Synthese von Alkylphenolen und -pyrocatecholen aus Plectranthus albidus (Labiatae)

Synthesis of Alkylphenols and -catechols from Plectranthus albidus (Labiatae) In the preceding paper, we described the isolation and structure elucidation of a series of even-numbered phenol- or pyrocatechol-derived 1-arylalkane-5-ones. To establish the assigned structures unambiguously and to have larger quantities available for physiological testing, the following compounds were prepared: in the alkylphenol series, 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)tetradecan-5-one ( 2a ), 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)hexadecan-5-one ( 2b ), and 1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadecan-5-one ( 2c ); in the alkylcatechol series, 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)decan-5-one ( 3a ; not isolated as a natural compound), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)dodecan-5-one ( 3b ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)tetradecan-5-one ( 3c ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)hexadecan-5-one ( 3d ), 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)octadecan-5-one ( 3e ), and 1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)icosan-5-one ( 3f ); in the alkenylphenol series, (Z)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 4a ) and (E)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 4b ); in the alkenylcatechol series, (E,E)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)deca-1,3-dien-5-one ( 1 ) and (Z)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)octadec-13-en-5-one ( 5 ). All compounds proved to be identical with the previously assigned structures. Compound 1 was synthesized by regioselective aldol condensation of heptan-2-one with (E)-1-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enal ( 6d ; Scheme 1), the phenols 2a–c and the catechols 3a–f by addition of the corresponding alkyl Grignard reagent to 5-(4′-methoxyphenyl)- or 5-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)pentanal ( 17c and 18c , resp.; Scheme 4), and the olefins 4a, 4b and 5 from 17c or 18c via the 9-O-silyl-protected 13-(4′-methoxyphenyl)- or 13-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)tridecanals ( 26 and 27 , resp.) and Wittig olefination as the key steps (Scheme 5).     

Total synthesis of 2-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)thiazole-4-carboxamide (Tiazofurin) and of precursors of ribo-C-nucleosides

(1R,2S,4R)-2-Cyano-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl (1S′)-camphanate ( 5 ) was transformed into (?)-methyl 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-O-tris[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]-D -allonate ( 2 ), (+)-1,3-diphenyl-2-{2′,3′,5′-O-tris[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]-β-D -ribofuranosyl}imidazolidine ( 3 ), and the benzamide 20 of 1-amino-2,5-anhydro-1-deoxy-3,4,6-O-tris-[((tert-butyl)dimethylsily)]-D -allitol. Compound 2 was converted efficiently into optically active tiazofurin ( 1 ).     

A Concise Synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-Neomanoalides

The first synthesis of (Z)-neomanoalide ( 4 ) and an improved synthesis of its (E)-isomer 3 was accomplished in a concise, regiocontrolled manner by exploiting 2-[(tert-butyl)dimethylsiloxy]-4{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsiloxy]-methyl}furan ( 6 ) as the key reagent. Lithiation of 6 and subsequent reaction with the (2Z)- or (2E)-isomer of (6E)-3-{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsiloxy]methyl}-7-methyl-9-(2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohex-1′-enyl)nona-2,6-dienyl bromide ( 5 ), followed by hydrolysis, afforded the corresponding neomanoalide.     

Synthesis of Derivatives of of Δ2-Imidazolin-5-one and Imidazolidine Containing Residues of Sterically-hindered Phenols

1-Substituted 4-benzylidene-2-{-[3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]vinyl}-4-benzylidene-²-imidazolin-5-ones have been synthesized by the interaction of azomethines and N-acylhydrazones (derivatives of 3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) with 4-benzylidene-2-methyloxazol-5-one. The acylation of 1,2-bis[3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxybenzylideneamino]ethane with acid chlorides in acetonitrile in the presence of triethylamine leads to 1,3-diacyl-2-[3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]imidazolidine.     

