Synthesis of some new bis-thiazoles as possible anticancer agents.

Several new 5-(2,3-dihydrothiazol-2-yledinyl)rhodanines 3a-c and 5-(4-oxothiazolidinon-2-ylidenyl)rhodanine 4 were synthesized through the reaction of 5-thiocarbamoyl rhodanines 2 with phenacyl bromides or chloroacetic acid, respectively. The synthesis of the arylidene derivatives 5a-c were also described. The 5-(4-amino-5-cyano-2,3-dihydrothiazol-2-yledinyl)rhodanines 10a, b were obtained through reaction of rhodanines 1a, b with thiazolium salt 9. All the prepared compounds were screened for their anticancer activity using the NCI in vitro anticancer screening program. Three compounds showed promising anticancer activity against particular human cell lines used in the assay.