Utilizing appropriate dibenzylbutanolides, for example 7, obtained via an efficient synthetic route from readily available aldehydes, and cell-free extracts obtained from Catharanthusroseus cell cultures, it was possible to achieve enzyme-catalyzed oxidative coupling of 7 to picropodophyllotoxin analogues. Studies are presently underway to convert such compounds to intermediates employed in the synthesis of the commercially important anti-cancer drug, etoposide.
利用适当的二苯基丁醇酮,例如从易得的醛类物质经过高效合成途径得到的7,以及从长春花细胞培养提取得到的无细胞提取物,可以实现酶催化的氧化偶联将7与黄连木酚类似物结合。目前正在进行研究,将这种化合物转化为合成商业重要的抗癌药物依托泊苷中使用的中间体。