Abstract
A new class of substituted thiazole derivatives 6a-c which showed promising anticancer activity was synthesized via the reaction of cyclohexanone with phenylisothiocyanate with a good yield. The latter compounds reacted with benzendiazonium chloride to form corresponding 5-phenylazothiazole derivatives 8a and 8b, respectively. Moreover, the reaction of thiazole derivatives 6a-c with each of elemental sulfur and either of malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate gave the thiophene derivatives 10a-e, respectively. Compounds 10a-e were subjected to a series of heterocylclization reactions to give heterocyclic derivatives. Their cytotoxicity against four human tumor cells lines was measured and showed promising anticancer activity.