Eco-friendly synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of some oxygen substituted diaryl ketones

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules18089818

A broad variety of oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones has been synthesized by solar energy-induced Friedel Crafts acylations of 1,4-benzo- and 1,4-naphthoquinones with benzaldehydes. The in vitro antiproliferative properties of the photoproducts were asses

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules18089818

Molecules 2013, 18, 9818-9832; doi:10.3390/molecules18089818
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molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Eco-Friendly Synthesis and Antiproliferative Evaluation of
Some Oxygen Substituted Diaryl Ketones
Paola Arenas 1, Andrés Peña 1, David Ríos 1,2, Julio Benites 1,2,*, Giulio G. Muccioli 3,
Pedro Buc Calderon 1,2,4 and Jaime A. Valderrama 1,2,5,
*
1
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Arturo Prat, Casilla 121, Iquique 1100000, Chile
Instituto de EtnoFarmacología (IDE), Universidad Arturo Prat, Casilla 121, Iquique 1100000, Chile
Bioanalysis and Pharmacology of Bioactive Lipids Laboratory, Louvain Drug Research Institute,
Université Catholique de Louvain, 72 Avenue E. Mounier, BPBL 7201, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
Toxicology and Cancer Biology Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute,
2
3
4
5
Université Catholique de Louvain, 73 Avenue E. Mounier, GTOX 7309, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
Facultad de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 306, Santiago 6094411, Chile
* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: julio.benites@unap.cl (J.B.);
jvalderr@uc.cl (J.A.V.); Tel.: +56-57-252-6215 (J.B.); Fax: +56-57-2252-6395 (J.B.).
Received: 26 June 2013; in revised form: 5 August 2013 / Accepted: 12 August 2013 /
Published: 16 August 2013
Abstract: A broad variety of oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones has been synthesized by
solar energy-induced Friedel Crafts acylations of 1,4-benzo- and 1,4-naphthoquinones with
benzaldehydes. The in vitro antiproliferative properties of the photoproducts were assessed
on prostate (DU-145), bladder (T24) and breast (MCF7) human-derived tumor cell lines
and compared to non-tumor mouse fibroblasts (Balb/3T3). Among the tested compounds,
it was found that those containing a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl A-ring, such as 12 and 22 are
more active on DU-145, with EC50 values of 1.2 and 5.9 μM, respectively. By comparing
their effects on the three cancer cell lines, the analogue 22 has the best mean selective
index (2.4).
Keywords: photo-Friedel Crafts acylation; diaryl ketones; green chemistry;
antiproliferative activity

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1. Introduction
Acylhydroquinones are valuable building blocks of natural [1–4] and synthetic compounds
endowed with a variety of biological properties [5–20]. The classic procedures to construct the diaryl
ketone framework of acylhydroquinones are based on the Friedel Crafts acylation and Fries
rearrangement. Despite the efficiency of these synthetic methods, they have some disadvantages such
as the lack of atom economy, the use of hazardous environmental Lewis acids, namely BF3, AlCl3,
TiCl4, or ZnCl2 [21–26], and limitations regarding the use of precursors containing oxygen acid-labile
functional groups. The photo-Friedel Crafts acylation of quinones with aliphatic and aromatic
aldehydes to prepare acylhydroquinones is a green and efficient alternative method with respect to the
classic aforementioned acylation methods. It is noteworthy that several examples of the preparation of
acylhydroquinones by photoacylation of 1,4-quinone with aldehydes have been reported [27–34],
however, the scope of this method to the synthesis of oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones had received
relatively little attention.
Among the broad variety of synthetic diaryl ketones the oxygen-substituted members, named
phenstatin [35] and naphthylphenstatin [36] (Figure 1), stand out by their biological activity as
microtubule-targeting agents. Based on these precedents we wanted to examine the synthetic flexibility
of the eco-friendly solar photoacylation of 1,4-benzo- and 1,4-naphthoquinone with substituted
benzaldehydes to the synthesis of diverse oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones. Taking advantage of this
potentially simple access to oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones we were also interested in evaluating the
series for in vitro antiproliferative activity on cancer cells. The aim of this study is mainly directed towards
broadening the use of simple and eco-friendly methodologies in the synthesis of new oxygen-substituted
diaryl ketones as well as to contribute to the search for new biological active members of this series.
Figure 1. Structure of phenstatin and naphthylphenstatin.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemistry
Based on our experience on the synthesis of heteroaroylhydroquinones by solar photoacylation of
1,4-benzo- and 1,4-naphthoquinone 1 and 2 with heteroarylcarbaldehydes in benzene [33], we initially
examined the reaction of 1 and 2 with mono-substituted benzaldehydes. The reactions were carried out
by using a 6.5 molar excess of the aldehyde with respect to the quinone. It is interesting to point out
that molar excess of aldehyde is used to inhibit the dimerization of the quinone [30]. To avoid the use
of hazardous benzene as the solvent, both the reaction of 1 and 2 with benzaldehyde and the liquid
isomers of methyl- and methoxybenzaldehydes were accomplished using the appropriate aldehyde in

