Abstract: 4-substituted anthracyclinones of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group of up to 16 carbon atoms optionally substituted by (a) an aryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an inert group such as an alkyl, alkoxy or nitro group; (b) an alkoxy group; (c) a trialkylsilyl group, (d) an ester group or (e) an amido group, are intermediates in the preparation of antitumor anthracycline glycosides of formula (IX): ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above and R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Substituted benzofuran derivatives of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or halogen and the other is, independently, an amino group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkanoyl amino group; R.sub.3 is hydrogen; a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl group; halogen; or phenyl unsubstituted or substituted by a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; A is a group --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -Het wherein Het is an optionally substituted heteromonocyclic or heterobicyclic ring containing one or two nitrogen atoms, and n is zero or an integer of 1 to 3; and the symbol ..... represents a single or double bond; may be prepared by a process comprising reacting a compound of formula II: ##STR2## in which L is a leaving group and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a carboxy protecting group, with a compound of formula III;R'.sub.3 --C.dbd.C--R'.sub.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R' is hydrogen or methyl, m is zero or 1 and the symbol means that the azabicyclic rings may be in the .alpha. or the .beta. orientation, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful in treating CNS disorders, gut motility disorders, and/or emesis and/or pain in mammals, and/or migraine.

Abstract: 4-substituted anthracyclinones of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a straight or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, are intermediates in the preparation of antitumor anthracycline glycosides of formula (IX): ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above and R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy group, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: 4-substituted anthracyclinones of general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a COOR.sub.1 group in which R.sub.1 may be a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, which are intermediates in the preparation of antitumor anthracycline glycosides, are prepared by:(i)(a) reacting a 4-demethyl-4-sulfonyl-7-deoxy-13-dioxolanyl daunomycinone of formula (V): ##STR2## wherein R' represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms or an aryl group optionally substituted by halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or nitro, in a reducing environment with a catalytic amount of a compound of formula (VIII):ML.sub.n L'.sub.

Abstract: Phenols are oxidated to quinones with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalytic amounts of bromine, iodine, hydrogen bromide and hydrogen iodide.

Abstract: 4-Demethoxy-daunomycinone I: ##STR1## the known aglycone of 4-demethoxy-daunorubicin, is prepared by protecting the 13-keto group of 4-demethyldaunomycinone, sulfonylating the 4-hydroxy group, reacting the sulfonylated compound, in an appropriate reducing environment, with a catalytic amount of a transition metal complex, preferably palladium or nickel with 1,3 diphenylphosphinopropane or 1,1'-bis (diphenylphosphino) ferrocene, and eliminating the 13-dioxolanyl group by treatment with trifluoroacetic acid.

Abstract: 4-Demethoxy-daunomycinone I: ##STR1## the known aglycone of 4-demethoxy-daunorubicin, is prepared by protecting the 13-keto group of 4-demethyl-daunomycinone, sulfonylating the 4-hydroxy group, reacting the sulfonylated compound with an amine, removing the amino protecting group from the resultant 4-demethyl-4-(protected amino)-13-dioxolanyl-daunomycinone, diazotizing the thus-freed 4-amino group and reducing under mild conditions the resulting diazonium compound.