A series of novel quinones was synthesized by reacting tetrabromo-p-benzoquinone with amino
oligoIJethylene glycol) dendrons of generation numbers g = 0–2. According to the performed shake-flask
experiments, their aqueous solubility (S = 18 mg l−1
–1.6 g ml−1
) and partition coefficients (logPoct/wat =
2.53–0.21) can be tuned in a wide range as a function of g. In vitro cytotoxicity assays of tetrabromo-pbenzoquinone and its derivatives against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells showed a concentration- and
generation-specific biological activity with IC50-values as low as 0.8 μM. Further investigations revealed a
considerable selectivity against cancer cells, as indicated by a weak cytotoxicity against human skin fibroblast cells (>80% survival) within the studied range of concentrations. The results demonstrate that these
novel amino oligoIJethylene glycol) dendrons depict versatile tools to ameliorate physical and pharmacological characteristics of extremely hydrophobic molecules and make them susceptible to biological
applications.