a General structures of series 1 and 2 of cytotoxins containing the 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl pharmacophore. b Synthesis of 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-1-[4-(2-diethylaminoethyloxy) phenylcarbonyl]-4-piperidone hydrochloride hemihydrate, dienone 2a, 1-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenylcarbonyl]-3,5-bis(4-methylbenzylidene)-4-piperidone hydrochloride hemihydrate, dienone 2b and 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-1-[3-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenylcarbonyl]-4-piperidone hydrochloride, dienone 2c. c Structure of curcumin