Metabolic products of Aspergillus terreus. V. Demethylation of asterriquinones.

Abstract

Demethylation of asterriquinones (AQ, bisindolyl-dimethoxyl benzoquinones) was investigated in connection with the determination of their structures and studies of their antitumor activity. Usually, the demethylation proceeded smoothly with KOH, but several types of side reactions were observed with acidic reagents.