Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of tetracenomycin D and of saintopin analogues.

Regiospecific synthesis of title compounds is based either on cycloaddition of ketene acetals derived from Hagemann's ester or of homophthalic anhydrides. Thus, tetracenomycin D and 3,8-di-O-methyl saintopin have been prepared in few steps. New derivatives of 10-deoxysaintopin have been also obtained.