ABSTRACT Chalcones belong to an important class of flavonoids, which may be prepared by Claisen reaction. They possess a wide range of biological activities and industrial applications. Kostanecki was the first to give the term chalcone and who did pioneering work in the synthesis of naturally coloring compounds. Cytotoxicity against tumour cell lines may be the result of disruption of the cell cycle, inhibition of angiogenesis, interference with p53-MDM2 interaction, mitochondrial uncoupling or induction of apoptosis. Structural requirements for cytotoxic activity vary according to the mechanisms of action. Chemoprotection by chalcones may be a consequence of their antioxidant properties, mediated via inhibition or induction of metabolic enzymes, by an anti-invasive effect or a reduction in nitric oxide production. Chalcones are synthesized by conventional and microwave assisted synthesis methods. By microwave assisted synthesis, a considerable increase in the reaction rate has been observed and that too, with better yields. The compounds have been screened for cytotoxic activity and antioxidant activity