Molecules 2013, 18
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excess as the solvent. In these experiments, performed by solar irradiation for 30 hours, the reaction
mixtures were further submitted to column chromatography to give the respective photoproducts 3–8
and 14–18 (Scheme 1) in the 34%–77% yield range (Table 1). The formation yields of the products
were determined on the basis of the initial and the amounts of the respective quinones recovered.
In parallel experiments, the above reactions were run in benzene in order to compare the yields of
the photo-acylation reactions with and without this solvent. The results of these assays are collected in
Table 1. The data indicate that the photoacylation reactions of quinones 1 and 2 give higher yields in
benzene solvent than in excess aldehyde.
Scheme 1. Photoacylation of quinones 1 and 2 with substituted benzaldehydes.
The photoacylation of quinones 1 and 2 with the solid di- and trisubstituted benzaldehydes were
carried out in benzene under the above mentioned solar irradiation conditions. The treatment provides
access to the corresponding photoproducts 9–13 and 19–23 in good yields (Table 1). The new diaryl
ketones 7, 9–13, 15, 19–21 and 23 were fully characterized by IR, 1H-, 13C-NMR and HRMS.
The synthesis of compounds 4 (65%), 6 (79%), 8 (77%), 14 (57%) and 16 (70%) have been
previously reported by photoacylation of 1 and 2 with the respective aldehydes in the presence of
catalytic amounts of benzophenone and using artificial light irradiation [29]. According to the data in
Table 1 better yields on these compounds are achieved by using the solar chemical procedure (method B).
Selected indoor photoacylation experiments performed in benzene by using irradiation with fluorescent
lamps indicate that the photoproducts were generated in low yields.
Table 1. Oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones 3–23 prepared by solar photoacylation.

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Table 1. Cont.
Substituents
Yield (%) a
Photoproduct
R1
H
R2
R3
R4
H
Method A b
Method B c
3
H
H
77
52
34
58
38
59
-
91
4
Me
H
H
H
H
80
5
Me
H
H
H
74
6
H
Me
H
H
82
7
H
OMe
H
H
74
8
H
OMe
H
H
79
9
OMe
H
H
OMe
70
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
H
OMe OMe
OH
OMe OMe
-
70
H
OMe
OMe
OMe
H
H
-
78
H
-
70
H
OH
H
OMe
H
-
70
Me
H
53
41
57
50
69
-
82
Me
H
H
H
69
H
Me
H
H
84
H
OMe
H
H
71
H
OMe
H
H
88
OMe
H
H
OMe
65
H
OMe OMe
OH OMe
OMe OMe
OH OMe
-
63
H
H
-
73
H
OMe
OMe
-
60
H
-
66
a
b
Isolated by column chromatography; Method A: the reaction was carried out using 1 or 2 (1 equiv.) and
the aldehyde (7.5 equiv.) without benzene; c Method B: the reaction was carried out using 1 or 2 (1 equiv.),
the aldehyde (7.5 equiv.) and benzene as the solvent.
2.2. In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Diaryl Ketones 3–23 again Select Cancer Cell Lines
The oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones 3–23 were evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative
activity on a panel of four cell lines, including non-tumor fibroblasts (Balb/3T3) and three
human-derived tumor cell lines, namely DU-145 (prostate), T24 (bladder) and MCF7 (breast), using
the conventional microculture tetrazolium reduction assay [37].
Table 2. In vitro inhibitory effect of compounds 3–23 on the proliferation of the
human-derived tumor cell lines: T24 (bladder), DU-145 (prostate) and MCF7 (breast) and
the non-tumor fibroblasts (Balb/3T3).

