Electrochemically Promoted Multicomponent Approach for the Synthesis of trans-2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran Derivatives and Study of Their DNA Cleavage and Anticancer Activity

A one-pot, electrochemical, multicomponent tandem synthesis of trans-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives is reported. Using a protic solvent in an undivided cell under mild, catalyst-free conditions, the obtained substrate yields are of 85%–93%. This electrochemical approach offers an attractive alternative to conventional synthetic methods, providing an environmentally friendly route for diastereoselective tandem synthesis. Among the synthesized compounds, ten were selected for evaluation of DNA cleavage activity. Compounds 4a, 4b, 4f, and 5c demonstrated notable DNA cleavage activity. Additionally in vitro anticancer activity studied on three human cell lines includes human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), and human leukemia cancer cell line (K-562), among the five evaluated compounds 4f showed lower activity, while derivatives 4e, 4g, and 5d exhibited enhanced activity. Notably, compound 5c demonstrated significant activity across all three cell lines.