Synthesis of a New Class of Furan-Fused Tetracyclic Compounds Using <i>o</i>-Quinodimethane Chemistry and Investigation of Their Antiviral Activity

The synthesis and evaluation of antiviral activity of new furan-fused tetracyclic compounds are described. The syntheses were satisfactorily achieved on the basis of o-quinodimethane chemistry, using furan-containing benzocyclobutene derivatives as a substrate, in high generality and stereoselectivity. The various derivatives thus synthesized were examined on their inhibitory activity on virus growth using a hemagglutinin (HA) method, leading to a discovery of promising candidates for new antiviral drugs having high activity and good therapeutic index.