Synthesis and study of some new N-substituted imide derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A new series of N-substituted imide derivatives have been synthesized by treating phthalic anhydride, naphthalic anhydride and their substituted derivatives with 2-hydrazino-1-imidazoline hydrobromide, various para-substituted aryl amines, aminoglutethimide and 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine. Compounds 9, 10, 12, 18, 19, 23, 24 and 34-36 have been selected and screened for antineoplastic activity by National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA. Some newer aminoglutethimide derivatives 37-39 have also been prepared in order to study the effect of N-substitution on its pharmacological profile for the treatment of carcinoma. These compounds (37-39) have exhibited weak inhibition of human placental aromatase as compared to aminoglutethimide.