Transition metal-catalyzed Synthesis of New 3-substituted Coumarin Derivatives As Antibacterial and Cytostatic Agents

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> The aim of this study was to synthesize new coumarin-based compounds and evaluate their antibacterial and antitumor potential. <b>Results:</b> Using transition metal-catalyzed reactions, a series of 7-hydroxycoumarin derivatives were synthesized with aliphatic and aryl moiety attached directly at C-3 of the coumarin ring and through the ethynyl or 1,2,3-triazole linker. The 3-substituted coumarin derivative bearing bistrifluoromethylphenyl at the C-4 position of 1,2,3-triazole (<b>33</b>) showed strong and selective antiproliferative activity against cervical carcinoma cells. The 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin with a phenyl ring directly attached to coumarin at C-3 (<b>10</b>) showed good potency against the methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and vancomycin-resistant strains. <b>Conclusion:</b> The most active coumarin derivatives owe their antiproliferative potential to the 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl substituent (in <b>33</b>) and antibacterial activity to the aromatic moiety (in <b>10</b>); their structure can be optimized further for improved effect.