Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of certain γ-aryloxymethyl-α-methylene-γ-phenyl-γ-butyrolactones

Certain γ-aryloxymethyl-α-methylene-γ-phenyl-γ-butyrolactones were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. These compounds demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory activity against leukemia cell lines but are relatively inactive against non-small cell lung cancers and CNS cancers. The anticancer potency for aryl portion is in an order of quinoline> 8-hydroxyquinoline> 2-methylquinoline naphthalene benzene.