Reactivity of Vinca alkaloids in superacid: An access to vinflunine, a novel anticancer agent

This is a summary of a lecture presented at the 100th Anniversary, Moissan Symposium in Paris on Friday 10th November 2006.In HF/SbF₅, Vinca alkaloids react selectively at the D’ring of the molecule. In the presence of CHCl₃ (or CCl₄), vinorelbine yields 20′,20′-difluoro-3′,4′-dihydrovinorelbine (vinflunine), presently in phase III experimentation for treatment of bladder cancer and non small cell lung cancer.