Advances in the Synthesis of Aryltetralin Lignan Lactones

Etoposide and tenoposide, derivatives of the aryltetralin lignan lactone podophyllotoxin ( 5 ), are clinically important anticancer agents. The structure of podophyllotoxin includes four contiguous chiral centres contained within a stereochemically unstable trans ‐fused tetrahydronaphthalene lactone skeleton. Reflecting this challenging structure and important biological role there has been long‐standing interest in developing efficient stereocontrolled syntheses of this class of natural product. This microreview summarises the key developments towards this end focussing on more recent developments both from within the authors group and elsewhere.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)