Chapter 2 - Cycloaddition reactions for anticancer compounds

Abstract

Cycloaddition reactions are applied to the synthesis of anticancer compounds. The chapter reports on the use of classical Diels–Alder and their hetero version for the design and synthesis of compounds that were tested for their antiproliferative activities as well as apoptosis. Furthermore, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of selected 1,3-dipoles, such as azides, nitrones, nitrile oxides, nitrile imines, and azomethine ylides, are reviewed in light of their application in the preparation of key intermediates for anticancer synthesis. A few examples of [2+2] cycloaddition reactions are also presented. The products obtained from these pericyclic reaction approaches were all tested for their anticancer activities and the relevant biological data are highlighted.