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. 2018 Jan 31;23(2):297. doi: 10.3390/molecules23020297

Synthesis and In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity of New 1-Phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea Scaffold-Based Compounds

Mohammad M Al-Sanea 1,*, Mohammed Safwan Ali Khan 2,3,4,*, Ahmed Z Abdelazem 5, So Ha Lee 6, Pooi Ling Mok 4,7,*, Mohammed Gamal 1,8, Mohamed E Shaker 2,9, Muhammad Afzal 2, Bahaa G M Youssif 1,10, Nesreen Nabil Omar 11
PMCID: PMC6017049  PMID: 29385071

Abstract

A new series of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea derivatives were synthesized and subjected to in vitro antiproliferative screening against National Cancer Institute (NCI)-60 human cancer cell lines of nine different cancer types. Fourteen compounds 5a–n were synthesized with three different solvent exposure moieties (4-hydroxylmethylpiperidinyl and trimethoxyphenyloxy and 4-hydroxyethylpiperazine) attached to the core structure. Substituents with different π and σ values were added on the terminal phenyl group. Compounds 5a–e with a 4-hydroxymethylpiperidine moiety showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity with higher mean percentage inhibition values over the 60-cell line panel at 10 µM concentration. Compound 5a elicited lethal rather than inhibition effects on SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line, 786-0, A498, RXF 393 renal cancer cell lines, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line. Two compounds, 5a and 5d showed promising mean growth inhibitions and thus were further tested at five-dose mode to determine median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. The data revealed that urea compounds 5a and 5d are the most active derivatives, with significant efficacies and superior potencies than paclitaxel in 21 different cancer cell lines belonging particularly to renal cancer and melanoma cell lines. Moreover, 5a and 5d had superior potencies than gefitinib in 38 and 34 cancer cell lines, respectively, particularly colon cancer, breast cancer and melanoma cell lines.

Keywords: cancer, cell line, synthesis, urea derivatives, antiproliferative, activity

1. Introduction

Cancer in its essence is a genetic disease; accumulation of inherited and/or acquired defects in cell proliferation and survival regulatory genes is responsible for cancer precipitation [1]. Oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes and stability genes are the three types of genes in which variations are the possible causes of cancer. These defects are required for a clinically significant cancer to occur and drive transformation of normal cell into cancerous ones [2]. Despite the availability of developed drugs including targeted tumor therapies, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the great possibility that the universal cancer burden will increase by 15 million new cases per year by 2020, unless further preventive measures are considered. The developments of new anticancer drugs signify a major objective and challenge for modern medicinal chemistry.

The urea chemotype is one of the most interesting scaffold-based compounds in the treatment of cancer diseases [3]. Apart from anticancer activity, other biological activities have been reported for urea derivatives such as antidiabetic [4,5,6], antitubercular [7,8,9], antimicrobial [10,11,12], and anti-inflammatory activities [10,11,13]. Much attention has been paid to the chemistry and biological activities of the diarylurea nucleus. Several compounds possessing diarylurea scaffolds have been recently reported as potential antiproliferative agents [12,14,15,16,17,18,19,20].

In the present study, a new series of diarylurea derivatives possessing 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea moieties were designed, synthesized and tested for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against National Cancer Institute (NCI)-60 cancer cell lines. Various substituted terminal phenyl moieties were introduced to investigate the influence of electronic and hydrophobic effects on the antiproliferative activity of the titled compounds. Furthermore, three hydrogen bondable moieties were introduced to the internal phenyl moiety to explore whether the addition of such moieties would result in a significant increase in anticancer activity.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Chemistry

Synthesis of the target compounds 5a–n was achieved through the pathway illustrated in Scheme 1. Regioselective nucleophilic aromatic substitution of 2-fluoro-4-bromonitrobenzene (1) with three hydrogen bondable moieties (4-hydroxylmethylpiperidinyl or trimethoxyphenyloxy or 4-hydroxyethylpiperazine) was the first step. The nitro group in 2-fluoro-4-bromonitrobenzene increases the reactivity of the aryl halide by decreasing the energy of the transition state according to the Hammond postulates and stabilizes the intermediate carbanion, furthermore the fluorine atom is more electronegative and then its reactivity is much higher than that of the bromine atom. Therefore, the substitution reaction was directed to the ortho position of the nitro group rather than the para position forming monosubstituted nitrobenzenes 2a–c (Scheme 1).

