Design, synthesis, and anticancer evaluation of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether derivatives

A series of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives bearing the 2-positioned 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl substituent and 5-positioned organylsulfanyl moiety were designed and synthesized. Screening for anticancer activity against an array of human cancer cells revealed the superior activity of 2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-propylthio-1,3,4-oxadiazole. 2-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-5-butylthio-1,3,4-oxadiazole displayed excellent activity against breast cancer cell lines.