Improved Synthesis of 1,3,4-Thiadiazolium-2-phenylamines using Microwave and Ultrasound Irradiation and Investigation of their Cytotoxic Activity

A new and efficient synthesis of eight 1,3,4-thiadiazolium-2-phenylamine derivatives (1-8, where 8 is novel in the literature) was performed using thionyl chloride or trimethylsilyl chloride as catalysts under microwave or ultrasound irradiation. The target compounds were obtained in good yields and remarkably short times, 5 min under microwave irradiation and 10 min under ultrasound irradiation, where compared to traditional methodology (24 to 48 h at room temperature standing). The best yields were obtained using the microwave irradiation and, in general way, using thionyl chloride instead trimethylsilyl chloride. The cytotoxicity against K562 human leukemia and Daudi lymphoma lines was evaluated and showed promising results from the 4-phenyl-5-(4'-nitro-styryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazolium-2-phenylamine chloride derivative.