Biphenyls and their derivatives as synthetically and pharmacologically important aromatic structural moieties

Biphenyls are an important intermediate in organic chemistry which constitutes the structural moiety of a wide range of compounds with profound pharmacological activity. Being a neutral molecule (due to absence of the active functional moiety on it), biphenyls are required to be functionalized i.e. introduction of active group on it. Thus, the substituted biphenyls can be used for synthesis or condensation of another active group with itself which are pharmacologically significant thereby forming the compounds with altogether new activity. Initially, biphenyls were widely used as intermediates in chemical synthesis and pesticides in the form of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). But with the emerging trends in the synthetic chemistry, a number of derivatives are obtained which are of therapeutic significance. This review is summarized to know about synthesis of biphenyl and its derivatives as well as various biphenyl analogs that has potential to act against number of disease and disorders. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.