Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of New 5-Ylidene Derivatives of 3-(Furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one

Reactions of 3-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-sulfanyidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one with aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes afforded a series of previously unknown 5-[(het)arylmethylidene]-3-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones. Treatment of 3-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one with thionyl chloride gave in a good yield 3,3′-bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2,2′-disulfanylidene-5,5′-bi-1,3-thiazolidinylidene-4,4′-dione which was reduced with zinc in acetic acid to 3,3′-bis(furan-2-ylmethyl)-2,2′-disulfanylidene-5,5′-bi-1,3-thiazolidine-4,4′-dione. The synthesized compounds were screened for antitumor activity.