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The title compound, C18H12Br2O6, was synthesized from Morita–Baylis–Hillman adducts. It incorporates the bromin­ated spiro-hexa­dienone moiety typically exhibited by compounds of this class that exhibit biological activity. Both the brominated cyclo­hexa­dienone and the central five-membered rings are nearly planar (r.m.s. deviations of 0.044 and 0.016 Å, respectively), being almost perpendicularly oriented [inter­planar angle = 89.47 (5)°]. With respect to the central five-membered ring, the brominated cyclo­hexa­dienone ring, the benzodioxol ring and the carboxyl­ate fragment make C—O—C—C, O—C—C—C and C—C—C—O dihedral angles of −122.11 (8), −27.20 (11) and −8.40 (12)°, respectively. An intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by non-classical C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds resulting in a molecular packing in which the brominated rings are in a head-to-head orientation, forming well marked planes parallel to the b axis.

Background: Triple-negative BC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer and its lack of responsiveness to conventional therapies requires screening of new chemical entities. Anti-migratory compounds are promising to treat metastatic cancer since they inhibit one of the main steps of the metastatic cascade. Spirocyclic compounds are non-conventional structures used as building blocks for the synthesis of biologically active molecules and considered interesting structures in the search for exploration of new targets in cancer research. Objective: Here we evaluated the potential of eight synthetic spirocyclohexadienones as cell migration inhibitors. Methods: The anti-migratory ability of compounds was tested by wound healing and Boyden chamber approaches. Experiments in tubulin were performed by fluorescence and tubulin polymerization techniques. Finally, compounds were submitted to cell proliferation inhibition and flow cytometry assays to explore the mechanism by which they inhibit cell migration. Results: Four compounds inhibited cell migration significantly. Analogs containing the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenil ring at R1 position were the most potent and thus selected for additional experiments. Tubulin polymerization and fluorescence assays highlighted a possible binding of spirocyclohexadienones in colchicine binding site; however, compounds did not affect cell cycle to the same extent as colchicine. Cell proliferation was affected and, notably, the most potent analogs induced apoptosis of tumor cells, suggesting a different mechanism by which they inhibit cell migration. Conclusion: We presented for the first time a series of eight synthetic spirocyclohexadienones with the ability to inhibit TNBC cell migration. These compounds represent a new category to be explored as anticancer agents.

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