Design and synthesis of 3-benzyl derivatives of ciprofloxacin as new cytotoxic agents

Background and Aims: Quinolones and fluroquinolones have known as antibacterial compounds at first; Then this fact has specified that these compound can be used as a cytotoxic agent. There are some evidence which carboxy moiety at position 3 of quinolones system can be replace by some rings to increase the cytotoxic activity. In this research the 3-carboxy group of ciprofloxacin was replaced by different substituted benzyl group to improve the cytotoxic activity. Methods: All of designed compound were prepared in two steps: at first using NaBH4 and catalytic amount of p-toluen sulfonic acid , ciprofloxacin was reduced and decarboxylated to a ketone intermediate(I). In second step, condensation of the ketone(I) with appropriate benzaldehyde, produce the desired compounds. Results: All of synthetized compounds were characterize using TLC and followed by HNMR and IR spectrums. Conclusions: The cytotoxic effects of synthetized compounds are going to consider.