Reactivity of Vinca alkaloids in superacid: An access to vinflunine, a novel anticancer agent

This is a summary of a lecture presented at the 100th Anniversary, Moissan Symposium in Paris on Friday 10th November 2006. SbF5, Vinca alkaloids react selectively at the D’ring of the molecule. In the presence of CHCl3 (or CCl4), vinorelbine yields 20′,20′-difluoro-3′,4′-dihydrovinorelbine (vinflunine), presently in phase III experimentation for treatment of bladder cancer and non small cell lung cancer.