Scheme 1.

Scheme 1

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Synthetic scheme of diarylurea derivatives 5a–n.

The negatively polarized carbon-metal bond is well suited for the purpose of carbon-carbon forming reactions. Monosubstituted nitrobenzenes 2a–c were subjected to coupling reactions with 3-pyridineboronic acid in the presence of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride to afford disubstituted nitrobenzenes 3a–c.

The structure of the newly synthesized compounds 3a–c was confirmed on the basis of 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopic data. The 1H-NMR spectra of compound 3c exhibited triplet signals at δ 2.67 ppm and 3.69 ppm (2H) corresponding to NCH2CH2OH. Triplet signals at δ 2.748 ppm and 3.21 ppm (4H) correspond to the piperazine moiety (NCH2CH2N)2 grouping. In addition, characteristic signals corresponding to aromatic protons were observed. The newly formed disubstituted nitrobenzenes 3a–c were subjected to palladium-catalyzed reduction to the corresponding amines 4a–c. The 1H-NMR spectra of compounds 4a–c exhibited a multiplet signal at δ 7.29–7.30 ppm (2H) corresponding to the NH2 group. Finally, nucleophilic attach of the anilinic amino group on the electrophilic carbon of a phenyl isocyanate group was followed to successfully get the final target diaryl urea compounds 5a–n in yields between 64% and 91%. The 1H-NMR of all final compounds 5a–n showed additional signals at δ value ranges of 7–9 ppm assigned to the terminal phenyl moiety added through the final last step of the synthetic scheme through reaction of different arylisocyanates with the semifinal compounds 4a–c. Moreover, the 1H-NMR spectra of the final urea derivatives 5a–n indicated the presence of two broad singlets appeared at around δ 9.54 ppm for NH proton attached to the internal phenyl ring whereas other NH proton attached to terminal ring appeared at around δ 8.72 ppm.

2.2. In Vitro Antiproliferative Activities against the NCI-60 Cell Line Panel

2.2.1. Single Dose Testing

The newly synthesized target compounds 5a–n were submitted to National Cancer Institute (NCI, Bethesda, ML, USA; www.dtp.nci.nih.gov., accessed on 4 December 2017), and the seven compounds 5a–g shown in Table 1 were selected on the basis of their degree of structural variation and computer modeling techniques for evaluation of their antineoplastic activity. The selected compounds were subjected to in vitro anticancer assay against tumor cells in a full panel of 60 cell lines taken from nine different tissues (blood, lung, colon, CNS, skin, ovary, kidney, prostate, and breast). The compounds were tested at a single-dose concentration of 10 µM, and the percentages of growth inhibition over the 58 tested cell lines were determined.

Table 1.

Percentage growth inhibition results exerted by compounds 5a–e over the most sensitive cell lines.

Cell Lines Percentage Inhibition (at 10 μM)
5a 5b 5c 5d 5e
Leukemia CCRF-CEM 90.3 82.2
HL-60(TB) 86.1 106.9 93.7
K-562 90.6 84.9 82.3
MOLT-4 82.4 95.2 100.6
RPMI-8226 80.6 87.9 90.8
SR 82.9 97.7 93.4
NSCLC A549/ATCC 93.0
NCI-H23 96.0
NCI-H460 81.5
NCI-H522 90.7
Colon cancer COLO 205 126.6 83.9
HCC-2998 85.9 86.1
HCT-116 91.6 87.5 88.2 81.9
HCT-15 85.2
HT29 94.3 90.2 90.8
KM12
SW-620 82.4
CNS cancer SF-295 82.2
SF-539 98.7 84.9 81.1
SNB-19 84.7
U251 88.7
Melanoma MDA-MB-435 95.7 84.5
SK-MEL-2 110.3
SK-MEL-28 90.6 81.3
SK-MEL-5 146.1 80.0 138.3 88.7
UACC-62 95.3
Ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 95.3
SK-OV-3 95.7
Renal Cancer 786-0 108.7 84.4
A498 136.2 90.9 85.7 93.6
ACHN 82.7
RXF 393 134.8
TK-10 83.5
UO-31 83.0
Prostate Cancer PC-3 87.6 83.4
Breast Cancer MCF7 90.2 83.8 80.0
MDA-MB-231/ATCC 90.7 117.5 86.4
HS 578T 89.4
T-47D 94.4 82.5
MDA-MB-468 116.6 87.4
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The bold figures indicate lethal effects in terms of percentage.

