Synthesis and cytotoxicity of new 4-AZA-2,3-didehydropodophyllotoxins

In this paper, we report the synthesis of five new 4-aza-2,3-didehydropodophyllotoxins by a straightforward multicomponent reaction in the hope of finding new structures with interesting anticancer activity. The novelty in our work is the preparation of quinoline structural compounds of podophyllotoxin derivatives, in two simple steps, having functional groups which are available for further modifications.