Synthetic transformations of sesquiterpene lactones. V.* Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 13-aryl-substituted tourneforin derivatives

13-Aryl-substituted tourneforin derivatives were synthesized via the Heck reaction with aryliodides. The structure of (E)-13-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-eudesma-4(5),11(13)-dien-6α,12-olide was confirmed by an XSA. A study of the cytotoxicity of the synthesized derivatives for CEM-13, MT-4, and U-937 tumor models showed promise for the modification.