Asymmetric and highly stereoselective synthesis of the DEF-ring moiety of (-)-FR182877 and its derivative inducing mitotic arrest.

The asymmetric and highly stereoselective synthesis of compound 1, which corresponds exactly to the DEF-ring moiety of (-)-FR182877, and the biological activities of its derivatives are described. All derivatives of 1 showed no activity in the tubulin polymerization assay, but one derivative was shown to have the ability to induce mitotic arrest by interfering with microtubule dynamics, and the cellular effects are similar to those of paclitaxel.