Synthesis of 3,3,3-trifluoroethyl isocyanate, carbamate and ureas. Anticancer activity evaluation of N-(3,3,3-trifluoroethyl)-N′-substituted ureas

•3,3,3-Trifluoroethyl isocyanate was synthesized by a preparative pathway.•Novel N-3,3,3-trifluoroethyl-substituted ureas and a carbamate were obtained.•Anticancer activity of the synthesized ureas was evaluated by the NCI.•The activity was demonstrated against individual cancer cell lines.

A new method is described for producing 3,3,3-trifluoroethyl isocyanate from perfluoroisobutene (PFIB). Isocyanate was used for synthesis of carbamates and ureas. A series of trifluoroethyl-substituted ureas has been tested in the National Cancer Institute (NCI, Bethesda, USA) by the NCI-60 DTP Human Tumor Cell Line Screening Program at a single high dose (10−5 M). The moderate anticancer activity was shown against some types of cancer on the individual human cell lines for leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer and renal cancer.

Graphical abstract3,3,3-Trifluroethyl isocyanate was prepared from perfluoroisobutene. A 3,3,3-trifluroethyl-substituted carbamate and 22 ureas were synthesized. From them 18 ureas were subjected to anticancer screening by NCI.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide