Design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline derivatives as potential antileukemia agents

Herein, we design and synthesize an array of benzofuro[3,2-c]quinolines starting from 3-(2-methoxyphenyl)quinolin-4(1H)ones via a sequential chlorination/demethylation, intramolecular cyclization pathway. This sequential transformation was efficient, conducted under metal-free and mild reaction conditions, and yielded corresponding benzofuro[3,2-c]quinolines in high yields. In vitro biological evaluation indicated that such type of compounds showed excellent antileukemia activity and selectivity, and therefore may offer a promising hit compound for developing antileukemia compounds.