Streptonigrin and lavendamycin partial structures. Preparation of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone-6′-carboxylic acid: A probe for the minimum,potent pharmacophore of the naturally occurring antitumor-antibiotics

The preparation of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone-6′-carboxylic acid (4) constituting a potential minimum, potent pharmacophore of streptonigrin (1) and lavendamycin (2) , two structurally-related naturally-occurring antitumor-antibiotic, is detailed. In contrast to observations associated with streptonigrin and lavendamycin in which the C-6′ acid potentiates the antitumor, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity of the naturally-occurring, substituted 7-aminoquinoline-5,8-quinone AB ring systems, the C-6′ carboxylic acid of 4 diminishes the observed antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of 7-amino-2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoline-5,8-quinone.