, groups, which considerably enhance their bioactivity and selectivity.
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