Compounds for the treatment of proliferative disorders

Abstract

The invention relates to compounds of structural formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, and prodrug thereof, wherein R a , R b , and R 2 are defined herein. These compounds inhibit tubulin polymerization and/or target vasculature and are useful for treating proliferative disorders, such as cancer.

1 . A method of inhibiting tubulin polymerization in a cell, comprising contacting the cell with an effective amount of a compound represented by formula (VII): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein: 
         one of R k  or R l  is —H and the other is 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         one of rings E or F is substituted with three or four substituents and the other is substituted with one or more substituents; and 
         with the proviso that when R k  is —H, then Ring E is not 4-aminophenyl. 
       
     
     
         2 - 75 . (canceled)