Magnetic sulfonated polysaccharides as efficient catalysts for synthesis of isoxazole-5-one derivatives possessing a substituted pyrrole ring, as anti-cancer agents.

Four polysaccharides (chitosan, cellulose, starch, and pectin) were magnetized with magnetic iron oxide (FeO) and then sulfonated (except pectin) with chlorosulfonic acid. The obtained solid acids were used as a catalyst in three-component reactions between -substituted-2-formylpyrrole, hydroxylamine-hydrochloride, and β-keto esters for the synthesis of 4-(2-pyrrolyl) methylene-isoxazole-5-ones. The optimal catalyst system was selected and studied by IR, SEM, TEM and XRD methods. The diverse isoxazoline derivatives (obtained a mild and simple approach) were also fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and screened for anti-cancer activities against HT-29 and MCF-7 colon and breast cancer and HEK 293 normal cells. The results revealed interesting anti-cancer activities.