Epoxide-containing side chains enhance antiproliferative activity of paullones

The introduction of side chains bearing epoxide motifs into the molecular scaffold of kenpaullone and 9-trifluoromethylpaullone led to improved antiproliferative activity of the novel derivatives for human tumor cell lines. The syntheses were accomplished applying Stille coupling for the introduction of unsaturated side chains into the 2-position of the paullones and subsequently employing a hydrogen peroxide/nitrile mixture for the epoxidation of C,C-double bonds.