Compounds of the saframycin-ecteinascidin series, uses, and synthesis thereof

A compound having the formula:

• wherein R1 and R4 is H, a C1 to C4 alkyl group, CH2(C6H5), or C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl);
• wherein R2 is H, OH, O(C1-C4 alkyl), O-benzyl, OC(O)H, OC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), or OSi(CH3)2(t-butyl);
• wherein R5 is H, halogen, OH, or OCH3;
• wherein R6 is ═O, OH, OCH3, or CN;
• wherein R7 is ═O, OH, or halogen;
• wherein R8 and R9 are joined together as a methylenedioxy group;
• wherein R10 and R11 are independently CH3, OCH3, OC2H5, SCH3, or SC2H5;
• wherein R12 is H, a C1 to C4 alkyl group, or C(O) (C1-C4 alkyl).

A compound having the formula:

• wherein R1 and R4 is H, a C1 to C4 alkyl group, CH2(C6H5), or C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl);
• wherein R2 is OH, O(C1-C4 alkyl), benzyl, OC(O)H, OC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), or OSi(CH3)2(t-butyl);
• wherein R3 is ═O, OH, H, O(C1-C4 alkyl), OC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), or OC(O)benzyl;
• wherein R5 is H, halogen, OH, or OCH3;
• wherein R6 is ═O, OH, or OCH3;
• wherein R7 is H, ═O, OH, or halogen;
• wherein R8 and R9 are joined together as a methylenedioxy group;
• wherein R10 and R11 are independently CH3, OCH3, OC2H5, SCH3, or SC2H5;
• wherein R13 is H, a C1 to C4 alkyl group, or C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl);
• and
• wherein the chiral center marked * has the R or the S configuration.