Total synthesis and cytotoxicity of Leucetta alkaloids

The total synthesis of a number of representative natural products isolated from Leucetta and Clathrina sponges containing a polysubstituted 2-aminoimidazole are described. These syntheses take advantage of the site specific metallation reactions of 4,5-diiodoimidazoles resulting in the syntheses of three different classes of Leucetta derived natural products. The cytotoxicities of these natural products, along with several precursors in MCF7 cells were determined through an MTT growth assay. For comparative purposes a series of naphthimidazole-containing family members are included.