InCl3 mediated one-pot multicomponent synthesis, anti-microbial, antioxidant and anticancer evaluation of 3-pyranyl indole derivatives

A simple and convenient method for the one-pot three-component synthesis of 3-pyranyl indoles has been accomplished by tandem Knoevenagel-Michael reaction of 3-cyanoacetyl indole, various aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile catalyzed by InCl3 in ethanol under reflux conditions. The newly synthesized 3-pyranyl indoles were evaluated for anti-microbial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Some of the compounds showed good anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines on comparison with of standard drug. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.