Preparation and antileukemic activity of some alkoxybenzo[c]phenanthridinium salts and corresponding dihydro derivatives

• Published in: Journal of medicinal chemistry Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 66 - 71
• Main Authors: Zee-Cheng, Robert K. Y, Cheng, C. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 01.01.1975
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - chemical synthesis; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Carcinoma - drug therapy; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - blood; Leukemia L1210 - drug therapy; Leukemia, Experimental - drug therapy; Leukemia, Lymphoid - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Mass Spectrometry; Mice; Neoplasms, Experimental - drug therapy; Phenanthridines - chemical synthesis; Phenanthridines - therapeutic use; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - chemical synthesis; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0022-2623; 1520-4804
• DOI: 10.1021/jm00235a015

Salts of 2,3,8,9-tetrasubstituted alkoxy-, hydroxy-, and acetoxybenzo(c)phenanthridines as well as the corresponding 6-methoxy-5,6-dihydrobenzo(c)phenanthridines were prepared from appropriate chalcones through the tetralone and the 4b,10b,11,12-tetrahydrobenzo(c)phenanthridine intermediates. Complete O-demethylation of the tetramethoxybenzophenanthridine was achieved by fusion with pyridine hydrochloride at elevated temperature. The title compounds are active against leukemias L1210 and P388 in mice and some are curative against Lewis lung carcinoma. The importance of the nature of the environment about the nitrogen atom of these compounds and the substituents is discussed. 3,4-Dimethoxy-3,4-methylenedioxychalcone possesses activity against leukemia P388.