Regioselective one pot synthesis of 3,3′-diindolylethylene derivatives and study of their cytotoxic activity

2,2'-Diphenyl-3,3'-diindolylethylene (DPDIE) derivatives 3a-g were regioselectively prepared in one pot from indoles 1a-g in the presence of Lewis acids and were subsequently evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human leukemic cell lines, U937 and K562. The most potent compound 3g exhibited IC50 of 13.0-17.0 mu M. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.