Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of cyano and amidino substituted 2-phenylbenzothiazoles

Series of cyano, dicyano, amidino, and diamidino substituted 2-phenylbenzothiazoles were prepared. Mono- and dicyano substituted benzothiazoles were obtained by condensation of appropriate substituted benzaldehydes with 2-aminothiophenol or 4-amino-3-mercaptobenzonitrile. The appropriate amidines or diamidines were prepared by Pinner reaction. The compounds were tested against breast, prostate, and lung cancer cell lines in a 72 h cytotoxicity assay. Many of the compounds had at 10 mu M activity equivalent to 2-(4-aminophenyl)benzothiazole, while four compounds had significantly better activity, particularly in the breast cancer model.