Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2,5-diaryloxazolo[4,5- <i>d</i> ]pyrimidin-7-ylamines as selective cytotoxic agents against HeLa cells

Nine novel functionalized 2,5-diaryloxazolo[4,5-<i>d</i>]pyrimidin-7-ylamines were designed, synthesized and characterized using ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry<i>.</i> Their anticancer activity was assessed against human cancer cell as well as non-cancer cell lines. Three compounds, <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>9</b>, were the most cytotoxic to HeLa cells (IC₅₀ = 6.13 ± 1.95, 13.99 ± 1.80 and 49.92 ± 3.98 μM, respectively). However, only compounds <b>1</b>, <b>7</b>, and <b>9</b> were selective against the tested lines. Compound <b>9</b> can be classified as the most attractive and promising candidate for further development against cervical adenocarcinoma.