The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I):

##STR00001##

including any stereochemically isomeric form thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for the treatment of, for example, cancer.

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I):

##STR00001##

including any stereochemically isomeric form thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for the treatment of, for example, cancer.

Novel selective synthesis route to introduce primary alkyl groups on aromatic compounds is disclosed. The synthesis route is based on electrophilic aromatic substitutions of thionium ion species that are generated in-situ from aldehydes and thiols, affording benzyl sulfide that can be reduced with triethylsilane.