The synthesis of 2-oxyalkyl-cyclohex-2-enones, related to the bioactive natural products COTC and antheminone A, which possess anti-tumour properties

The syntheses of five novel 2-oxyalkyl-cyclohex-2-enones, structurally related to the natural products COTC and antheminone A, are described. The target structures were selected in order to probe the influence of several key structural parameters on in vitro anti-cancer bioactivity. The results of a cytotoxicity bioassay of the compounds against non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460 are reported. The biological data provides useful information, which will help guide the future design of compounds in this class with enhanced anti-cancer activity.