Upon comparing the effect of hydrogen bondable moieties directly attached to internal phenyl ring on activity, it was found that compounds 5a–e possessing a 4-hydroxymethylpiperidine group were more active than compounds 5f–g with a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol. This directly reflects the influences of such moieties on the antiproliferative activity of the title scaffold. The mean % growth of the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel after treatment with each of the tested compounds at 10 µM is listed in Table 1.

Compounds 5a, 5d and 5e showed higher antiproliferative activity than the corresponding p-methoxyphenyl and p-trifluoromethylphenyl analogues 5b and 5c. It was clear that compounds with trimethoxyphenyl derivatives are not suitable as potential anticancer agents, while those having a piperidin-4-yl methanol moiety are promising anticancer agents. The average growth percentage of compounds 5a, 5d and 5e which have a piperidin-4-yl methanol are 22.16%, 24.67% and 32.41%, respectively (Table 2). Compounds 5d and 5e with disubstituted terminal phenyl rings have superior activity than the corresponding monosubstituted derivatives against most of leukemia cell lines. Compound 5a with an electron-donating group (methyl) showed lethal effects on the SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line, MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line and three renal cancer cell lines (786-0, A498 and RXF 393). Therefore, it can be concluded that the antiproliferative activity of the tested compounds against diverse cancer cell lines differs with the different steric and/or electronic properties of the substituents on the terminal phenyl moiety.

Table 2.

Mean percentage growth of the 60 cell lines after treatment with tested target compounds (10 µM).

Comp. No. Mean % Growth
5a 22
5b 59
5c 53
5d 24
5e 32
5f 99
5g 97
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The bold figures indicate the most active compound.

The percentage inhibition values of the most active compounds against the most sensitive cell lines are summarized in Table 2. SK-MEL-5 melanoma cell line was the most sensitive cell line to this series of compounds. The most active compounds against SK-MEL-5 were 5a and 5c with percentage inhibitions of 146.1% and 138.3%, respectively. K-562 leukemia and A498 renal cancer cell lines were also sensitive to the compounds. Compounds 5a–e were active against three cell lines (K-562, SK-MEL-5, A498), while compounds 5a and 5c showed higher potency over SK-MEL-5 (Figure 1). Among the seven target compounds, compound 5a and 5d showed the most promising results. They exerted broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity against different cell lines of different cancer types, including leukemia, colon, renal and breast cancers. Therefore, these compounds could be potential leads for the future development of broad-spectrum anticancer agents.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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The percentage inhibition values of compounds 5a–d against SK-MEL-5, A498 and K-562 cell lines.

Among all the tested derivatives, compounds 5a, 5d, and 5e showed the highest mean inhibitions. The percentages of inhibition of these three compounds over each tested cell line of the NCI-60 panel at 10-µM concentration are depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Percentage growth of 60 cell line panel upon treatment with compounds 5a, 5d and 5e at 10 µM.

The three compounds 5a, 5d and 5e exerted broad-spectrum antiproliferative activities against the NCI-60 human cancer cell lines of different cancer types. Among them, compound 5a was the most active as it showed the highest percentage inhibition values with more than 70% inhibition against SR leukemia cell line, SK-MEL-5 and UACC-257 melanoma cell lines, and T-47D and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines. The results of compound 5a and 5d against five cell lines (SK-MEL-5, MDA-MB-468, 786-0, COLO 205 and RXF 393) were compared with paclitaxel and gefitinib as reference standard drugs, as illustrated in Figure 3. The results of paclitaxel and gefitinib were obtained from the NCI data warehouse index.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Comparison of percentage inhibition values expressed by 5a, 5d, paclitaxel and gefitinib against the most sensitive cell lines.

