Synthesis, characterization and antiamoebic activity of chalcones bearing N-substituted ethanamine tail

A series of chalcones (4-21) possessing N-substituted ethanamine were synthesized by the aldol condensation reaction of 1-(4-(2-substituted ethoxy)phenyl)ethanones with different aldehydes preceded by the reaction of 2-chloro N-substituted ethanamine hydrochloride and 4-hydroxy acetophenone. The structure of all the synthesized compounds was elucidated by various spectral and X-ray diffraction studies. The compounds were screened against HM1: IMSS strain of Entamoeba histolytica and cytotoxicity was performed on A549 (non-small cell lung cancer cell line) cells by MTT assay. Out of eighteen compounds twelve showed better activity then the standard drug metronidazole. The compound 9, 14 and 19 showed good cell viability, hence were least toxic.