Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of 8-amino-6-methyl-2-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexaazaacenaphthyle ne (7-aza-TCN) and the corresponding 2'-deoxy- and arabinonucleoside analogues.

The tricyclic nucleoside 8-amino-6-N-methyl-2-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,3,5,6, 7-hexaazaacenaphthylene was synthesized from 8-amino-6-N-methyl-4-(methylthio)-2-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,3,5,6, 7-hexaazaacenaphthylene. The 2'-deoxy analogue of 5, 8-amino-6-N-methyl-2-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,3,5,6, 7-hexaazaacenaphthylene (11), and the arabino analogue of (5), 8-amino-6-N-methyl-2-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-1,2,3,5,6, 7-hexaazaacenaphthylene (14) were synthesized from 5. Nucleosides 2,3,4,5,11, and 14 were evaluated for potential anticancer activity by measuring their ability to inhibit the growth of L1210 and H. Ep. 2 tumor cells in vitro.