Modifications of the α,β-Double bond in chalcones only Marginally affect the antiprotozoal activities Original Research Article

Methods for selective alkylation of chalcones in the α- or β-position and for selective reduction of the α,β-double bond have been developed. The antiparasitic potencies of the α,β-double bond modified chalcones only differ marginally from the potencies of the parent chalcones indicating that the propenone residue only functions as a spacer between the two benzene rings, which are the true pharmacophore.