Conformationally restricted 3,4-diarylfuranones (2,3a,4,5-tetrahydronaphthofuranones) as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

A number of naphthofuranones were synthesized and tested for COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition. Few of them were identified as selective COX-2 inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies within the series are discussed.