Synthesis and anticancer activity of N-substituted 2-arylquinazolinones bearing trans-stilbene scaffold

A series of 2-arylquinazolinones 7a-o bearing trans-stilbene moiety was designed and synthesized as new anti-proliferative agents. Among them, the sec-butyl derivative 7h showed the best profile of activity (IC50 < 5 μM) against all cell lines, being 2-fold more potent than standard drug etoposide.