Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of benzo[6,7]oxepino[3,2-b] pyridine derivatives

Abstract A cascade reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridine 1-oxide and substituted 2-fluorobenzal-dehydes involving nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) and Knoevenagel condensation has been developed. This reaction provided easy access to benzo[6,7]oxepino[3,2-b]pyridine 1-oxide derivatives in moderate to good yields. Subsequent reduction of these compounds provided their deoxygenated forms in good to excellent yields. Moreover, some of the synthesized compounds were found to be active against human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116 cell lines) with IC50 values in the range of 24.95–45.80 μM.