Alkylating properties of synthetic trioxanes related to artemisinin

The synthesis and reactivity toward a haem model of trioxane derivatives bearing a 1,2-dioxacyclohexane cycle instead of a 1,2-dioxacycloheptane as in artemisinin, and lacking the lactone ring, are reported. The fact that a trioxane able to generate a C-centred radical (without alkylating ability toward a haem model) was devoid of toxicity against Plasmodium also suggests that the efficiency of antimalarial trioxanes is not due to an oxidant stress.