Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of bis-styrylbenzothiazol-3-ium salts

A series of bis-styrylbenzothiazol-3-ium salts containing different substituents 4–12 were synthesized from 2-methylbenzothiazole by condensation of quaternary salts 1–3 with p-substituted benzaldehydes. All compounds were characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. Synthesized compounds 4–12 were screened for antitumor activities. Based on presented in vitro screening results we may conclude that compounds 4–6 and 9 showed the best cell growth inhibitory activity.