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Table 2. Cont.
EC50 ± SEM a (μM)
DU-145 MCF-7
186.4 ± 20.4 205.0 ± 21.5 189.8 ± 19.2 38.5 ± 5.5
172.5 ± 13.2 172.5 ± 19.7 180.7 ± 15.8 183.9 ± 17.6 1.06
N°
3
R1
H
R2
H
R3
H
R4
H
T24
BALB/3T3 MSI b
0.20
4
Me
H
H
H
H
5
Me
H
H
H
202.3 ± 15.9 186.2 ± 17.8 225.7 ± 24.2 100.3 ± 9.5
0.49
0.57
6
H
H
Me 208.9 ± 19.5 100.8 ± 9.5 142.1 ± 15.3 78.3 ± 6.4
7
H
OMe
H
H
H
H
209.7 ± 20.5 166.1 ± 15.8 154.4 ± 12.3 117.6 ± 19.5 0.68
8
H
OMe
H
168.1 ± 12.2 170.2 ± 15.5 190.7 ± 17.5 85.2 ± 9.7
0.49
0.29
0.23
0.47
0.57
-
9
OMe
H
H
OMe 149.7 ± 18.4 130.3 ± 12.5 164.5 ± 13.8 43.7 ± 7.6
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
DOXc
H
OMe OMe 147.4 ± 19.2 140.0 ± 13.6 182.9 ± 17.7 35.4 ± 4.7
154.5 ± 14.5 167.5 ± 15.9 176.7 ± 19.4 78.0 ± 9.3
H
OMe OH
H
H
OMe OMe OMe
OMe OH OMe
3.6 ± 1.4
>350
1.2 ± 0.6
53.6 ± 6.7
>350
1.5 ± 0.4
H
112.8 ± 10.7
19.1 ± 3.1
Me
H
H
Me
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
143.3 ± 9.5 143.8 ± 17.7 152.3 ± 14.5 225.5 ± 25.4 1.54
136.8 ± 11.7 147.4 ± 15.9 144.9 ± 12.7 142.4 ± 13.9 0.99
134.6 ± 12.8 158.3 ± 13.7 133.8 ± 14.9 138.9 ± 15.2 0.98
133.3 ± 12.4 139.4 ± 11.3 127.9 ± 13.6 109.1 ± 11.1 0.82
126.8 ± 10.6 77.5 ± 6.5 124.9 ± 10.2 107.0 ± 12.3 1.03
H
Me
H
H
OMe
H
H
OMe
H
OMe
H
H
OMe 129.8 ± 10.1 128.7 ± 17.2
>310
100.3 ± 8.9
2.8 ± 0.6
0.77
0.11
0.45
2.45
0.84
0.44
1.39
H
OMe OMe 46.8 ± 5.1
OH OMe 86.6 ± 9.6
61.8 ± 5.6
89.0 ± 7.3
5.9 ± 0.8
12.2 ± 3.8
15.7 ± 4.6
20.2 ± 4.5
H
H
15.7 ± 3.9
25.1 ± 3.9
H
OMe OMe OMe
13.5 ±1.9
H
OMe OH OMe 112.0 ± 9.3 113.5 ± 9.5 130.2 ± 14.8 99.6 ± 7.5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.65 ± 0.07 0.42 ± 0.03 0.33 ± 0.05 0.19 ± 0.01
MITd
-
42.2 ± 5.8 14.3 ± 2.6 16.8 ± 2.9 27.3 ± 3.3
a
b
Data represent EC50 mean values ± SEM of at least three different experiments; MSI: Mean Selective
Index = EC50 values fibroblasts/EC50 values tumor cells; c DOX: doxorubicin; d MIT: mitomycin C.
Table 2 summarizes the data from these evaluations: it shows the EC50 values (µM) of the
respective benzo- and naphthohydroquinone derivatives. These values were calculated from their
effects on MTT reduction in three cancer cell lines and Balb/3T3 non transformed mouse fibroblasts as
a function of their concentration during 48 h of incubation. All three cancer cell lines were
similarly sensitive to these compounds. With rather few exceptions, the members containing the
dihydroxyphenyl fragment, such as 3–13, were in general less active than their corresponding
naphthyl analogues 14–23 when tested against cancer cells, but just the opposite was observed in
non-transformed fibroblasts. The data in Table 2 showed that compounds 12 and 22 appear as the most
potent members of the series with lower EC50 values against T24 and DU-145 with respect to the
reference drug mitomycin C. The biological activity differences of compounds 12 and 22 with respect
to their analogues could be attributed to the 3,4,5-trimethoxy substitution on the A-phenyl ring.
According to literature precedents, the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl ring is considered essential for the
antitubulin activity of a broad variety of antimitotic compounds [36,38–45]. Nevertheless, it should be
noted that the EC50 values of compounds 12 and 22 are two orders of magnitude lower than to that
reported to phenstatin when tested in the NCI screen [35] showing a mean panel GI50 (growth
inhibitory) value of 6.01 × 10−8 M. In addition to the tendency showing that dihydroxynaphthyl

