Synthesis, peroxidating ability, and antineoplastic evaluation of 1-[(aminoalkyl)amino]-4-hydroxy-10-imino-9-anthracenones.

A novel group of cytotoxic anthraquinone derivatives, 1-[(aminoalkyl)amino]-4-hydroxy-10-imino-9-anthracenones, has been synthesized. It has been shown that imino analogues of the anthracenediones exhibit diminished ability to generate oxygen radicals. The cytotoxic activity of iminoanthracenones obtained was lower than that of the related quinone carbonyl analogues. One of the obtained imino compounds showed a moderate antileukemic activity in vivo.