Synthesis of Novel Functionalized 4-Aza-2,3-Didehydropodophyllotoxin Derivatives with Potential Antitumor Activity.

Novel arylamino alcohols were synthesized and these alcohols were used to prepare 12 novel N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2,3-didehydroazapodophyllotoxins, in one step, by simple reflux in ethanol. Isolated yields in the range of 50-70% were obtained.