Cytotoxic activity of aryl and heteroaroxylazoxy derivatives

Synthesis of aryl and heteroarylazocyanides, azoxyesters and azoxysulphones, was carried out by the action of appropriate reagents on the corresponding nitroso derivatives and arylazoxyamides were obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding azoxycyanides. Cytotoxic activity was assessed utilizing cultured P388 leukemia cells. Most of the compounds tested showed a marked cytotoxicity at concentrations below 1 micrograms/ml.