Synthesis and antitumor activity of 10-substituted benzylidene anthrone

Fifteen compounds of 10-substituted benzylidene anthrone were prepared with moderate yield by reaction of anthrone and substituted benzaldehydes under the presence of pyridine and piperidine as catalyst. Their antitumor activities in vitro were evaluated. The results show that the electron-withdrawing substitutes decrease the activities, the electron-donor substitutes increase the activities; the compound with substitute at ortho or para position has stronger activities than that of compound with the same substitute but located at the meta position. There are six compounds which appear as strong effective inhibition for A-549 cancer cell growth. This is a kind of good leading compound which is worth researching further.