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In recognition of the need to develop novel therapeutic agents and efficient methods for the synthesis thereof, the present invention provides novel compounds of general formula (I), and methods for the synthesis thereof. In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositio

In recognition of the need to develop novel therapeutic agents and efficient methods for the synthesis thereof, the present invention provides novel compounds of general formula (I), and methods for the synthesis thereof. In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject in need thereof.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A compound having the structure (I): wherein: m is 0, 2, 3, 4, or 5; R1 is--ORA or--SRA, wherein R A is hydrogen,--(C═O)RC,--(SO2)RC, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RC is independently hydrogen,--ORD,--SRD,--N

What is claimed is: 1. A compound having the structure (I): wherein: m is 0, 2, 3, 4, or 5; R1 is--ORA or--SRA, wherein R A is hydrogen,--(C═O)RC,--(SO2)RC, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RC is independently hydrogen,--ORD,--SRD,--NHRD,--(C═O)RD, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RD is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein R2 is hydrogen,--ORE, ═O,--C(═O)RE,--CO2RE,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRE,--SORE,--SO2RE,--NO2,--N(RE)2,--NHC(O)RE, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RE is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein R3 is hydrogen,--COORF,--COR F,--CN, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RF is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties in R 1, R2 and R3 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF 3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O) Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2Rx,--OCON(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic and heteroaliphatic moiety is unsubstituted; and each of the foregoing aryl, heteroaryl, or cycloheteroaliphatic moieties in R1, R2 and R3 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH 2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2 (Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO 2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio moiety is unsubstituted; wherein R4 and R6 are each independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moieties in R4 and R6 are unsubstituted; wherein R5 and R7 are each independently hydrogen,--ORG,--C(═O)RG,--CO2R G,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRG,--SORG,--SO 2RG,--NO2,--N(RG)2,--NHC(O) RG, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RG is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where the each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moiety in R5 and R6 is unsubstituted; wherein R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; wherein X1, X2, X3 and X4 are each independently hydrogen,--ORH, ═O,--C(═O) RH,--CO2RH,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SR H,--SORH,--SO2RH,--NO2,--N(RH)2,--NHC(O)RH, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RH is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moiety in X1, X1, X 3 and X4 is unsubstituted; whereby if at least either X1 and X2 or X3 and X4 are doubly bonded to the 6-membered ring, then the dotted bonds in either or both of the 6-membered rings represent two single bonds and one double bond, and a quinone moiety is generated, or if at least either X1 and X2 or X3 and X 4 are singly bonded to the 6-membered ring, then the dotted bonds in either or both of the 6-membered rings represent two double bonds and one single bond, and a hydroquinone moiety is generated; wherein: each of foregoing acyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, thioalkyl, or alkylamino contains unsubstituted cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing cycloheteroaliphatic moiety is a cyclic heteroaliphatic; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R1 is--OR A. 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein R1 is--SR A. 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 0. 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. 6. The compound of claim 4, wherein: R2 is--CN,--SCN, ═O,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen,--CN,--CH2CN, aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each unsubstituted alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; and X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently alkoxy,--OH, or ═O. 7. The compound of claim 5 wherein: R2 is--CN,--SCN, ═O,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen,--CN,--CH2CN, aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each unsubstituted alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; and X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently alkoxy,--OH, or ═O. 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the stereochemistry and structure: 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein R1 is--OR A. 10. The compound of claim 8, wherein R1 is--SR A. 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure: 12. The compound of claim 11, wherein R1 is--OR A. 13. The compound of claim 11, wherein R1 is--SR A. 14. The compound of claim 11, wherein m is 0. 15. The compound of claim 11, wherein m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. 16. The compound of claim 14, wherein: RA is hydrogen, unsubstituted lower alkyl, or--CORC where RC is (heteroaliphatic)aryl, substitued heteroaryl, substituted (aliphatic)heteroaryl, or substituted (heteroaliphatic)heteroaryl moiety; R2 is--CN,--SCN, ═O,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen,--CN,--CH2CN, aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each unsubstituted alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; and X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently alkoxy, or--OH. 17. The compound of claim 16, wherein: RC is: wherein each occurrence of RJ is independently--ORK,--C(═O)RK,--CO2RK,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRK,--SORK,--SO2RK,--NO2,--N(RK)2,--NHC(O)RK,--B(ORK)2, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RK is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein two occurrences of RK, taken together form a cyclic aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of Y is independently O, S or NH; wherein each occurrence of x is independently 1-5; and wherein each occurrence of n is independently 0-3 wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic is unsubstituted and each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH 2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2 (Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO 2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; and wherein: each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon. 18. The compound of claim 15, wherein: RA is hydrogen, unsubstituted lower alkyl, or--CORC where RC is (heteroaliphatic)aryl, substitued heteroaryl, substituted (aliphatic)heteroaryl, or substituted (heteroaliphatic)heteroaryl moiety; R2 is--CN,--SCN, ═O,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen,--CN,--CH2CN, aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each unsubstituted alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; and X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently alkoxy or--OH. 19. The compound of claim 18, wherein: RC is: wherein each occurrence of Rx is independently--ORK,--C(═O)RK,--CO2RK,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRK,--SORK,--SO2RK,--NO2,--N(RK)2,--NHC(O)RK,--B(ORK)2, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RK is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein two occurrences of RK, taken together form a cyclic aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of Y is independently O, S or NH; wherein each occurrence of x is independently 1-5; and wherein each occurrence of n is independently 0-3 wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic is unsubstituted and each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH 2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2 (Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO 2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx (CO)Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; and wherein: each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon. 20. A compound having the structure: wherein: m is 1; wherein R1 is--ORA or--SRA, wherein RA is hydrogen,--(C═O)RC,--(SO2) RC, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RC is independently hydrogen,--ORD,--SRD,--NHRD,--(C═0)R D, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RD is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein R2 is hydrogen,--ORE, ═O,--C(═O)RE,--CO2RE,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRE,--SORE,--SO2RE,--NO2,--N(RE)2,--NHC(O)RE, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RE is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein R3 is hydrogen,--COORF,--COR F,--CN, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RF is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties in R A, R2 and R3 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF 3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O) Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2Rx,--OCON(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic and heteroaliphatic moiety is unsubstituted; and each of the foregoing aryl, heteroaryl, or cycloheteroaliphatic moieties in RA, R2 and R3 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substitutents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl 2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2 NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)R x,--OCO2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx)2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx (CO) Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moiety is unsubstituted; and wherein R4 and R6 are each independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moieties in R4 and R6 are unsubstituted; wherein R5 and R7 are each independently hydrogen,--ORG,--C(═O)RG,--CO2R G,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRG,--SORG,--SO 2RG,--NO2,--N(RG)2,--NHC(O) RG, or an unsubstituted aliphatic, unsubstituted heteroaliphatic, unsubstituted aryl or unsubstituted heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RG is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moieties in R5 and R7 is unsubstituted; wherein R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; wherein X1, X2, X3 and X4 are each independently hydrogen,--ORH, ═O,--C(═O) RH,--CO2RH,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SR H,--SORH,--SO2RH,--NO2,--N(RH)2,--NHC(O)RH, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RH is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moiety in X1, X2, X 3 and X4 is unsubstituted; whereby if at least either X1 and X2 or X3 and X4 are doubly bonded to the 6-membered ring, then the dotted bonds in either or both of the 6-membered rings represent two single bonds and one double bond, and a quinone moiety is generated, or if at least either X1 and X2 or X3 and X 4 are singly bonded to the 6-membered ring, then the dotted bonds in either or both of the 6-membered rings represent two double bonds and one single bond, and a hydroquinone moiety is generated; wherein: each of foregoing acyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, thioalkyl, or alkylamino contains unsubstituted cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing cycloheteroaliphatic moiety is a cyclic heteroaliphatic; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof provided that: (i) it is not renieramycin A, B, C, D, E, or F; (ii) R1 is not--O(C═O)C(CH3)═ C(CH3)H;--OH;--(SO2)CH3;--O(C═O)CH 3,--O(C═O)CH2CH3; or--O(C═O)--O(i-C 3H7); and (iii) X1 and R7 are not joined together as a methylene-dioxy group. 21. The compound of claim 20, wherein R1 is--OR A. 22. The compound of claim 20, wherein R1 is--SR A. 23. The compound of claim 20, wherein the aliphatic and heteroaliphatic moieties in R1, R2, and R3 are unsubstituted. 