Synthesis and anticancer activity of novel halolactones with β-aryl substituents from simple aromatic aldehydes

Abstract A series of 20 novel racemic iodo-, bromo- and chlorolactones, possessing β-phenyl-γ-lactone or β-phenyl-δ-lactone framework, were synthesized from commercially available aromatic aldehydes in convenient five-step syntheses. Some of them showed noticeable cytotoxic effect against two cancer lines, Jurkat (human leukaemia) and D17 (canine osteosarcoma). The highest activity, comparable with carboplatin, was observed for cis -5-(1-iodoethyl)-4-(4′-isopropylphenyl)dihydrofuran-2-one against Jurkat cell line.