Methylation of 2-Aryl-2-(3-indolyl)acetohydroxamic Acids and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of the Products

2-Aryl-2-(3-indolyl)acetohydroxamic acids demonstrate promising antitumor activity, but quickly metabolize in vivo via glucuronidation of hydroxamic acid residue. In an attempt to improve their pharmacokinetics, methyl esters were synthesized via a newly developed protocol for chemoselective mono-methylation of hydroxamic acids. The cytotoxicity of these derivatives against the HeLa cell line was evaluated and found to be inferior compared to the parent lead compounds.