The total synthesis of thiacalothrixins, an isostere of the biologically important carbazoloquinone alkaloid calothrixin B, was achieved from ethyl benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylate. Alternatively, the multi-step synthesis of thiaisocalothrixins could be achieved from 3-methylbenzo[b]thiophene. A preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of the synthesized thia analogues of calothrixins displayed promising potential against cancer cell cultures.
Key words
carbazole alkaloids - calothrixin B - electrocyclization - Lewis acid - quinones