Abstract
Reaction of 3-aroyl-1-arylthioureas with dimethyl but-2-ynedioate in dichloromethane and catalyzed by triphenylphosphine at -5 degrees C led to (Z)-methyl 2-[(Z)-2-(4-aroylimino)-4-oxo-3-aryl-1,3-thiazolidin-5-ylidene]acetates in good yields. The mechanism is discussed. X-ray structure analysis of one thiazolidine derivative is described. Antitumor and antioxidant activities have been investigated. One derivative of 1,3-thiazolidine showed moderate antiproliferative in vitro activity against hepatocellular carcinoma Hep-G2, whereas another 1,3-thiazolidine introduced effective antioxidant activity compared to ascorbic acid.