Discovery and optimization of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl substituted triazolylthioacetamides as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

•Based on our previous work, 29 novel triazolylthioacetamides possessing 3,4,5-trimethoxylphenyl groups were synthesized.•8f and 8j showed potent antiproliferative activities against Hela with IC50 values of 0.04 and 0.05 μM, respectively.•8b exhibited potent antitubulin activity with IC50 values of 5.9 μM, which was proximate to CA-4 (IC50 = 4.2 μM).