Synthesis of Thiophene/Furan-Artemisinin Hybrid Molecules

Natural products with semi-synthetic molecules displays higher biological activities, and creates new biological properties for the treatment of diseases. Although, natural products like artemisinin have been used as a traditional medicine over thousands of years, structure and biological properties of many natural products were investigated in the 20th century. Design and synthesis of new biologically active compounds including natural products have very critical roles to find novel drug candidates. Herein, novel thiophene/furan bridge artemisinin derivatives were synthesized by starting from artemisinin. Firstly, benzothiophene derivatives are synthesized, then Steglich esterification reactions give the new artemisinin hybrid molecules with moderate to high yields.