Molecules 2013, 18
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analogues are more active than the dihydroxyphenyl derivatives, the vast majority of compounds did
not have an adequate selectivity (Table 2), that is they affect both cancer and non-tumor cells in a similar
way. In this context, only compound 22 have a good mean selectivity index (2.45).
3. Experimental
3.1. General
All reagents were commercially available reagent grade and were used without further purification.
Melting points were determined on a Stuart Scientific SMP3 apparatus and are uncorrected. The IR
spectra were recorded on an FT Bruker spectrophotometer using KBr disks, and the wave numbers
1
are given in cm−1. H-NMR spectra were run on Bruker AM-200 and AM-400 instruments in
deuterochloroform (CDCl3) and dimethyl sulfoxide-d6 (DMSO-d6). Chemical shifts are expressed in
ppm downfield relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS, δ scale), and the coupling constants (J) are reported
13
in Hertz. C-NMR spectra were obtained in CDCl3 + DMSO-d6 at 50 and 100 MHz. Chemical shifts
are reported in δ ppm downfield from TMS, and J-values are given in Hertz. HRMS data were
obtained on Thermo Finnigan mass spectrometer, model MAT 95XP and LTQ-Orbitrap mass
spectrometer (Thermo-Fisher Scientific) with the analysis performed using an APCI source operated in
positive mode. Silica gel Merck 60 (70–230 mesh) was used for preparative column chromatography
and TLC aluminum foil 60F254 for analytical TLC. The solar irradiation experiments were performed
at the Canchones Experimental Center in Iquique/Chile (latitude 20°26′43.80"S, 990 m above sea
level), located in the Atacama Desert.
3.2. Chemistry
General Procedure for Photoacylation of 1 and 2 with Substituted Benzaldehydes in the Absence of
Benzene (Method A)
Quinone 1 or 2 (1 mmol) and the liquid aldehyde (7.5 mmol), were placed into a test tube, nitrogen
was bubbled through the solution for 2 min and then the tube was sealed with a septum. The mixture
was irradiated for six days (total illumination time of 30 h), under solar radiation conditions in the
range 800–1100 Watts/m2 (November–March). The mixture reaction was chromatographed on silica
gel (3:1 petroleum ether/ethyl acetate) to give pure samples of the corresponding diaryl ketones. The
remaining precursors were recovered to be used in further preparations.
General Procedure for Photoacylation of 1 and 2 with Substituted Benzaldehydes in Benzene
(Method B).
A 100 mL benzene solution of the required quinone 1 or 2 (1 mmol) and the substituted
benzaldehyde (7.5 mmol), was placed into the outer jacket of a Liebig condenser type. The solution
was bubbled with nitrogen (2 min), the flask was sealed with a septum and then irradiated for six days
(total illumination time of 30 h), under solar radiation conditions in the range 800–1100 Watts/m2
(November–March). The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was

Molecules 2013, 18
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chromatographed on silica gel (3:1 petroleum ether/ethyl acetate). The starting aldehyde and the
solvent were recovered and employed in the next batches.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(phenyl)methanone (3). This compound was prepared from quinone 1 and
benzaldehyde and was isolated in 77 and 91% yield by following methods A and B, respectively;
orange solid, mp 121–122 °C (lit. [46]: 125–126 °C). IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3456 (O-H), 3358 (O-H),
1637 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 6.98 (m, 2H, 4'-H + 5-OH), 7.03 (s, 1H, 6-H), 7.11 (d, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz,
2'-H + 6'-H), 7.19 (m, 2H, 3'-H + 5'-H), 8.10 (d, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, 3-H or 4-H), 8.21 (d, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz,
4-H or 3-H), 11.42 (bs 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 119.6, 119.9, 123.4, 125.5, 129.1, 129.5,
129.7, 130.4, 130.6, 132.7, 138.9, 149.9, 206.1; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C13H10O3: 214.06299;
found: 214.06189.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(2'-methylphenyl)methanone (4). This compound was prepared from quinone 1
and 2-methylbenzaldehyde in 52 and 80% yield following methods A and B, respectively; yellow
solid, mp 104–105 °C (lit. [47]: 106–108 °C). IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3287 (O-H), 1638 (C=O); 1H-NMR
(CDCl3): δ 2.29 (s, 3H, Me), 4.76 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 6.71 (d, 1H, J = 3.0 Hz, 6-H), 6.95 (d, 1H, J = 8.9 Hz,
3-H), 7.04 (dd, 1H, J = 8.9, 3.0 Hz, 4-H), 7.27 (m, 3H, 3'-H + 4'-H + 6'-H), 7.39 (m, 1H, 5’-H), 11.81
(s, 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 19.6, 118.1, 119.3, 119.5, 125.4, 125.5, 127.3, 130.2, 130.9,
135.4, 137.7, 147.4, 157.5, 203.9; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C14H12O3: 228.07864; found: 228.07767.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(3'-methylphenyl)methanone (5). This compound was prepared from 1 and
3-methylbenzaldehyde in 34 and 74% yield following methods A and B, respectively; yellow solid, mp
119–120 °C (lit. [47]: 114–116 °C). IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3285 (O-H), 1637 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3):
δ 2.36 (s, 3H, Me), 5.82 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 6.91 (m, 1H, 3-H or 4-H), 7.01 (m, 2H, 4-H or 3-H + 6-H),
7.31 (m, 2H, 4'-H + 5'-H or 5'-H + 6'-H), 7.38 (d, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, 4'-H or 6'-H), 7.41 (s, 1H, 2'-H),
11.63 (s. 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 21.4, 118.6, 118.9, 119.1, 124.9, 126.2, 128.2, 129.4,
132.9, 137.6, 138.4, 147.4, 157.0, 201.7; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C14H12O3: 228.07864; found:
228.07809.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(4'-methylphenyl)methanone (6). This compound was prepared from 1 and
4-methylbenzaldehyde in 58 and 82% yield following methods A and B, respectively; yellow solid, mp
1
135–136 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm−1: 3442 (O-H), 1629 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.40 (s, 3H, Me),
5.44 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 6.93 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, 3-H), 7.02 (m, 2H, 4-H + 6H), 7.24 (d, 2H, J = 8.1 Hz,
2'-H + 3'-H or 5'-H + 6'-H), 7.54 (d, 2H, J = 8.1 Hz, 3'-H + 2'-H or 6'H + 5'-H), 11.58 (s, 1H, 2-OH);
13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 21.6, 118.4, 119.0, 119.2, 124.7, 129.1 (2 × C), 129.4 (2 × C), 134.9, 142.9,
147.3, 157.0, 201.7; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C14H12O3: 228.07864; found: 228.07831.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(3'-methoxyphenyl)methanone (7). This compound was prepared from 1 and
3-methoxybenzaldehyde in 38 and 54% yield following methods A and B, respectively; yellow solid,
mp 97–98 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3344 (O-H), 1635 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.80 (s, 3H, OMe),
5.80 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 6.91 (d, 1H, J = 9.8 Hz, 3-H or 4-H) 7.02 (m, 2H, 4-H or 3-H + 6-H), 7.06 (dd, 1H,
J = 8.2, 2.2, Hz 4'-H or 6'-H), 7.14 (d, 1H, J = 2.2 Hz 2'-H), 7.16 (d, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz, 6'-H or 4'-H), 7.32
13
(t, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz, 5'-H), 11.56 (s, 1H-2-OH); C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 55.5, 113.9, 118.1, 118.4, 118.8,

