The C-9 and C-7 monoesters and C-7, C-9 diesters of heliotridine with (S)-(+) and (R)-(-)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylbutyric acid were prepared, converted into their N-oxides, and compared with the corresponding C-9 monoesters of retronecine in the in vivo P388 lymphocytic leukemia screen. Relative in vitro
(-)- and (+)-trachelanthic and (-)- and (+)-viridifloric acids were synthesized and their isopropylidene derivatives were regiospecifically coupled, at C-9, with (-)-retronecine obtained by hydrolysis of monocrotaline, isolated from Crotalaria spectabilis. Hydrolysis, followed by oxidation, led to