Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of novel hybrid compounds of imidazole scaffold-based 2-substituted benzofurans

Abstract

A series of novel hybrid compounds between 2-substituted benzofuran and imidazole have been prepared and evaluated in vitro against a panel of human tumor cell lines. The results show that the hybrid compounds were more selective towards an ovarian carcinoma cell line (Skov-3) and suggest that hybrid compounds bearing 2-substituted benzofuran and benzimidazole moieties, as well as imidazolium salts, were vital for modulating cytotoxic activity. The 2-substituted benzofuran imidazole hybrids 24 and 8 can serve as valuable leads for further structural modifications.