Imidazolium salts are actively explored due to their potential anti-cancer activity. Prior pharmaceutical research of anti-tumor compounds has led to the identification of N,N’-bisnaphthylated imidazolium salts, which have demonstrated high anti-tumor activity, similar to that of cisplatin. Cisplatin has been used as a chemotherapeutic agent for decades; however, it has numerous undesirable side effects, which has prompted the investigation into other compounds that are similar in efficacy, yet without the side effects. The synthesis and structural characterization of N,N’-bisnaphthylated imidazolium salts substituted in various positions with hydrophilic or lipophilic groups are reported, along with the structure activity relationship for tuning the activity and solubility of the salts. Nitrogen substituents have been known to provide the activity, while variations on the heterocycles’ alternate positions contributed to the lipophilicity, which plays a crucial role in modulating the solubility and efficacy of the salts against non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC).

Synthesis and antitumor activity of N,N’-bisnaphthylated imidazole salts with lipophilic or hydrophilic substituents on the imidazole and benzimidazole rings

249th National Meeting (2015)

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