Synthesis of Heterocyclic Analogues of Tamoxifen as Potential Antiestrogens

Abstract

The synthesis of (E/Z)-1-aryl-2-phenyl-1-(2-thienyI/selenophen-2-yl)but-1-enes, derived from 2- phenyl-1-(2-thienyl/ selenophen-2-y1)butan-1-ones, is described; the key steps in the synthesis involve the reaction of the butan-1-ones with 4-(2-morpholinoethoxy)phenyl bromide, followed by dehydration of the resulting carbinols to give the target compounds which are separated by fractional recrystallisation.