Synthesis of some novel 2-[2-(aroyl-aroxy)-methyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazoles as potent anti-inflammatory agents.

A series of 2-[2-(aroyl-aroxy)-methyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazoles 4a-j were obtained via multiple step synthesis sequence beginning with the hydroxybenzophenones (1a-g). Hydroxybenzophenones on reaction with chloroacetonitrile affords [(2-benzoyl) phenoxy] acetonitrile (2a-g), which reacts with H(2)S/NH(4)OH and yields [(2-benzoyl) phenoxy] acetothiamide (3a-g), which on treatment with phenacylbromides affords 2-[2-(aroyl-aroxy)-methyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-thiazoles (4a-j). All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity and were compared with standard drugs. Of the compounds studied, (4g), compounds with chloro substituents showed more potent activity than the standard drug phenyl butazone at all doses tested.