Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of novel amide derivatives containing ferrocenyl pyrazol-moiety

A series of novel 2-(5-ferrocenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-amide derivatives (1–38) were prepared. The compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy and element analysis. Compounds 19 and 30 were also gave crystals suitable for X-ray structural analysis. Biological evaluation of all the compounds were performed in the human prostatic carcinoma cell line (PC-3) and human mammary carcinoma cell line (Bcap-37) using the MTT method. Among them, compound 10 exhibited comparable in vitro antitumor activity to the positive control 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin.

Graphical abstractThe antitumor activity of a series of novel 2-(5-ferrocenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-amide derivatives (1–38) has been studied against two human tumor cell lines (PC-3 and Bcap-37). Compound 10 displayed the best cytotoxicity and can be pointed out as a promising substrate to be subject of further investigations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A series of novel ferrocene-containing amide derivatives were synthesized. ► Compounds 19 and 30 had been characterized by X-ray crystallography. ► Compound 10 exhibited comparable in vitro antitumor activity to the positive control adriamycin.