Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Benzimidazole Derivatives Having Norbornene/Dibenzobarrelene Skeletons and Different Functional Groups

Two different anhydrides having norbornene and dibenzobarrelene skeletons were synthesized from Diels‐Alder cycloaddition reactions using dienes such as anthracene and cyclopentadiene, and dienophiles like maleic acid and maleic anhydride. New benzimidazole derivatives bearing carboxamide, guanidine, and cyclic imide functional groups were obtained from these anhydrides. The compounds were investigated for their effects on MDA‐MB‐231 (Human breast cancer), A549 (Lung cancer), Ovcar3 (Human Ovarian cancer), and Panc1 (human pancreas cancer) cell lines using the MTT assay test. Compounds 4–8 demonstrated critical cytotoxic action against all cell lines. Benzimidazole can interact with different biomolecules and living systems due to its purine‐like chemical structure and its basic nature. The number of benzimidazole derivatives bearing norbornene and dibenzobarellen skeleton is limited. The effects of new synthesized benzimidazole compounds against human breast cancer (MDA‐MB‐231), human ovarian cancer (Ovcar3), human pancreatic cancer (Panc1), and lung cancer (A549) cell lines were investigated using the MTT assay test. Experimental results showed that compounds 4–8 showed critical cytotoxic effects against all cell lines.