Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2-(2-arylmethylene)hydrazinyl-4-aminoquinazoline derivatives as potent antitumor agents

► 2-(2-Arylmethylene)hydrazinyl-4-aminoquinazoline derivatives were synthesized. ► The NCH double bond was identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction. ► Twenty compounds displayed moderate to excellent cytotoxicity. ► Two compounds displayed IC50 values in nM range. ► Compound 9p exhibited IC50 values of 31 nM and 15 nM against H-460 and HT-29 cell lines.