New chemical and biological aspects of artemisinin-derived trioxane dimers.

Joining two 10-deoxoartemisinin trioxane units via a p-diacetylbenzene linker produces new C-10 non-acetal dimers and. 1H NMR spectroscopy allows unambiguous assignment of the stereochemistry at C-10 in these dimers. Successful replacement of both carbonyl oxygen atoms in these diketone dimers by fluorine atoms produces new tetrafluorinated dimers and. Each dimer was evaluated in vitro for antimalarial, antiproliferative, and antitumor activities; ketone dimers and, more than fluorinated dimers and, are promising for chemotherapy of both malaria and cancer.