Povarov reactions of exo-glycals: preparation of C-linked, quinoline analogues

A one-pot approach based upon the Povarov reaction has been efficiently employed with a number of exo-glycals and para-substituted benzanilines to synthesize novel open-ring, carbohydrate-derived quinolines. The mechanism of this reaction was studied and an explanation for the observed stereoselectivity is proposed. Treatment of the compounds with the Lewis acid, boron trichloride, successfully removes the benzyl ether protecting groups in good yields. Several of the prepared compounds have been screened in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) 60 cell line model. Moderate activity was observed for several leukemia cell lines.