Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of N-1,N-m-bis[(tetrahydrobenzo[a]acridin-12-yl)phenyl]alkanediamides and N-1,N-m-bis[(tetrahydrobenzo[c]acridin-7-yl)phenyl]-alkanediamides

The title compounds were synthesized in four steps from 5,5-dimethyl-1, 3-c yclohexanedione as starting material. These compounds were evaluated agains t 60 tumoral cell lines, whereas the N-I,N-m-bis[benzo[c]acridin-7-yl]pheny l] alkanediamides displaying significant cytotoxic activity, the correspond ing N-I,N-m-bis[benzo[a]acridin-12-yl]phenyl]alkanediamides derivatives wer e found to be less cytotoxic. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.