Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of N‐Aroylureas through Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization of Indolines with Isocyanates

The rhodium(III)‐catalyzed C−H amidation and subsequent C−N bond formation reaction of indolines with aryl and alkyl isocyanates at room temperature are reported. These transformations allow the generation of N ‐aroylurea functionality at the C7‐position of indolines, which is known as a crucial scaffold found in biologically active molecules. In addition, the synthesis of pyrroloindolidione derivatives is also described through sequential C6‐amidation reaction and intramolecular cyclization of C7‐amidated indolines. All synthesized products were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic effect against human prostate adenocarcinoma cells (DU145), human breast cancer cells (MCF‐7), and triple negative human breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231), respectively. Notably, compounds 4 d and 4 e with linear alkyl side chains were found to be highly cytotoxic, which is comparable to that of anticancer doxorubicin and cisplatin as positive controls. magnified image