7,8,15,16-tetraoxa-dispiro[5.2.5.2]hexadecane-3-carboxylic acid derivatives and their antimalarial activity

Several C2 symmetrical mixed tetraoxanes were prepared starting from a gemdihydroperoxide and a ketone. The obtained tetraoxanes showed pronounced antimalarial activity against P. falciparum chloroquine resistant W2 and chloroquine susceptible D6 strains, with N-(2-dimethylamino)ethyl-7,8,15,16-tetraoxa-dispiro[5.2.5.2] hexadecane-3-carboxamide being as active as artemisinin.