| abstract |
Anthracyclinones of formula <IMAGE> (a> R1 = H, R2 = H, CH3 or alkoxy (b> R1 = OCH3 or alkoxy, R2 = R3 = H (c> R1 = R3 = H, R2 = OH or alkoxy are prepared by condensation of a quinizarin-quinone of formula <IMAGE> R1, R2, R3 as above with 2-( alpha -hydroxyethyl)-1,3-butadiene under Diels-Alder conditions followed by manipulation of the side chains. The anthracyclinones are useful starting materials for the preparation of anti-tumour anthracycline glycosides. |