Concise and versatile synthesis of sulfoquinovosyl acyl glycerol derivatives for biological applications

Sulfoquinovosyl acylpropanediol (SQAP), a chemically modified analogue of sulfoquinovosyl acylglycerol (SQAG) that occurs in sea algae, has been reported to show a variety of biological activities, including accumulation in tumor cells and the inhibition of tumor cell growth. We report herein on a new concise and versatile synthesis of SQAP itself and derivatives bearing iodoaryl groups and boronclusters. This method should be useful for the design and synthesis of SQAG/SQAP derivatives for diagnosis and the treatment of cancer and related diseases.