2.2.2. Five Dose Testing

Compounds 5a and 5d with promising results in single-dose test and satisfying the criteria set by the NCI for activity in that preliminary assay were further tested in a five dose testing mode at 10-fold dilution (100–0.01 µM) on the full panel. For each of these compounds, three response parameters; the IC50, the concentration producing 50% growth inhibition (GI), a measure of compound potency), TGI (the concentration producing 100% GI, a measure of compound efficacy) and LC50 (the concentration causing 50% lethality, a measure of compound efficacy and cytotoxicity) were determined. The two tested compounds 5a and 5d showed high potency with one-digit micro molar IC50 values over most of the cell lines.

Compounds 5a and 5d satisfied the pre-determined threshold growth inhibition criteria and were further selected for NCI full panel five dose assay at 10-fold dilutions of five different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 µM).

The result of tested compound 5a is given by three response parameters (GI50, TGI and LC50) for each cell line from log concentration vs. percentage growth inhibition curves on cell lines derived from nine cancers (Figure 4).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Dose–antiproliferative response of compound 5a against nine different cancer cell lines.

Compounds 5a and 5d showed remarkable broad-spectrum potency against multiple other cell lines in the range of IC50 values of 1.25–8.44 and 1.26–3.75 µM, respectively. Among the 60 cancer cell lines, 5a compound exhibited significant inhibition against colon KM12 (IC50: 1.25 µM), CNS SNB-75 (IC50: 1.26 µM), melanoma MDA-MB-435 (IC50: 1.41 µM), melanoma SK-MEL-28 (IC50: 1.49 µM) and renal A498 (IC50:1.33 µM). The five cell lines against which compound 5d was found to be effective are non-small cell lung cancer EKVX (IC50: 1.72 µM), non-small cell lung cancer H522 (IC50: 1.73 µM), colon COLO 205 (IC50: 1.65 µM), melanoma SK-MEL-5 (IC50: 1.63 µM) and renal A498 (IC50: 1.26 µM). By referring to the efficacy parameter (TGI values) of the target compounds 5a and 5d, it was demonstrated that the most potent compound 5a was efficacious towards A498 renal, RXF 393 renal cancer cells, SF-539 CNS cancer cell, an d NCI-H522 non- small cell lung cancer cell line with TGI values of 3.32, 4.69, 4.67, and 5.12 µM, respectively, while compound 5d exerted remarkable efficacies against NCI-H522, COLO 205, LOX IMVI, SK-MEL-5 and RXF 393 cell lines, being able to induce TGI at concentrations below 3.66 µM and 50% lethality (LC50) at concentrations below 6.96 µM.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. General Information

The NMR spectra were recorded with a Bruker spectrometer (Billerica, MA, USA), operating at 400 MHz for 1H-NMR and 100 MHz for 13C-NMR. The multiplicities were abbreviated as s: singlet, d: doublet, t: triplet, m: multiplet, q: quartet. The coupling constants J are recorded in Hertz (Hz) and are liable to a little difference because they used the integral values measured by the spectrometer. The relative shift values of peak are recorded by ppm unit using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as standard material. Melting points were determined on a SRS OPTIMELT apparatus (Stanford Research Systems, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The FT-IR spectra were obtained on a 16E PC FT-IR spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed using precoated plates (0.25 mm, Merck, Billerica, MA, USA) of silica gel 60 F254 (230~400 mesh) for monitoring all reactions and under ultraviolet irradiation (254 nm). Column chromatography separations are performed using silica gel (230~400 mesh, Merck). All the commercially available reagent chemicals were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (St. Louis, MO, USA), Tokyo Chemical Industry Company Limited (Fukaya, Tokyo, Japan), Wako Pure Chemical Industries (Chuo-Ku, Osaka, Japan), Acros (Jersey City, NJ, USA) and Dae-Jung Chemicals (Shiheung, Gyeonggi, Korea), and generally used without further purification.

