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Enantioselective Synthesis of (+)-Cephalostatin 1

Fortner, K. C.; Kato, D.; Tanaka, Y.; Shair, M. D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 275-280.

Molecules 44 and 45, shown below, are involved in the synthesis of cephalostain 1.  This may then be able to stereoselectively attack cancer cells in the human body.  Since the authors of this article, from the Journal of the American Chemical Society, were able to successfully complete this synthesis, they are now able to further investigate cephalostain 1’s use as an anti-cancer drug.

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More Amazing Chemistry

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                      44                                                                                         45