Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of some furanone derivatives

A series of 2(5H)-Furanone derivatives were prepared starting from 3,4- dibromocrotonolactone, which was obtained from highly functionalized mucobromic acid. Lactone on treatment with various nucleophiles gave 4- substituted-3-bromo-furanone derivatives. These derivatives were tested for their short term cytotoxic activity and three of them were found active. Compound 4-(2-Aminoanilino)-3-bromo-2(5H)-furanone 5 was found to be most active against DLA and HeLa cell lines.