Synthesis of Hydroxylated Biphenyls Derivatives Bearing an Alpha, Beta-Unsaturated Ketone as Lead Structure for the Development of New Drug Candidates Against Malignant Melanoma

A small collection of C2-symmetry hydroxylated biphenyls derivatives featured with a ?,?-unsaturated ketone as lead structure 21 was prepared and the capability of such compounds to act as antiproliferative agents against four human malignant melanoma cell lines 22 was assayed. The prodrug approach was applied in order to improve delivery of compounds into the cell by modulation of the phenolic23 OH protective group. The hydroxylated biphenyl structure bearing an ?,?-unsaturated ketone and a phenolic-O-prenylated chain would 24 facilitated the delivery of the molecule and interac