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The solvolysis of topotecan in alcohols and acetic anhydride
Jiajun Li1, Guolin Wang, Mengjie Dong
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
Abstract:
Six derivatives of 10-hydroxycamptothecin were prepared via solvolysis of topotecan in corresponding alcohols and acetic anhydride. We attributed the specific reactivity of topotecan to the internal hydrogen-bonding between 10-hydroxy and the nitrogen atom in position 9. As a result the reaction underwent through an intermediate ortho-quionomethlide species to reach equilibrium. Bioactivity screening data showed all products could potentially inhibit the proliferation of several cancer cell lines in vitro and a bigger size group in 9-position would be favorable for the anti-tumor activities observably.
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