Synthesis, in-vitro cytotoxicity of 4H-benzo[h]chromene derivatives and structure—activity relationships of 4-aryl group and 3-, 7-positions

A series of 2-amino-4 H -benzo[ h ]chromene and 2,7-diamino-4 H -benzo[ h ]chromene derivatives were prepared as potential cytotoxic agents. The structures of the synthesised compounds were established on the basis of spectral data. The in-vitro cytotoxic activity of the synthesised compounds against the cell lines MCF-7, HCT-116 and HepG-2 was investigated in comparison with vinblastine and colchicine, using an MTT colorimetric assay. The structure-activity relationship of 4 H -benzo[ h ]chromenes with modification at the 3-, 4- and 7-positions was explored. The results of the anti-tumour evaluation revealed that compounds VIIIc, VIId, VIIb, VIIe, VIIIg and VIIIc, VIId, VIIb, VIIe, VIIIg, VIIc, VIIIe, Vf, IIIa inhibited the growth of MCF-7 in comparison with vinblastine and colchicine, while VIIb, VIId, VIIe, IIIa, VIIa, VIIIc, VIIc, IIId, IIIg, IIIf, IIIb, IIIh, VIIIb, VIIIa, VIIIe, IIIc, Vg, IIIe, VIIIg, Vf, IIIf inhibited the growth of HCT-116 in comparison with colchicine. In addition, compounds VIIe, IIIg, IIIa, VIIc and VIIe, IIIg, IIIa, VIIc, VIIb, VIIa, VIIIf, VIIIe inhibited the growth of HepG-2 in comparison with vinblastine and colchicine, respectively.