Synthesis of Sesquiterpene Derivitives as Potential Antitumor Agents; Elemance Derivatives

Derivatives of elema-1,3-diene were synthesized in several steps as polar analogs of $\beta$-elemene, antitumor agent under clinical phase. The lactone ring of compound 1 was opened by LiAlH4 to give diol 2 which was selectively protected by TBDPSCI. After acetylation of the secondary alcohol, the acetylated product was ozonolyzed and reduced to give elemene derivative 4 which was converted to diolefin 8 via selenides subsequent deprotection by tetrabutylammonium fluoride gave two compounds 9, 10.