The series of AB ring cores of mappicine 5a-e were generated by the reaction of 2-chloroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde 4a-e with NaBH4 through eco-friendly route. All the synthons were characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, LCMS and HRMS techniques. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antioxidant activity, in vitro hemolytic activity, on human erythrocytes and cytotoxicity, on HeLa and Vero cells. Out of all synthons, 5e exhibit good antioxidant as well as cytotoxicity activities, where 5d showed promising hemolytic activity, and compound 5a (2-chloro-quinolin-3-yl)-methanol displayed good cytotoxicity with noteworthy selectivity towards HeLa cells. © ARKAT USA, Inc.