Molecules 2013, 18
9825
119.2, 121.6, 125.1, 129.4, 138.8, 147.5, 157.0, 159.4, 201.2; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C14H12O4:
244.07356; found: 244.07361.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(4'-methoxyphenyl)methanone (8). This compound was prepared from 1 and
4-methoxybenzaldehyde, in 58 and 79% yield according methods A and B, respectively; yellow solid,
1
mp 144–145 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm−1: 3343 (O-H), 1631 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.87 (s, 3H,
OMe), 6.90 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, 3-H or 4-H), 6.97 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz, 2'-H + 3'-H or 5'-H + 6'-H), 7.08
(m, 2H, 4-H or 3-H + 6-H), 7.72 (d, 2H, J = 8.8 Hz, 6'-H + 5'-H or 3'-H + 2'-H), 8.32(s, 1H, 5-OH),
11.38 (s, 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 55.5, 113.6, 115.9, 118.1, 118.7, 119.2, 122.4, 124.4, 130.4,
131.8, 148.7, 155.9, 162.8, 199.7; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C14H12O4: 244.07356; found: 244.07360.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(2',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (9). This compound was prepared from 1 and
2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 70% yield (method B); yellow solid, mp 135–136 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx
1
cm−1: 3299 (O-H), 1637 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.74 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.78 (s, 3H,
OMe), 6.82 (s, 2H, 6-H + 6'-H), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, 3-H), 6.96 (m, 2H, 3'-H + 4'-H), 7.06 (d, 1H,
13
J = 8.8 Hz, 4-H), 8.39 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 11.60 (s, 1H, 2-OH); C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 55.9,
56.4, 113.1, 113.8, 116.0, 116.8, 118.2, 118.4, 119.8, 125.6, 149.1, 150.6, 153.4, 156.3, 201.3; HRMS
(M+): m/z calcd for C15H14O5: 274.08412; found: 274.08316.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (10). This compound was prepared from 1 and
3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 70% yield (method B); brown solid, mp 79–81 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1:
3354 (O-H), 1630 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.86 (s, 6H, 2 × OMe), 6.83 (s, 1H, 6'-H),
6.82 (s, 1H, 5'-H), 6.89 (d, 1H, J = 9.2 Hz, 3-H), 6.94 (s, 1H, 2'-H), 6.97 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, 4-H), 7.18
13
(s, 1H, 6-H), 8.69 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 11.34 (s, 1H, 2-OH); C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 55.9, 60.5,
104.5, 111.2, 117.9, 118.4, 118.8, 122.5, 124.6, 133.0, 149.7, 149.8, 152.8, 155.7, 200.0; HRMS
(APCI): [M+H]+ calcd for C15H14O5: 275.08412; found: 275.09072.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)methanone (11). This compound was prepared in
78% yield (method B) from 1 and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde; yellow solid, mp 221–222 °C.
1
IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3329 (O-H), 1639 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.77 (s, 3H, OMe),
6.86 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, 4-H or 3-H), 6.95 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, 3-H or 4-H), 7.03 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz,
6'-H), 7.11 (s, 1H, 2'-H), 7.26 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, 5'-H), 7.31 (s, 1H, 6-H), 7.63 (s, 1H, 4'-OH), 8.89
(s, 1H, 5-OH), 11.10 (s, 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 55.5, 107.1, 111.5, 112.2,
114.1, 121.7, 123.7, 125.4, 128.5, 143.7, 146.7, 149.7, 156.1, 198.9; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for
C14H12O5: 260.06847; found: 260.06764.
(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone (12). This compound was prepared in 70%
yield (method B) from 1 and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde; yellow solid, mp 68–70 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx
1
cm–1:3445 (OH), 3200 (O-H), 1639 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.81 (s, 9H, 3 × OMe),
6.81 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, 3-H), 6.87 (s, 2H, 2'-H + 6'-H), 7.0 (d, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, 4-H), 7.07 (s, 1H, 6-H),
8.58 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 11.23 (s, 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 56.3 (2 × C), 60.8, 107.0,
117.9, 118.7, 118.8, 124.9, 133.0, 141.3, 149.0 (2 × C), 149.9, 152.8, 156.0, 199.9; HRMS (M+): m/z
calcd for C16H16O6: 304.09469; found: 304.09378.

