Recent Advancement in the Development of Benzothiazole as Anticancer Agents

Benzothiazole is an aromatic heterocyclic compound with the chemical formula C₇H₅NS. It is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid and has various applications in dyes, drugs, food additives, etc. Benzothiazole derivatives represent a diverse class of compounds with significant biological and pharmacological activities. The benzothiazole scaffold, characterized by its aromatic thiazole ring fused to a benzene ring, offers versatility in functionalization, enabling the development of compounds with tailored properties. Benzothiazole derivatives have shown potential in pharmaceutical applications, including antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer agents. Some compounds are also being explored for their potential use in treating neurodegenerative diseases. Traditional methods for benzothiazole synthesis typically involve the cyclization of 2- aminothiophenol with carboxylic acids, aldehydes, or nitriles under acidic or oxidative conditions. These classical approaches have been extensively studied and optimized, allowing for the efficient production of benzothiazole derivatives with high yields. Recent advancements in green chemistry have led to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly synthesis methods. For example, microwave-assisted synthesis and solvent-free reactions have gained attention for their ability to reduce reaction times, lower energy consumption, and minimize the use of hazardous solvents. Its derivatives continue to be the focus of extensive research, promising further innovations and applications in the future. This review highlights key synthetic strategies employed for their preparation and explores their anticancer activity. The abstract concludes with a discussion on future perspectives and challenges in the further exploration and development of benzothiazole derivatives for novel therapeutic applications. This abstract provides an overview of their chemical structure, synthesis methods, and diverse applications in medicinal chemistry.