Asymmetric Synthesis of the Nakijiquinones—Selective Inhibitors of the Her-2/Neu Protooncogene

A Wieland–Miescher type ketone and a tetramethoxyaryl derivative are the key building blocks for the enantioselective total synthesis of nakijiquinone C (1). The nakijiquinones are the only natural products known that selectively inhibit the Her-2/Neu tyrosine kinase, a protooncogene product that is vastly overexpressed in about 30 % of primary breast, ovary, and gastric carcinomas.