Molecules 2013, 18
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(2,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (13). This compound was
prepared in 70% (method B) from 1 and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde; yellow solid, mp
1
200–201 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3331(O-H), 1635 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.92 (s,
6H, 2 × OMe), 6.87 (d, 1H, J = 9.0 Hz, 3-H), 7.03 (s, 3H, 6-H + 2'-H + 6'-H), 7,16 (d, 1H, J = 9.0 Hz,
4-H), 8.47 (s, 1H, 4-OH), 8.78 (s, 1H, 5-OH), 11.15 (s, 1H, 2-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ
56.0 (2 × C), 107.2 (2 × C), 117.3, 118.0, 118.9, 123.5, 127.5, 139.6, 146.8 (2 × C), 148.6, 154.7,
198.6; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C15H14O6: 290.07904; found: 290.07830.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(2'-methylphenyl)methanone (14). This compound was prepared from
quinone 2 and 2-methylbenzaldehyde in 53 and 82% yield following methods A and B, respectively;
1
orange solid, mp 132–133 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm−1: 3357 (O-H), 1638 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3): δ
2.23 (s, 3H, Me), 5.53 (s, 1H, 4-OH), 6.46 (s, 1H, 3-H), 7.17 (m, 3H, 3'-H + 4'-H + 6'-H), 7.26 (m, 1H,
5'-H), 7.58 (t, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, 6-H or 7-H), 7.66 (t, 1H, J =7.6 Hz, 7-H or 6-H), 8.07 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz,
13
5-H or 8-H), 8.50 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, 8-H or 5-H), 13.63 (s, 1H, 1-OH); C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 19.7,
107.5, 112.4, 121.9, 124.0, 125.4, 125.9, 126.7, 127.0, 129.8, 129.9, 130.3, 130.8, 135.2, 138.0, 143.1,
158.8, 203.7; HRMS (APCI): [M+H]+ calcd for C18H14O3: 279.09429; found: 279.10136.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(3'-methylphenyl)methanone (15). This compound was prepared from
quinone 2 and 3-methylbenzaldehyde in 41 and 69% yield according methods A and B, respectively;
orange solid, mp 154–155 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3313 (O-H), 1633 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.44
(s, 3H, Me), 6.98 (s, 1H, 3-H), 7.39 (m, 2H, 4'-H or 6'-H + 2'-H), 7.51 (m, 2H, 6'-H or 4'-H + 5'-H),
7.56 (m, 1H, 6-H or 7-H), 7.66 (t, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, 7-H or 6-H), 8.20 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, 5-H or 8-H),
13
8.46 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, 8-H or 5-H), 8.87 (s, 1H, 4-OH), 13.50 (s, 1H, 1-OH); C-NMR (CDCl3): δ
21.4, 107.4, 111.9, 122.3, 124.2, 125.8 (2 × C), 126.1, 127.9, 129.3, 129.5, 130.1, 132.0, 138.1, 138.5,
144.3, 157.4, 201.2; HRMS (APCI): [M+H]+ calcd for C18H14O3: 279.09429; found: 279.10124.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(4'-methylphenyl)methanone (16). This compound was prepared from
2 and 4-methylbenzaldehyde in 57 and 84% yield according methods A and B, respectively; orange
solid, mp 150–151 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm−1: 3422 (O-H), 1635 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.43 (s, 3H,
Me), 7.0 (s, 1H, 3-H), 7.30 (d, 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, 2'-H + 3'-H or 5'-H + 6'-H), 7.56 (t, 1H, J = 7.5 Hz, 6-H
or 7-H), 7.64 (d, 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, 3'-H + 2'-H or 6'-H + 5'-H), 7.65 (m, 1H, 7-H or 6-H), 8.20 (d, 1H,
J = 8.3 Hz, 5-H or 8-H), 8.47 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, 8-H or 5-H), 8.71 (s, 1H, 4-OH), 13.48 (s, 1H, 1-OH);
13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 21.6, 107.6, 111.9, 122.3, 124.2, 125.9, 126.1, 128.9 (2 × C), 129.3 (2 × C),
129.4, 129.9, 135.8, 141.9, 144.2, 157.3, 200.8; HRMS (APCI): [M+H]+ calcd for C18H14O3:
279.09429; found: 279.10122.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(3'-methoxyphenyl)methanone (17). This compound was prepared
from 2 and 3-methoxybenzaldehyde in 50 and 71% yield according methods A and B, respectively;
orange solid, mp 149–150 °C (lit. [34]: 142-144 °C). IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3344 (O-H), 1633 (C=O);
1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.85 (s, 3H, OMe), 6.99 (s, 1H, 3-H), 7.08 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1, 2.0 Hz, 4'-H or 6'-H),
7.23 (s, 1H, 2'-H), 7.28 (m, 1H, 6'-H or 4'-H), 7.39 (t, 1H, J = 7.9 Hz, 5'-H), 7.56 (t, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, 6-H
or 7-H), 7.66 (t, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz 7-H or 6-H), 8.20 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, 5-H or 8-H), 8.47 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz
8-H or 5-H), 8.65 (s, 1H, 4-OH), 13.46 (bs, 1H, 1-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 55.5, 107.3, 111.9,

