Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 22. Synthesis and antitumor activity of arylsulfonylhydrazone analogues

A series of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde N-oxide and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (thio)phosphoric hydrazones and two cupric chelates was synthesized. The hydrazones, chelates, and combinations of hydrazones and cupric chloride were tested against mice bearing P388 lymphocytic leukemia, Sarcoma 180, or Ehrlich carcinoma ascites cells. The effects of various structural modifications of the hydrazones on antineoplastic activity for this latter system were determined. In general, the pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiophosphoric monohydrazones containing P-phenyl or P-phenoxy substituents possessed the highest activity when concurrently administered with cupric ion, whereas the ligands themselves were inactive. Two of the compounds were prepared with P-hydroxyl groups to permit increased hydrophilicity. The ability of the hydrazones to chelate cupric, ferrous, and cobaltous salts was investigated, and discrepancies between determined and calculated log P values for three compounds are discussed.