The synthesis, anticancer and antimicrobial properties of novel N-aryl-2-(5-aryltetrazol-2-yl)acetamides were discussed. Novel N-aryl-2H-tetrazoles were synthesized and modified in order to obtain the compounds with a satisfactory pharmacological profile. The structures of target substances were confirmed by using ¹H spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Anticancer activity screening was carried out within the framework of Developmental Therapeutic Program of the National Cancer Institute's (DTP, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, USA). The compounds with significant levels of anticancer activities have been found that can be used for further optimization. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized substances was evaluated by the value of the MIC and minimum fungicidal and bactericidal concentration. The findings exhibited that the compounds possessed moderate antimicrobial potential.

The new fully substituted (1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)acetic acids were synthesized from available precursors (1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethanones and 1Н-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylic acids, which are easily prepared by the Dimroth reaction from azides and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. The practical methods of homologization (the Arndt–Eistert reaction and homologization as a result of nucleophilic substitution by cyanide anion) and the Willgerodt-Kindler reaction were compared. The Willgerodt-Kindler method starting from (5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethanones was selected as the most convenient method for the synthesis of 2-(1-aryl-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)acetic acids, which are promising building blocks for drug discovery. Additionally, (1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)ethanones were studied for the synthesis of alcohols, amines and in the Johnson–Corey–Chaykovsky reaction.