Molecules 2013, 18
9827
113.7, 117.6, 121.4, 122.3, 124.3, 125.9, 126.2, 129.3, 129.6, 130.1, 139.8, 144.3, 157.7, 159.3, 200.7;
HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C18H14O4: 294.08921; found: 294.08854.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(4'-methoxyphenyl)methanone (18). This compound was prepared
from 2 and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde in 69 and 88% yield according methods A and B, respectively;
yellow solid, mp 150-151°C (lit. [34]: 130–132 °C). IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3470 (O-H), 1631 (C=O);
1H-NMR (CDCl3): δ 3.86 (s, 3H, OMe), 6.97 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, 2'-H + 3'-H or 5'-H + 6'-H), 7.02
(s, 1H, 3-H), 7.56 (t, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz, 6-H or 7-H), 7.65 (t, 1H, J = 7.4 Hz, 7-H or 6-H), 7.75 (d, 2H,
J = 8.7 Hz, 6'-H + 5'-H or 3'-H + 2'-H), 8.20 (d, 1H, J = 8.3 Hz, 5-H or 8-H), 8.47 (m, 2H, 8-H or 5-H +
4-OH), 13.43 (s, 1H, 1-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3): δ 55.5, 107.8, 111.9, 113.5, 122.3, 124.2, 125.9,
126.1, 129.3 (2 × C), 129.8, 130.9, 131.6 (2 × C), 144.1, 157.2, 162.4, 199.6; HRMS (APCI): [M+H]+
calcd for C18H14O4: 295.08921; found: 295.08059.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(2',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (19). This compound was prepared
from 2 and 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 65% yield (method B); yellow solid, mp 160–161 °C. IR
(KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3389 (O-H), 1630 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.75 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.79
(s, 3H, OMe), 6.70 (s, 1H, 6'-H), 6.90 (s, 1H, 3-H), 6.97 (m, 2H, 3'-H + 4'-H), 7.56 (t, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz,
6-H or 7-H), 7.66 (t, 1H, J = 8.8 Hz, 7-H or 6-H), 8.18 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, 8-H), 8.47 (s, 1H, 4-OH),
8.48 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, 5-H), 13.48 (s, 1H, 1-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 56.0, 56.6,
107.4, 113.1, 113.2, 113.9, 117.0, 122.4, 124.5, 125.9, 126.2, 129.1, 129.7, 130.5, 144.4, 150.7, 153.5,
157.4, 200.8; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C19H16O5: 324.09978; found: 324.09914.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (20). This compound was prepared
from 2 and 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 63% yield (method B); orange solid, mp 212–213 °C. IR
1
(KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3462 (O-H), 1638 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.65 (s, 6H, 2 × OMe),
6.82 (s, 1H, 5'-H), 6.88 (s, 1H, 6'-H or 2'-H), 7.00 (s, 1H, 2'-H or 6'-H), 7.12 (s, 1H, 3-H), 7.56 (d, 1H,
J = 6.8 Hz, 8-H), 8.19 (d, 1H, J = 6.8 Hz, 5-H), 8.46 (t, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz, 6-H + 7-H), 9.05 (s, 1H,
4-OH), 13.42 (s, 1H, 1-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 56.0, 60.7, 104.7, 107.3, 111.0, 111.8,
122.3, 124.1, 126.0, 126.7, 128.7, 129.3, 129.9, 130.9, 144.3, 149.8, 152.9, 157.1, 199.9; HRMS
(APCI): [M+H]+ calcd for C19H16O5: 325.09977; found: 325.09146.
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)methanone (21). This compound was
prepared from 2 and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde in 73% yield (method B); orange solid, mp
1
221–222 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3469 (O-H), 1635 (C=O); H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 3.96
(s, 3H, OMe), 7.00 (d, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, 8-H), 7.13 (s, 1H, 2'-H), 7.33 (d, 1H, J = 7.6 Hz, 5-H), 7.43
(s, 1H, 3-H), 7.56 (t, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, 6-H or 7-H), 7.65 (t, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, 7-H or 6-H), 8.20 (d, 1H,
J = 8.0 Hz, 6'-H or 5'-H), 8.44 (d, 1H, J = 8.0 Hz, 5'-H o 6'-H), 8.81 (s, 1H, 4'-OH), 9.04 (s, 1H,
4-OH), 13.38 (s, 1H, 1-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 55.9, 107.5, 112.0, 112.6, 114.5, 122.1,
123.9, 124.1, 125.7, 125.8, 128.9, 129.5, 129.7, 144.1, 147.1, 150.1, 156.5, 199.3; HRMS (M+): m/z
calcd for C18H14O5: 310.08413; found: 310.08401.

