beta-Lapachone: synthesis of derivatives and activities in tumor models.

In order to find a 3,4-dihydro-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione more potent than the naturally occurring 2,2-dimethyl derivative [beta-lapachone (10a)], we synthesized a series of analogous compounds with modifications at position 2 of the pyran ring or at positions 8 and 9 of the benzene ring. Of the compounds tested in vitro for inhibition of RNA-dependent DNA polymerase and in mice infected with Rauscher leukemia, all retained good enzyme activity. Inhibition of the reverse transcriptase activity of the 2,2-substituted derivatives 10b-e was as strong as 10a.