Synthesis of imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazoles – potential anticancer agents derived from γ-bromodipnones

We propose a new method for assembling the imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole system, based on the reaction of (2Z)-1,3-diaryl-4-bromobut-2-en-1-one derivatives with 2-aminothiazoles. The outcome of this reaction depends on the structure of the starting bromo ketone: when electron-withdrawing substituents are present in the structure of the ketone, a competing reaction occurs, which leads to the formation of 2,5-diarylfurans. Screening for antitumor activity has been performed in the case of 1-phenyl-2-(6-phenyl-5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]- thiazol-6-yl)ethanone and this compound has shown moderate ability to suppress the growth of kidney cancer cells, with a weaker effect on the cell lines of prostate cancer, colon cancer, and leukemia.