Analogues of cytotoxic squamocin using reliable reactions: new insights into the reactivity and role of the α,β-unsaturated lactone of the annonaceous acetogenins

Abstract A small library of squamocin analogues has been prepared and screened biologically (cytotoxicity, inhibition of mitochondrial complex I and complex III). To centre diversity on a crucial part of the molecule (i.e., the α,β-unsaturated lactone), an original and reliable lactone opening reaction has been discovered and exploited among other efficient reactions.