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.