Synthesis of potential antineoplastic agents. XXVII. (Reissert compound studies. XLIV.). The ellipticine reissert compound as an intermediate in the syntheses of ellipticine analogs

Ellipticine and a number of ellipticine analogs were converted to Reissert compounds. Alkylation of the 6-benzylellipticine Reissert compound gave a series of 1-substituted-6-benzylellipticines. 1-Cyanoellipticine, obtained through the Reissert compound, was hydrolyzed to ellipticine-1-carboxamide hydrochloride which was active against P388 lymphocytic leukemia. Other aspects of the chemistry of the ellipticine Reissert compound are presented.