Heterocyclic quinones. XIV. Pharmacomodulation in a series of 11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolinediones: synthesis and cytotoxicity of 8-substituted 11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinoline-7,10-diones

4-Chloro-8-methoxy-11H-indolo3,2-c]quinoline could be obtained from 8-chloro-2,3-dihydro-1H-quinolin-4-one and 4-methoxyphenylhydrazine by applying Fischer's indole synthesis. Its nitration led to the 7-nitro derivative which was reduced to 7-amino-4-chloro-8-methoxy-11H-indolo3,2-c]quinoline when Raney nickel was employed as a catalyst and to 7-amino-8-methoxy-11H-indolo3,2-c]quinoline when palladium charcoal was used. Oxidation of the amines by potassium nitrosodisulfonate produced the corresponding 11H-indolo3,2-c]quinoline-7,10-diones. Displacement of the methoxy group by (N,N-diethylamino)ethylamine or by N-methylpiperazine afforded the 8-aminoquinones. The quinones unsubstituted at the 4-position were more cytotoxic than the previously described 2-methoxy-11H-indolo3,2-c]quinoline-1,4-diones.