Facile synthesis and in vitro anticancer evaluation of a new series of tetrahydroquinoline

Tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) is an important structure for synthesizing multiple biologically active derivatives. Thus, we developed new quinoline derivatives and investigated them as anticancer agents. First, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and other techniques were used to confirm the structure of synthesized compounds. Then, they were assessed in vitro against three human cancer cell lines. Consequently, four compounds, 10, 13, 15, and 16, were identified as promising anticancer agents with pyrazolo quinoline derivative (15) exhibiting the highest potential IC50 and a strong apoptotic effect on three cell lines. Tetrahydroquinoline; Quinolone; Pyrazole; Isooxazole; Isatin; Anticancer activity.