Synthesis of chrysin derivatives and screening of antitumor activity.

A series of aromatic or long-chain chrysin derivatives (-) were synthesized by esterification of chrysin and acyl chloride. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by mass spectrum (MS), H NMR, and C NMR spectra. Though aromatic chrysin derivatives (-) with a rigid structure were hard to dissolve in common organic solvents, the long-chain chrysin derivative () with a flexible structure had better solubility, and its anticancer activity (IC = 14.79 μmol/L) against liver cancer cell lines was 5.4 times better than chrysin (IC = 74.97 μmol/L), which showed superposition of pharmacological activity.