The reaction between mitomycin A (1) and cysteamine afforded 7-N,7'-N'-bis(2-thioethyl)dimitomycin C (7), 7-N-[2-[(2-aminoethyl)dithio]ethyl]mitomycin C (8), and 7-methoxy mitosenes (10, 11). The structures of 7 and 8 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopy and reactions between 1 and 8, and 1 and cystamine. The observation of the time course for the reaction revealed the mechanism of the formation
7-dihydro-7,7-(ethylenedioxy)mitomycins was synthesized and evaluated for antitumor and anticellular activities. These compounds were prepared by basic treatment of 7-methoxymitomycins with ethylene glycol, and were structurally novel mitomycin derivatives containing a masked quinone moiety. 5,6-Enol or 6-chloro derivatives of 6,7-dihydro-7,7-(ethylenedioxy)mitomycins were also prepared and the (allyloxy)carbonyl