Molecules 2013, 18
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(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)methanone (22). This compound was
prepared from 2 and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde in 60% yield (method B); brown solid, mp
189–191 °C. Mp and the spectral properties of 22 were in agree to those reported in literature [19].
(1,4-Dihydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)methanone (23). This compound
was prepared from 2 and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 66% yield (method B); yellow
solid, mp 173–174 °C. IR (KBr) νmáx cm–1: 3346 (O-H), 1630 (C=O); 1H-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6):
δ 3.95 (s, 6H, 2 × OMe), 7.08 (s, 2H, 2'-H + 6'-H), 7.16 (s, 1H, 3-H), 7.56 (t, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, 6-H or
7-H), 7.66 (t, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, 7-H or 6-H), 8.20 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, 8-H), 8.45 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, 5-H),
9.11 (s, 2H, 4-OH), 13.34 (s, 1H, 1-OH); 13C-NMR (CDCl3 + DMSO-d6): δ 56.3 (2 × C), 107.2
(2 × C), 111.8, 122.1, 122.5, 123.9, 125.7, 125.9, 128.6, 129.0, 129.5, 139.0, 144.2, 146.9, (2 × C),
149.3, 199.2; HRMS (M+): m/z calcd for C19H16O6: 340.09469; found: 340.09380.
3.3. Antiproliferative Assay
3.3.1. Cell Lines and Culture Conditions
Human cancer cell lines (T24, DU-145, MCF7) were cultured in high-glucose Dulbecco's modified
Eagle medium (Gibco, Grand Island, NY, USA) supplemented with 10% foetal calf serum, penicillin
(100 U/mL), and streptomycin (100 μg/mL). Balb/3T3 cells (normal mouse fibroblasts) were cultured
in the same medium, except that the foetal calf serum was replaced by 10% newborn calf serum. All
cultures were kept at 37 °C in 95% air/5% CO2 at 100% humidity. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)
was purchased from Gibco. Cells were incubated at the indicated times at 37 °C with or without
hydroquinones at various concentrations.
3.3.2. Cellular Assays
The cytotoxicity of the bis aryl ketones was assessed by following the reduction of MTT
(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) to formazan blue [37]. Briefly, cells
were seeded into 96-well plates at a density of 10,000 cells/well for 24 h and then incubated for 48 h
with or without the compounds. Cells were then washed twice with warm PBS and incubated with
MTT (0.5 mg/mL) for 2 h at 37 °C. Incubation medium was thereafter discarded and the blue
formazan crystals were solubilized by adding 100 μL DMSO/well. The colour solution was
subsequently read at 550 nm. Results are expressed as % of MTT reduction compared to untreated
control conditions. The calculation of EC50 values was performed by using GraphPad Prism software
(San Diego, CA, USA).
4. Conclusions
We have extended the photo-Friedel Crafts acylation of 1,4-benzo- and 1,4-naphthoquinone with
aldehydes to the synthesis of a significant number of oxygen-substituted diaryl ketones. The main
advantages of this general procedure respect to other methods to construct oxygen-substituted diaryl
ketone framework are the atom economy, simplicity, cheap and the chemical stability of the oxygen
substituent of precursors and/or products. From the antiproliferative screening of the oxygen-substituted

Molecules 2013, 18
9829
diaryl ketones, compounds 12 and 22 stand out by their biological activity levels on prostate DU-145
(EC50: 1.2 and 5.9 μM) and bladder T24 (EC50: 3.6 and 13.5 μM) cell lines, compared to those of the
anticancer drug mitomycin C (EC50: 14.3 and 42.2 μM). Even though compound 22 displayed less
potency than the analog 12, it exhibited a better mean selective index. Although compounds 12 and 22
have EC50 values lower than to GI50 values reported for phenstatin, due to their structural similarity it
may be hypothesized that inhibition of microtubule assembly is involved in the antiproliferative
mechanism of these two compounds. Chemical modifications of compounds 12 and 22 directed to
access to the scaffold of future active tubulin polymerization inhibitors are in progress.
Supplementary Materials
Supplementary materials can be accessed at: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/18/8/9818/s1.
Acknowledgments
We thank the Fondo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Chile (Grant NO. 1100376), the Fonds
Spéciaux de Recherche (FSR), Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium, and the FNRS
(FRFC Grant 2.4555.08) for financial support to this study. The authors are grateful to Véronique
Allaeys and Isabelle Blave for their excellent technical assistance.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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