Synthesis of some bisindolyl analogs for in vitro cytotoxic and DNA cleavage studies

Abstract

One-pot, three components, conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis of bisindolyl analogs is described. Michael addition of preformed 2,5-disubstituted indole-3-carboxaldehydes and 3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one with 2,5-disubstituted indoles under solvent and catalyst-free conditions afforded the hitherto unreported 2,5-disubstituted bisindolyl analogs bearing a pyrazolone moiety in excellent yields. All the synthesized compounds were characterized using IR, 1H NMR, mass spectral, and analytical data. The analogs were screened for in vitro cytotoxic and DNA cleavage studies. Among the screened compounds 4c, 4f, and 4h-4j have emerged as most potent cytotoxic and 4c and 4f-4h as active DNA cleavage analogs. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.