Synthesis and antimalarial activity of new 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes and novel alkoxy-substituted 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes derived from primary gem-dihydroperoxides

A convenient synthesis of new unsymmetrically substituted 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes and novel unsymmetrical alkoxy-substituted 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes starting from primary dihydroperoxides was developed. The structure of some tetroxanes was unambiguously assigned by X-ray crystal analysis giving interesting insights in the configuration and conformation of disubstituted 1,2,4,5-tetroxanes. Some of these tetroxanes showed notable antimalarial activity in vitro.