Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of 3-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-yl)-1H-indole-carboxylic acids derivatives

A mild and efficient method for the synthesis of 1-oxo-9H-thiopyrano[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acids and dimerized 3-(4-carboxy-1H-3-indolyl)-2-propenoic acids via alkaline hydrolysis of 3-(rhodanin-5-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acids derivatives was elaborated. Anticancer activity screening in NCI60-cell lines assay allowed identification of 5-fluoro-3-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester 2a with significant antimitotic activity at micromolar and submicromolar concentrations.