Stereospecific Synthesis of the Skeleton of the Antitumor Marine Natural Product Et-743

Ecteinascidin 743 (Et-743) is an exceedingly potent antitumor agent isolated from the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinate. As its structurally simplified version, Phthalascidin was found to retain the cytotoxicity of the natural product. Their novel structures, impressive biological activities and difficult availabilities conspire to render the attractive targets for total synthesis.……