A series of cis-locked stilbenic compounds related to combretastatin and combretastatinA4 has been designed and synthesized. The cytotoxic effects of these rigid analogues were evaluated as well as their abilities to inhibit tubulin polymerization.
A variety of poly and diversely substituted isoindolinones fused with six-membered heterocyclic moieties has been readily assembled through a sequence involving metalation of N-chloroalkylated models, subsequent interception with appropriate electrophiles and ultimate intramolecular annulation reaction.