Synthesis and biological activities of novel dialkyl (4-trifluoromethylphenylamino)-(4-trifluoromethyl or 3-fluorophenyl) methylphosphonates

A series of novel dialkyl (4-trifluoromethylphenylamino)-(4-trifluoromethyl or 3-fluorophenyl) methylphosphonates 3 were synthesized through the reaction of 3-fluorobenzaldehyde or 4-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde and 4-trifluoromethylaniline with dialkyl phosphite by microwave irradiation using boron trifluoride-ether catalyst and their structures were clearly verified by spectroscopic data (IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis). The results of bioassay showed that these title compounds possess potential anticancer activities in vitro by MTT method. At the same time, we found these title compounds exhibit moderate antiviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus.