Suzuki cross-coupling approaches to the synthesis of bioactive 3-substituted and 5-substituted-4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-pyrones

Suzuki cross-coupling has been used to access a wide range of 3- and 5-substituted 2-pyrones, which show remarkable inhibitory activity against bacteria, yeasts and fungi. 3-Octenyl and 5-octenyl 2-pyrones inhibit human ovarium carcinoma (A2780) and human chronic myelogenous leukaemia (K562) cell lines at the micromolar level. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.