The first total synthesis of heteromine B, and an improved synthesis of heteromine A; natural products with antitumor activities

Efficient total syntheses of heteromines A and B (antitumor compounds previously isolated from the plant Heterostemma brownii Hayata) from commercially available 2-amino-6-chloropurine have been developed. The synthesis of heteromine A is considerably shorter than the previously reported synthesis, only requiring four steps, whereas the iodide salt of heteromine B was prepared in five steps. Heteromines A and B showed no significant antibacterial activity and therefore appear to be selective toward cancer cell lines.