Potential central nervous system antitumor agents. Aziridinylbenzoquinones.

A series of 15 2,5-diaziridinyl-3,6-bis(alkylamino)-1,4-benzoquinone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as central nervous system antitumor agents in the murine intracerebral L1210 and ependymoblastoma brain tumor systems. Intraperitoneal activity was evaluted in the leukemia L1210, P388, and B16 melanocarcinoma tumor models. The more hydrophilic hydroxyalkylamino compounds were the most effective in the intraperitoneal ascites systems (L1210, P388) with the dihydroxypropylamino (18) and hydroxyethylamino (17) analogues producing long-term survivors. The simple, more lipophilic mono- and dialkylamino derivatives were most effective in the intracerebral systems. Multiple long-term survivors were obtained with the methyl (13), ethyl (14), and dimethylamino (20) compounds in the ependymoblastoma brain tumor system. The parent amino analogue 12 was very active in several tumor models. The relationship between structure, activity, and water solubility are discussed.