3.2. General Method for Synthesis of Compounds 2a–c

4-Bromo-2-fluoro-1-nitrobenzene (0.50 g, 2.28 mmol), piperidin-4-ylmethanol, 2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethanol and 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol (2.28 mmol), K2CO3 (0.32 g, 2.28 mol) were mixed in DMF (10 mL) and heated at 90 °C under N2 for 5 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was filtered to remove solid and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and washed with water, dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue solid was applied on column of silica gel and then eluted with the mixed solvent of ethyl acetate and hexanes (3:1, v/v) to give the pure product as a white solid.

1-(5-Bromo-2-nitrophenyl)piperidin-4-yl)methanol (2a). Yield: 0.61 g (85%), 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.50–1.53 (m, 2H), 1.72 (s, 1H), 1.87 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H), 2.89 (t, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H), 3.34 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H), 3.60 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 7.10 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (s, 1H), 7.69 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H).

2-(4-(5-Bromo-2-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-ol (2b). Yield: 0.7 g (93%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.661 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.714 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.136 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.688 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 7.164 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.274 (s, 1H), 7.70 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H).

5-(5-Bromo-2-nitrophenoxy)-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene (2c). Yield: 0.8 g (92%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.72 (s, 6H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 6.33 (s, 2H), 7.09 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H).

3.3. General Method for Synthesis of Compounds 3a–c

Compounds 2a–c, 3-pyridylboronic acid (120 mole %) Pd2(PPh3)2Cl2 (5 mole %) and K2CO3 (200 mole %) were mixed and dissolved in degassed mixed solvent of acetonitrile and water (4:1, v/v). The mixture was bubbled with nitrogen for 15 min and then heated at 95 °C for 3 h. After being cooled to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 × 5 mL). The organic layers were combined, dried over anhydrous MgSO4, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was then subjected to flash chromatography using the appropriate ratios of hexanes and ethyl acetate as mobile phases.

1-(2-Nitro-5-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yl)methanol (3a). Yield: 0.42 g (87%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.50–1.53 (m, 2H), 1.72 (s, 1H), 1.87 (d, J = 12.8 Hz, 2H), 2.95 (t, J = 12 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H), 3.61 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (dd, J = 1.6 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (s, 1H), 7.49 (dd, J = 4.8 and 8 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 8.70 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.87 (s, 1H).

3-(4-Nitro-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl)pyridine (3b). Yield: 0.66 g (83%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.75 (s, 6H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 6.34 (s, 2H), 7.14 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.32–7.35 (m, 2H), 7.75 (td, J = 8.0 and 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.55 (dd, J = 5.2 and 2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.68 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H).

2-(4-(2-Nitro-5-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethan-1-ol (3c). Yield: 0.60 g (86%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.67 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.748 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.21 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.69 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (dd, J = 8.4 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (s, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J = 4.8 and 8 Hz, 1H), 7.90 (dt, J = 1.6 and 8 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.70 (dd, J = 1.6 and 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.86 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H).

3.4. General Method for the Palladium Catalyzed Reduction of Nitrobenzenes 3a–c to the Corresponding Anilines 4a–c

To a solution of compound 3a–c (0.5 g, 22.6 mmol) in ethanol (150 mL), (0.05 g) of 10% Pd/C was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature under an atmosphere of hydrogen for 9 h. After completion of the reaction, the resulting mixture was filtered through celite, and the filtered catalyst was washed with ethanol. The filtrate was concentrated under vacuum to afford compound 4a–c which was used in the next step without further purification.

(1-(2-Amino-5-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yl)methanol (4a). Yield: 0.39 g (88%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.50–1.54 (m, 2H), 1.69 (s, 1H), 1.92 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H), 2.72 (t, J = 9.6 Hz, 2H), 3.26 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 2H), 3.63 (t, J = 2.8 Hz, 2H), 6.85(d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.29–7.31 (m, 3H), 7.85 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.82 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H).

