One step preparation of 6-demethyl-6-formylmitomycin C and cytotoxicity activity of its derivatives.

Sir: Mitomycin C is a clinically useful antineoplastic antibiotic compound1)2),but its use is limited by side effects, such as severe bone marrowsuppression or gastrointestinal damage. In the hope of obtaining compounds with improved therapeutic properties, a number of derivatives have been prepared. Preparation of new mitomycin analogues have involved substituents on the aziridine ring3'40, and carbamoyloxymethyl side chain5), and replace1815