Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of certain α-methylene-γ-(4-substituted phenyl)-γ-butyrolactone bearing thymine, uracil, and 5-bromouracil

Certain α-methylene-γ-(4-substituted phenyl)-γ-butyrolactone bearing thymine, uracil, and 5-bromouracil were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. These compounds demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory activity against leukemia cell lines. The anticancer potency for the substituents of the lactone C(γ)-phenyl is in an order of 4-Ph> 4-Cl, 4-Br> 4-Me, 4-NO2> 4-F. For the pyrimidine portion, 5-bromouracil is more potent than uracil and thymine.