Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of substituted benzopyranoisoindoles: a new class of cytotoxic compounds.

A series of novel aminosubstituted benzopyranoisoindoles possessing structural analogy to an active nitracrine metabolite are reported. The compounds exhibited interesting cytotoxic activity against a panel of cell lines, which was maximized by the presence of both 1-dialkylaminoethyl and 3-nitro substituents.