Syntheses of “unstable” diol epoxide metabolites of the potent carcinogens 7- and 12-methylbenz[a]anthracene

Stereospecific syntheses of the anti- and syn-diol epoxides of 7- and 12-methylbenz[a]anthracene, suspected as active metabolites of the parent PAHs but previously thought to be too chemically reactive and unstable to isolate, are described and the pure compounds are shown to be moderately stable.