Antileukemic activity of 2-bis(2-methylthio)vinyl-1-methylquinolinium iodides

Reaction of 1-methylquinolinium-2-dithioacetic acid zwitterions with excess methyl iodide in dimethylformamide gave the corresponding bis(2-methylthio)vinyl derivatives. These compounds were more soluble in both aqueous and organic media than the dithioacetic acid zwitterions but showed comparable antileukemic activity in mice. Reaction with morpholine converted a bis(2-methylthio)vinyl derivative almost quantitatively to the 2-mono(methylthio)-2-morpholino derivative. Leukemia cell culture studies of the 6-methyl derivative showed no effect on cell cycle processes.