4-(Pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)aniline (4b). Yield: 0.42 g (91%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 3.74 (s, 6H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 6.34 (s, 2H), 6.88(d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.30–7.33 (m, 3H), 7.86 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 8.49 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.79 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H).

2-(4-(2-Amino-5-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethanol (4c). Yield: 0.40 g (88%). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.67 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.748 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.21 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.69 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H), 6.79 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J = 8.0 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (s, 1H), 7.29 (dd, J = 4.8 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (dt, J = 1.6 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (dd, J = 1.6 and 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.76 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H).

3.5. General Procedure for the Synthesis of Urea Derivatives 5a–n

To a solution of aryl isocyanate (0.2 mmol) in THF (1 mL), the appropriate aniline compounds 4a–c (0.2 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature until arylisocyanate was completely reacted. The solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue was then subjected to flash chromatography using the appropriate ratios of hexanes and ethyl acetate as mobile phases to obtain urea compounds (5a–n).

1-(2-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)urea (5a). Yield: 0.045 g (64%). m.p.: 215–217 °C. IR (KBr) 3663, 3315, 3185, 1678, 1519, 838 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 1.53 (s, 2H), 1.80 (s, 2H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.74 (t, J = 10.0 Hz, 2H), 3.03 (s, 2H), 3.4 (s, 2H), 4.56 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 7.39 (s, 1H), 7.41 (s, 1H), 7.45–7.48 (m, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 2 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (td, J = 2.0 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.18 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (dd, J = 1.2 and 4.4 Hz, 1H), 8.89 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 9.54 (s, 1H).13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 20.83, 29.46, 38.66, 52.62, 66.48, 119.07, 119.17, 119.88, 122.92, 124.20, 129.7, 130.98, 131.31, 134.03, 134.65, 136.00, 137.64, 143.39, 147.79, 148.26, 152.97.

1-(2-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-3-(4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl)thiourea (5b). Yield: 0.07 g (86%). m.p.: 98–100 °C. IR (KBr) 3580, 3210, 3041, 2926, 1590, 1520, 838 cm−1. 1H-NMR (CD3OD) δ 1.23–1.25 (m, 2H), 1.59 (s, 1H), 1.81 (d, J = 10.8, 2H), 2.76 (t, J = 10 Hz, 2H), 3.13 (d, J = 12.0 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 2H), 7.39 (dd, J = 2.0 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (dd, J = 5.2 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.09 (dt, J = 1.6 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (dd, J = 1.2 and 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.80 (d, J = 2 Hz, 1H). 13C-NMR (CD3OD) δ 29.18, 38.04, 51.94, 66.44, 118.47, 121.85, 123.75, 124.10, 124.24, 125.82, 126.74, 133.22, 134.31, 135.04, 136.80, 142.29, 146.04, 146.67, 147.09, 178.85.

1-(2-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)urea (5c). Yield: 0.061 g (84%). m.p.: 205–207 °C. IR (KBr) 3585, 3314, 3196, 2927, 1673, 1506, 835 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 1.51–1.54 (m, 3H), 1.80 (d, J = 9.6 Hz, 2H), 2.74 (t, J = 10.0 Hz, 2H), 3.02 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 2H), 3.37 (s, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 4.55 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.92 (s, 1H), 7.41–7.42 (m, 1H), 7.43–7.46 (m, 1H), 7.46–7.48 (m, 2H), 7.49 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (t, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 8.19 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (dd, J = 1.2 and 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.89 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 9.41 (s, 1H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 29.50, 38.64, 52.67, 55.64, 66.48, 114.56, 119.10, 119.68, 121.10, 122.98, 124.20, 130.85, 133.11, 134.01, 134.78, 136.00, 143.25, 147.78, 148.24, 153.12, 155.18.

