[Synthesis of terephthalic acid derivatives and their activity on human promyelocytic leukaemia cells HL-60].

There were 13 derivatives of terephthalic acid were synthesized, in which 9 compounds were not found in literature. The 9 compounds were evaluated for their differentiation-inducing activities on human promyelocytic leukaemia cells HL-60. Compounds N1 and N4 possessed potential activity. Their percentage of differentiating effect was 55% (5 x 10(-6) mol/L), but it was less than that of retinoic acid (79%, 10(-7) mol/L).