Half-Wave Potentials and In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation of 3-Acylated 2,5-(phenylamino)-1,4-benzoquinones on Cancer Cells.

A broad range of 3-acyl-2,5-(phenylamino)-1,4-benzoquinones were synthesized and their voltammetric values, as well as in vitro cancer cell cytotoxicities, were assessed. The members of this series were prepared from acylbenzoquinones and phenylamines, in moderate to good yields (47-74%), through a procedure involving a sequence of two in situ regioselective oxidative amination reactions. The cyclic voltammograms of the aminoquinones exhibit two one-electron reduction waves to the corresponding radical-anion and dianion, and two quasi-reversible oxidation peaks.