24. The compound of claim 23, wherein: R2 is--CN,--SCN, ═O,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen,--CN,--CH2CN, unsubstituted aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; and X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently alkoxy,--OH, or ═O. 25. The compound of claim 20, wherein the compound has the stereochemistry and structure: 26. The compound of claim 25, wherein R1 is--OR A. 27. The compound of claim 25, wherein R1 is--SR A. 28. A compound having the structure: wherein: m is 1; wherein R1 is--ORA or--SRA, wherein RA is hydrogen,--(C═O)RC,--(SO2) RC, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RC is independently hydrogen,--ORD,--SRD,--NHRD,--(C═O)RD, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RD is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein R2 is hydrogen,--ORE, ═O,--C(═O)RE,--CO2RE,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRE,--SORE,--SO2RE,--NO2,--N(RE)2,--NHC(O)RE, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RE is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein R3 is hydrogen,--COORF,--COR F,--CN, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RF is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety; wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties in R A, R2 and R3 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF 3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O) Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2Rx,--OCON(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic and heteroaliphatic moiety is unsubstituted; and each of the foregoing aryl, heteroaryl, or cycloheteroaliphatic moieties in RA, R2 and R3 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substitutents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl 2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2 NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)R x,--OCO2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx)2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx(CO) Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moiety is unsubstituted; and wherein R4 and R6 are each independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moieties in R4 and R6 are unsubstituted; wherein R5 and R7 are each independently hydrogen,--ORG,--C(═O)RG,--CO2R G,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRG,--SORG,--SO 2RG,--NO2,--N(RG)2,--NHC(O) RG, or an unsubstituted aliphatic, unsubstituted heteroaliphatic, unsubstituted aryl or unsubstituted heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RG is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroarylthio moieties in R5 and R7 is unsubstituted; wherein R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylainino; wherein X1, X2, X3 and X4 are each independently hydrogen,--ORH, ═O,--C(═O) RH,--CO2RH,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SR H,--SORH,--SO2RH,--NO2,--N(RH)2,--NHC(O)RH, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RH is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, heteroaryloxy and heteroaryithia moiety in X1, X2, X 3 and X4 is unsubstituted; whereby if at least either X1 and X2 or X3 and X4 are doubly bonded to the 6-membered ring, then the dotted bonds in either or both of the 6-membered rings represent two single bonds and one double bond, and a quinone moiety is generated, or if at least either X1 and X2 or X3 and X 4 are singly bonded to the 6-membered ring, then the dotted bonds in either or both of the 6-membered rings represent two double bonds and one single bond, and a hydroquinone moiety is generated; wherein: each of foregoing acyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, thioalkyl, or alkylamino contains unsubstituted cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing cycloheteroaliphatic moiety is a cyclic heteroaliphatic; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof provided that: (i) it is not renieramycin A, B, C, D, E, or F; (ii) all of X1, X2, X3, and X4 are not ═O; (iii) all of X1, X2, X3, and X 4 are not--OMe; and (iv) X1 and R7 are not joined together as a methylene-dioxy group. 29. The compound claim 28, wherein R1 is--OR A. 30. The compound of claim 28, wherein R1, is--SR A. 31. The compound of claim 28, wherein the aliphatic and heteroaliphatic moieties in R1, R2, and R3 are unsubstituted. 32. The compound of claim 28, wherein: R2 is--CN,--SCN, ═O,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen,--CN,--CH2CN, unsubstituted aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; and X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently alkoxy,--OH, or ═O. 33. The compound of claim 28, wherein the compound has the stereochemistry and structure: 34. The compound of claim 33, wherein R1 is--OR A. 35. The compound of claim 33, wherein R1 is--SR A. 36. A compound that has the structure: wherein: R1 is--ORA or--SRA, wherein R A is hydrogen,--(C═O)RC,--(SO2)RC, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RC is independently hydrogen,--ORD,--SRD,--NHRD,--(C═O)RD, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RD is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties in R1 is unsubstituted; the foregoing aryl moiety in R1 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2 SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2R x,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx)2,--S(O) 2Rx,--NRxCO)Rx, or--B(ORx) 2 wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; and the foregoing heteroaryl moieties in R1 is substituted with one, two or three substitutents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF 3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH 2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO 2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2Rx ,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx)2,--S(O) 2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx) 2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; R2 is--CN,--SCN,--OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen, aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each ailcyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O,--CN, halogen,--SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; X1 and X4 are each--OH; and X2 and X3 are each alkoxy or thioalkyl; and wherein: each of foregoing alkoxy, alkylthio, thioalkyl, or alkylamino contains unsubstituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing cycloheteroaliphatic moiety is a cyclic heteroaliphatic; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 37. The compound of claim 36, wherein R1 is--OR A. 38. The compound of claim 36, wherein R1 is--SR A. 39. The compound of claim 36, wherein R2 is--CN,--OH, or H; R3 is Me; R4 and R6 are each Me; R5 and R7 are each--OMe; X1 and X4 are each--OH; R8 is hydrogen; and X2 and X3 are each--OMe. 40. A compound that has the structure: wherein: R1 is--ORA or--SRA, wherein R A is hydrogen,--(C═O)RC,--(SO2)RC, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RC is independently hydrogen,--ORD,--SRD,--NHRD,--(C═O)RD, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RD is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, acyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroaryloxy, or heteroarylthio moiety wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties in R1 is unsubstituted; the