10.1021/jo01225a005
The study focuses on the synthesis and analysis of certain benzanthracene derivatives with potential estrogenic and carcinogenic properties. The researchers synthesized various 9,10-dialkyl-9,10-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydro-1,2-benzanthracenes and related compounds, starting from 1,2-benzanthraquinone and 5-phenyl-1,2-benzanthraquinone. They used Grignard reagents, such as methylmagnesium iodide, ethylmagnesium bromide, and n-propylmagnesium bromide, to introduce different alkyl groups into the benzanthracene structure. The synthesized compounds were then tested for their ability to induce oestrus in ovarietomized mice, revealing that some of them, particularly those with ethyl and n-propyl groups, exhibited significant estrogenic activity. Additionally, the study explored the relationship between chemical structure and both estrogenic and carcinogenic properties, aiming to understand how modifications to the benzanthracene core affect these biological activities.