Cytotoxic 2-phenyacrylnitriles, the importance of the cyanide moiety and discovery of potent broad spectrum cytotoxic agents

► We have expanded our original phenylacrylonitrile pharmacophore. ► We demonstrate the importance of the nitrile moiety. ► Synthesis of acrylic acid analogues abolishes cytotoxicity. ► Introduction of an indole moiety afford nanomolar potency across 11 cancer cell lines.