AZOPYRIMIDINES AND THEIR CHELATING ABILITY
Date
1956-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The first recorded observation of the production of a tumour-like proliferation by a pure chemical compound of any type was made by Fischer in 1906. He described the atypical epithelial proliferation which resulted following the in of a solution of scarlet red into the ears of rabbits. Aferwards it was found that the active part of the molecule is o-aminoazotoluene (1).
During the past two decades scores of other azo compounds have been tested for carcinogenic activity and many have been shown to be active.
Following Haddow's (2) demonstration that certain carcinogenic hydrocarbons are able to inhibit the growth of certain tumours in animals, many compounds with a structural resemblance to carcinogenic substances were studied, for example, the unsymmetrical azonaphthalene.
Later (3), further studies of the possible relation-ship between the structure and the tumour-growth-retarding properties of azo compounds were made. Several' compounds gave evidence of significant inhibition of growth of certain tumours in animals.
Foye (4)3 working on the basis that these analogs could serve effectively as transporting agents for introduc-ing metal ions at the site of tumour growth, prepared several azo derivatives of the naphthols and phenanthrols. Later (5), pharmacological studies indicated that they had certain antitubercular activity in mice.
Because of the importance of the pyrimidines as cell constituents in the form of nucleic acids, and their importance in present-day therapeutics in such drugs as the barbiturate hypnotics, sulfas, antithyroid agents and vita- mins, to mention a few, interest has been shown in the effect
azopyrimidines and their metal chelates would have on in-hibiting tumour growth.
The present work was undertaken in an attempt to prepare certain azopyrimidines having one or two hydroxyl groups in an ortho-position with respect to the azo linkage, and to determine whether or not these will form metal chelates. In an effort to eliminate any interfering effect which other hydroxyl or amino groups at other positions in the molecule might have, compounds were selected having none of these tautomeric groups present except the one or two hydroxyl groups in the ortho—positions
Description
Keywords
azo compounds, tumour-growth-retarding properties
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Pharmacy and Nutrition