Abstract
Seven benzophenone compounds were synthesized in one or two steps, then their antitumor activity was evaluated. The total yields ranged from 9% to 44%. Compounds 3c–5c exhibited obvious antitumor activity. Among them, compounds 3c and 4c exhibited excellent and broad-spectrum antitumor activity. Compound 3c exhibited much stronger inhibitory activities against fourteen cancer cells than cisplatin. In particular, compound 3c exhibited stronger cytotoxicity against hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells than Taxol, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 0.111 μM. These results demonstrated that compounds 3c, 4c and 5c were very promising antitumor leads for further structural modification.
Graphical Abstract
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.