1-(2-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-3-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)urea (5d). Yield: 0.072 g (85%). m.p.: 170–173 °C. IR (KBr) 3657, 3298, 3120, 2935, 1679, 1548, 804 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 1.55 (s, 2H), 1.81 (s, 2H), 2.74 (s, 2H), 3.03 (s, 2H), 3.4 (s, 2H), 4.56 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J = 2.0, 1H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.53 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.72 (s, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.54 (dd, J = 1.2 and 4.4 Hz, 1H), 8.89 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 29.51, 38.64, 52.67, 66.45, 117.13, 119.23, 120.06, 123.01, 123.33, 124.20, 131.65, 132.56, 133.98, 134.11, 135.89, 139.90, 143.64, 147.84, 148.38, 152.67.

1-(2-(4-(Hydroxymethyl)piperidin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)urea (5e). Yield: 0.062 g (78%). m.p.: 189–191 °C. IR (KBr) 3582, 3305, 3097, 2924, 1677, 1587, 874 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.81 (s, 2H), 2.74 (s, 2H), 3.04 (s, 2H), 3.4 (s, 2H), 4.56 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J = 2.0 and 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.44–7.46 (m, 2H), 7.54–7.56 (m, 2H), 7.95 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (d, 1H), 8.18–8.19 (m, 2H), 8.53 (d, J = 4 Hz, 1H), 8.89 (s, 1H), 9.96 (s, 1H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 29.49, 38.64, 52.65, 66.46, 118.74, 119.17, 119.79, 120.10, 122.97, 123.62, 124.19, 131.08, 131.58, 134.03, 134.09, 135.91, 140.51, 143.64, 147.83, 148.35, 152.61.

1-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl)urea (5f). Yield: 0.201 g (70%). m.p.: 165–167 °C. IR (KBr) 3291, 3039, 2937, 1710, 1597, 844 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.752 (s, 6H), 6.50 (s, 2H), 7.076 (t, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dt, J = 2.8 and 11.6 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 8.0 and 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 2.4 and 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (td, J = 8.8 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.19–8.21 (m, 1H), 8.40 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (dd, J = 4.8 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.79 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 56.55, 60.62, 97.48, 103.98, 104.24, 104.49, 111.39, 111.58, 115.93, 120.70, 122.51, 124.28, 129.25, 131.02, 131.63, 131.98, 134.12, 134.57, 135.23, 146.61, 147.72, 148.61, 152.67, 154.16.

1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl)urea (5g). Yield: 0.11 g (77.5%). m.p.: 180–183 °C. IR (KBr) 3330, 3059, 2938, 1705, 1597, 830 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.75 (s, 6H), 6.49 (s, 2H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 6.91 (s, 1H), 7.21 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 7.43–7.45 (m, 1H), 7.49 (dd, J = 8.8 and 2 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (dd, J = 8.0 and 2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.42 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (s, 2H), 8.80 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 9.21 (s, 1H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 55.62, 56.52, 60.63, 97.26, 114.56, 115.98, 120.25, 120.37, 122.61, 124.28, 131.05, 131.63, 133.04, 134.07, 134.44, 135.29, 146.17, 147.69, 148.53, 152.75, 152.89, 154.15, 155.02.

1-(2-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl)urea (5h). Yield: 0.103 g (74%). m.p.: 103–106 °C. IR (KBr) 3424, 3030, 2938, 1707, 1533, 822 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.76 (s, 6H), 6.50 (s, 2H), 7.04–7.08 (m, 1H), 7.25–7.28 (m, 3H), 7.43 (dd, J = 4.8 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J = 8.4 and 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (td, J = 8.0 and 2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.22 (dt, J = 1.6 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.40 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (dd, J = 4.8 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.80 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 9.12 (s, 1H), 9.31 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H).

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl)urea (5i). Yield: 0.12 g (78%). m.p.: 186–188 °C. IR (KBr) 3333, 3096, 2938, 1712, 1591, 806 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.75 (s, 6H), 6.50 (s, 2H), 7.20 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (dd, J = 2.8 and 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (dd, J = 4.8 and 8 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J = 8.8 and 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 1H), 8.37 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (dd, J = 4.4 and 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.68 (s, 1H), 8.80 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H).

