Synthesis, Chemistry, and Antineoplastic Activity of α-Halopyridinium Salts: Potential Pyridone Prodrugs of Acylated Vinylogous Carbinolamine Tumor Inhibitors

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00168a021

A series of 4- and 5-<2,3-dihydro-6,7-bis<<(N-alkylcarbamoyl)oxy>methyl>-1H-pyrrolizin-5-yl>-2-halopyridinium iodides were synthesized.The rates of hydrolysis of the α-halopyridinium salts to the corresponding pyridones, and the reactivities of the carbamate moieties were studied as a function of pH, buffer composition, and ionic strength.The 4- and 5-pyrrolizinyl-2-halopyridinium iodides and the corresponding pyridones were evaluated against P388 lymphocytic leukemia in vivo.The α-fluoropyridinium compounds were active but the α-chloro compounds were not.This activity was correlated with the rates of hydrolysis of the α-halopyridinium compounds to the active pyridone.Compounds that were active in the P388 screen were evaluated in L1210 leukemia, M5076 carcinoma, and MX-1 mammary xenograft assays in mice.