5a-Carba-β-D-, 5a-Carba-β-L- and 5-Thio-β-L-xylopyranosides as New Orally Active Venous Antithrombotic Agents

Mitsunobu displacement of (−)-(1S,4R,5S,6S)-4,5,6-tris{[(tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}cyclohex-2-en-1-ol ((−)- 12 ; a (−)-conduritol-F derivative) with 4-ethyl-7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ( 16 ) provided a 5a-carba-β-D -pyranoside (+)- 17 that was converted into (+)-4-ethyl-7-[(1′R,4′R,5′S,6′R)-4′,5′,6′-trihydroxycyclohex-2′-en-1′-yloxy]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ((+)- 5 ) and (+)-4-ethyl-7-[(1′R,2′R,3′S,4′R)-2′,3′,4′-trihydroxycyclohexyloxy]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one ((+)- 6 ). The 5a-carba-β-D -xyloside (+)- 6 was an orally active antithrombotic agent in the rat (venous Wessler's test), but less active than racemic carba-β-xylosides (±)- 5 and (±)- 6 . The 5a-carba-β-L -xyloside (−)- 6 was derived from the enantiomer (+)- 12 and found to be at least 4 times as active as (+)- 6 . (+)-4-Cyanophenyl 5-thio-β-L -xylopyranoside ((+)- 3 ) was synthesized from L -xylose and found to maintain ca. 50% of the antithrombotic activity of its D -enantiomer. Compounds (±)- 5 , (±)- 6 , and (−)- 6 are in vitro substrates for galactosyltransferase 1.     

2′, 3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluorotubercidin and Related Dideoxyribonucleosides:. Synthesis via a 2′-deoxy-3′-oxoribofuranoside intermediate and conformation studies

An efficient synthesis of the unknown 2′-deoxy-D-threo-tubercidin ( 1b ) and 2′, 3′-dideoxy-3′-fluorotubercidin ( 2 ) as well as of the related nucleosides 9a, b and 10b is described. Reaction of 4-chloro-7-(2-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine ( 5 ) with (tert-butyl)diphenylsilyl chloride yielded 6 which gave the 3′-keto nucleoside 7 upon oxidation at C(3′). Stereoselective NaBH₄ reduction (→ 8 ) followed by deprotection with Bu₄NF(→ 9a )and nucleophilic displacement at C(6) afforded 1b as well as 7-deaza-2′-deoxy-D-threo-inosine ( 9b ). Mesylation of 4-chloro-7-{2-deoxy-5-O-[(tert-butyl)diphenylsilyl]-β-D-threo-pentofuranosyl}-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidine ( 8 ), treatment with Bu₄NF (→ 12a ) and 4-halogene displacement gave 2′, 3′-didehydro-2′, 3′-dideoxy-tubercidin ( 3 ) as well as 2′, 3′-didehydro-2′, 3′-dideoxy-7-deazainosne ( 12c ). On the other hand, 2′, 3′-dideoxy-3′-fluorotubercidin ( 2 ) resulted from 8 by treatment with diethylamino sulfurtrifluoride (→ 10a ), subsequent 5′-de-protection with Bu₄NF (→ 10b ), and Cl/NH₂ displacement. ¹H-NOE difference spectroscopy in combination with force-field calculations on the sugar-modified tubercidin derivatives 1b , 2 , and 3 revealed a transition of the sugar puckering from the ^3′T_2′ conformation for 1b via a planar furanose ring for 3 to the usual ^2′T_3′ conformation for 2.     

1,4-Diazobicyclo[2.2.2]octane-catalyzed coupling of aldehydes and activated double bonds. Part 3. A short ans practical synthesis of mikanecic acid (4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid)

The title dicarboxylic acid 1d has been prepared in 24% overall yield via, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)-catalyzed coupling of ethanal and tert-butyl propenoate ( 3 ) to 4 , S_N2′-reaction to tert-butyl (Z)-2-romomethyl-2-butenoate ( 5a ), dehydrobrominatin to tert-butyl 2-methylidene-3-butenoate ( 2c ), dimerizatoin to di-tert-butyl 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene-1,4-dicarboxylate ( 1c ) and acidic ester cleavage. Acidic cleavage of easily obtainable 5a affords (Z)-2-bromomethyl-2-butenoic acid ( 5a ) in 68% yield with respect to ethanal.     

