Synthesis of some novel 2-substituted benzoxazoles as anticancer, antifungal, and antimicrobial agents

Benzoxazole derivatives show various types of biological properties such as antiviral, antineoplastic, anti-HIV-1, antitubercular, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities. In the last few years 2-substituted benzoxazole derivatives have been studied extensively for their antitumor, antiviral, and antimicrobial activities. In an effort to identify new candidates that may be of value in designing new, potent, selective, and less toxic anticancer, antiviral, and/or antimicrobial agents, we synthesized 2-[(arylhydrazono) cyanomethyl]-5-chloro benzoxazoles (II), 2-[(arylidene)cyanomethyl]-5-halo benzoxazoles (III), and 2-[(cycloalkylidine)cyanomethyl]-5-chlorobenzoxazoles (IV), and tested them for anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. Some of these (compounds 11, 14) were found to possess anticancer activity and remarkable antifungal as well as antibacterial activities.