SYNTHESIS OF ALPHA-METHYLENEBUTYROLACTAMS AS POTENTIAL ANTI-TUMOR AGENTS

A series of 1‐aryl‐3‐methylene‐2‐pyrrolidinones was synthesized via a three‐step reaction sequence. 1,4‐Bis‐[N‐(3‐methylene‐2‐oxopyrrolidino)]benzene, which can undergo alkylation at two sites, was also prepared. These compounds are related to the known antitumor agents α‐methylenebutyrolactones. Attempts to prepare bis‐α‐meth‐ylenelactams, in which the heterocyclic rings are joined through their nitrogen atoms by an alkylene bridge, were unsuccessful. All of the α‐methylenelactams were screened in B16 melanocarcinoma and P‐388 lymphocytic leukemia tumor systems but failed to show significant activity. Copyright © 1979 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company