Antiviral agents. I. Synthesis and antiviral evaluation of trimeric naphthoquinone analogues of conocurvone

Conocurvone, a novel natural product isolated from the endemic Australian shrub Conosperum sp. (Proteaceae), exhibits anti-HIV activity but is a highly lipophilic compound, which suggests that there may be problems with its aqueous solubility and bioavailability. A general and convenient synthesis of trimeric naphthoquinones using the condensation of 2-hydroxynaphthoquinones and 2,3-dihaloquinones is described. The application of this method to the synthesis of a series of simpler and less lipophilic trimeric naphthoquinone simple analogues of conocurvone is also reported together with their anti-HIV activity.