Synthesis of Pironetin-Dumetorine Hybrids as Tubulin Binders

The synthesis of the eight stereoisomers of 6-[2-methoxy-3-(piperidinyl)propyl]-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one is reported. The configuration at C2′ and C6 is induced by a sterecontrolled allylation reaction with DIP-Cl. The general structure is the result of merging the structures of two natural products (pironetin and dumetorine) with the aim of discovering a new scaffold for tubulin binders. Docking studies and biological evaluations confirm the validity of the approach.