Synthesis, anticancer and antioxidant activities of 7-methoxyisoflavanone and 2,3-diarylchromanones.

A convenient, fast and high yielding method for the preparation of 7-methoxyisoflavanone and 2,3-diarylchromanones has been developed by the condensation of benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-alkoxyphenylketone with arylaldehyde/paraformaldehyde in presence of diethylamine, assisted by microwave activation. All the synthesized compounds were screened for anticancer as well as antioxidant activities. Among the nine compounds, 7-methoxyisoflavanone 7 and diarylchromanone 6c shows potential anticancer activity and diarylchromanone 6b has potential antioxidant activity. Compound 6h possesses anticancer and antioxidant activity at the same concentration.