Synthesis and bioactivity of 2-cyanoacrylates containing a trifluoromethylphenyl moiety

A series of 2-cyanoacrylates containing a trifluoromethylphenyl moiety were synthesized in three steps: ethyl 2-cyano-3,3-dimethylthioacrylate was prepared from ethyl cyanoacetate with carbon disulfide and dimethyl sulfate, then its reaction with 4-trifluoromethylaniline yielded ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-trifluoromethylphenylamino)-3-methylthioacrylate, and then reacted with an alkylamine. The new structures were verified by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra. In the MTT test, these new compounds were found to possess high antitumor activities against PC3 and A431 cells.