Synthesis of Some Novel Cytotoxic Di- and tri-substitutedbenzyl Gamma-ketohexanoates.

Present study describes diethyl cadmium mediated preparation of sixteen (3a-3p) new di- and tri-substitutedbenzyl gamma-ketohexanoates from corresponding sixteen (2a-2p) di- and trisubstitutedbenzyl 4-chloro-4-ketobutanoates. Their formation was proved through structural characterization by modern spectroscopic techniques. The prepared gamma keto esters were subjected to brine shrimp lethality test for cytotoxic activity and all of the gamma keto esters displayed cytotoxic activity. Trichlorobenzyl 4-ketohexanoate (3n) and tribromobenzyl 4- ketohexanoate (3o) displayed highest cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]