Synthesis and primary cytotoxicity evaluation of arylmethylenenaphthofuranones derivatives

Abstract

New series of 2(or 3)-arylmethylenenaphtho[2,1-b]furan-3(or 2)-ones were synthesized, characterized and tested for anticancer properties in vitro. The target compounds were prepared by Knoevenagel coupling between the naphthofuranones 3, 28–30 and formyl derivatives. 2-(4-Oxo-1-benzopyran-3-ylmethylene)naphtho[2,1-b]furan-3-one 36 was the most active compound (IC₅₀ (L1210) = 1.6 μM). These compounds were also evaluated, in an independent manner, as inhibitors of Src protein tyrosine kinase, but only minor activity was observed.

Keywords::

• 3-(arylmethylene)naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2(3H)-ones
• 2-(arylmethylene)naphtho[2,1-b]furan-3(2H)-ones
• Knoevenagel coupling
• Cytotoxicity evaluation

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Florence Sancier for technical assistance in establishing the kinase assay. We thank Servier laboratories for financial support.