Potential bioreductive alkylating agents. 7. Antitumor effects of phenyl-substituted 2-chloromethyl-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinones

Abstract

Functional groups such as nitro, chloro, bromo and methoxy were introduced in the meta and para positions of the phenyl ring of the antineoplastic agent 2-chloromethyl-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. Tests for tumor inhibitory potency of these derivatives against sarcoma 180 ascites cells in mice indicated that the para-substituted methoxyphenyl, chlorophenyl and bromophenyl derivatives possessed anti-tumor activity comparable to that of the parent compound 2-chloromethyl-3-phenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone; meta-substituted nitro and bromo derivatives were inactive or only weakly active anticancer agents in this system.