Cinnamic acid derived oxazolinium ions as novel cytotoxic agents.

Substituted cinnamoyl chlorides, 11, were converted into (2-hydroxyethyl)-oxazolinium chlorides 14, N,N-bis-(2-chloroethyl)amides 16 and (2-chloroethyl)-oxazolinium chlorides 17. Although derivatives 14 which possess electron-donating substituents (Me or MeO) were more potent than those substituted by electron-withdrawing groups (NO(2), Cl or CF(3)), the difference in cytotoxic actin was not significant. Modification of the lipophilic character in a series of alkoxy-substituted derivatives 14 led to more active compounds, where 14t that possesses a 4-octyloxy-phenyl-substituent was the most potent and displayed cytotoxic activity in the microM range.