Secalonic acids are members of the ergochrome group of secondary metabolites typically isolated from fungi and lichens. Secalonic acid D, a common contaminant produced in grains, was initially investigated for its potential teratogenic effects which result in cleft palate formation. More recently, it has been shown that secalonic acids have significant anticancer activities in various cell lines and with different proposed mechanistic pathways. Our group has been interested in this class of natural products and have developed the first asymmetric synthesis of secalonic acids A and D. Given the known anticancer activities of these compounds, we have initiated a medicinal chemistry campaign which includes the optimization of a gram scale synthesis of secalonic acids A and D along with production of derivatives for SAR analysis and translational studies.

Large scale synthesis of secalonic acids A and D for translational studies

256th National Meeting (2018)

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