Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 3-aryl-2-[1H(2H)-benzotriazol-1(2)-yl]acrylonitriles variously substituted: Part 4

A new series of variously substituted 3-aryl-2-[1H(2H)-benzotriazol-1(2)-yl]acrylonitriles was synthesized and tested for antiproliferative and antitubercular activity as part of our continuing research program in the antimicrobial and antitumor fields. The most cytotoxic derivatives (5a,g,i,j,l and 7b) (CC50 < 3.0 microM against MT-4 cells) were evaluated against a panel of human cell lines derived from hematological and solid tumors, using 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and etoposide as reference drugs. In particular, E-2-(5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)acrylonitrile (5g) resulted more potent than 6-MP on all cell lines, even if 2-14-fold less potent than etoposide. In the antitubercular screening, the derivatives 5i,j and 7e showed moderate activity against some resistant strains of Mycobacterium tested.