1-(4-Chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl)urea (5j). Yield: 0.144 g (88%). m.p.: 110–112 °C. IR (KBr) 3333, 3070, 2940, 1711, 1595, 822 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.76 (s, 6H), 6.51 (s, 2H), 7.21 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (dd, J = 4.4 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (dd, J = 2.4 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.95 (dt, J = 2.4 and 6 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.38 (d, J = 8.8, 1H), 8.51 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 1H), 8.69 (s, 1H), 8.79 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 9.82 (s, 1H). 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 56.54, 60.60, 97.42, 115.96, 116.93, 116.99, 120.78, 122.58, 122.93, 123.17, 124.25, 130.79, 131.92, 132.55, 134.12, 134.61, 135.19, 139.60, 146.62, 147.73, 148.63, 152.60, 154.18.

1-(2-Fluorophenyl)-3-(2-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea (5k). Yield: 0.105 g (72%). m.p.: 95–97 °C. IR (KBr) 3303, 3042, 2923, 1728, 1525, 804 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 2.73–2.75 (m, 6H), 2.95 (s, 4H), 4.26 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 7.15–7.17 (m, 4H), 7.43–7.45 (m, 2H), 8.10–8.13 (m, 2H), 8.52 (s, 1H), 8.54 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.90 (s, 1H), 8.91 (s, 1H), 9.36 (s, 1H).

1-(4-Methylphenyl)-3-(2-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3- yl)phenyl)urea (5l). Yield: 0.102 g (70%). m.p.: 166–168 °C. IR (KBr) 3306, 3473, 3031, 2923, 1707, 1517, 813 cm−1. 1H-NMR (CD3OD) δ 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.79–2.82 (m, 6H), 2.97 (t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4H), 4.34 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 7.09 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.16 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.32–7.36 (m, 3H), 7.41 (d, J = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (s, 1H), 8.06 (dt, J = 2.0 and 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.23 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.48 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 1H), 8.79 (s, 1H).

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-(2-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea (5m). Yield: 0.14 g (88%). m.p.: 203–205 °C. IR (KBr) 3310, 3582, 2921, 1729, 1522, 806 cm−1. 1H-NMR (CD3OD) δ 2.86–2.91 (m, 6H), 3.01 (t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4H), 4.38 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 7.32 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.42–7.46 (m, 3H), 7.51–7.54 (m, 1H), 7.76 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (td, J = 1.6 and 8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.22 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.49 (t, J = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 8.78 (s, 1H).

1-(4-Chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-(2-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea (5n). Yield: 0.155 g (91%). m.p.: 120–122 °C. IR (KBr) 3305, 3441, 3052, 2931, 1728, 1524, 830 cm−1. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 2.75 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.81 (s, 4H), 2.93 (s, 4H), 4.38 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 7.46–7.48 (m, 1H), 7.48–7.49 (m, 1H), 7.51 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.53 (dd, J = 1.6 and 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.90 (dd, J = 2.4 and 0.4 Hz, 1H).

4. Conclusions

A new series of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea derivatives have been synthesized and biologically evaluated as antiproliferative agents against nine different cancer cell lines. The present investigation highlights the significance of adding hydrogen bond moiety on the titled scaffold. Compounds 5a–e with a hydroxymethyl piperidine moiety exhibited superior antiproliferative activity than paclitaxel and gefitinib against the most sensitive cell lines. Among the five compounds, compounds, 5a and 5d showed promising mean growth inhibitions with significant efficacies and superior potencies than paclitaxel and gefitinib in different cancer cell lines, particularly ones belonging to melanoma cell lines. Moreover, compound 5a elicited lethal rather than inhibitory effects on the SK-MEL-5 melanoma, 786-0, A498, RXF 393 renal cancer, and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell lines. The findings of present study point towards the potential of 1-phenyl-3-(4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)urea derivatives as promising leads for future development of broad spectrum anticancer agents.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST School Partnership Research Grant). We would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA for performing the anticancer testing of our new compounds.

Author Contributions

S.H.L. designed the project, M.M.A-S. synthesized the compounds. M.S.A.K., A.Z.A., P.L.M., M.G., M.E. S., M.A., B.G.M.Y. and N.N.O. participated in the project and drafted the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Footnotes

Sample Availability: Samples are not available from the authors.

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