Design, synthesis and antiproliferative activity of styryl lactones related to (+)-goniofufurone

This paper describes a straightforward divergent synthesis of (+)-goniofufurone mimics (4, 5 and 6) starting from d-xylose. In a preliminary bioassay, analogues 4 and 5 exhibited a submicromolar antiproliferative activity towards HL-60 cells, while the corresponding parent compound 1 was completely inactive against this cell line. At the same time, these molecules showed approximately 10-fold stronger cytotoxicity in the same cell line when compared to the standard Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). Analogue 6 displayed 18- and 3-fold higher potency in Raji cell line when compared to control compounds 1 and DOX, respectively. A new divergent route for the preparation of (+)-goniofufurone (1) and (+)-crassalactone C (3) from d-xylose is also disclosed.