Synthesis and Toxicity Evaluation of Some N4-Aryl Substituted 5-Trifluoromethoxyisatin-3-thiosemicarbazones

Molecules. 2011 Jul 29;16(8):6408-21. doi: 10.3390/molecules16086408.

Abstract

A series of twenty one N4-aryl substituted 5-trifluoromethoxyisatin-3-thiosemicarbazones 3a-3u was synthesized by the reaction of trifluoromethoxyisatin 1 with different arylthiosemicarbazides 2 in aqueous ethanol (50%), containing a few drops of acetic acid. Their structures were established on the basis of analytical (CHN) and spectral (IR, 1H-NMR, EIMS) data. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their toxicity potential by a brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Ten compounds i.e., 3a, 3e, 3i-3l and 3n-3q proved to be active in this assay, displaying promising toxicity (LD50 = 1.11 × 10-5 M - 1.80 × 10-4 M). Amongst these, 3k, 3n and 3o were found to be the most active ones (LD50 = 1.11 × 10-5 M - 1.43 × 10-5 M). Compound 3k showed the highest activity with a LD50 value of 1.11 × 10-5 M and can, therefore, be used as a lead for further studies. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed that the presence of strong inductively electron-attracting trifluoromethoxy substituent at position-5 of the isatin moiety played an important role in inducing or enhancing toxic potentiality of some of the synthesized compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Artemia / drug effects
  • Biological Assay
  • Thiosemicarbazones / chemical synthesis*
  • Thiosemicarbazones / chemistry
  • Thiosemicarbazones / toxicity*
  • Toxicity Tests*

Substances

  • Thiosemicarbazones