Synthesis of α-Methylenebutyrolactams as Potential Antitumor Agents

Abstract

A series of' 1-aryl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidinones was synthesized via a three-step reaction sequence. 1,4-Bis-[N-(3-methylene-2-oxopyrrolidino)] benzene, which can undergo alkylation at two sites, was also prepared. These compounds are related to the known antitumor agents α-methylenebutyrolactones. Attempts to prepare bis-α-methylenelactams, in which the heterocyclic rings are joined through their nitrogen atoms by an alkylene bridge, were unsuccessful. All of the α-methylenelactams were screened in B16 melanocarcinoma and P-388 lyrnphocytic leukemia tumor systems hut failed to show significant activity.