The present invention is directed to multifluoro-substituted Chalcones and analogs thereof, represented by the general Formula I: ##STR00001## wherein Ar and R.sub.6-R.sub.10 are defined herein. The present invention also relates to the discovery that compounds having Formula I are activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis. Therefore, the activators of caspases and inducers of apoptosis of this invention may be used to induce cell death in a variety of clinical conditions in which uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells occurs.