2,2′-Bifurylidene-5,5′-diones,Coumarins, 3a, 7a-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones,and 5H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-ones from propyne and carbon monoxide

The [Co₂ (CO)₈]-catalyzed reaction between propyne and CO in acetone at 110° and 170 bar was re-investigated. There are five major products: (E)-3,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bifurylidene-5,5′-dione ( 4 ), 3,5,8-trimethylcoumarin ( 8 ), 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,7,7a-tetramethyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 9 ), 2,6-dimethyl-5H-furo [3,2, -b]- pyran-5-one ( 11 ), and 2,7-dimethyl-5H-furo 3,2-b-pyran-5-one ( 12 ); of these, only one, 4 . had previously been recognized. In parallel experiments were obtained 2,6-dipentyl-5 H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-one ( 13 ), 2,7-dipentyl–5H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-one ( 14 ), 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,7,7a-tetrapentyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 15 ). And 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,6,7a-tetrapentyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 16 ) from hept-1-yne, and two further types of products from two atypical 1-alkynes: 3,6,9-tri(tert-butyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,6,8-trien-2-one ( 20 ) from (tert-butyl)acetylene and the exo-dimer 21 of 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-one ( 22 ) from (trimethylsilyl)acetylene. Compounds 11,12 , and 20 were identified by X-ray analysis.     

New Monoterpene-Substituted Dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum

Five New unusual monoterpene-substituted dihydrochalcones, the adunctins A–E (1″S)-1-{2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-6′-[4″-methyl-1″-(1?-methylethyl)cyclohex-3″ -en-1″ -yloxy]phenyl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 1 ), (5aR*,8R*,9aR*)-3-phenyl-1-[5′,8′,9′,9′a-tetrahydro-3′-hydroxy-1′-methoxy-8′-(1″-methylethyl)-5′-a-methyldibenzo-[b,d]furan-4′-yl]propan-1-one ( 2 ), (2′R*,4″S*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]-furan-2′(3′H),1″ -cyclohex-2″ -en]-7′-yl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 3 ), (2′R*,4″R*)-1-{6′-hydroxy-4′-methylethyl-4″-(1?-methylethyl)spiro[benzo[b]furan-2′(3′H),1″-cyclohex-2″-en]-7′-yl}-3-phenypropan-1-one ( 4 ), and (5′aR*,6′S*, 9′R*,9′aS*)-1-[5′a,6′,7′,8′,9′a-hexahydro-3′,6′-methoxy-6′-methyl-9′-(1″-methylethyl)dibenzo[b,d]-furan-4′-yl]-3-phenylpropan-1-one ( 5 ) were isolated from the leaves of Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) by preparative liquid chromatography. In addition, (?)-methyllindaretin ( 6 ), trans-phytol, and α-tocopherol ( = vitamin E) were also isolated and identified. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial and cytotoxic potentials of the isolates were also investigated.     

Synthesis of 2-Substituted and 2,3-Disubstituted Quinazolin-4-ones Containing a Sterically Hindered Phenol Residue

A series of 2-substituted and 2,3-disubstituted quinazolin-4-ones containing a 3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl group has been synthesized. They were prepared by the condensation of carboxylic acid imino ester hydrochlorides containing the indicated fragment with ethyl anthranilate and also by the reaction of azomethines, N-acylhydrazones, or the 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone of 3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde with 2-methyl-4H-2,1-benzoxazin-4-one.     

Regiocontrolled syntheses of some new spiro[polycyclic-1′-isothiochroman]-4′-one derivatives

Indan-1-one (1a), 1-tetralone (1b), fluorenone (1c), and anthrone (1d) reacted with mercaptoacetic acid in toluene in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid to give spiro[indan-1,2′-[1′,3′]oxathialan]-5′-one (2a), spiro[tetrahydro-naphthalene-1,2′-[1,3′]oxathialan]-5′-one (2b), spiro[fluorene9,2′-[1′,3′]-oxathialan]-5′-one (2c), and spiro[anthracene-9(10H)-2′-[1′,3′]-oxathialan]-5′-one (2d), respectively. Compounds 2a–d reacted with arenes in the presence of aluminum chloride to yield spiro[polycyclic-1′-isothiochroman]-4′-one derivatives 3a–t. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed. All the synthesized spiroheterocycle derivatives were identified by conventional methods (IR, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy) and elemental analyses. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Isolation,Structure, and Biological Activities of Long-Chain Catechols of Plectranthus sylvestris (Labiatae)

