Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitroureas and N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrocarbamates

As analogs of the widely used anti-tumor agents, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosoureas, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitroureas and N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrocarbamates were synthesized by nitration following the reaction of the appropriate amines or alcohols with 2-chloroethyl isocyanate. All tested compounds exert cytotoxic effect with IC50 values of 10(-4) to 10(-6) M and most of them show somewhat higher cytotoxicity in nitrogen than in air.