foregoing aryl moiety in R1 may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2 SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2R x,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx)2,--S(O) 2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx) 2 wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; and the foregoing heteroaryl moieties in R1 is substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF 3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH2OH,--CH 2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO 2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2(Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO2Rx ,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx)2,--S(O) 2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx) 2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; R2 is--CN,--SCN, OH, H, or alkoxy; R3 is hydrogen, aliphatic, or aryl; R4 and R6 are each alkyl; R5 and R7 are each alkyloxy or thioalkyl; R8 is hydrogen, alkyl,--OH, ═O, CN, halogen, SH, alkoxy, thioalkyl, amino, or alkylamino; X1 and X4 are each OH; and X2 and X3 are each alkoxy or thioalkyl; and wherein: each of foregoing alkoxy, alkylthio, thioalkyl, or alkylamino contains unsubstituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing cycloheteroaliphatic moiety is a cyclic heteroaliphatic; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 41. The compound of claim 40, wherein R1 is--OR A. 42. The compound of claim 40, wherein R1 is--SR A. 43. The compound of claim 40, wherein R2 is--CN,--OH, or H; R3 is Me; R4 and R6 are each Me; R5 and R7 are each OMe; X1 and X4 are each--OH; R8 is hydrogen; and X2 and X3 are each OMe. 44. A compound that has the structure: wherein: R1 is--O(C═O)RC or--S(C═O)R C; RC is: wherein each occurrence of RJ is independently--ORK,--C(═O)RK,--CO2RK,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRK,--SORK,--SO2RK,--NO2,--N(RK)2,--NHC(O)RK,--B(ORK)2, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RK is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein two occurrences of RK, taken together form a cyclic aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of Y is independently O, S or NH; wherein each occurrence of x is independently 1-5; and wherein each occurrence of n is independently 0-3 wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic is unsubstituted and each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH 2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2 (Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO 2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, , heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; and wherein: each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 45. The compound of claim 44, wherein R1 is--O(C═O)RC. 46. The compound of claim 44, wherein R1 is--S(C═O)RC. 47. The compound of claim 44, wherein X1 is OH, X 2 is OCH3, X3 is OCH3, X4 is OH, R2 is CN, H or OH, R3 is Me, R4 is CH3 , R5 is OCH3, R6 is CH3, R7 is OCH3, and R8 is H. 48. The compound of claim 47 wherein RC is: wherein RJ is hydrogen, halogen,--OH, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy and x is 1 or 2. 49. A compound that has the structure: wherein: R1 is--O(C═O)RC or--S(C═O)R C; RC is: wherein each occurrence of RJ is independently--ORK,--C(═O)RK,--CO2RK,--CN,--SCN, halogen,--SRK,--SORK,--SO2RK,--NO2,--N(RK)2,--NHC(O)RK,--B(ORK)2, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein each occurrence of RK is independently hydrogen, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein two occurrences of RK, taken together form a cyclic aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of Y is independently O, S or NH; wherein each occurrence of x is independently 1-5; and wherein each occurrence of n is independently 0-3 wherein: the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic is unsubstituted and each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents independently selected from aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, F, Cl, Br, I,--OH,--NO2,--CN,--SCN,--CF3,--CHCF3,--CHCl2,--CH 2OH,--CH2CH2OH,--CH2NH2,--CH2SO2CH3,--C(O)Rx,--CO2 (Rx),--CON(Rx)2,--OC(O)Rx,--OCO 2Rx,--OCON(Rx)2,--N(Rx) 2,--S(O)2Rx,--NRx(CO)Rx, or--B(ORx)2 wherein each occurrence of wherein each occurrence of Rx independently is aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl where each of the foregoing aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylheteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, arylthio, and heteroarylthio is unsubstituted; and wherein: each of the foregoing aliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; each of the foregoing heteroaliphatic moiety is cyclic, acyclic, branched or unbranched alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and which further contains one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or silicon atoms in place of the carbon atoms; each of the foregoing aryl is monocyclic or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic ring; each of the foregoing heteroaryl is a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 50. The compound of claim 49, wherein R1 is--O(C═O)RC. 51. The compound of claim 49, wherein R1 is--S(C═O)RC. 52. The compound of claim 49, wherein X1 is OH, X 2 is OCH3, X3 is OCH3, X4 is OH, R2 is CN, H or OH, R3 is Me, R4 is CH3 , R5 is OCH3, R6 is CH3, R7 is OCH3, and R8 is H. 53. The compound of claim 52, wherein RC is: wherein RJ is hydrogen, halogen,--OH, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy and x is 1 or 2. 54. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 55. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of any one of the claims 1-5, 8, 11, 20, 25, 28, 36, 40, 44, and 49. 56. A method for inhibiting the growth of or killing cancer cells comprising contacting the cells with an amount of a composition effective to inhibit the growth of or to kill cancer cells, the composition comprising a compound of any one of the claims 1-5, 8, 11, 20, 25, 28, 36, 40, 44, and 49. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the cancer cells comprise melanoma cancer cells or lung cancer cells. 58. A method for treating cancer comprising: administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of any one of the claims 1-5, 8, 11, 20, 25, 28, 36, 40, 44, and 49. 59. The method of claim 58 wherein said composition comprises one or more cytotoxic agents. 60. The method of claim 58, wherein the cancer cells comprise melanoma cancer cells or lung cancer cells.