Reaction of the fungal sesquiterpene illudin S with excess paraformaldehyde in dilute H2SO4 gives (hydroxymethyl)acylfulvene. The primary allylic hydroxyl thus formed can undergo very facile replacement by a variety of nucleophiles. (Hydroxymethyl)acylfulvene (MGI.114) was more toxic than a precursor, acylfulvene, but less toxic than the parent compound illudin S to HL 60 cells.
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McMorris et al. (1996) studied this question.