Antioxidant activity guided fractionation of extracts of the aerial parts of the title plant and HPLC separation yielded a series of oxygenated long-chain alkylcatechols. Their structures were inferred by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations to be the novel 4-[(2S,4R,6S)-4-(acetyloxy)tetrahydro-6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-yl]benzene-1,2diol ( 1a ), 4-[(2S,4R6S)-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-yl]benzene-1,2-diol ( 1b ), 4-[(3S,5S)-5-(acetyloxy)-3-hydroxydecyl]benzene-1,2-diol (2a), 4-[(3S,5S)3-(acetyloxy)-5-hydroxydecyl]benzene-1,2-diol ( 2b ), (3S,13Z)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxydocos-13-en-5-one ( 3a ), (Z)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)docos-13-en-5-one ( 4 ), besides the known l-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)icosan-5-one ( 5 ). The absolute configurations of the optically active compounds which are structurally related to the [n]-gingerols ( 6 ) and -diols ( 7 ) were established by the high-field ¹H-NMR application of Mosher's method. All compounds are in vitro potent antioxidants, inhibiting the Fe²⁺-catalysed autoxidation of linoleic acid in the same order of magnitude as the commercial antioxidant 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenol (BHT). The dose-dependent inhibitory effects on soybean-lipoxygenase are in the μmol range, that of the most effective compound ( 3a ) in the nmol range, hence being significantly more potent than the Known anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid.     

Synthesis of 2-(2′,3′-dihydroxypropyl)-5-amino-2H-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-one and 3-(2′,3′-dihydroxypropyl)-5-amino-3H-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one

The synthesis of two new acyclic nucleoside analogs, 2-(2′,3′-dihydroxypropyl)-5-amino-2H-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-one (1) and 3-(2′,3′-dihydroxypropyl)-5-amino-3H-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one (2), is reported. The first compound, 1, was obtained by reaction of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol with the sodium salt of 5-amino-2H-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-one (3) in anhydrous dimethylformamide. Similarly, 5-amino-3H-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-one (4) reacted with 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol to give 2. The thiadiazole 4 was prepared by condensation-cyclization of hydrazothiodicarbonamide (9).     

Convenient synthesis of 4-trifluoroacetylpyrazoles from aldehyde tert-butylhydrazones

Several 1-(tert-butyl)-4-trifluoroacetylpyrazoles 3 were synthesized by the reaction of aldehyde tert-butylhy-drazones 2 with 4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-buten-2-one ( 1 ). The tert-butyl group could be readily removed by treatment of 3 with 90% sulfuric acid.     

Nucleotides. Part XLV. Synthesis of new (2′–5′)adenylate trimers,containing 5′-amino-5′-deoxyadenosine residues at the 5′-end of the oligoadenylate chain,and of its analogues,carrying a 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]adenine residue at the 2′-terminus

The 5′-amino-5′-deoxy-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine ( 4 ) was obtained in pure form from 2′,3′-O-isopropylideneadenosine ( 1 ), without isolation of intermediates 2 and 3 . The 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl group was used for protection of the NH₂ functions of 4 (→7) . The selective introduction of the palmitoyl (= hexadecanoyl) group into the 5′-N-position of 4 was achieved by its treatment with palmitoyl chloride in MeCN in the presence of Et₃N (→ 5 ). The 3′-O-silyl derivatives 11 and 14 were isolated by column chromatography after treatment of the 2′,3′-O-deprotected compounds 8 and 9 , respectively, with (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl chloride and 1H-imidazole in pyridine. The corresponding phosphoramidites 16 and 17 were synthesized from nucleosides 11 and 14 , respectively, and (cyanoethoxy)bis(diisopropylamino)phosphane in CH₂Cl₂. The trimeric (2′–5′)-linked adenylates 25 and 26 having the 5′-amino-5′-deoxyadenosine and 5′-deoxy-5′-(palmitoylamino)adenosine residue, respectively, at the 5′-end were prepared by the phosphoramidite method. Similarly, the corresponding 5′-amino derivatives 27 and 28 carrying the 9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]adenine residue at the 2′-terminus, were obtained. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by physical means. The synthesized trimers 25–28 were 3-, 15-, 25-, and 34-fold, respectively, more stable towards phosphodiesterase from Crotalus durissus than the trimer (2′–5′)ApApA.     

