Synthesis and antitumor properties of some isoindolylalkylphosphonium salts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00201a016

Antitumor evaluation of 2-(1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2H-isoindol-2-yl) ethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (1) revealed significant activity in P-388 lymphocytic leukemia (T/C = 160%). As a follow-up to this chemical lead, a series of closely related phosphonium salts was prepared in which the 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2H-isoindole ring system was maintained or in which it was replaced by other moieties such as maleimido, bromo, methoxy, and isoindoline. Syntheses generally involved treatment of the appropriate N-(bromoalkyl)phthalimide with the required phosphine or condensation of the K salt of the substituted imide with β-(bromoethyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide. From the biological data obtained for these compounds, several requirements can be defined for substantial antileukemic activity. Of utmost importance is the presence of a triarylphosphonium halide moiety, coupled to an alkyl chain of two or three carbon atoms. The preferred terminus of the alkyl chain is the 1,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-2H-isoindole ring system, although the observed activity of β-(bromoethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (T/C = 127%) would suggest that a superior carrier molecule could be developed.