Debarshi Pratihar

Tailored α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones and their effects on growth suppression in pancreatic carcinoma cells.

A selected series of racemic α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones (AMGBL) were synthesized via allylboration and screened against three human pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1, MIA PaCa-2, and BxPC-3). This systematic study established a discernible relationship between the substitution pattern of AMGBL and their anti-proliferative activity. β,γ-diaryl-AMGBLs, particularly those with a trans-relationship exhibited higher potency than parthenolide and LC-1 against all three cell lines.

Stereoselective synthesis of the C7C21 segment of epothilone A via asymmetric alkoxyallyl- and crotylboration ☆

The synthesis of the C7C21 fragment of epothilone A involving asymmetric alkoxyallyl- and crotylboration using α-pinene-derived reagents is described.

Asymmetric aldol reaction with diisopinocampheyl enolborinates of propionates.

A convenient and general, reagent-controlled, diastereo- and enantioselective aldol reaction of diisopinocampheylboron enolates of esters, followed by reduction, has been developed as an alternative to crotylboration-ozonolysis. This protocol was then exploited for the double diastereoselective synthesis of the C11-C17 subunit of (-)-dictyostatin.