Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of some 2-amino-4-aryl-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4H-chromenes

A series of 2-amino-4-aryl-3-cyano-7-(dimethylamino)-4 H -chromenes was synthesized by condensation of 3-(dimethylamino)phenol, an aromatic aldehyde and malonitrile in ethanol containing piperidine. The assignments of the structure of all synthesized compounds were based on spectral data (IR, Mass and 1 H NMR). The cytotoxic activities of the synthesized compounds against six human tumor cell lines were determined by MTT assay. Several compounds showed significant cytotoxic activity.