Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Some Enantiomerically Pure C8c–C15 Monoseco Analogues of the Phenanthroquinolizidine-Type Alkaloids Cryptopleurine and Julandine*

A series of enantiomerically pure C8c–C15 monoseco analogues, 23–30, of the alkaloids cryptopleurine (1) and julandine (2) have been prepared using cinnamyl chloride 37 and (S)- or (R)-2-methylpiperidine as key building blocks. Two related compounds, 31 and 32, have also been synthesized. Each of these analogues has been subjected to various biological evaluations and most of them show dramatically reduced cytotoxicity compared with parent system 1. Nevertheless, they are potent anti-angiogenic agents. The formation and single-crystal X-ray analysis of the spirocyclic dienone 54, a by-product arising from attempts to prepare analogue 32, is also described.