Design Approach of Lifetime Extending Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Sensitizers for Highly Efficient Fluorescence Devices

In this work, a design approach of three thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters to extend the device lifetime of the TADF sensitized fluorescent devices was studied. Three TADF materials, 5-{4,6-bis[4-(tert-butyl)phenyl]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl}-2-(10,15-diphenyl-10,15-dihydro-5H-diindolo[3,2-a:3′,2′-c]carbazol-5-yl)benzonitrile (tTCNTruX), 4-[3-cyano-4-(10,15-diphenyl-10,15-dihydro-5H-diindolo[3,2-a:3′,2′-c]carbazol-5-yl)phenyl]-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (PCNTruX) and 4-(4-{10,15-bis[4-(tert-butyl)phenyl]-10,15-dihydro-5H-diindolo[3,2-a:3′,2′-c]carbazol-5-yl}-3-cyanophenyl)-2,6-diphenylpyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (PCNtTruX), were synthesized as sensitizers for TADF-sensitized fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes. The two tTCNTruX and PCNtTruX TADF emitters were designed to have Dexter energy transfer with blocking groups either in the donor or acceptor unit of the donor–acceptor-type TADF sensitizer. The TADF materials showed small singlet–triplet energy splitting and a high reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) rate for effective sensitization of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent emitter. tTCNTruX- and PCNtTruX-sensitized fluorescent devices showed maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 17.7 % and 11.5 % in the yellow and red devices, respectively, which were higher than those of TADF-sensitized devices with the corresponding TADF sensitizer without a blocking group. Moreover, the device lifetime was also extended by employing the tTCNTruX and PCNtTruX sensitizers. This work demonstrated that the tTCNTruX and PCNtTruX sensitizers are effective to improve the maximum EQE and device lifetime of TADF-sensitized fluorescent devices.     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxo heterocycles: LXII. Reaction of 3-aroyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones with N,N′-dihydroxycyclohexane-1,2-diamine. Unusual rearrangement in the spiro[quinoxaline-2,2′-pyrrole] system

3-Aroyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones reacted with N,N′-dihydroxycyclohexane-1,2-diamine to give 3-aroyl-1′,4,4′-trihydroxy-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4a′,5′,6′,7′,8′,8a′-hexahydro-1′H-spiro[pyrrole-2,2′-quinoxaline]-3′,5(1H,4′H)-diones which underwent rearrangement into 1′-aroyloxy-4,4′-dihydroxy-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4a′,5′,6′,7′,8′,8a′-hexahydro-1′H-spiro[pyrrolidine-2,2′-quinoxaline]3′,4,5(4′H)-triones via [1,4]-migration of the aroyl group. The product structure was proved by X-ray analysis.     

The first stable examples of compounds containing both diazonium and acyl azide,and synthesis of a new pyrazino[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-4(6H)-one heterocyclic system

The first stable compound containing both N₂⁺BF₄^? and CON₃ functional groups – 8-azidocarbonyl-3-(tert-butyl)-4-oxo-4,6-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine-7-diazonium tetrafluoroborate was synthesized, and its stability and reactivity discussed. The Curtius rearrangement of 7-azido-3-(tert-butyl)-4-oxo-4,6-dihydropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine-8-carbonylazide was investigated, and the synthesis of a novel heterocyclic system –pyrazino[2′,3′:3,4]pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-4(6H)-one is described.     

Synthesis of 4-[(1,3-diaminopyrrolo[3′,4′:4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]-pyrimidin-8-yl)benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid as a potential antifolate

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Roland K. Robins The synthesis of 4-[(1,3-diaminopyrrolo[3′,4′:4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-yl)benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid ( 18 ), a potential antifolate and anticancer agent, has been achieved starting from 1,4-dibromobutan-2-ol with alkyl p-aminobenzoic acids. Condensation of these two agents gave 1-(4-alkoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrolidin-3-ols 7a,b , which were oxidized to the corresponding pyrrolidin-3-one derivatives 8a,b . Compounds 8a,b were converted into 1,3-diamino-8-(4-alkoxycarbonylphenyl)-7,8-dihydro-9H-pyrrolo[3′,4′:4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines 12a,b in 4 steps. Saponification of 12b the benzoate ester and coupling with di-tert-butyl glutamate afforded a mixture of 7,8-dihydro product 16 and its aromatized derivative 17 . Finally hydrolysis of esters 16 or 17 gave only the title compound 18 . The 7,8-dihydro tricyclic derivatives were easily air-oxidized to form their fully aromatized compounds. The title compound 18 was one tenth less active than MTX against HL-60 cells in culture.