Antileukemic quassinoid from the simaroubaceous tree Brucea antidysenterica J. F. Mill. Isoln and structure: S. M. Kupchan, DE 2347576; S. M. Kupchan, R. W. Britton, US 3969369 (1975, 1976 both to Research Corp.); S. M. Kupchan et al., J. Org. Chem. 40, 648 (1975). Mode of action: L. L. Liao et al., Mol. Pharmacol. 12, 167 (1976). In vivo study: R. K. Johnson et al., Cancer Treat. Rep. 62, 1535 (1978). Pharmacology: S. M. Sieber et al., ibid. 60, 1127 (1976); M. Fresno et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 518, 104 (1978). Clinical study: A. Y. Bedikian et al., Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 20, 193 (1979). Toxicologic evaluation: T. R. Castles et al., U.S. NTIS Report PB-257175 (1976) 348 pp. Synthetic studies: O. D. Dailey, P. L. Fuchs, J. Org. Chem. 45, 216 (1980); R. J. Pariza, P. L. Fuchs, ibid. 48, 2306 (1983). Total synthesis: M. Sasaki et al., ibid. 55, 528 (1990).