Design, synthesis and cytotoxic activities of naphthyl analogues of combretastatin A-4

The 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl rings of combretas tatin A-4 are deemed optimal for its activity as antimitotic agent. The rep lacement of either one by a naphthalene ring results in compounds with a po tency comparable to that of the parent compound. These results show that th e naphthalene ring is a good surrogate for the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl or th e 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl rings of combretastatin A-4 and that neither of them is essential for the antitumor activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.