Reaction of pyrylium salts with nucleophiles. 23: triarylethene derivatives containing an oxyalkyleneamino or oxyalkylene-N-pyridinium side chain.

A synthetic design was devised for preparing primary amines related to anticancer drugs clomiphene and tamoxifen on the basis of key intermediates with a phenolic group, to which a side chain (omega-aminoethoxy or omega-aminopropoxy) was attached. These compounds were then reacted with 2,4,6-trimethyl- or 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium salts. This afforded pyridinium analogues of clomiphene and tamoxifen as potential therapeutic agents for treatment against hormone-dependent tumors.