Azopyimindines and their metal derivatives
Date
1962-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The stimulation for the synthesis of a number of new azopyrimidines which would form metal dhelates has grown out of the intensive search for compounds with potential
anticarcinogenic nature.
In 1906 Fisher demonstrated tumor-like prolif-erations resulting from the injection of scarlet red into the ears of rabbits. The active component of this compound was found to be o-aminoazotoluene. Since that time scores of azo compounds have been synthesized and investigated for either tumor-inducing or tumor-inhibiting properties.
Cancer, being a disease of abnormal metabolism and mitosis, led researchers into the field of antimetabolites, compounds whose biological activity depends on interference with synthesis or utilization of a normal metabolite in the body. As a result numerous antifolic acid compounds and analogs of purines and pyrimidines have been synthesized. A number have proven promising and a few are among same of The best anticancer agents in use today.
A number of naturally occuring chelates are present in biological systems. The metals involved include Fe, Co, Zn, Cu2 Mn, and Mo among others. The fact that these metals are involved with body enzyme processes has led to considerable investigation to explain the action of certain drugs through
chelation mechanisms; thus the metal chelate compounds and the chelation mechanism have been considered in relation to cancer. It is thought that the removal or introduction of
certain metals into the delicately balanced system of metals and metal enzymes within the body would result in mal,-distribution and so interfere with proper function. Although no extensive studies have been made to relate carcinogenesis and chelation; this area would bear further investigation.
By including the pyrimidine nucleus in an aso compound which would form metal derivatives it is thought that these cospounds might prove to be anticarcinogenic. The azcpyrimidine itself may prove active possibly through a chelation mechanism or as an antimtabolite. The azo-pyrimidines may also serve as ocarrierso for introducing metal ions at the site of tumor growth. The presence of the
metal ion its4elf may affect tumor growth or act as an indication of the enzyme systems involved in the process of tumor formation and growth.
This investigation was undertaken to expand the synthesis of azopyrimidines similar to those prepared by previous workers (ID 2 3). The azopyrimidines prepared have two hydroxyl groups ortho and ortho-prime to the aza linage-3-and have previously been found to be strong chelators. The nickel axed zinc chelates of a representative compound in this series were prepared and a spectrophotometric invest-igation of their composition was undertaken.
Description
Keywords
azopyrimidines, chelates, Cancer, metal dhelates
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Pharmacy and Nutrition