Synthesis of thiazo- or thiadiazo- naphthalene carboxamides via mercuric intermediates and their antitumor and DNA photocleavage activities

Two kinds of thiazo- or thiadiazo- naphthalene carboxamides with aminoalkyl side chains at 5- or 6-position modified from naphthalimides were designed, synthesized and quantitatively evaluated as antitumor and DNA photocleaving agents. The compound with aminoalkyl side chain at 6-position showed stronger antitumor (A549, P388) and DNA photocleaving abilities than its isomer with that at 5-position. , the most efficient DNA photocleaver, also exhibited the highest cytotoxicity with the IC50 of 2.53 and 0.11 μM against cell lines of A549 and P388, respectively. These compounds also photocleaved DNA more efficiently than their corresponding naphthalimides.