Antitumor Agents VIII: Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of O,O′-Bis(acrylyl)-α, ω-alkanediols

A short series of O, O′-bis(acrylyl)-α, ω-alkanediols was prepared to evaluate the potential significance of the O═C—C═CH2 system for cytotoxic activity against the growth of tissue culture cells originating from human epidermoid carcinoma of larynx (HEp-2). These compounds showed significant cytotoxic activity; however, the chain length bridging the two O═C—C═CH2 systems appeared to have no effect on cytotoxicity. Several O, O′-bis (β-bromopropionyl)-α, ω-alkanediols were prepared, tested, and found to have marginal cytotoxicity.